
The United Kingdom has over 150 universities and it can get overwhelming to decide which University you should enroll at. It is a long-term decision that will affect both, your personal and professional life.
You would carefully want to think this through. Researching each and every University on your wish list in detail can help you choose the best university for you. In other words, pick a university that resonates well with your educational needs.
The question is, what should you really consider when you research different Universities?
The truth is, many students tend to pick a University based on how they feel about it or how popular it is among their peers.
Although this can be good and satisfactory, you should still research and enter a University that will perfectly satisfy your educational needs.
Firstly, you need to know why you want to study at a university. Secondly, make a list of where you would like to study. Thirdly, know the academic quality and what majors they offer. Lastly, what type of culture & social environment do you seek.
Let us look at the best universities in the United Kingdom and the courses/majors they are recognized for. We will also share tips that can help you choose the perfect university to study at and the major(s) they offer.
Top Ranked Universities in the United Kingdom:
- Oxford
- Cambridge
- Imperial College of London (ICL)
- London School of Economics and Political Studies (LSE)
- University College of London (UCL)
- St Andrews
- Warwick
- Bath
- Durham
- Loughborough
Best Universities by Faculty:
- Law – Cambridge; LSE; Oxford; UCL
- Computer Science – Oxford; Imperial College of London; Cambridge; UCL
- Medicine – Imperial College of London; UCL; Oxford; London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine
- Art & Design – UCL; Loughborough; Royal College of Art; Glasgow School of Arts
- Psychology – Oxford; St Andrews; UCL; Cambridge
- Business Studies – LSE; Imperial College of London; Durham; St Andrews
Now that we have a list of some of the best universities in the U.K, can you just choose any one of them?
Remember…
The most important question is WHY?
Why do I want to go to a university and study?
Why do I want to study a specific course?
This may seem easy to answer, but if you know the real reason behind the “Why”, it will make it easier for you to decide.
Ask yourself questions such as:
- What are my interests?
- What are my strengths?
- Will it help me expand my skills?
- What are the majors that they offer?
- Do my interests line up with those majors?
- Does the field offer enough employment opportunities?
- Do I want to study close, far or abroad?
- What is the overall budget that I can invest in my studies?
- Public or private, which university is better?
- What is the average strength of the class?
- Is the university accredited?
- What other alternatives are there?
- What is the best option for me?
Let’s further discuss these questions in detail…
Tips to choosing the right course for you:
1. What are my interests?
These are the things that you are drawn to and want to discover more about.
For example, if your interest is in life science, studying Biology or Genetics would be one of the best options for you. If you like drawing and painting, you should think of choosing an Arts and Design course.
This will help you lay a foundation for your future and determine your satisfaction in your career. It will help you perfect what you can already do. It will add more value to your skills. This will make it easier for you to decide which course, major(s) or degree to choose.
Remember, you should consider your interests and not what your parents want or what is most popular among your peers.
2. What are the top majors/degrees offered by the universities you chose?
Take time to figure out what your own interests are. A university’s core expertise will tell you if they can provide you with the quality academics for your chosen degree.
Even the best universities may not offer quality education for each and every degree.
For instance, Oxford is considered to be the best university in the U.K with an outstanding education, but if you are looking to study Economics or Business, then the London School of Economics and Political Studies would be a better choice.
This doesn’t mean that Oxford ranks worse, but the London School of Economics is more qualified to offer education for such specific degrees.
In short, it is the overall quality that will determine how well the degree aligns with your interest and your employment opportunities.
3. Geographic location and affordability
Location is another major consideration to keep in mind. This will tell you about the culture, climate, lifestyle and traditions that you will be surrounded with.
Every location has various factors that will describe how compatible it is with you and your studies. These include politics, cost of living, available amenities and community services, crime rate etc.,
With these, you should also consider the quality of the overall lifestyle. Are you into a fast-paced, culturally and diversified area such as the city or prefer a more subtle and modest area as a small town or countryside?
Moreover, mesh your chosen degree with a geographic location. This could be an amazing decision on its own. You could move to a different state or country and get first-hand experience for your degree.
For example, if you are someone who is into computers and IT, moving to China will give you better academic as well as practical exposure. Above all, China is ranked third as a technologically sound country and fourth at being a country that offers high-quality science programs. To sum it up, this increases your cultural diversity, skill and knowledge quality.
Another important factor is finances. Being unable to afford your basic needs can affect your academic performance drastically. This can result in dissatisfaction and can also lead to dropping out.
Therefore, no matter how perfect your chosen university may be, ensure that you have enough budget or funding that can finance all your needs.
4. Is it accredited and reputable?
It is imperative that any higher education institute is registered and accredited. This way you get to know if it is credible.
Usually, registered and accredited institutions appear on country states or education department boards/lists. This is an assurance that even the government is well aware of these universities and courses. Accredited universities have a higher reputation and more recognition. This undoubtedly means higher employment opportunities for you.
Another way to check a university’s accreditation is their hosting of career fairs. This implies that employers are more likely interested in (and will) hiring students from that university.
You must also consider the average sizes of the university’s population and classes. Are there one-on-one slots with lecturers or professors available? Are the classrooms friendly for learning? Does the ratio of the number of students and classroom size is in balance? These are academic environmental factors that can also affect the quality of your education and performance. A school that can consider each and every student and offer services that will benefit students individually should ideally be a good choice.
5. Other alternatives
Sometimes, you may have all your findings of the university(s) that you have your eye on and that aligns best with your interests and academic needs, but you may still feel doubtful about which one to choose.
Apart from the information that you have gathered, why not visit these institutions and get a taste of how it makes you feel and how favourable their environment is. It will also help you know how you feel, whether anxious or thrilled. Being present there will play a major part in making a final decision to choose the best university.
Yes, education is important, but your mental health and your happiness are equally important. Finding a university that best satisfies these is best for you and will definitely add more value to your character, interests, skills and overall experience.
6. Take a gap year
Taking time out to make a strategy or prepare for your further actions is considered to be a way to stop a regular course (in this case, school) and to focus or discover another avenue in life. This is known as taking a gap year.
It allows you to figure out what exactly you want to do with your life and subsequently have a clear mind in deciding which university to attend and what your plan of action is.
During this space, usually, a year-long, you have the time to reboot, develop deep thinking, create a balanced lifestyle, save for university and mostly self-discovery.
Taking a gap year is highly recommended by most universities because they have seen how those who attend university after a gap year, value their education more and have a better experience.
Final Thoughts
Giving closure to the discussion, choosing the right university can be confusing, tedious and draining, but it is worth your effort. It is challenging but it is also fun and full of unique life experiences. These universities will help you train your decision-making skills and help you make a better future.
If your school has a student counsellor or career advisor, be sure to visit one to get more help and detailed insight. These advisors will help you figure out your interests and skills, and the type of career you want to pursue. They will provide you with valuable information about choosing the best degree and the university that will help you achieve your fullest potential.
Let's Explore More...
Below is a list of a few websites that can help you to decide which university you should choose. These are portals that will offer information about the best universities for your desired degree. What’s amazing is they are not only from the UK, but from other countries as well. Have a look and explore…