20 things to compare when looking at unis

Check upcoming open days and book your place

To give you a hand with your uni search, we’ve made a useful list of what to compare unis on. Bear in mind that you don’t have to find the uni which is the best at every single one of these – because we’re afraid that uni doesn’t exist. Have a look at them all and decide which factors are most important to you, and use that to help you make a choice.

1. The student halls

This will be your new home for at least a year, so finding one that fits you is essential. Each university differs slightly, and many universities will offer a few different styles of accommodation (en-suite, self-contained units, etc.), so check out all the accommodation options available to you.

2. The campus

No two universities look alike. Going to open days lets you get a good grip of how big or small a uni is. Whether you prefer a bustling city or a quieter vibe, having somewhere suiting your ideal size would be fantastic.

Next: Find and book open days now

3. Cost of living

Are the halls cheap or expensive? Will a food shop cost you £50 or £500? Is there affordable public transport? Put together a budget and see whether you could afford to live comfortably at the university. Prices fluctuate depending on the area you’re looking at, so make sure you keep this in mind.

4. Student ratings and reviews

Want to hear from students who have already been to a uni? You can find thousands of student reviews from hundreds of different universities on Whatuni. Hearing real experiences from students – can’t get more helpful than that!

Next: Browse real student reviews now

5. Local surroundings

Do you want to study beside the seaside, or be based in a big city? Countryside and city universities are very different, so figure out where you’ll be spending most of your time in order to find your preference. Take a look at our city guides to see what things there are to do in the place you might soon be calling home.

6. Course modules

Though you’ll likely be looking at similar courses across different universities, the modules on these courses won’t be the same everywhere. Have a read through the modules on offer at each place to make sure you’re not stuck learning things you don’t actually care about – you can see what modules a course offers on our course description pages!

Next: Search for courses now

7. Distance from home

Your university could theoretically be hundreds of miles away from your hometown or be just down the road, so consider how far away you want to go. The distance and cost of travelling home might influence your decision.

8. Uni facilities

This is a big one. You should check out the uni's facilities like the library, technology labs and sporting facilities, as this could be hugely important depending on what you care about. Each uni will offer something different, so make sure you investigate.

9. The type of uni

Do you want to go to a Russell Group uni? Or are you looking for a uni that only specialises in certain sectors, or are you after a uni that ranked highly for a particular subject? Whatever it is, find something that matches what you’re looking for.

10. Course accreditations

Universities and courses can have many different awarded accreditations, and these can be a real advantage when you’re looking for work after you graduate. Compare and contrast to find the ones you really care about in order to find the ultimate choice.

11. Nightlife

It’s safe to say that you’ll be doing a lot of socialising during your first year at uni, so take some time to find out what kind of vibe the local nightlife gives off. See if it’s the right atmosphere for your evenings of freedom.

12. Societies

A lot of friends can be made through societies, but so many exist it can be hard to keep track of them. Think of something that interests you, and see which unis offer somewhere for you to keep this hobby on alongside studying.

13. Entry requirements

Some universities ask for higher grades than others, even if it is the same course as another uni. Check out the entry requirements before setting your mind on one place. It might even be worth checking out if they accept a lower grade, to avoid panic on results day.

14. League tables

League tables offer a straightforward way of seeing how universities compare to each other in a number of ways, from academic strengths to job prospects and more. Some places, like our sister site Complete University Guide, even offer subject league tables, so you can see which unis do well at the subject you want to study.

Next: Take a look at the Complete University Guide's league tables

15. Transport links

Deciding to go home on a weekend could be a nightmare depending on the transport in the area. Avoid this stress by looking at train links between the uni and your home, or the uni and a transport hub like London or Manchester. Consider if the hassle of travelling that much would be worth it.

16. Contact hours

Deciding whether you want lots of contact hours with tutors or not might influence your uni decision. It’s easy to find online how many estimated contact hours a course offers at each university, and considering what you would prefer can save stress later.

17. Scholarships and loans

Many universities offer loans and scholarships depending on many things, including grades achieved at A-level and success in other areas such as sport. Find out if you are eligible for these at your preferred unis to save some cash on your education.

18. Learning methods

The type of course you choose is so important, as each student likes different things. Search to see if the course is academic based or has strong practical elements to figure out which uni fits your preference the best.

19. Placement opportunities

Some universities have mandatory placement years for their courses, but others will not. Have a think about what you’d want to do, and cut out the choices that don’t match your needs.

20. Career services

It’s smart to plan ahead, and going to a uni that offers good career services will be great when you’re getting ready to graduate. They can offer advice on finding a job or writing applications, and often will host events where you can network with employers.