Choose a course

Choosing which course to study is one of the most important decisions you need to make when you’re thinking about applying to university. There are many issues to consider - your skills, what sort of university experience you want (lots of independent study or more contact hours), your career goals and more.

Questions to ask yourself include:

• What do you enjoy studying? University courses are a long-term commitment, so it’s important to choose a course that will keep you engaged for three years.
• What do you want to do after you finish university? Is there a course that will help you to get the relevant knowledge, experience and qualifications?
• Do you want to get practical experience? Think about courses that would allow you to do a year in industry or other work-related learning.
• Do you want to study full-time or would part-time learning suit you better?

Even when you have a good idea of what subject you want to study, courses can differ between universities. It’s a good idea to read as much as possible about what each course offers. You can find information in printed prospectuses and on university websites. Open days are also a great opportunity to meet tutors, view facilities and ask current students about the course you’re thinking of applying for.