Ellie Whelan
No matter how set on one university you may be, you will always need a backup… 4 backups, in fact. So, how do you choose which universities to apply to? With the course, location, reputation and distance from home to consider, it is easy to feel overwhelmed. However, here is a comprehensive guide to choosing the 5 UCAS options.
Do they offer your course?
It is all well and good to be fixated on a university, but you need to consider if they offer your course. The course choice should always usurp the university. It does not matter if you’re studying in your dream city if you despise your course and the career options it provides. Once you have your mind set on a degree, visit the UCAS website and search for all the universities which offer it. The website not only displays the universities, but the entry requirements thus guiding you to apply for universities which are within your reach.
Take league tables with a pinch of salt
League tables change constantly. Besides Oxford and Cambridge, the Russell Group universities climb up and down the ladder of ‘prestige’ incessantly. There is no saying that a university which dominates the league table will maintain this position by the time you graduate. Granted, it is important to consider the reputation of a university as this often correlates with employment opportunities. However, do not become fixated. All league tables assess universities differently, so not one can be used as the Bible of university applications. Instead, consider the student satisfaction rate and the employment/further education statistics. This will provide a better feel of the university, than an arbitrary table.
A country bumpkin or a city dweller?
From campuses to cities and rural towns to bustling crowds, the location of universities is another factor which sets them apart. Attending open days, and having a feel for both campus and city life, should make the location question easy to answer. I attended open days at both Bristol University and Warwick University and found that I much preferred to be in the midst of a city, rather than in a university bubble. The accessibility of shops, bars and parks appealed to me much more than the community of a campus. However, a lot of people share the opposite opinion. Finding your preference will narrow down your UCAS options and make filling in the dreaded form so much easier.
Would I be able to visit home?
For some students, going home is an essential part of university life. Unwinding from the stress of work and socialising is integral for so many. However, how often you can visit home really depends upon the distance and cost of travel. It is unlikely that an Edinburgh University student will be nipping down to Cornwall each weekend for some family time. Although distance shouldn’t limit your aspirations, be rational. Consider the cost of the train or plane and the hours spent travelling if you are a homely person.
Yet, don’t be afraid to travel further afield, even if the prospect daunts you. Moving away forces maturity and confidence in a way that nesting at home never could.
The most crucial advice would be to visit the universities, or at least do a virtual open day. Experiencing the city or campus and speaking to current students is so much more beneficial than studying league tables online.
Featured image courtesy of Dom Fou from Unsplash. No changes were made to this image. Image license can be found here.
