Looking at and comparing university features
Even though you may not get the uni place of your first preference, you can better your chances of getting into a uni that matches your needs and expectations as closely as possible. You can do this by working out early which uni features are most important to you.
Follow these steps to compare uni characteristics and discover your priorities:
- Brainstorm about the features you believe you will need at uni and your other expectations of life at uni. Then list these items in order of priority to help you to decide which features are most important to you.
- Find out as much as possible about the features of each uni and campus you are considering. FAQ Sheet 10: What facts should I check out about the course, campus and university features? for a checklist of the uni features to investigate and where to find this information.
- Remember that each campus, even within the same uni, will have different services, facilities and atmosphere.
- Visit a campus to find out what it has to offer and compare it with others! This is especially important for students with physical and visual disabilities. If at all possible, visit the campus during a typical semester day when the place is bustling with students and looking the way it will when you are attending classes.
- Go to university open days. These are a useful way of gathering information about the types of services and facilities available at each uni and campus. You could also ask about which uni staff would be best to answer any questions.
- Some unis have uni 'taster' experiences, where high school students are able to spend a day at uni. Ask the uni about this.
- Check out 'The Good University Guide'. It is released each year and is good for finding out about key features of each uni. Most school careers advisers and school or local libraries will have a copy. This book allows you to compare each uni and campus using specific criteria across each uni. The 'Good University Guide' is also available via the internet at a cost.