7 Tips to Help You Decide Which UK University to Apply For
Choosing which UK university to study at can be a difficult decision, especially if you’re coming from overseas. There are so many universities that are well respected and might take your interest but unfortunately, you can’t choose them all. Luckily, there are a few useful things that can help you narrow down your university choice and make the process much easier. If you’ve been struggling to decide, keep reading as we’ve compiled 7 ways to help you form your decision.
Check the rankings
A great way to help you choose is to look at the university rankings. The Complete University Guide and The Guardian Rankings are two of the best places to find accurate statistics for each university. Thankfully, there is also a ranking system for each subject too, so it’s a great idea to look at which university is ranked highest for the specific subject you want to study. The rankings are based on information such as student satisfaction on the course, teaching and graduate prospects. These are helpful tools to understand how well rated the course is by those who study it and also how much it will benefit you in the future.
Look at the prospectus
Besides looking at rankings, it’s also a good idea to look into the course and exactly what it offers. In a prospectus, there is usually a lot more information including the different courses the university offers, images of facilities on campus and even outlines of the modules you’d study on each course. It’s a better way to understand if the course or the university itself is for you. Even when the courses are the same, the modules they are offering can differ, so you might find some take your fancy more than others. You never know – you might even find a different course that interests you more!
Check the entry requirements
This is probably the most important thing to consider because you don’t want to apply to universities that are out of your reach. It’s a good idea to check the entry requirements (which can usually be found online and in the prospectus) and be realistic about whether you can achieve them. It might also be a good idea to have a university with a lower acceptance grade as a backup too, just in case. If you’re unsure about your prospective grades, make sure to clarify with your teachers so they can advise you as to what they think is achievable.
Look into student reviews
There’s no better way to get a real opinion than to hear from fellow students. You can find reviews for different universities online at Student Crowd. Most students are happy to be open and honest about their experience and the reviews will likely give you real insights into the university that you won’t find elsewhere. Sometimes it isn’t all about the courses, sometimes it’s about how the university deals with certain situations and teaching methods etc. The students who have studied there will have been through all the universities ups and downs so read their thoughts before choosing. It’ll give you a clearer view of what studying there will be like and that will help you to form your decision.
Research the societies
It’s not a secret that a lot of people go to university just for the experience, and while that’s not encouraged, it is a good idea to have a look at the social aspects they offer. Societies are a great way to see what things you can do alongside your course. Some societies could help build your CV and get experience for your future job. Or you might just be interested to join societies to make friends and have fun! There are a variety of different things offered at each university ranging from cultural to cooking and even pole dancing! Either way, they could help sell the university to you so have a look. Most universities usually have these listed on their website so they’re easy to find.
Take a tour
Unfortunately, this year is very different to most, so you might not get a chance to visit the university in person for a while. However, most are offering virtual tours this year meaning you can get a feel for the university from the comfort of your own home! It’s really handy if you wanted to visit a lot of them, as there’s way less travelling involved now. If you’re interested in finding a tour, take a look at the university’s website to find out more. It’s definitely worth attending, especially as it’s much more accessible this time around!
Check social media
It might not be as authentic, but you can get a lot of information about a university while searching through social media. The university will probably post a lot of info that could be important to your upcoming year and it would also be a great place to find out about the virtual events they’re offering. Most universities often hold events on social media such as live streams where you get to ask them questions. This would be good if you’ve got any queries on your mind that you want to be answered by the professionals.
Hopefully, by baring these points in mind, you’ll manage to pick a UK university that’s great for you. Remember, if there is anything else you want to know, contacting the university is always a good idea because they’ll always be open to talking to you. If you need any help with your application, don’t forget to check out our personal statement writing services. Best of luck!
