HE Applications

You should consider a range of issues, as well as liking the subject, before choosing a course at university. Although a good degree is always important:

1. Compare the content of courses & the style of learning offered at each institution, as degrees & courses with the same name may be very different at each university or college.

2. Help with study skills and easy access to & help with computers & technology will probably be useful to you.

3. Are there any work experience opportunities or work-related skills offered as part of the course (if that is important to you) and you can ask how many students get relevant jobs at the end of their course. Some university sites list their destinations statistics on their websites or you can ask them to send them to you. Opportunities to study in other countries may also be available. Another way of getting useful experience is by getting involved in student activities, including the Student Union, especially if you become an officer or initiate new projects.

4. Compare the quality assessment reports for research & teaching in Higher Education universities & colleges (searchable by institution or subject) at the:

Quality Assurance Agency
HEFCE (Higher Education Funding Council for England)
Scottish Higher Education Funding Council
Welsh Funding Councils

University league tables are available from:

The Times Online

Education Guardian

These tables may be useful in choosing between universities. However, overall league tables of universities or colleges, often quoted in newspapers, will not tell you very much about the particular department or faculty you wish to study at, the quality of teaching, resources or research. Please note that Grade 1 for a Further Education college from the FEFC is the top grade, while Grade 5 for a Higher Education or degree course from the Quality Assurance Agency is the top grade.

These rankings should be read with care as departments & courses within universities can differ in quality, including some highly regarded departments & courses in smaller universities with lower grades.

5. Social issues, including the range of social, sports & cultural activities, the cost of living, whether the university is on a campus outside of any town or based in a city and the geography of local region may all be important to you in your decision. You may get some useful hints or information from the student union websites at each university.

There are also publications which grade universities according to student views which you may find in your local library, careers office & in some British Council offices if you are an international student.. The gender ratio in universities, numbers of males to females, is available in the Push Guide & is currently online at the Mail on Sunday website.

It is always helpful if you can visit any universities you are interested in. Look out for or ask about Open Days when staff & students will be available to answer any questions. Information about open days is available online with advice online from Opendays.com.

6. If you are a disabled person, there is information available in Skill's factsheets & their publications on colleges & universities. Information on your rights under the Disability Discrimination Act is available at the Disability Rights Commission, including codes of practice for colleges & universities and for all service providers.

7. Student support services such as counselling, careers, health & child care are also worth finding out about. Student services staff in universities & colleges will also provide information & support in helping you make decisions about choosing your courses or dealing with any questions you may have.

8. Working part-time while you are studying is likely to be important to many students, so check out whether there are likely to be part-time jobs available in the area or within the university and also, if you are an international student, what you are legally allowed to do. There is useful information on this issue and other information on studying in the UK at the Education UK from the British Council.

9. Support for international students varies. If you are bringing a family with you, or want to meet with other international students or need any language help, perhaps before you start your course, you should find out in advance what support there is for international students & their families from the university or college, from organisations in the area for international students & from community groups. Most universities and some FE colleges have International Offices to give you advice & information & help with any problems you may have. More information is available at our  international student section. There is also a useful online guide from UCAS & the Independent newspaper,  Studying in the UK Information on applying to universities is available from UCAS.

For more information on Higher Education resources, you may find some useful links in our  Higher Education section.

• Aimhigher - information for students 13 - 19 thinking about college or university, from the DfES.
• Choosing a Higher Education course in the UK - good advice on choosing a Higher Education course in the UK, from HERO.
• The Course Source - search engine to all undergraduate & postgraduate degrees and research opportunities in the UK. You can search by a range of criteria including subject, region, institution and level of study.
• ECCTIS - general information for students about qualifications in further education, higher & postgraduate information & on fees & finance, also about the subscription-only database of courses - but you will find copies of the CD-ROM or an online service in Careers Offices, schools and colleges.
• Education UK - a key site from the British Council with information on choosing courses, studying & living in the UK, mainly for international students.
• Foundation Degrees - employment-related, higher education qualifications, DfES site explains them through FAQs & has a list of selected courses, for a comprehensive list, use UCAS.
• Graduate Teacher Training Registry (GTTR) - apply online for teacher training places, run by UCAS. Also information on types of courses, student finance and FAQs.
• HERO (Higher Education & Research Opportunities in the UK - official gateway site to the UK's universities, colleges and research organisations. Sections on studying, research, business relationships, inside HE, culture & sport, university & HE college links.
• Hotcourses - search & apply for courses in the UK, including undergraduate, postgraduate courses, MBA & further education & vocational courses, also a distance & online section & jobs & careers section.
• InterStudent - information on university rankings, academic & campus life at UK universities, also city guides for more information & online forums .
• Nursing & Midwifery Admissions Service - provides a course directory, university & college information, & information on applying for courses.
• PLOTEUS Portal on Learning Opportunities) - information on studying in Europe, including educational institutions, guidance & advice services, exchanges & grants & useful information on living in another country.
• Push Online Guide to UK Universities - top ten guides for a range of issues, including cost of drinks, percentage of women & men, best sport, lowest unempoyment & more, league tables including clubs in universities, jargon index, free access for 4 weeks to members' section from clearing.
• RealUni - alternative online reviews of courses & universities, written by students.
• RNIB Student site - comprehensive set of information with almost everything blind students & students with sight impairments might need to know.
• SKILL (The National Bureau for Students with Disabilities) information on Further Education colleges, universities & Higher Education, Open & distance learning & postgraduate studies & a wide range of factsheets & answers to Frequently Asked Questions on student finance & jobsearch & lists of organisations & contacts.
• Study & work abroad for all - information about studying & working abroad, including information about accessibility, adapted housing, transportation or personal assistance in daily living, also includes country information & links to university sites with information for disabled students.
• UCAS - the main site for first degree applications & admissions, includes university course search & applications information including help for international students, parents, a newsletter, information on Records of Achievement, student interests section.
• UK Coursefinder - online interactive to help choose your course & university by identifying your interests, also subject search, & general advice about applications, including writing personal statements & completing the UCAS application form, from Morrisby, a careers testing company.
• Universitiesnet - very general information on life at UK universities, with links to specialist site.
• unofficial-guides.com - useful student reviews of universities, covering facilities, social life, accommodation, student media and online comments.

