How to choose your university

At some point in your school life, you will start thinking about whether or not to go to university. If you decide you do want to go, then you have to make the choice of which university, or universities to apply for. There are over 100 universities in the UK, as well as numerous affiliated and independent colleges which offer degree courses. 

You may have made the decision very early on in your life, or had the decision made for you by an esteemed family history. For those of us who have no family history to influence them, there is a plethora of universities to choose from and the choice can be overwhelming. Speaking to a careers tutor is often a good idea, and they will help you work out what is important to you. 

Here's the low-down on what you need to consider when making your choice.

1) How good is the University's reputation? Check out the Guardian league tables for a rough idea of how your potential institution stands with regards to student satisfaction, staff:student ratios, and average career development of graduates. It's not the be-all-and-end-all, but you don't want to pick a duff one if you intend to study to further your career, and some employers do consider some universities to be more prestigious than others.

2) How far is the university from your home? Some people like to be close to home, whereas others like the freedom associated with being a bit further away. It's personal preference, but don't forget to consider the cost of returning home for the holidays or just for a visit. 

3) What is the cost of living? Some universities are situated in very expensive places, for example central London. If finances are going to be an issue, then choosing somewhere with a lower cost of living might ease some of the pressure. Check out this article for some surprisingly cheap recommendations - York anyone?

4) The general feeling of the university. You really should go on at least one open day at each university you are considering. Prospectuses can give you a good overview, but there is nothing like being there and seeing for yourself. During the open day, make sure you ask about things such as on and off-campus accommodation, public transport, parking, childcare facilities (if you need them), and anything else you can think of while you are there. Make a complete pain of yourself. Universities are used to these types of questions, and the more accommodating and friendly places will deal with your questions well.

5) What type of campus is it? A closed campus has everything on one easily accessible site. Good examples of this are Hull, and Sheffield. An open campus, such as Durham or Edinburgh, has a few sites and buildings dotted around, and some of these can be quite far away, making travel between lectures a necessity. Some students don't like this and the worst type can make student life pretty complicated. Have a look round your prospective department and ask about the likelihood of needing to travel for your studies. 

6) Think about the extra-curricular activities. Lectures and seminars are not the only things you will experience whilst at university. Look at the union building and it's activities. Is there something you can get involved in? Are there societies you can join that fit your interests? Whether it's sport, journalism, volunteering, or music, that you love, check out the potential for adding breadth to your three years. 

7) Get to know your prospective host city or town. Think about what is important to you in a place - is it vibrant off-campus night-life, a leafy landscape, or a low crime rate? Doing a bit of research into the wider community will give you a feel for whether this is somewhere you can spend three years of your life.

8) What is the potential for finding part-time employment? Ease of access to a paid job might make all the difference between financial survival and oblivion.

9) Consider the university facilities. Check out the library - is it busy but still not too difficult to find somewhere to study? Are there adequate computer facilities and access to WiFi if you need it? Is there somewhere cheap to eat? Don't get suckered in by having a book-store on campus - you will visit this twice a year at best. I found that the cafe serving a five-item breakfast got much more of my patronage.

10) Most of all - which university provides the course you are most interested in. When it comes down to the nitty-gritty, being on a course you find interesting, teaching you things you want to learn, and which will help you meet your long-term goals is more important than how a 'top' university will look on your CV. 

ABOVE ALL - Use your instincts.

Good luck.

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