Higher Education - Choosing where to study

Where to study is becoming an increasingly important question as more students apply either to local institutions or to ones within a reasonable distance from home for financial reasons.

Ask yourself about the following factors:

  • type of study
  • type of institution
  • location
  • reputation and past achievements
  • accommodation

Type of Study

  • Full-time
  • Part-time (more and more part-time courses are available)
  • Open or distance learning (e.g., Open University)

Type of institution

  • Small or large
  • Rural or urban
  • Self contained campus or integrated into city or town
  • Traditional or modern
  • University or college - further education colleges often offer part or whole degree courses in conjunction with a local university

Location

  • Close to home or further afield
  • A particular region
  • Transport links and costs
  • Study outside the UK. Some courses include time spent abroad

Reputation and past achievements

  • Position in 'league tables' (e.g., teaching quality, level of graduate employment)
  • Assessment in the Quality Assurance Agency reports (www.qaa.ac.uk). Bear in mind that reports are historical and that staff move on and departments change
  • Academic facilities (e.g., library, IT provision, lecturers, studio and workshop access)
  • Social facilities (e.g., sport, societies and clubs, Students' Union)

Accommodation

  • Availability of university accommodation for first year students
  • Availability of privately rented accommodation
  • Living at home or moving away
  • Cost

Support for students with disabilities

If you have a disability or medical condition, there are additional factors to consider when drawing up your shortlist of courses and institutions. You should make personal contact with individual institutions before applying, and look at their disability statements.

Skill, the National Bureau for Students with Disabilities, offers a comprehensive information service including advice on finance. They issue a guide for prospective students with disabilities called ‘Into Higher Education‘ which costs £2.50 for disabled students, trainees or jobseekers.

Contact: Skill, Chapter House, 18-20 Crucifix Lane, London SE1 3JW

Information Service Tel: 0800 328 5050
Telephone/Minicom: 020 7450 0620
Minicom: 0800 068 2422 Fax: 020 7450 0650
Website: www.skill.org.uk
Email: skill@skill.org.uk
Office hours: Monday – Thursday 1.30pm – 4.30pm