Which University?

Once you have decided on a subject to which you fancy devoting several years of your life, the next big ques­tion is ‘where will I study?’ This is a major life decision, and not to be taken lightly. Even if you decide to stay at home and attend a local university, don’t underestimate how different they can be in terms of size, student mix, physical environment and ‘atmos­phere’. If you want to get as far from home as possible you should take into account the surroundings as well. It might be your first time away from home without your family and friends - a big step into the great unknown, and one which deserves a lot of research and careful thought. Once you have a shortlist of universities whose grade requirements you have a fighting chance of achieving, you can move onto the practicalities.

If you want to get away from home, the first question is ‘how far’? Will you want to go home regularly, in which case the cost of travel is an important considera­tion, or are you happy to stay away for most of the year? Some people like to be close enough to keep up with their existing circle of friends, or even within easy washing-dropping-off distance. Others do not want to be near enough to home to risk impromptu parental visits. Investigate different methods of transport: car, train, coach, air, and compare costs, as you need to include your travel expenses in your budget. Start being extra nice to your parents if their car is your intended form of (free) transport!

Having decided on a maximum distance from home, you should then look at other factors: would you prefer a large city, a smaller town, or a more rural situation (the middle of nowhere option)? This is your big chance to experience something different: if you grew up in a city, how about a small market town? Check out what’s on offer for students in the way of cheap clothing shops, markets, nightlife, etc. Will you need to work part-time? If the answer’s ‘yes’, it’s obviously best to go somewhere with supermarkets, fast-food outlets, and pubs within striking distance. Think about the size of the institution and its departments, and the mix of students: are they mainly school and college leavers, or is there a healthy contingent of motivated mature students? What about the male to female ratio, and the number of overseas students?

Accommodation is obviously a big part of student life, so make sure you look at what’s available, and whether you will get a place in university accommodation (‘halls’) in the first year; some, guarantee this to first years, but others don’t. You will find that the cost and standard of university halls varies enormously, and you might decide that only a room with en-suite bathroom will do, only to discover that the uni­versity you are most keen on doesn’t have any. Look also at the location of the halls, as they are sometimes some distance from the main university buildings, and likely to involve buses or a bicy­cle. Beware also that you might not be able to take your car with you.

Naturally, unless you are very sad indeed, you do not intend to spend all your time at university studying, and the chance to carry on with your hobby, or to take up a new one, might be as important a consideration as the course. Whether you are into football, amateur dramat­ics, netball, the cinema, or trainspotting, it is worth checking what’s on offer at your chosen universities. If, for example, you live for the theatre, the presence on campus of a drama club with good facilities could tip the balance for you. If swimming is more your thing, a pool will obviously be important. Trekkies will look for the Star Trek Societies (they do exist!). Don’t underestimate the importance of this, as these things can make all the difference between settling in and being home sick.

As well as prospectuses, the internet, directories and CD-Roms, university Open Days are a perfect way to get a better idea of life there. Check out everything you can, don’t be scared to ask questions, and make sure you talk to some students for the real low-down on the place. Whichever university you go for, all the first years (“freshers”) will be in the same boat, and will all want to be your friend; university life is what you make it, and if you work hard and play hard, finding the work balance, you’ll have the time of your life!