How to Choose a University: 6 Tips

The first hurdle of the university application process is making a decision on which universities to apply to. You can make your selection of universities at random, or you can spend months deliberating on the best options. Either way, you have to ensure you are happy with all of them. So here are some guidelines on how to choose a university …

1. Make sure you’ve chosen the right subject – How to Choose a University

It is crucial to be 120% certain about your subject. You will spend the next three to six years of your life studying it, and then the following 40-50 years working in the field. If you have reservations about your choice, read as much information about it as you can. Check job possibilities, program contents, salaries; Google is your friend. You definitely do not want to find out after two months of schooling that you want to be a dentist rather than a mathematician after all…

2. Consult university rankings

When you start searching for universities, check all the major ranking tables and calculated averages. There are some that provide a general ranking, while others may have distinct tables for each subject. For most people, the most crucial data was the student to staff ratio. The lower this ratio is, the better. In smaller classes, you can ask questions and comprehend the topics with less difficulty.

3. Find out information about the university library

One of the most important things is the library. You will spend a good amount of your time in the library, so it should be a serene environment. Another good point to check is whether there’s a 24/7 cafè for the early birds and night owls!

4. Check the course content – How to Choose a University

You can check the program content on the university website. If there’s an area within the subject you’re especially interested in, confirm whether the university has it “on its menu” or not. On the other hand, you can get in touch with the university directly, and they will be more than happy to answer any queries you have.

5. Check what sports and societies are available

Whether you’re an enthusiastic footballer or love playing poker, you should look for societies and clubs in the university to ensure there’s something to match your hobby. All universities offer dozens (or hundreds) of extra-curricular activities, and it’s important to check these out too. University life is not just about studying!

6. Find out about the student accommodation

If you’re beginning university, you will likely be living away from your family for the first time. Therefore it is important that the accommodation you reside in is nice and friendly; somewhere you can call your “home”. Be prepared: you may have to learn how to cook, how to use the washing machine, and how to do the washing up. And don’t worry about the room-mates, flat-mates or floor-mates. Typically, it takes about 2.5 days to be best friends with everyone in the shared kitchen.

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