How do I start to choose a university or college?
The first thing to remember is that no single university is the best choice for everyone, different places suit different people. Think about what is important to you, what your strengths are and what you are interested in. Things to consider are:
Type of university
- traditional or modern?
- campus (all buildings in one place) or integrated within a town or city?
- large or small university?
Location
- which part of the country would you prefer to be in?
- would you prefer a city or more rural location?
- do you want to still be close to the sea?
- what are the travel links like to and from Jersey?
The University of Wolverhampton has an interactive map which is a good source of information.
University of Wolverhampton website
Course structure
- number of taught hours per week
- teaching style: lectures or small group seminars?
- assessment style: examinations or coursework?
Reputation
- university league table ranking?
- is the university part of the Russell Group?
The Russell Group website
The Complete University Guide website
Unistats website
League tables should be treated with caution as a high position does not guarantee that it will be the best place for you.
Social and sporting opportunities
Will you be able to follow your interests, whether they are:
- sporting
- hobbies
- night life
Visits to universities
Once you have narrowed down your preferences, visiting a university (and asking questions) is the best single way to find out what a university is like.
Open days are a great opportunity to find out more about universities and colleges, however universities are usually very happy to show Jersey students round at other times. For information on open day dates, see the open day website.
Open days website
Other useful websites
Universities and Colleges Admissions Services website
Push website
gov.je