Choosing the right university is more than just deciding on the subject to study

By Fiona McKenzie, Head of Education at Carfax Education

In the coming months, as many as 400,000 students from the 2023 cohort will attend university ‘Open Days’ to select their top choices from thousands of full-time undergraduate degree courses offered at almost 300 UK institutions. However, even when an applicant is confident about the subject they want to study, there are still plenty of other factors to consider. Such as, which university and course are best, not to mention the type of university experience they want – impacting where life takes them. Historically, UK universities were the top choice for students worldwide, but school leavers are now investigating their study options at institutions in Europe and the US.

UK Universities offer a choice

Even with the increasing competition, UK universities remain a popular choice for international students. Home to many of the world’s top institutions, the UK represents a more traditional route, offering a high-quality academic and vocational, undergraduate experience. This option offers a familiar path for students who have studied a UK curriculum yet also has a long history of welcoming international students with other qualifications. In addition, UK universities offer excellent support systems for welfare and practical support for students from abroad – a welcome peace of mind for parents sending their children abroad for their studies.

A key advantage of studying in the UK is the variety of subjects on offer and the subject-specific degrees. With a strong teaching history in traditional subjects, the UK also offers globally recognised courses for vocational subjects like medicine, veterinary science and engineering, as well as more niche courses such as Business Management, Digital Innovation and Entrepreneurship at City University. Students can specialise from an early stage or combine subjects to form a joint degree.

Study durations and deadlines

Before making their applications via the UK University Central Admissions System, known as UCAS, ahead of the January 26th 2023 deadline, many students will still be exploring their university options. Although for those students considering medicine, veterinary science and medicine at Oxford and Cambridge universities, the application cycle for this year closed on October 15th.

Degree lengths vary in the UK. In England and Wales, they are three years; in Scotland, they’re four. It’s also worthwhile for students to consider a study abroad or a work placement as the opportunity to gain relevant professional qualifications and fast-track a career post-graduation. Meanwhile, in the US, degrees offer more academic flexibility and can last four years, and some even extend to six.

Questions to ask when deciding on where to study

Over the years in my role as Head of Education at Carfax Education, I ‘ve seen the invisible forces that can influence pupils’ further education decision-making, including peer pressure, parental influence, teachers’ views, social attitudes, anxiety and beliefs, and the candid advice I always give both students and parents are:

1. Make a shortlist of universities and visit them if you can, attending their open days and sample lectures. Then, have a walk around campus and ask yourself, “could I see myself here? Would it feel like a second home?”
2. Repeat visits will also improve the chance of getting a realistic view. It’s important to realise that your chosen city could be your home after your degree.
3. Consider whether you want a campus university, where everything is located on one site, providing a fully immersive experience. Or, perhaps you would fare better where the university is in another part of the town or city, where the accommodation, teaching blocks and university facilities mingle with everyday life.
4. Accommodation choices are also an important factor, whether living on campus in halls or renting accommodation in the city. You also need to weigh up the pros and cons of being in catered or self-catered halls in the UK and decide which will work best for you.
5. US universities offer top coaching and career opportunities for students with big sporting ambitions, not to mention scholarships. However, with US applications, there are several different timelines to consider. ‘Early decision’ (ED) applications are due in November, with decisions announced in December.
6. You can study most subjects at a large number of universities but consider how important the brand or reputation of the university is in the decision-making as a route to your future career.

It’s not just about the subject but also the experience

Despite the pressure when it comes to choosing a university, there is no right or wrong choice. It all depends on subject interests, career aspirations and the experience the student is looking for. University is a formative time for many students, so it’s critical that they explore their options with a focus on the social life and the learning experience, which is key to them.