How To Choose A Uni: 8 Things To Consider

Written by Beth and Kiera, who both agree that there’s no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ uni choice — it’s simply about choosing the university that’s right for you.

7 min read

Choosing a uni can feel like a really big deal. Because you’ll spend three or four years of your life there. And what, and where, you study could affect your future job prospects. Yup, it’s no wonder that making university choices often feels pretty overwhelming! 

But take a breath… 

You’ve got this…

And you don’t need to do it alone! Beth and Kiera have both gone through the process of deciding how to choose a uni, and together they’ve formulated eight things to consider to help you make the right uni choice for you.

University Choices: How To Decide? 

From the course itself and the location of the university, to the clubs and societies on offer, and the cost of living, there are lots of factors involved in making your university choices. 

So before you fill out your UCAS form, here are the most important things to consider…

1. The Location

One of the biggest deciding factors when choosing a university is the location. You might want to stay close to home, be desperate to move as far away from home as possible, or you might even want to study abroad! 

One thing is for sure, the location is important, and Beth shares why:

Beth: “The location was really important to me. Having grown up in the countryside on the coast, I’d never lived in a town before so I didn’t want to move somewhere too big, in case I didn’t like it. I ended up choosing Bournemouth as it’s coastal and small but also has good nightlife, transport links, and shops. I love being able to walk to the beach in my free time — it makes me feel energised and so going to uni on the coast was the perfect choice for me!”

2. The Course

Deciding what you want to study will often narrow down your choice of uni. Similar-sounding courses will often have quite different content, so it’s worth trying to find out as much as possible about the details of the course. 

Beth: “The top thing I considered when choosing my university was the course itself. I looked at national ratings for my subject, and I looked at the graduate employment rates. I wanted to choose a degree that was going to get me a job at the end of it.”

3. The University

Some people might dream of going to Oxford or Cambridge university, or there might be another aspect of a university’s reputation that appeals to you. 

Beth: “The reputation of the university itself was important. I wanted to do a specific degree (BA Makeup), and there were only a small number of universities in the UK who do that course. When looking at those options, I considered the university, its atmosphere, and the student life.”

There might be universities that specialise in your chosen subject. For example, Loughborough University is famed for its sporting degrees, and the University of East Anglia for its Creative Writing courses.

Choosing a uni that’s recognised in a particular subject can be a wise move:

• These universities often attract the best tutors in that field.
• Prospective employers will respect that you’ve studied at one of the leading institutions for your area of study.
• There are often more scholarships and bursaries available to students who do specialist subjects.

Rather than just going off league tables, it’s important to hear first-hand what your favoured university is really like. Kiera explains why… 

Kiera: “Talk to current students at the universities you are applying to! Whether it be a friend of yours who has already begun studying there, or students that you see walking around the campus during your applicant day, you will not receive more honest feedback than that of those experiencing the university day in and day out.”

4. Cost of Living

Going to uni is an investment in your future, and that comes at a cost. In England, tuition fees are currently capped at £9,250 per year, and you can apply for a student loan to cover that cost. 

When it comes to your university choices, there’s also the cost of living to think about That’s:

• Rent
• Travel cards or taxis
• Going out
• Food and snacks! 

Some cities are more expensive to live in than others (yes, we’re looking at you, London!). So be like Beth, and consider the costs of different universities.

Beth: “I wanted to consider house prices and the overall cost of living. I looked at student-rented accommodation — both halls and houses — as I didn’t want to spend too much money on accommodation.”

5. Student life 

No matter which uni you choose, you’ll want to have a good work-life (or study-life) balance! If you have a hobby you love, it’ll be important to choose a uni where you’ll be able to continue with it.

Kiera: “I highly recommend researching the societies and sports on offer at your chosen universities. Student-led clubs and societies are a great way to make friends and grow your skills so if there is a particular hobby or passion that you would like to pursue at university, be it brand new or something you’ve done for years then definitely factor this into your decision when you make your final choice.”

6. The Vibes

If you’re going to spend the next few years of your life at this university, then you want to make sure the vibes are right. Ask yourself:

• Can I see myself feeling both comfortable and inspired here?
• Are there social events that I’ll enjoy going to, or enough nature for me to explore?
• How do I feel being on campus?

Beth: “I ended up choosing an arts university which is great because my peers are like-minded — we are all creatives and there is lots of potential for collaboration. 
The atmosphere on campus suits me as it’s colourful, fun, and relaxed!”

You can’t tell the vibes from a website or prospectus, so take Kiera’s advice on this one:

Kiera: “Visiting the campus is so important for sussing out the vibes of the university — on paper it could be the most impressive university in the world, but if it doesn’t feel right then totally trust your gut!

Kiera thought she wanted to go to a certain university that seemed to have it all — the course sounded great and she liked the location — however, after attending the applicant day she just couldn’t see herself going there. So it’s really important when choosing a university to visit the campus and see how you like it!

7. Student Support

Heading off to uni can be exciting, but it can also be stressful and bring certain challenges: 

• If it’s your first time living away from home, this might not be easy.
• Meeting lots of new people can be overwhelming.
• Becoming financially responsible can be a struggle to adjust to. 

All universities will have student support available, but it’s worth doing some research into what their student union provides in terms of mental health support. 

8. Sustainability

If the health of the planet is something you care deeply about, then you’ll want to check out the sustainability measures and environmental pledges that your preferred university has in place. 

University Choices: It’s Your Future

While your university choices may affect your future job prospects, it’s important to choose the university that feels right for you right now. 

If you’re going on an applicant day, do tag your photos with @NCS and let us know what you liked about the campus! And remember, going on an NCS away from experience will help you make new friends and learn valuable skills for your uni adventure — so grab your place today.

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