Choosing Your Uni

If you’re going to spend the next few years in higher education, it’s probably a good idea to do it at a uni or college that you actually tolerate. In other words, it’s not enough to choose your uni or college based on a picture in the brochure or the fact that that fit boy or girl down the street goes there.

There are many things to consider when choosing and it pays to be picky. Here are a few:
You may also want to look around some of the universities using our sister site www.uni360.com and their University Virtual Tours
Quick navigation: Courses | Size of uni | Location | Prospects | References | Local entertainment | Male-female ratio |

Of course: if you actually know what you want to be when you grow up, narrow your choices by finding out which unis/colleges offer that particular course or programme. If you’ve only got a passing interest in an area, find somewhere that offers it as well as other general courses you might like. Try visiting UCAS for a list of courses offered in the UK.

Size matters: how many undergraduates attend the school? Are there are a couple hundred or several hundred? Do you want to be a small fish in a big pond or vice versa?

Where on earth?: location counts, obviously. Is your uni/college behind a hay bale or next to a googolplex? Is it a good part of town? Is it too far from where you might be moving? Is there good transportation, i.e. do you have to hitch a ride on a tractor to get anywhere? Do they have adequate halls to live in? Are the halls self-catering or can you buy meals? Here’s where it helps visiting the campus on open days.

Grade A: what career prospects are open to graduates of the uni? What is the school’s track record of student success? Do they provide post-graduation career support? Is the school well-respected in its field? How will your work be assessed and what kinds of teaching can you expect?

Gift of the gob: do you know anyone who’s attended the college or uni, and your program specifically? Even if it’s your aunt’s hairdresser who’s been, it may be good to ask for their opinions.

2-4-1 pints?: if you love the nightlife and love to boogie, does your uni town have good pubs, clubs and bars? Are they affordable? If you’re into sports, does your school have decent extracurricular and team sports? How easy or difficult is it to join?

Fitness first: what’s the ratio of boys to girls? How does your school rate in terms of style and panache? Are there foxy people to pull at the local? Come on, you know this is important.