WHICHUNIVERSITYIS THERIGHT FITFOR YOU?

Once you’ve decided that university is right for you, the next step is to determine whereyou aregoing to spend the next three or four years of your life.

For most of you, choosing auniversity isn’tgoing to be aquick process as there arelots of factors to consider.

When starting to look at the different options, it’sbetter to consider the course you want to study first beforelooking at whereit’soffered.

Thereisone thing that you should try to remember when choosing asubject –it should be something you enjoy and that you would be happy to study in-depth for the next few years.

Consider the subjects you enjoy the most at school and then research similar courses that you can study at university

If you really don’thave aclue, then start by discounting the subjects you have absolutely no interest in to narrow down the search field.

Youalso need to think about whether you want acourse offering aclear career path or does your interest lie in one of the moretraditional academic subjects? It may be that you have adream job in mind, making your choice obvious. For example, if you want to be avet, then aveterinary medicine/science degree course is amust.

Be awarethat the same title of course will not be taught in the same way or cover the same material at every university offering it. Make sureyou pay attention to the detail because even the way in which courses areassessed can differ.

Another consideration, if you go for a morevocational course, is whether it is approved by aprofessional body,because this can give you ahead start when you apply for ajob in your chosen industry

The next step is to think about the location –there aremorethan 395 providers of undergraduate courses in the UK. Take time to consider carefully whether you want to move away from home or study nearby.

Do you want auniversity in the middle of acity or town or asingle-site campus?

Look at the facilities provided by the university and what will be on the doorstep for leisureand nightlife activities.

Once you have narrowed your options down, then attend an open day as this is one of the best ways to find out if it’sthe rightfitfor you.

Aglossyprospectus can sometimes be deceiving, showing only the best bits, and when you get thereyou could find the reality is rather different.

But remember that it’snot theend of the world if, after all your careful research, you end up beginning your studies and realising you’ve made amistake. Universities have guidance staffonhand tohelp first-year students who discover their course wasn’twhatthey were expecting and therewill still be plenty of options available to you.

Theimportant Dates Youneed To Consider

n October 16,2023:Deadline for applications to Oxford, Cambridge, andmost medicine, dentistry, andveterinary medicine/science courses.

n January31, 2024: Deadlinefor themajority of undergraduate courses.

n February 28:Extra (see main featurefor information) begins.

n May1:Ifyou appliedbyJanuary 31 andyou’restill waitingfor a decision from one of your choices, universities/collegeshaveuntil todaytodecide if they’remaking youanoffer.(This date is to be confirmed.)

n May29: If youhavereceived all your university/college decisions by May1,reply by May29.

n June 30:Applicationsreceived afterthisdateare enteredinto Clearing n July 4: Last date to apply in Extra. n July 5: Clearing opens. n August 17:A-levelresults day. AllClearingvacancies are displayedinthe search tool via theUCASwebsite andAdjustment opensfor registration n August 31: Thedeadlinefor anyremaining conditionstobe met–otherwise theuniversityor collegemight not accept you. n September 21:Adjustment ends. Thelastdateyou cansubmit applicationsto2023 entrycourses n October 21:Lastdateto addClearingchoicesand for universities/colleges to make decisions.