Page 25 iStudy Guide 2019/20
P. 25
iStudy
2019/20
25
COURSE:
One of the most important decisions when choosing
to go to university is which course you want to study.
Once you have decided this you will want to research
which universities excel in that subject. UCAS and The
Times Higher Education World University Rankings
are essential tools but you may also want to check the
university’s social media too. Other important things
to think about are how each university assesses your
chosen course, if one assess only by exams and you
hate exams, you should consider a different university
with a more coursework-based approach. Finally,
consider whether your course offers a year in industry
or a year abroad. If so, you will want to explore what
links they have with different companies and partner
universities.
LIFE AFTER UNIVERSITY:
You probably aren’t even considering life after
graduation at this stage, and why would you when
you’re still deciding which university to attend? But
considering what career you think you might want to
go into will influence which university you pick now.
For example, if you want to become a teacher you will
need to find a course where you gain Qualified Teacher
Status and Journalism courses should be NCTJ or BCTJ
accredited. There are also certain universities which
have excellent reputations for graduate employment,
so this is worth taking into account.
LOCATION:
Picking the right course is really important but you
won’t get the best out of your university experience
unless you are in an environment that makes you feel
at home and allows you to thrive. Do you want to stay
at home or get an immersive university experience?
Would you feel more at home in the city, countryside or
seaside? Also, when deciding on a location, don’t forget
to think about expenses. If you decide you want a sense
of independence and want to be as far away from your
family as possible, don’t forget that if you do want to go
home for a weekend doing so will be very costly and
time-consuming. Also, if you decide to study in a city
like London, remember that your living costs there will
be a lot more than studying in other cities.
PROSPECTUSES & OPEN DAYS:
Look through the prospectus but keep in mind that
these are essentially sales pamphlets specifically
created to entice you to choose their institution. Do
the buildings really glisten in the sunlight or are they
dated and somewhat run down? The best way to find
out is to visit on an open day. Open days also provide
students the opportunity to meet their lecturers. Ask
questions! Find out why they teach and what their
knowledge really is. Have they gone straight into
teaching or do they actually have first-hand experience
of the industry?
LIFE ON CAMPUS:
It is not just the location and the lectures that you
have to consider but also what you want to do in your
down time. If you get the chance, it is worth staying
for a couple of days whilst visiting for the Open Day to
get a real feel for the student experience. Do they have
a lively nightlife? Strong sports teams and facilities?
Essentially, will you have social satisfaction? After all,
you have to live there.
LISTEN TO YOUR HEART:
One person’s idea of heaven is another’s concept of hell.
Choosing the right university is a personal decision that
is specific to you. Don’t worry about what your parents
want you to study, it’s your life not theirs. And don’t
worry if you’re going to a different university to your
best mate, you can still visit them at weekends and you
will also make plenty of new friends too. Overall, the
biggest take away here is that you have to make the
decision that is right for you. After all, not everybody
is the same otherwise we would all be studying
Contemporary Circus and Physical Theatre at Bath
Spa University.
2019/20
25
COURSE:
One of the most important decisions when choosing
to go to university is which course you want to study.
Once you have decided this you will want to research
which universities excel in that subject. UCAS and The
Times Higher Education World University Rankings
are essential tools but you may also want to check the
university’s social media too. Other important things
to think about are how each university assesses your
chosen course, if one assess only by exams and you
hate exams, you should consider a different university
with a more coursework-based approach. Finally,
consider whether your course offers a year in industry
or a year abroad. If so, you will want to explore what
links they have with different companies and partner
universities.
LIFE AFTER UNIVERSITY:
You probably aren’t even considering life after
graduation at this stage, and why would you when
you’re still deciding which university to attend? But
considering what career you think you might want to
go into will influence which university you pick now.
For example, if you want to become a teacher you will
need to find a course where you gain Qualified Teacher
Status and Journalism courses should be NCTJ or BCTJ
accredited. There are also certain universities which
have excellent reputations for graduate employment,
so this is worth taking into account.
LOCATION:
Picking the right course is really important but you
won’t get the best out of your university experience
unless you are in an environment that makes you feel
at home and allows you to thrive. Do you want to stay
at home or get an immersive university experience?
Would you feel more at home in the city, countryside or
seaside? Also, when deciding on a location, don’t forget
to think about expenses. If you decide you want a sense
of independence and want to be as far away from your
family as possible, don’t forget that if you do want to go
home for a weekend doing so will be very costly and
time-consuming. Also, if you decide to study in a city
like London, remember that your living costs there will
be a lot more than studying in other cities.
PROSPECTUSES & OPEN DAYS:
Look through the prospectus but keep in mind that
these are essentially sales pamphlets specifically
created to entice you to choose their institution. Do
the buildings really glisten in the sunlight or are they
dated and somewhat run down? The best way to find
out is to visit on an open day. Open days also provide
students the opportunity to meet their lecturers. Ask
questions! Find out why they teach and what their
knowledge really is. Have they gone straight into
teaching or do they actually have first-hand experience
of the industry?
LIFE ON CAMPUS:
It is not just the location and the lectures that you
have to consider but also what you want to do in your
down time. If you get the chance, it is worth staying
for a couple of days whilst visiting for the Open Day to
get a real feel for the student experience. Do they have
a lively nightlife? Strong sports teams and facilities?
Essentially, will you have social satisfaction? After all,
you have to live there.
LISTEN TO YOUR HEART:
One person’s idea of heaven is another’s concept of hell.
Choosing the right university is a personal decision that
is specific to you. Don’t worry about what your parents
want you to study, it’s your life not theirs. And don’t
worry if you’re going to a different university to your
best mate, you can still visit them at weekends and you
will also make plenty of new friends too. Overall, the
biggest take away here is that you have to make the
decision that is right for you. After all, not everybody
is the same otherwise we would all be studying
Contemporary Circus and Physical Theatre at Bath
Spa University.
