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?
Decisions, decisions. Choosing a university degree isn’t easy. Sometimes you’ll just know what you want to study, but many students are torn between two or more subjects they enjoy, different locations, course structures, or are entirely unsure about which type of qualification to pursue.
Since you’ll be spending the next three to four years working towards your chosen degree, it’s a great idea to write a checklist of key course features. This will allow you to visualise whether it’s a good fit for your educational aspirations, and personal preferences. It's also a useful tool for quickly and effectively comparing several courses, if you’re in the process of deciding between different options.
Read our guide to choosing the right university course.
Let’s take a look at some key points.
Type of course
There are several course formats which you might encounter, from three-year single-subject undergraduate degrees to those which include a year studying abroad, or a year working in industry. There are integrated masters where you'll automatically progress to postgraduate study after completing the bachelor’s level study, and joint honours degrees where you’ll study more than one subject. Give some thought to which type of course best suits your graduate ambitions and desired university experience.
Compulsory modules
Commonly, the first year of a degree consists entirely of compulsory core modules, with a mixture of core and optional modules being introduced from the second year onwards. Compulsory modules are typically present in each year of a three-year course, so take a look ahead at the full course curriculum to see whether these seem appealing, and relevant to any academic interests or professional aspirations you might have. This could make all the difference when deciding between degrees or universities.
Accreditations
Depending on your graduate plans, the level of accreditation a degree programme holds can be crucial. For example, if you’re aiming to enter a chartered profession such as accountancy or architecture, then having the first stages of your professional accreditation included in your undergraduate studies is a huge plus.
Student satisfaction
This is an interesting and often overlooked metric which can play a key role in how well you get on with your studies. Since student satisfaction data can only be collected from the opinions of past and current students, it’s a good indicator of how well a course is organised, the level of engagement with tutors and lecturers, and how much support is offered by the university to ensure that its students are motivated and on track for success.
Teaching methods/contact hours
Teaching can be delivered through a variety of methods such as lectures, seminars, group discussion sessions, and one-to-one tutorials. Some courses include a busy schedule of contact time, and others involve more independent self-organised study. The way you learn is highly subjective, and hopefully by this stage you’ll know what works best for you.
Examination methods
Similarly to teaching methods, there are plenty of ways to assess student performance, so give some thought to which method suits you the most, and how you’d prefer your progress to be measured. Most courses include coursework, written examinations, and oral presentations, and the exact combination can vary considerably between universities, which may be a decisive factor in your course choice.
University location
Location is a big one and affects many aspects of student life outside of the classroom. Think about the environment you want to be in when class finishes each day, and the type of place you’d like to spend your weekends. Distance from home may be a factor, and the cost of living will almost certainly impact your student experience.
Facilities available
Some courses require more specialised facilities than others, so if you’re applying for a subject which requires specific laboratories, training spaces, or industry-standard equipment then be sure that the university can provide what you need. For most students, the quality of the university library and study spaces is a priority, and beyond this, it’s also important to feel like your future places of study and recreation are going to be clean, calm, and safe
Entry requirements
By now, you’ll have a reasonably good idea of what grades you’re likely to achieve. We’d recommend applying to a mixture of courses, with one or two safety options with slightly lower entry requirements and one ‘stretch’ university, where the entry requirements are at the top end of your predicted grades. You can apply for up to five courses, so you may as well use all your options. If your dream course is asking for the very top end of your expected grades, then give it a go anyway. Universities consider the whole application, so aim high, apply early, and good luck!
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