Choosing Universities

Remember that entry to the top universities for popular courses is highly competitive. You are strongly advised to include a range of universities in your choices, with a range of different entry requirements if possible (although this is more difficult for certain subjects such as Medicine). For example, in most cases it would be unwise to apply to five universities from Oxford, Cambridge, Bristol, Durham, Edinburgh, UCL, Imperial, LSE and Warwick. There are many other fantastic universities with great courses so do make sure you have researched these and include at least one other in your final list of five. In discussion with your parents, tutor and the Director of Sixth Form, considering an aspirational choice, realistic and safety university choices is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

Degrees: What Subject?

Britain has the widest choice of higher education options available in Europe, therefore in order to make informed decisions when choosing a course you need to think about:

What your academic strengths and weaknesses are - be honest with yourself and ask other people if necessary

● Why you enjoy particular subjects

● What interests you

● What your career ambitions are

● What you do not like doing

How Do I Choose?

You will study your course for at least three years, so it is imperative to choose a subject area that you are enthusiastic about

● Find out exactly what the subject involves

● Talk to your teachers/friends/family

Visit www.ucas.com and unifrog (https://www.unifrog.org/)

The https://www.ucas.com/ has a comprehensive online database of over 50,000 HE courses available at more than 400 universities and colleges which are members of UCAS. Nearly all of the universities provide an undergraduate admission statement for each of their courses. These are compiled by staff at each university and provide information about the course, specific entry requirements and career possibilities, and about the qualities or experience admissions staff are looking for in applicants. Increasingly, they are also providing information about an institution’s admission and selection criteria, fees, bursaries and financial support, accommodation and student life. Admission statements make it easier to differentiate between courses which have similar names.

Degrees: What Course?

Once you have decided what subject you want to study you need to decide which course will suit you. All universities and colleges structure their courses differently, and the way the course is run could be the difference between you loving or hating your degree, and in some cases leaving one university and reapplying.

Subjects: What exactly does the course cover? How much time is spent on each module? What is the pattern of a typical teaching week? Most courses will be taught through a mixture of lectures, seminars and tutorials.

Course structure: How much time will be spent in lectures, seminars, personal study and assignments? How big are the class sizes? Many degree courses last 3 or 4 years. A four-year course may include a period of time spent abroad or in industry. Many degrees (MAs) from Scottish based universities will be 4 years in length.

Course assessment: How is the course assessed - is it by final examination, continuous assessment or a bit of both? Which does it focus on, and which are you better at? Do they match? Modular courses are increasingly common, with units of teaching attracting a specified number of credits. Some modules may be compulsory, others will be optional and it may be possible for you to make up your own study programme.

Destination list: Find out what the previous students on the course did after graduation. The Association of Graduate Recruiters publishes an annual report called “What Do Graduates Do?” This provides information about the destinations and employment rates by academic subject / discipline.

Facilities: What equipment and resources does the course and university/college have? Look at the IT and library facilities. What is the staff –student ratio? What facilities exist to undertake visits or research outside the formal provision?

Work placements: Does the course include work experience? If it does, how is this organised? Will you have to find a placement or is it organised for you? And will it be a sandwich course - i.e. will you have to take a whole year out of your study to work?

Grade requirements: Find out what the required grades are More and more courses are asking candidates to obtain a particular grade in a subject, for example, an A* in Mathematics to read Economics at LSE. In some cases, universities are requiring candidates to reach a minimum standard for particular modules.

Gap Years and Deferred Entry

If you are thinking of taking a gap year, ensure that you have discussed this carefully with your parents. A gap year can provide an opportunity to stand back from the pressures of university applications in Year 13 and to give you plenty of time to consider who you are and where you are going. It also allows you to try out new activities, to travel and to gain first-hand experience of the world of work. A Post-Award Application (PAA) completed after you have taken your A levels gives you the chance to focus on your A level studies without the distraction of university applications – and has the advantage that any offers you receive will be unconditional, since you will have already achieved the necessary grades If you are not yet sure what you want to study, a gap year can give you more time to hone your intellectual interests and ensure that the degree course you choose is the right one.

If you know what you want to study but also know that you wish to take a gap year, then you can apply for deferred entry On the UCAS form, you need to tick the correct box to state the year of entry. Note that it is better to do this at the time of completing your UCAS form, rather than trying to persuade a university which has offered you a place for the Autumn after you complete your A levels to grant you a gap year – though some may be willing to do this, it certainly cannot be guaranteed. As some university departments are reluctant to grant deferred entry, it is always advisable to check before completing your UCAS form.

Make sure that you plan your gap year well – whether you apply as a PAA or deferred, the Admissions Department will be interested in what you have done and in whether you have spent your time productively, although they do not expect everything you do to be related to your studies.