Choosing the right university for you
As the summer term begins, many people will be thinking about their future and planning for the next academic year. This is an incredibly important time for Y12s and Y13s in particular as the Y12s will begin thinking about the university application process whereas Y13s will have to make the decisions of firming and insuring universities. Either way, there are some important things to consider when deciding which university to choose. Everyone has their own specific preferences as to where they’d want to study and what they’re looking for in a university, so think about what your priorities are. Here are some things you may want to think about:
Location - where do you want to study? For some of you this might be in terms of what country you want to study in? Europe has some great universities and so does North America if those places sound attractive to you. If they do, check how you’ll be able to fund studying abroad as you won’t get the same student loan as you would in the UK. If you want to stay in the UK, what region would you like to be studying in? Do you want to be in the middle of a city? Or a more campus based university? You've also got to think about how far away you want to be from home, or if you even want to leave home. Choose what you would like to do and try not to worry too much about the finances - getting your student loan is usually an easy enough process and the maintenance usually covers most or all of your living costs. Something to be aware of - some areas are far more expensive to live in than others, especially London, so if you are applying to a university in London, you are able to get a maximum of around £6000 extra maintenance loan. A lot of universities also provide grants and bursaries for students who need them as well.
Grade requirements - what grades does the university want from you in order for you to get a place on your course? And what grades have you got? If you are likely to match these grades then it's safe to say that university is a good choice for you. However, if you’re falling a bit short you may want to reconsider as universities are unlikely to give out offers if you do not meet the minimum grade requirements, and if this is a case it’s probably better applying elsewhere. There is also an option to apply to universities in clearing after you receive your grades if you do better than you had anticipated, so if you feel your exams went particularly well, think about maybe keeping a few other options for clearing in mind.
Social life - the friends you make at uni are likely to be friends you stay in touch with for a very long time. So check on the societies that are available at the university, any social/leisure facilities and what things there are to do in the surrounding area of the institution. These will help you work out how easy it will be to make friends and if you’ll have a good time or not attending the university. Remember: going to university is not only about studying, it's also about getting an experience out of it too - one that you’ll remember for a lifetime.
The likelihood of there being a university out there that’s fit for you is actually very high! You just have to do your research and know what you want. You’re going to university for yourself - not for anyone else, and you’re likely to be there for at least 3 years, so go where you know you’ll be most comfortable. There are also many other paths for higher education other than going to university, so if you feel that after reading this post you no longer want to go to university, check out my other blog posts on different paths after A Levels!
