Choosing a Course & University
Before you can apply, you have to decide what to study and where - and those two choices shape everything that follows. These guides help you narrow a course from a subject you enjoy, weigh universities against each other, and understand the signals that actually matter: league table methodology, Russell Group membership, campus versus city living, and what a student city is really like day to day.
We cover the decisions students consistently underestimate - joint honours versus single honours, liberal arts degrees, foundation years, degree apprenticeships as an alternative to a traditional degree, and how to build a shortlist that is aspirational but still realistic. Open days and course-comparison tools turn a vague longlist into five confident choices.
Start here if you know you want to go to university but are not yet sure what or where. Once your shortlist takes shape, move on to Entry Requirements & Getting In and Personal Statements to turn it into an application.
Guides in this category
- How to Choose a University Course: A Complete Guide - How to choose a university course: match interest, aptitude, and career outlook to pick the right degree and read UCAS entries with confidence.
- What Degree Should I Study? A UK Student's Guide - Not sure what degree to study? This UK guide maps your interests to degree families, flags subject gates, and helps you narrow down your options fast.
- How to Choose UCAS Choices: A Complete Guide - Learn how to choose UCAS choices wisely - firm vs insurance, spreading risk across five, personal statement constraints, and IB-specific tips.
- Aspirational University Choices: How to Build a Balanced UCAS List - Aspirational university choices explained: how to balance risk bands, predicted grades, IB offers, and firm vs insurance picks on your UCAS list.
- Russell Group Universities: Full List and Entry Guide - Russell Group universities explained: what they are, all 24 members, entry requirements for A-levels and IB, and how much the label actually matters.
- University League Tables Explained: How to Read Them - University league tables rank UK universities differently depending on their metrics. Learn what they measure, where they mislead, and how to use them wisely.
- Campus vs City University: Which Suits You? - Campus vs city university explained: what each model means, a side-by-side comparison table, living costs, and how to choose the right fit for you.
- Best UK Student Cities 2026: Ranked and Compared - The best UK student cities ranked by rent, safety, nightlife, transport and graduate jobs. Real cost figures, regional breakdown, and a full comparison table.
- Studying at University in London: Is It Worth It? - Studying at university in London offers real advantages - but higher rent and living costs mean the trade-offs matter. Here's an honest comparison.
- University Open Days: The Complete How-To Guide - University open days done right: how to prepare, what to look for, questions to ask, and how to turn each visit into a solid UCAS shortlist.
- Joint Honours Degree: What It Is and How It Works - A joint honours degree lets you study two subjects equally. See how it differs from single honours, how offers work, and whether it suits you.
- Liberal Arts Degree UK: What It Is and Whether It Suits You - A liberal arts degree blends arts, sciences and social sciences. Discover UK universities, who the course suits, and what employers think.
- Foundation Year Explained: What It Is and Who It Suits - A foundation year (year zero) adds a preparatory year before your degree. Learn who it suits, how funding works, and how it compares to direct entry.
- Degree Apprenticeship vs University: Which Is Right for You? - Degree apprenticeship vs university: compare funding, salary, student debt, application routes and real trade-offs to find which path suits you best.
- Unusual University Degrees UK: A Guide to Niche Courses - Unusual university degrees in the UK explained - ethical hacking, surf science, Viking studies. What you study, entry routes, and realistic outcomes.