How to choose a University

Making the right choice

With approximately 325 institutions in the UCAS scheme deciding where to go is no quick and easy decision to be made during a commercial break on X Factor. You can’t flick through a few brochures over pie and chips, close your eyes and plant a gravy dotted finger on a page to pick your course. It’s a pretty big deal, involves 3 or 4 years of your life upon which your future career will depend and undoubtedly will result in a stack of debt, a less than healthy liver and consumption of an unspeakable number of pitta bread encased shavings of greasy meat. So it better be worth it.

For many it will be a first sweet taste of freedom. A chance to fly the nest, grapple for independence and take the first steps towards an endless stream of parties and cheap alcohol. No more curfews or room cleaning or irritating spoilt siblings. But it will also mean no more home cooking, familiarity and laundry service. No one to pick up your socks and ensure the fridge is stocked with eggs, bacon and Dr Pepper. There is also nobody to make the decision for you. Deciding where to go will take time and effort on your part.

Home or away

Geography is important but not everything. Think about logistics. How far or close do you want to be? Are you someone who’d like to take washing home every now and then, plunder cupboards for food, but leave enough distance to avoid unannounced visits? Do you want to put as much territory between you and your jumper knitting relations as possible? Of course distance from home is a consideration but don’t let it dominate. Unis do have washing machines and food. Parents also have cars. Don’t pick somewhere just because your friends are going, you will meet loads of new people.

City or campus?

Morally offended by exercise or happy to trudge about? Think about whether you want to be somewhere where the Uni is spread out across the town or where everything is all in one place – there are pros and cons of both. Campus life provides a ready made community, everything close at hand and easily accessible. But it can also be a bit claustrophobic for the more independently minded and City living means a chance to get away from Uni at the end of the day. There is no right or wrong, it is a matter of personal preference.

Investigate and Research!

Of course look at websites and prospectuses but don’t stop there. No university is going to paint itself in anything but the most luminous and sparkling light. It is never going to have a top ten list of why it is not quite good enough.

You, on the other hand, should delve deep…

• Investigate the quality of equipment and facilities – are they industry standard?
• How well will a qualification meet employers’ needs? Look at the skill base with which the course should equip you. Compare this with job specs for roles that interest you. This should help you evaluate whether the course is the right one for you. Even if you’re not sure what you want to do it is still useful to make sure the skills learned on a course tally with the skills required in the workplace.
• Check to see if any companies endorse the courses you are applying for – this might prove helpful for access to equipment while studying and job applications later on. You should be able to find out by phoning the relevant department at the university.
• Weigh up courses according to their balance of academic work versus practical challenges and assessment. Some people are better at one than the other so it is worth thinking about.
• Check if the courses are accredited with the relevant skills council such as the British Computing Society (BCS) or the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET).

Open Days

These are a must. They are a great opportunity for talking to current students and recent graduates – websites will only advertise positive and upbeat student profiles. Ask what they think about the course. Get a feel for whether lecturers/tutors have their finger on the pulse. Ask about the standard of teaching and equipment. Word of mouth is often the best recommendation. Ask about relevant work experience. Has anyone dropped out? Ask about how they cope with the workload. They are also a great opportunity to visit the relevant departments and speak to the tutors themselves. Don’t feel you are wasting anyone’s time by asking questions. Open days are all about you finding out the info you need. Also wander round the town, have a look at the accommodation, find out what societies are on offer. Perhaps you can finally take up bell ringing or karaoke singing without all your friends at home laughing at you.

Don’t be afraid to phone and ask questions – initiative is well received.

Accommodation

• Some Unis guarantee accommodation in the first year as long as certain requirements are met so this is worth looking into – you’ll find info on the relevant website or in a prospectus.
• Accommodation might be in halls of residence or university owned property. Others will require you to make your own arrangements.
• Check out costs, proximity to uni facilities and city centres. You don’t want to find yourself in a state of the art room with en-suite power shower and personal butler only to discover the student bar is an unacceptable 10 miles away.

Extra-curriculum

Think about what else is on offer besides the academic stuff. Remember you’ll be spending 3 or 4 years of your life there. You don’t want to spend every Saturday evening hiding from indoctrination into cult like crochet classes or loony log throwing events. Having said that, most universities do have bountiful clubs, societies and sports on offer. Even the most discerning amongst you should find something to rock your boat. It’s just something worth thinking abut. Make sure it is somewhere you can see yourself living.

There are many useful websites:

• UCAS has an institution guide.
• Quality Assurance Agency carries out independent reviews.
• Unseats website has statistics and reports from students about the quality of teaching.
• Each institution will have its own website as well.
• The Times has a Good University Guide interactive map.