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Choosing your Course
When it comes to making decisions about which universities to apply to, there are a wide range of factors that you could take into consideration. You may find it helpful to spend time reading through information on university websites and prospectuses, and visiting on Open Days.
HOW DO I GO ABOUT CHOOSING A COURSE? HERE ARE OUR 10 TOP TIPS!
1
Subjects offered
Which universities offer the subject(s) you are most interested in? Would you like to study a joint honours or interdisciplinary course?
2
Details of the course
Which course’s content, structure and teaching style most appeals to you? How many years would you prefer your course to be? Would you like to study an integrated Master’s programme? Some university courses may also incorporate other opportunities that might interest you. For instance, would you like to have a year abroad? Would you like to have a placement year in industry as part of your course?
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3
Application requirements
What are the entry requirements for the course? Are there any further steps in the admissions process in addition to the UCAS application (e.g. admissions tests, interviews, written work submissions?). It is good to aim high while also having a realistic idea of which grades you could feasibly achieve to avoid putting yourself under too much pressure.
4
Rankings
University rankings and league tables can give you an idea of which universities rank most highly, both in terms of reputation and student satisfaction. Trusted rankings include: The Complete University Guide, The Times, and The Guardian. It is also worth viewing the rankings for your specific subject area – these may diverge significantly from the overall rankings, as different universities have different areas of academic strength.
5
Employability
As well as considering career prospects for your chosen subject area, you may also like to think about whether the universities you consider have good graduate employment outcomes, careers support and links with employers.
6
Faculty
How large is the department for your subject area? Which areas of expertise are represented among the staff, and what kind of research is currently taking place? Are there academics that you would be particularly interested in working with?
7
Facilities
Which universities have impressive academic resources for your subject area, such as libraries and laboratories?
8
Location
Where in the UK do you think you would most enjoy living? Would you like to live in a large city, or somewhere quieter? Would you prefer to be closer or further from home?
9
University site
Would you prefer to be on a self-contained university campus, or to feel part of a city? Do you prefer modern or historic university buildings? What is the accommodation like?
10
Other activities
What kind of societies and extra-curricular opportunities are on offer? Does the university have good facilities for sports, music, drama, or other activities you are interested in?
How should I pick my 5 UCAS choices?
On the UCAS form, you can select up to five courses. In making your decisions about where to apply, you should consider your predicted grades and ensure your choices include a combination of aspirational, achievable and safe options.
Read our article to find out about how to use these choices strategically.
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Watch the Webinars
Is Oxbridge for me?
In this live webinar, Universities Consultant Will looks at the pros and cons of applying to study at the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge.
Choosing a course and University
In this live webinar, Universities Consultants Daisy and Rowena discuss how to go about choosing a course and university. What should you consider, and which factors are the most important?
Browse the Blog
Expert advice, hints and tips from our Universities Team
Is Oxbridge on the horizon for you?
When it comes to preparing an application for prestigious universities it is always a good idea to start early. This is even more important if you are aiming for Oxford or Cambridge, and/or to apply for a competitive course such as Medicine or Law.
Based on the Team’s experiences of successfully supporting students with the admissions process, these tips will encourage you to get stuck in and work hard to make yourself the best applicant you can be.
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Fascinating courses you may not have heard of
If you are feeling lost, or simply want to be aware of all your options before making a final decision about your choice of course, read on to learn about a selection of the more unconventional courses that universities have to offer.
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