There are many factors to consider when deciding which universities to apply to:
University ranking:
Looking at where a university ranks in the league table is a good starting point, the latest rankings for uk universities can be found online at the complete university guide. Rankings can be based on various parameters like academic reputation, employer reputation and student/faculty ratio, these good parameters to look at deciding the best university. By comparing universities using filters and chosen metrics, you can start to get a clear picture of which one is the right one for you.
Course:
Each university offers a vast array of courses to choose from. Universities can also be ranked based on how well a course is delivered and the resources available for it. Rankings for specific courses can be very different according to a universities’ overall quality. If a student knows what job they want to get into after university, they will need a course that relates to that career.
Accomodation:
Looking into student accommodation is key. Some universities are campus-based, like the University of Nottingham, whereas some are based in different areas around the city, like the University of Bristol. You may also want to be in a catered hall rather than a self-catered one. A campus-based university feels more like a community and makes it easier to navigate your way around. A non-campus university gives you more freedom. Once you’ve had a look round you’ll get a feel as to what feels like “home”.
Student life:
As important as rankings are, they unfortunately do not give any indication of what student life looks like in terms of accommodation facilities, societies and more. The majority of university memories will happen outside the classroom so it is important to find out about the societies and extracurriculars. Considering this, it may not be adequate to decide on a university by just looking at the rankings.
Finances:
Finances are another key thing to consider when deciding what universities to apply to. Factors such as tuition fees and cost of living will differ according to the course and where the university is situated in the UK. Price does fluctuate depending on the area your choices are in, so it is necessary to compare this. Look at your ideal budget and whether this university can fit within it.