How to decide on your place of study isn't an easy process.
In part your decision will be made by the kind of course you want to do and
perhaps were you might like to study but there are other factors to consider.
At Career Guidance Charts we produce a range of Career Posters ,other infographic and Career Resources to support students in their decision making. Our
new poster explores some of the many factors involved in deciding on your
degree course. One of the primary issues is the course content. No two degree
courses are the same and it’s important for you to look at the online
prospectus and study departments about the detail of what the course will
cover. Academic reputation and ranking of the university can be a higher
advantage when applying for a career. How well do graduates move into
employment is another important factor. 6 out 10 graduates said that graduate
employment rates were important in deciding on their university. Home or Away,
the challenge of cost over independence is often a key issue for many students.
In some countries attending your local university is the given option. However,
gaining the best course for you may incur moving away from home. Cost is always
a factor and you need to be fully aware of course fees, living costs and how you
will fund that. Some universities offer bursaries and its worth looking for
sponsorships if you can find these in your chosen subject.
Other factors that are important include student life and
what the facilities are available at the institution. This can be measured by
how much the university investment in its facilities and its worthwhile to read
around your potential place of study and see what new projects are in
development. It’s worthwhile looking at what student accommodation is available
as for many undergraduates having the security of a campus room in the first
year can make the transition to university all the more easier. Our tips are
1. Visit a couple of places of study, attend open days, many
are in March or September.
2. Speak to students and staff about the course, entry
requirements
3. Checkout any forums or blogs to get more information
about studying
If you are undecided about university we recommend going on
an open day, HE careers fair or attending a residential, you will learn lots
about doing a degree and the life of a student. This will go a long way to help
you decide if you want to study at a higher education institution.