Choosing a university and course Name Security marking: PUBLIC

Why choose higher education? It’s not just about learning – the experience will enrich your life. You will: increase your knowledge  get your first true taste of independence and freedom gain a qualification that’s internationally recognised  develop the essential skills you’ll need in your career increase your earning potential  experience student life  increase your knowledge – study what you love, you’re interested in with the top experts in their fields   get your first true taste of independence and freedom - build self-confidence, experience all aspects of student life, broaden your horizons and meet new people gain a qualification that’s internationally recognised - UK higher education is recognised and respected by employers and academics worldwide develop the essential skills you’ll need in your career and working life – communication, organisation, time management, team work, leadership, problem-solving increase your earning potential – having a degree makes you more attractive to employers, you’ll have a greater choice of jobs and you’ll earn more. experience student life – yes, you’re expected to work hard but uni is also fun – there’s a huge range of clubs, societies and a diverse social life on offer Security marking: PUBLIC

Research – it’s free Research really is the most important part of the journey. Broaden your horizons and explore the wide range of subjects on offer – over 50,000 undergraduate courses, available at nearly 400 providers in the UK.  If you have career aspirations, check if you need any particular subjects or qualifications to enter the career you’re aiming for. Does the course carry professional accreditation? Look at whether courses/subjects have entry requirements that are likely to match your grades. When are the open days? Go to open days and ask plenty of questions about university life, the course, and support services. Every year, many applicants are unsuccessful for reasons that could have been avoided if they had undertaken better research. There are over 50,000 undergraduate courses at over 395 providers in the UK.  Security marking: PUBLIC

Choosing the right university Which is the best university? It’s a common question – the reality is, no one university is ‘best’ for every student. You need to consider what type of university you want to attend. The look and feel can vary enormously. Here are some things to consider: Style – from a traditional feel with a focus on subject-based courses and research, to more modern universities that may have a greater focus on vocational courses. Location – some are based in large cities, others in smaller towns, or on the outskirts of urban centres. This can have a major influence on the environment and lifestyle on offer. Size – larger universities can have more than 20,000 students, whereas some of the smallest have only a few thousand. Do they have sports facilities or societies to join? How near home, a city center or the countryside are they? In term of location also consider transport links and ease of travel to and from home. Security marking: PUBLIC

Choosing the right university Culture and facilities – this is influenced by a range of factors, including the diversity of students who attend. Apart from subject-specific facilities, many also offer particular sports or facilities you can use. What graduates do after the course – all universities collect destination statistics. It can be interesting to find out the types of jobs or further study students go on to. Living costs – accommodation, transport, and food costs can vary enormously. Most university websites provide information about the costs of living in that area. Tuition fees – these can vary between course providers. Check if there are any scholarships or bursaries on offer. Include reference to the variety of accommodation that may be available in the first year including University-managed accommodation, private halls, private accommodation or living at home. Security marking: PUBLIC

Choosing the right course What does the course cover? Courses with the same title may be very different. Look carefully at the core course content, and the range of optional studies/modules available. Which modules are the most interesting and relevant to your career aspirations? If you’re looking to go into a particular profession, check whether the course gives you the accreditation you may need. See if the course or university/college offers any internship, placement, or study abroad opportunities. It is worth remembering that there is no national curriculum at higher education level, so the particular specialist interests and expertise of lecturers will influence the course. Skills such as taking notes in lectures may be completely new to you, so it’s important to take advantage of any ‘study skills’ sessions offered in your first term. It can be possible to mix your studies across two separate courses (joint honours) or more (combined honours). Security marking: PUBLIC

Choosing the right course How is the course taught? Most courses combine lectures, seminars, tutorials, and practicals. Some have a greater emphasis on self-directed research and learning. Think about your preferred learning style – do you prefer more structured teaching, or more time doing your own research? How many lectures are there, and how much group work in the seminars? Who are the tutors? What subject areas do they specialise in, and are they experts in the areas you want to learn about? How is the course assessed? Universities use a whole range of assessment methods, including exams, project work, presentations (individual or in groups), practical assessment, and dissertations. The proportion of marks that contribute to your overall grade from different assessment methods can vary considerably. Think about how you gain your best marks and the type of assessment methods that suits you best. Security marking: PUBLIC

Thank you Any questions? Security marking: PUBLIC