Choosing the right University.

Whether you've been thinking about University for a while, or just here to think about researching a career path for the future, Flight is here to help you find the perfect route.

Studying at University should be some of the most satisfying years of your life, but there are lots of factors that make it rewarding.

There are over 200 Universities in the UK, and Flight has information on over 30,000 courses to choose from...so, how do you choose the perfect course for you?

Right now, you're probably thinking about the nightlife, meeting new people, having fun, and of course, slotting in a bit of learning, but there are many more factors you may not have thought about.

The priority of going to University is to study, using the knowledge to achieve 'that' perfect career, a career that you will be in for a long time hopefully, so already, you can see the importance of getting this right from the off.

In the last few years, 48% of students who left University said they regretted their decision to go to University, and over 40% said they didn't need their degree to do their current job. But research has also shown that people with a degree earn on average 18% more than people without, suggesting that the 40% of students in question didn't land the job they aspired to after leaving University. Research also revealed that 58% of students did improve their prospects because of their degrees.

Here's our guide to making the right choice

What do you want to achieve from going to University?

One of the main reasons for going to University is based around a career ambition, as many professions require you to have a degree as a minimum. Use Flights Careers section to research your perfect career and see what the minimum requirements are to achieving your goal.

Not sure what sort of career you want yet? That's fine, but choose a course or subject that you are interested in, career options will open up once you have finished your studies.

Research, research research!

You enjoy Chemistry, but rule out a course in 'Chemistry, Green Principles, and Sustainable Processes' because you don't know what it involves...maybe that course was perfect for you, and could have potentially led to the most fulfilling career you could have ever dreamt of. Take your time, research your findings, and open your mind up to all sorts of exciting possibilities.

University Rankings

When we talk about the best-ranked Universities in the UK, we automatically think of Oxford and Cambridge (right?). But did you know that Bristol University ranked top 10 in the UK, in over 10 subjects in 2020, or that to be an actor in 2022, you're probably best studying at Coventry University?

Flight allows you to filter and rank found courses, in order of:

Overall UK Ranking - How the University scored against other in the country.
Student Satisfaction - A students view of how good the teaching is.
Graduate Prospects - How many students are successful in achieving a career after finishing University.
Entry Standards - The level of grades entering the University course (from colleges).

Remember to rank order your results by what is most important to you!

Research the University

Flight will present to you lots of information about the University and its courses. Use the web browser icon to look at the University website and view the linked video to see how they present themselves. Does the University have a modern or traditional feel? Are they results-based or community-focused?

Check the course content

You can check the course content on the university website. If there's an area within the topic you're especially interested in, investigate whether the university has it listed or not. Alternatively, you can contact the university directly, they will be more than glad to answer any questions you have.

How much is being at university going to cost you?

A pint of beer in London now costs an average £5.33, making the capital's pint the priciest in the UK and the 18th most expensive in the world.

The cost of living will alter depending on which city or town you choose to study in. When doing your research, analyse the costs you will have to pay. Things like the cost of accommodation, food and entertainment, transport to and from the university, as well as transport between the university and your hometown.

Head over to Funding your Journey to see how you can access support and grants to help you finance your university pathway.

Obtain information about the student accommodation

If you're starting university, you will probably be moving away from your parents for the first time. Therefore the accommodation you live in must be right, somewhere you can call your home whilst you're studying away.

Get prepared:

You may have to learn how to cook.
Know how to use the washing machine.
Know how to do the washing up.

Don't be concerned about the people you will be sharing with. Experience tells us that it takes very little time to become best friends with everyone and remember, they will be in the same situation as you.