To give you a hand with your uni search, we’ve made a useful
list of what to compare unis on. Bear in mind that you don’t have to find the
uni which is the best at every single one of these – because we’re afraid that
uni doesn’t exist. Have a look at them all and decide which factors are most
important to you, and use that to help you make a choice.
1. The student halls
This will be your new home for at least a year, so finding
one that fits you is essential. Each university differs slightly, and many
universities will offer a few different styles of accommodation (en-suite,
self-contained units, etc.), so check out all the accommodation options
available to you.
2. The campus
No two universities look alike. Going to open days lets you
get a good grip of how big or small a uni is. Whether you prefer a bustling
city or a quieter vibe, having somewhere suiting your ideal size would be
fantastic.
3. Cost of living
Are the halls cheap or expensive? Will a food shop cost you
£50 or £500? Is there affordable public transport? Put together a budget and
see whether you could afford to live comfortably at the university. Prices
fluctuate depending on the area you’re looking at, so make sure you keep this
in mind.
4. Student ratings and reviews
Want to hear from students who have already been to a uni?
You can find thousands of student reviews from hundreds of different
universities on Whatuni. Hearing real experiences from students – can’t get
more helpful than that!
5. Local surroundings
Do you want to study beside the seaside, or be based in a
big city? Countryside and city universities are very different, so figure out
where you’ll be spending most of your time in order to find your preference.
Take a look at our city guides to see what things there are to do in the place
you might soon be calling home.
6. Course modules
Though you’ll likely be looking at similar courses across
different universities, the modules on these courses won’t be the same
everywhere. Have a read through the modules on offer at each place to make sure
you’re not stuck learning things you don’t actually care about – you can see
what modules a course offers on our course description pages!
7. Distance from home
Your university could theoretically be hundreds of miles
away from your hometown or be just down the road, so consider how far away you
want to go. The distance and cost of travelling home might influence your
decision.
8. Uni facilities
This is a big one. You should check out the uni's facilities
like the library, technology labs and sporting facilities, as this could be
hugely important depending on what you care about. Each uni will offer
something different, so make sure you investigate.
9. The type of uni
Do you want to go to a Russell Group uni? Or are you looking
for a uni that only specialises in certain sectors, or are you after a uni that
ranked highly for a particular subject? Whatever it is, find something that
matches what you’re looking for.
10. Course accreditations
Universities and courses can have many different awarded
accreditations, and these can be a real advantage when you’re looking for work
after you graduate. Compare and contrast to find the ones you really care about
in order to find the ultimate choice.
11. Nightlife
It’s safe to say that you’ll be doing a lot of socialising
during your first year at uni, so take some time to find out what kind of vibe
the local nightlife gives off. See if it’s the right atmosphere for your
evenings of freedom.
12. Societies
A lot of friends can be made through societies, but so many
exist it can be hard to keep track of them. Think of something that interests
you, and see which unis offer somewhere for you to keep this hobby on alongside
studying.
13. Entry requirements
Some universities ask for higher grades than others, even if
it is the same course as another uni. Check out the entry requirements before
setting your mind on one place. It might even be worth checking out if they
accept a lower grade, to avoid panic on results day.
14. League tables
League tables offer a straightforward way of seeing how
universities compare to each other in a number of ways, from academic strengths
to job prospects and more. Some places, like our sister site Complete
University Guide, even offer subject league tables, so you can see which unis
do well at the subject you want to study.
15. Transport links
Deciding to go home on a weekend could be a nightmare
depending on the transport in the area. Avoid this stress by looking at train
links between the uni and your home, or the uni and a transport hub like London
or Manchester. Consider if the hassle of travelling that much would be worth
it.
16. Contact hours
Deciding whether you want lots of contact hours with tutors
or not might influence your uni decision. It’s easy to find online how many
estimated contact hours a course offers at each university, and considering
what you would prefer can save stress later.
17. Scholarships and loans
Many universities offer loans and scholarships depending on
many things, including grades achieved at A-level and success in other areas
such as sport. Find out if you are eligible for these at your preferred unis to
save some cash on your education.
18. Learning methods
The type of course you choose is so important, as each
student likes different things. Search to see if the course is academic based
or has strong practical elements to figure out which uni fits your preference
the best.
19. Placement opportunities
Some universities have mandatory placement years for their
courses, but others will not. Have a think about what you’d want to do, and cut
out the choices that don’t match your needs.
20. Career services
It’s smart to plan ahead, and going to a uni that offers
good career services will be great when you’re getting ready to graduate. They
can offer advice on finding a job or writing applications, and often will host
events where you can network with employers.