Studying in the UK: how to choose a university and course

Helping your students find the right course or university isn’t as simple as choosing the highest-ranked institution or the biggest city (hello, London). It depends on who they are, what’s important to them, the kind of environment they like and what they want to achieve.

UK universities are held in high regard across the world. While general principles of study abroad apply to most, it is important to understand the nuances of studying in the UK. In this way, you can empower your students to make more informed decisions and get the most out of their overseas study experience.

Choosing a university in the UK

Students should research the city, not just the ranking of the university

The United Kingdom is small compared with places like the US and Australia, but the student experience in one city can be entirely different from the student experience in another. Students should consider what’s important to them and what they want to get out of their degrees beyond the classroom. Some might want to experience big city life; others may prefer a smaller town by the coast. There are also practical things to consider, such as whether they want to be close to an international airport in order to visit home during study breaks. Guide your students to browse Ucas’s city guides to get a feel for each place and imagine themselves there.

Would they prefer a campus or city-based university?

UK higher education has something for everyone, with a large variety of campus and city-based universities and colleges. You might want to discuss this with your students, because the two experiences can be very different in terms of study environment, living arrangements and social lives. Students are likely to prefer one over the other.

Encourage them to think about the demographics of the city and what that means for them

Are they looking for vibrant nightlife? Do they require access to a certain place of worship? Or are they seeking a home away from home, with a large community from their home country? Every city in the UK has something great to offer, so encourage your students to discover more about university life in the UK and to consider locations beyond those they have probably seen in movies – the reality could be very different.

Connecting with peers offers students great insight

One of the best ways for students to discover what the university is really like is by talking to those already studying there. Using platforms such as Unibuddy and The Ambassador Platform your students can meet and talk to current students from all over the world and get the answers they need to decide.

If open days aren’t an option, students can take a virtual tour

Open days can often be a deciding factor for students. If attending in-person isn’t an option, students can head to the Ucas website to take virtual tours as well as attend online open days. These will help them understand what the university and city are like, get a feel for the campus and even meet potential lecturers and staff.

Choosing a course in the UK

UK courses tend to be more streamlined and focused than in other countries

It’s important that students understand the differences and know what to expect from their academic experience, because this will ultimately help them to be more successful throughout their studies. Learning styles, assessment methods and the amount of independent study varies, so research is fundamental.

Encourage your students to read course descriptions carefully and to thoroughly review the syllabus

Just because two courses have similar – or even the same – title, it does not mean that the content of the courses will be the same. Although statutory requirements mean that some courses – such as medicine and law – are similar at all institutions, others will vary vastly, especially in the arts. Students could be studying Shakespeare at one institution and modern poetry at another, all under the same banner of English literature. Students can find out what they’ll be studying and whether it’s right for them by using Ucas’s search tool.

A wide and growing variety of joint honours and interdisciplinary subjects are available

Though these are more commonly available in social sciences and humanities than in STEM subjects, joint honours and interdisciplinary degrees are chosen by many students each year. People sometimes overlook this aspect of UK university study, so letting your students know what types of undergraduate courses there are and how to search for these opportunities could broaden their range of options.

Learn more about the subjects available in the UK and what they can lead to

If your students don’t already have specific courses in mind, exploring the subjects they enjoy can be a great starting point. Studying something they’re passionate about will help them reach their goals. Use Ucas’s subject guides to explore the types of subjects available in the UK, as well as the industries that graduates go on to work in.

Supporting three-quarters of a million applicants each year, Ucas understands how much the decision over where and what to study can weigh on the minds of your students. Through Ucas’s information, advice and guidance, we hope to help you help them make more informed decisions and embark on their journey to studying in the UK.

Head over to Ucas.com for more information on how to choose between undergraduate courses and universities, and sign up for Ucas updates to get useful resources straight to your inbox.