Once your child has identified courses and universities that interest them, with entry requirements that appear achievable, how do they work out which options would suit them best?
Our guide to making five UCAS choices covers the academic starting point. Here are five other considerations worth investigating together.
1. Compare course content and assessment
Courses with similar titles can differ considerably. Compare compulsory and optional modules, teaching hours, practical work and opportunities to specialise.
How will your child be assessed? Look at the balance between examinations, coursework, presentations and practical assessments. Check how much each contributes to the marks, whether exams are online or in person, and how assessment changes across the degree.
If your child is interested in an industry placement or year abroad, find out whether it's built into the course, optional or competitive. These years can still carry tuition fees, generally at a reduced rate. Check whether they extend the degree, what fees apply and what additional travel or living costs your child might face.
It's also worth investigating academic, wellbeing and disability support. Discover Uni provides official student survey results, including feedback on teaching, assessment and academic support.
2. Campus or non-campus (city) university – what's the difference?
At a campus university, teaching buildings, libraries, sports facilities and often accommodation are grouped together. This can make everyday travel easier and help students feel part of a community, although shops, workplaces or entertainment may be further away.
At a non-campus university, often called a city university, buildings may be spread across different locations. You may also hear the term embedded used to describe universities whose facilities are integrated into the surrounding town or city. Students can have more of the city on their doorstep, but travelling between lectures, accommodation and activities may take longer.
Some universities combine both arrangements, with campuses integrated into towns or cities or separate sites for particular subjects.
Find out where your child's course is actually taught. Check the journey from accommodation to teaching facilities, along with the university's size, surroundings and atmosphere. The experience of living there may be quite different from the impression created by a prospectus.