Books to help with applying to college & university

• British Qualifications - Kogan Page, January 2004
  
  
• Build Your Own Rainbow - Hopson Barrie, Mike Scally, Management Books 2000, 1999, a workbook, adopted by the Open University
  
  
• Choosing Your Degree Course & University - Brian Heap, Trotman 2004
  
  
• Directory of University and College Entry: 2005-2006 Entry - Trotman, 2004
  
  
• Directory of Vocational and Further Education - Financial Times Prentice Hall, 2004
  
  
• The GAP Year Guide Book 2004 - Susannah Hecht, John Catt Educational, 2004
  
  
• Getting into Art & Design Courses - Jonathon Hollins, Trotman, 2004
  
  
• Getting into Dental School - Joe Ruston, Trotman, 2004
  
  
• Getting into Law - Justina Burnett, Trotman, 2004
  
  
• Getting into Medical School - James Burnett, Joe Ruston, Trotman, 2004
  
  
• Getting into Oxford & Cambridge - Trotman, 2003
  
  
• Getting into Psychology - James Burnett, Maya Waterstone, Trotman, 2004
  
  
• Getting into Veterinary School - John Handley, Trotman, 2004
  
  
• "The Guardian" University Guide: What to Study, Where to Study and How to Make Sure You Get There - Jimmy Leach (editor), Atlantic Books, 2004
  
  
• Hobsons Graduate Career Directory 2004 - Hobsons, 2003
  
  
• How to complete your UCAS Form for 2005 entry - Tony Higgins, Trotman, 2004

• The Internship Bible, 2004 Edition (Princeton Review: Student Advantage Guide: Internship Bible) - Princeton Review, 2004
  
  
• Learning How to Study Again: A Practical Guide to Study Skills for Mature Students Returning to Education or Distance Learning - Catherine Dawson, How To Books, 2004
  
  
• Mature Students Guide - Liz Maynard, Trotman, 2001
  
  
• Occupations 2004 - Careers and Occupational Information Centre, 2004
  
  
• The Push Guide to Choosing a University - Johnny Rich, Nelson Thornes, 2004
  
  
• The Push Guide to Which University - Johnny Rich, Nelson Thornes, 2004
  
  
• Sponsorship and Funding Directory 2003 - Hobsons, 2002
  
  
• "The Times" Good University Guide - Andrew Hindmarsh, Bernard Kingston, John O'Leary, Editor, Collins, 2004
  
  
• Virgin Alternative Guide to British Universities 2004 - Piers Dudgeon, Virgin Books, 2004
  
  
• The Virgin Guide to Courses for Careers: Choosing the Right Degree Course for Your Ideal Job - Piers Dudgeon, Virgin Books, 2004
  
  
• The Virgin University Survival Guide - Kara Fitzhugh, Virgin Books, 2004
  
  
• Which Degree Set vols 1 & 2 - Hobsons, 2004
  
  
• What Color Is Your Parachute?: A Practical Manual for Job-Hunters and Career-Changers - Richard Nelson Bolles, Ten Speed Press, 2004
  
  
• Which MBA?: A Critical Guide to the World's Best MBAs - George Bickerstaffe, Economist Intelligence Unit, March 2004
  
  
• Which MBA?: A Critical Guide to the World's Best MBAs - George Bickerstaffe, Economist Intelligence Unit, December 2004
  
  
• Working for Yourself - Godfrey Golzen, Jonathon Reuvid, Kogan Page, 2004