How to find a United kingdom University – Understanding League Tables

The most crucial factor to keep in mind when selecting a university within the United kingdom is the fact that “league tables” like the Protector University Guide or even the Occasions Online University Guide are simply that – helpful information only. There aren’t any official government lists of universities when it comes to quality within the United kingdom. Why? Well, due to the fact different universities concentrate on different subjects. So, should you consider the league tables for various subjects there is a listing of universities inside a different order. For instance

Business and management studies

1.Oxford

2.Leicester

3.City

4.St Andrews

5.Warwick

Notice here that Cambridge, among the UK’s top universities, is away from the 5 best for business.

Sports Science

1.Bath

2.Bournemouth

3.Exeter

4.Loughborough

5.Birmingham

Source: The above mentioned information was obtained from The Protector University Guide 2010.

So generally, within the United kingdom, students search for universities that are proficient at the topic they would like to study as opposed to the overall league table position. However, there are numerous other facets of selecting a university which may be vital that you you and also these fall under 2 primary groups: factors associated with the university and factors that are your individual preferences. The very first category includes areas for example career prospects, the number of staff per student, IT and/ or sports facilities, quantity of students, number of non United kingdom students, price of the program and accommodation. The 2nd includes such things as location, climate, living costs, ethnicity from the community, entertainment and facilities. So get a telephone that you simply try to discover just as much information as you possibly can about each university that you are looking at.

League tables could be an excellent source of information with this initially just like university websites and books like the Protector University Guide that is printed and updated each year. There are more resources too.

Open days

For those who have met a university representative overseas that has attempted to “sell” you their university, make sure to think critically concerning the information they’ve provided. It’s their job to promote their university and gradually alter learn more.

If you’re within the United kingdom you can go to universities on “open days” for more information. Usually you’ll be able to satisfy a few of the academic staff within the department where you stand considering studying and hopefully some current students. Speaking to students is a great way to determine whether you’d be happy studying there. Additionally, you will use a tour from the university including accommodation and facilities which supports you would imagine what it might be prefer to live there.

If you fail to visit a wide open day, there are more good resources.

The Nation’s Student Satisfaction Survey

This can be a survey which all final year undergraduate students can complete and provides students an chance to state the things they loved regarding their university and just what they believe could or ought to be improved. The outcomes are printed on Unistats and you may search this site by subject and university to check what students consider their courses.

The Students’ Union

The Students’ Union is definitely an organisation which will help to enhance students’ lives and defend their legal rights. There’s a nationwide organisation within the United kingdom, NUS and every university features its own students’ union. Everyone who operate in The Students’ Union are students and they’re not area of the university management. They frequently campaign for enhancements for college students and searching in the SU website for any university can provide you with a much better knowledge of the negative and positive facets of studying there.