Choosing the right college or university

These days there are so many colleges and universities which offer a wide range of courses and have an excellent reputation. So how do you choose which college is the place for you? Here are a few top tips to help you make your decision.

Make a list of what you want

Write a list of everything you would like from your ideal college or university. Include all of your dream criteria, no matter how trivial something might seem. Whether it’s a course type, a location close to home or a premises that’s near to lots of nightlife, if you make a list of the things you want, you’ll find it easier to cross colleges or universities you aren’t interested in off your list.

Think about what you what from your career
If you know that you want to become a vet, for example, there are certain qualifications that will be more relevant to you than others. It may be that traditional qualifications such as A levels are not suited to your career choice and vocational courses will be more beneficial – or maybe you want to study a combination of the two. Degrees may be the favoured option for other career choices. You should also remember that some courses will require more of a time commitment than others – some may only require a year of study, whereas other qualifications could last three years or more.

Ask your family and friends
If your parents or guardians will be contributing to the cost of the course you are interested in studying, they may have certain requests as to where and what you study. You might also have friends who have attended certain courses that interest you and they may be willing to answer any questions you have and tell you what they did or did not like about the experience.

Visit the colleges on open days, open evenings or taster days
Make the most of these events, as they are a great opportunity for you to sample college life. Lecturers will be available for you to talk to and you’ll also be able to find out more about the course content, such as assignments and examinations.

Read a college or university’s prospectus and visit its website
A college’s website and prospectus will tell you everything you need to know about life as a student. It will give you detailed information about the courses and facilities on campus, such as a gym and places to eat. There may even be a virtual tour of the campus on a college’s website. However, you should also remember that a prospectus and website are designed to showcase the establishments in the best possible light, so don’t base any decisions solely on the promotional materials you see.

Look at the course pass rate
How have previous students performed on the courses that you’re interested in? If the pass rate is high, you can feel more confident that your education is in good hands and that any fees you are paying will be worthwhile.

Check out the extra curricular activities
The activities you can join in with outside of your studies are almost as important as the courses themselves for some people. If you are active and sporty, then you might be able to join a sports club or represent the college as part of the team. It’s also worth visiting the students’ union, as you’ll be able to get your hands on a lot more information – and an NUS card which gives you lots of discounts!

• Keep in mind that your education is an important part of your future. If you are going to be paying fees for courses, don’t make a quick, impulsive decision. It’s worth taking some time and exploring all of your options to make sure that any decisions you make are the right ones.

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