Comparing University Courses: The Ultimate Guide

We look at the factors you need to consider when choosing a uni

So, you’ve decided which subject you want to study at university, but now you have to choose which university to go to.

With over 160 universities in the UK, this can feel like an impossible task. The good news is that UCAS allows you to select up to five related courses. So, you can apply to more than one university and decide later after you’ve been accepted.

This guide will give you some factors to consider when researching universities to ensure that you end up at the one that's right for you.

How to choose which university to go to?

If you have no idea which universities to put down on your UCAS application, you’ll need to do lots of research to narrow down your choices. 

Here are some tips on how to start researching potential universities.

● A comparison website like Discover Uni is a great place to start. You can search for courses across all universities and filter by region or distance from your home address. This is a handy tool if you want to study an unusual course as you can see which universities offer it. Once you've compiled a shortlist, you can compare up to seven courses to see if you can do a year abroad or a placement year, student satisfaction statistics, entry requirements, and more.  

● University websites are an easy way to learn more about their courses and student life. This is great for in-depth information about entry requirements, course structure and content, and how you will be assessed. Also, make sure to check out any information they have on student life, including nightlife, sports, and accommodation. 

● If you can go to an open day, this is the best opportunity to get a feel for a university and imagine what it will be like to live there. You'll usually have the chance to ask current students questions to learn more about the course and student life. Check out Opendays.com for a calendar of upcoming events. If you can’t attend a physical open day, many universities now offer virtual open days or see if your school or college is holding a university fair.

What to look for when comparing university courses

There are plenty of factors to consider when choosing between university courses – ensure you take the time to research so you make the right choice. Try not to worry too much about where your friends are going. You want to avoid studying a course you hate or living in a city that you think is more boring than your hometown!

Minimum entry requirements 

One of the first things to consider is the university's entry requirements. It’s essential you only shortlist universities that match your predicted results. Looking at the criteria for entry ensures your choices are realistic, and you aren't unduly disappointed when you aren't offered a place. You can easily search for university courses using your predicted grades on UK University Search.

Course 

What the course will be like should be one of your top considerations when choosing a university course. Make sure you look at the modules you’ll be studying and how your course will be structured and assessed. Just because multiple universities offer the same course doesn’t mean you’ll study exactly the same content!

It’s also important to check if the university offers a work placement or a year abroad as part of your course if this is important to you. 

League tables and rankings

Although you shouldn’t base your decision solely on league tables and rankings, they can be a valuable tool to help narrow down your choices. They can be helpful to see how universities rank academically and for topics like student satisfaction and graduate employability.

Here are some of the most well-known league tables and rankings 

● Complete University Guide - University League Tables 2023

● QS World University Rankings 2023

● Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2022

However, it would help if you also considered the university's reputation and ranking for your particular course or subject. The Complete University Guide also offers subject-based league tables.

Location

The location of a university will have a massive impact on your student experience. Think about the size of the city or town the university is in. Do you want to be in the middle of a busy and bustling city, or would you prefer a quieter and more rural location?

Another factor to consider is whether the university is city or campus-based. Campus-based means that the university campus is primarily self-contained and separated from the nearby town or city. These usually have a stronger sense of community and can be less intimidating than living in the middle of a large city.

However, city universities have accommodations and buildings spread throughout the city. City universities usually have a better variety of nightlife and activities. 

Travel 

Something else to consider regarding location is how far away the university is from your hometown. This is especially important if you regularly travel back to work or visit friends and family. 

Think about the time it’ll take to get back home and how easy it’ll be to travel by public transport if you don’t have a car. For example, is it a simple three-hour train ride or a complex combination of buses, trains, and someone picking you up when you get there?

Facilities and activities 

It’s also essential to think about what the facilities are like. If you’re into fitness and plan on getting a gym membership, check out what the campus gym is like. Does it have the swimming pool you want or a large enough free weights area? 

You can also look at the university’s website to see what societies and clubs they offer. Most universities have a massive choice of activities and groups you can participate in, from K-pop dance to mixed martial arts.

Of course, you shouldn’t solely base your decision on the size of a university’s swimming pool, but researching their facilities can be an easy way to choose between universities with similar courses.  

How to find quality accommodation

Once you've applied and been accepted to your dream university course, it's time to consider accommodation. 

Many first-year students choose to live in halls of residence (university-managed accommodation on campus), which you can usually apply for after accepting an offer. However, halls aren’t your only choice. Options can be limited, and halls are often first come, first served. So, you can miss out if you change your mind about what university you want to attend or get in through clearing. 

Instead, you can choose to live in a privately rented student house or flat. This can be a great option if you want to live with a group of existing friends as you can be sure you'll all live together, or if you prefer something else to the accommodation your university offers. You'll often get more space in a student house than in halls, and you'll have more choice over where you live! 

If you're thinking about where you'll live, look at our range of student accommodation. We’ve got the largest range of student properties in nearly every university city. Best of all, all our homes have all bills included to make your life less stressful!