In recent years,
with the rise of tuition fees, going to university is not a decision taken
lightly by the high school graduates of today. University offers a huge number
of benefits, both educationally and socially, and having a degree under your
belt can make a massive difference when trying to find employment. In fact time
and time again statistics have shown that individuals who have obtained a
degree are favoured above those who do not when competing for the same job
positions.
The wonderful
thing about going to university is that you get to choose where you would like
to go (grades permitting of course) and it is important to do thorough research
into a university and the course that you are applying for before making any
final decisions.
There is a wealth
of information out there for canny undergraduates who want to know the ins and
outs of universities they are interested in attending. Not only are there
league tables and surveys which help to give an idea of where the university is
placed in terms of academic excellence, but there are also other ways that will
help a student make a decision about which is the best institution for them.
One is obvious
-visit the university in person. Universities often hold open days where they
allow potential students to take a look around a get a real feel for campus
life. This includes checking out the facilities on offer. This is particularly
helpful to students who are determined to get on to a particular course. If you
want to be an engineer for example,ensuring that the institution you attend has
state of the art facilities is hugely important similarly if you are
interested in sports, art or music you should be allowed to take a peek at
where you will be taught, talk to students who are on the course and see what
facilities are available to you to make sure you can get the most out of your
degree.
As John Vinney,
vice-chancellor of Bournemouth university pointed out “one size does not fit
all.” Just because some universities are considered more prestigious than
others, and indeed have a heftier price tag to go with them, it doesn’t
actually mean that this kind of institution will be the best for each and every
student. “No university is better than any other — each offers something
different,” he said.
While this is
true to a certain extent, there are certainly things you can look for in a
university that will make it ‘better’ for you. Student satisfaction surveys,
for example, are out in the public domain and will give an overview of how the
students attending the university rate it on a number of factors. You should
also talk to perspective employers in your given field as they may respect a
qualification form one university more so than another. If you are determined
to work for them once you graduate, this may well influence your decision. It
is important to keep abreast of this information though and find the most
accurate and up to date information, as the fluctuation of universities who top
the league tables and do best in the student satisfaction surveys can change
significantly year upon year.
Often
universities specialize in one particular subject and this is where they have
invested a significant amount of time and money and recruited leading professors
in that field. While overall that university might not be performing the best,
if the subject you are interested in is the one they specialist in again this
is food for thought. Having incredible research facilities, state of the
art equipment and pioneering, passionate teachers will make all the
difference when it comes to the quality of your learning.
Indeed measuring
academic success and understanding what is on offer in terms of teaching and
resources available is easier to quantify then trying to assess the quality of
student life at a particular university. The best universities will not only
focus on providing their students with the highest quality education, but also invest
in creating a welcoming environment and providing opportunities for social
interaction and experiences which will enrich their lives. Excursions, clubs,
groups and social events are vital to ensuring students have a full and
positive experience during their time at university. Of course a lot can also
rest on the area where the university resides. Cities that are known to be
safe, vibrant and welcoming with interesting arts and cultural attractions, a
varied nightlife, and plenty to see and do are going to have a far greater
appeal then those where there is little on offer, have a reputation for being
rough, and where it is known that there is often tension between the students
and the local residents.
The quality of
accommodation can also play a factor in deciding on a university. This can vary
widely from place to place and being offered modern, spacious housing can tip
the balance when deciding between one university of another.
So perhaps it is
not a case of one university being better than another, but what a university
can offer an individual. Different students have different needs, standards and
ideas about what they want to get out of the university experience. Having a
firm idea of what you want to achieve at the end of your degree, what is important
to you, and what you are willing to sacrifice will put any perspective student
in good stead, and, as long as they are willing to put the time in to
researching the different universities out there, on the right path to picking
a university that is right for them.