Choosing a university can be a stressful decision. So many things to consider and so many options! Do you go where all your friends are going? Do you go to the university with the best reputation? Do you go to the one closest to home?
There are a few things you can consider to help you make an informed decision about which university is best for you:
Generalist vs Specific Courses
If you are not sure about your ideal job you should probably consider doing a more generalist degree, or even a double degree which allows you to try different areas of study before settling. However, if you are absolutely certain of your career path then it can be a good idea to do a very specific course. More specific courses mean more specialised lecturers, more detailed units and a point of difference for you in the field when it comes to applying for jobs. Not all universities offer these specific courses.
Travel Time
This is often not considered when making a choice between universities offering the same/similar courses. What people don’t realise until later is that university is years of travelling in and out of the location sometimes every day! If you are choosing between two similar courses and one has a 20-minute travel time and the other is 60 minutes away from your home; choose the closest one! Soon enough you will be at university, as well as balancing a social life, casual/part-time work and study. Two hours of travel time a day will make a huge difference and might even make you more likely not to attend classes.
Research vs Practical Courses
Think about your learning style. Some universities tend to have more theory-based courses while others are more practical. It is worth noting that some universities have research-based lecturers. These are often esteemed professors who have done research or worked in the fields for many years. These courses are often heavily theory-based with daytime lectures and classes. Other universities offer more practical degrees with current industry professionals. This is great for getting a current and practical learning experience but can also often mean night classes since these lecturers have to work during the day.
Most importantly, you can change degrees and even universities after you have started. If you are unsure just pick one. You won’t know until you try. You might love it! If not, you can change it.
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