Hi there, I'm Luna.
I'm a bit like an AI, except instead of making pictures of people with 16 fingers, I can help you find the perfect course and uni.
Would you like some help in your search?
When it comes to selecting which course you're going to study at university, there's definitely more you'll have to think about than just the course title. One psychology degree won't be the same as another university's psychology degree, and you might enjoy one of them a lot more than the other. Here are some of the factors to consider when you're choosing which courses to apply to:
Entry requirements
Entry requirements are one of the most important things to consider before you apply for a course. If the entry requirements are well above your predicted grades, or if you need to have studied subjects in sixth form that you're not getting a qualification in, then the course might not be right for you.
On Whatuni, you can input your predicted grades into our course search filters, so we can show you some courses we think might be a good fit based on your predicted grades. When it comes to applying, we'd recommend applying to courses with a bit of a range of entry requirements to cover all your bases.
Read more about university entry requirements.
Universities
Of course when you apply to university, you're not just choosing a course, but picking the uni you want to study in as well. Things to think about when it comes to the university include:
- How many students are there?
- Is it a campus university?
- What facilities are there?
- What societies and extracurricular options are offered?
Read more about choosing the right uni.
Location
As well as the uni and course, you're also choosing the town or city you live in for the next few years. You'll want to think about whether you want to live in a big, bustling city or whether you'd prefer a town or small city. You'll also want to think about how far the uni is from the local amenities, the distance from home and whether you want to be by the coast.
Cost
This is a big factor in every student's decision. The biggest difference in cost you'll see across different locations is how much you can expect to pay in rent, but even smaller things like a takeaway coffee or a bus ticket can cost very different amounts depending on where you end up.
For most students, university is their first experience of properly budgeting and having financial responsibilities. This sounds scary, but if you plan ahead and set a reasonable budget, you'll find it a lot easier.
Careers
When you graduate, you want a job, right? Well, then the course you choose will have a big impact. If you know what career you want, then make sure the course you choose will lead you there. Some careers require you to study an accredited degree, so this is something you should check. If your degree isn't accredited, you may have to do extra study after graduating in order to qualify to work in your dream career.
If you're not sure what career you want to do when you graduate, or if you're choosing between a few options, then a degree with a broader application might be a good choice for you, as it'll leave plenty of doors open.
Choosing a subject for the career you want.
Course content
Although there will be some things in common between the course content at different unis (don't think you'll be able to do an English literature degree without encounting Shakespeare), there's also a lot of difference in the modules available. Different unis will also have different amounts of core (compulsory) versus optional modules, so you'll want to think about how personalisable your degree is.
Thinking about what interests you have within your subject area can help you narrow down your course selection, as you can focus on finding courses that cover the areas of your subject that most interest you.
Interests
As well as the course content matching your interests, you'll want to think about how your interests outside your subject can be met. Can you take modules from other courses occasionally? Are there sports teams you want to join? Does the uni run any extracurricular courses or activities you could get involved in?
Assessments
Nobody really likes assessments, but at uni you'll be assessed in many different ways. Common methods include written exams, essays, lab or practical work, presentations, report writing and group projects. If there are any methods of assessment you feel you tend to perform better in, you may want to look for courses that rely heavily on that method of assessment. And similarly, if there are any you truly hate, you can look for courses that don't feature that type of assessment too much. It's all about playing to your strengths here!
