How To Choose a University

How to choose the right university for you

If you are searching for a university, you may be wondering how you will choose the best fit for you. There are many pros and cons of every university; what you consider to be a good choice may not be suited to another student. From studying at a Russell Group university to immersing yourself in the arts at a specialist university, there is something for everyone!

Universities offer a variety of facilities, courses and learning styles. You may want to write a list of priorities and factors to consider before narrowing down your options. Unsure where to begin? This article will guide you through all the steps of choosing a university.

What do current students think of the university?

Reading reviews from current students can help you with comparing universities in the UK. This can help you discover different experiences and perspectives from students around the world, from all kinds of social backgrounds, and reviews will often touch on some of the points we’ve listed above, giving you valuable feedback on real experiences.

You can use StudentCrowd to find reviews for every university in the UK. To help narrow down your search, why not check out our university awards and other league tables. These rankings are based on verified student reviews, so can be a good starting point for finding the best universities.

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Deciding where to study

When looking for a university, you are also choosing a location to live in for the next 3-5 years. Find out whether the area would be suitable for your lifestyle.

Do you like to attend concerts and enjoy live music? Research the local venues and gigs. Do you enjoy clubbing and a lively nightlife? Search for events and student nights in the area.

Search online to plan a travel route from home to university, so you aren’t caught out the day before you move in!

★ How easy is it to travel to the town or city the university is located in?

★ Are there regular trains and buses?

★ Would it be easier to get to the university by car?

★ How easily can you explore the city by foot?

Campus or city university?

Deciding between a campus or city university is based on individual preferences and the kind of student experience you are looking for.

For a strong community feeling at university, a campus university would be the best decision. It is perfect if you want to live, socialize and study all within walking distance. Many students find the transition from school to university less overwhelming when studying on a campus. Some universities have multiple campuses, so find out which campus you will be studying on for your course.

For students who want to be living and spending more time in the city, head to a city university. The university buildings are more likely to be spread out, giving you the opportunity to explore and immerse yourself in the local culture. If you are seeking out city-living and want to be close to shops, cafes and restaurants, this type of university is ideal for you.

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Should you go to a university open day?

Attending an on-campus open day can help you to discover the buildings, teaching facilities and student accommodation in person. Many students find they can picture themselves studying at a university once they have visited it. Open days are useful for asking questions of course lecturers and current students. Visiting universities and other higher education institutions can support your decision-making, both in narrowing down your options and deciding which is your favourite or firm choice.

Discover our list of all upcoming uni open days in the UK

If you cannot make it to a university open day, most places offer virtual tours and even virtual open days. These are great for international students, or if the date of an open day didn’t work for you. Find out more about how to choose a university virtually here.

What are the different types of university?

There are a wide variety of universities in the UK, differing in age, specialism and research intensity. All universities offer degrees, but they may have very different teaching styles, reputations, links to industry and research emphasis. Find a list of all universities in the UK here.

List of ancient universities in the UK

List of Russell Group Universities in the UK

Discover the cheapest cities for student accommodation that have a Russell Group university here.

List of post-1992 universities in the UK

How do you like to learn and study?

Before you search and apply for university, find out about the teaching style of the courses. This will vary depending on the subject and school, but courses offer different focus on practical, industry, theory or research.

Consider looking at the assessment structures for the courses you are looking at. Some courses include exams, whereas others do not. Practical courses may include project assignments such as producing a video, product, portfolio or conducting experimental research.

Think about your academic skill set and how you enjoy learning best. Do you prefer learning in a large group setting or with a smaller group of classmates? Check the class sizes at each university. This can help to determine your contact time with tutors and amount of independent learning time required.

Find course reviews for your subject choices

When exploring the campuses, see if you can find a variety of study spaces. Are there silent or group study areas? Are there any relaxed study spaces or cafes for meeting friends? Are there multiple libraries on campus to cater for the student population?

Research the teaching staff at the universities

When comparing different universities, consider finding out more about the teaching staff and tutors. Universities which conduct world-leading research are likely to have knowledgeable staff who partake in research alongside their teaching role. This can be beneficial for your learning, as you can get an insight into current debates and topical interest points. This research often influences the teaching content, so find out if the research topics interest you.

Staff may also have extensive experience working in the relevant industry for their subject. Having experienced staff can help you to ask questions about the industry you want to work in, and find out what role may be suited for you. This may also be useful for networking and finding out about upcoming work opportunities. Equally, their industry experience may influence the teaching content, ensuring that students are well-equipped for the working environment after university.

Researching university entry requirements

If you have your predicted grades for your A-level or international baccalaureate exams, you can start to eliminate universities from your expectations. Although predicted grades are not always accurate, so don’t underestimate yourself if you think you can work hard to achieve top grades.

Even if you have high expectations, it's good to look at universities with lower grade requirements in case you don’t perform as well as expected, or you change your mind. For most students applying, their insurance choice has lower grade requirements.

How important is a university careers service?

It can feel like graduate job-hunting is far in the distance, but it can be good to start preparing for employment whilst at university. Whether it’s practicing your interview skills, writing up a stand-out CV or researching job opportunities, a university careers service can help to support you in this stressful time. Most careers services offer workshops, job-listing email newsletters and CV-clinics. It should showcase work experience you could complete in the summer holidays between semesters, as well as graduate roles.

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What are the student accommodation options?

Find out about the different accommodation options for each university as a helpful comparison point.

You’ll discover that student accommodation rent costs can vary dramatically depending on the city and area of the country and will be the single largest variable item in your budget. If you are stuck between two very similar universities, finding out about the cost of living and accommodation could make or break your decision. If you want to plan ahead, research some student housing prices. Are there good areas for you to live in your second and final years?

Find student accommodation

Are there a range of clubs and societies on offer?

If you have been playing a particular sport all of your life, search on the students’ union website to find out if the universities you are interested in have a club associated with it. Similarly, you may want to meet other people with the same interests as you. Looking at the clubs and societies can help you to learn what kind of students go to that university. For international students, find out if there is a cultural society, where you can meet other students from your home country.

Having a strong social support network will enhance your university experience, making you feel settled and relaxed during your studies. Find out about the students’ union to see what events they host during the year. You can find ratings for unions and student life on our university review pages.

Best Universities for Clubs and Societies 2023

What support services are available for students?

University can be a stressful time, especially around exam season. Find out if the universities you are applying for have mental health and wellbeing support services for students. Sometimes students’ unions offer free wellbeing events such as yoga and even pet therapy!

How to get the most value for money at university

There are a few factors to consider when looking for value for money in your university degree. Examples include graduate outcomes, teaching quality, cost of accommodation and skills learned. To get the most out of your degree, look for a university that meets all of your needs.

It may also be insightful to find out how much a university invests its income back into teaching and facilities. Some universities utilise tuition fees to contribute towards research funding and other areas.

Ask questions about what your tuition fees cover when applying for a university. Does it include 24/7 access to facilities or equipment provided by the school? Are you going to be expected to buy art supplies or textbooks to complete your course?

If you are hoping for employment in a top company, seek out a university with an excellent careers service.

If you are looking for the university with the best graduate outcomes, but least spending on accommodation, compare your options using our article here.

Perhaps the student perception of ‘value for money’ is important to you. Our Best Universities for Value for Money showcases the institutions with the best-rated value for money according to verified students.

If you want to get a degree without spending too much on accommodation, discover the cheapest cities for students here.