How to choose a university in United Kingdom

Here we will outline the basic steps to help you successfully choose the most suitable university and program of study.

The first step is always to set goals. Why do you want to study? Why do you want to study in the UK? Is your goal to get the most prestigious education? Are you looking for a job right after college? Are you looking to work for a large international company? Do you want to start your own business? Do you want to work in science? Depending on the goals, you can determine by yourself, or with our help, which university and which programs are best for you to achieve them.
Where exactly do you want to study? In a big bustling metropolis or a small college town? Study the university’s location and think in advance about the options for affordable housing. Study how expensive a particular area is. Decide on the lifestyle that suits you best, a busy city or quiet countryside. Living in London is different from living in Edinburgh. And it’s not only about the price of housing but also about job opportunities after graduation, the opportunity to earn extra money, the cost of training, the rules for obtaining a visa and the availability of transport. Our article will help you choose the right city.
What do you want to learn? Think about what is most important to you in the course. Learn in advance about the course structure, the composition of the subjects and how you will be taught and assessed, for example, if the program has a large number of exams, independent work (essays, laboratory work, etc.) or group work. It is also important to understand the required modules and modules to choose from, how many you can choose additionally, and in what subjects. Who is teaching these modules? What makes these teachers stand out? How practical are these modules and are they aligned with your goals? Is there any practice? Is it available to international students? Are there any special practical exercises? For example, visiting classes with geologists or staging courts with lawyers with real judges. If the program includes practical workshops, does the university have all the necessary modern infrastructure for this? What laboratories are there for chemists, physicists, engineers, biologists? What about libraries, including electronic libraries, access to all academic journals and publications, and so on?
Find out more about the different clubs and communities of interest. Most likely, you will have to study and live at the university for at least three years. Therefore, it will be helpful to know what is on offer outside of the curriculum. One university might have a vibrant cinematic society, while another might have a football team. Do these clubs participate in university-to-university competitions or even international competitions? Do they train Olympic athletes or talented and famous actors/musicians?
Feel free to ask questions. You can write to university employees or graduates who can be found on the social pages of their educational institutions to get first-hand opinions from graduates and university staff about interesting programs, positive and negative aspects of the educational institution, as well as useful advice.
If you have the opportunity to visit universities before making a final decision, it is best to take this opportunity. It is also important to focus on personal feelings when you are in school. Universities in the UK often hold open days, sometimes several times a year, and are always happy to accept prospective students for excursions, trial sessions and lectures. Many universities now hold open house days online.
Decide on the duration of the training. Different programs can last from one to five years, including an annual internship or one year at another partner university somewhere in another country. Such programs may not always be available to international students, but they are also worth considering.
Assess your chances not only in terms of admission but also in terms of study. If you are looking to earn extra money while studying, it may be worth choosing a less demanding program. The most prestigious universities usually have the most difficult studies, which do not allow time for parties and part-time jobs.
Pay attention to the infrastructure of the university: not only for study (libraries, laboratories, etc.) but also for life, dormitories (condition, cost, availability), canteens, shops, gyms, swimming pools, businesses in the area with the possibility of part-time work (cafes, hotels, offices of large companies).
Career prospects after graduation. Does the university hold career exhibitions? If so, how many times a year, and which businesses are represented at them? What is the percentage of graduates who find work?