When we talk about where to go for university, we are not just thinking about location! There are a lot of important factors to consider when deciding which university to apply to. Most important – hopefully – are the subjects on offer at the university and whether there is a course you are interested in studying. There is a lot more to it than that though. Courses can differ widely between one university and the next, even within the same subject. The best place to find information on course content is in the prospectus or on the university website. Universities themselves differ, in size, location, focus and atmosphere.
- Campus university: e.g. University of Sussex, University of Exeter, University of Surrey.
A campus university is based entirely on one site. Student accommodation, lecture theatres, the library, shops and services such as a doctor and dentist will all be close together. - City university: University of Leeds, London School of Economics, Cardiff University.
A university based within a city is more likely to have facilities - lecture theatres, accommodation and student services - spread out throughout the city on different sites. - Some universities are made up of colleges e.g. University of Oxford, Durham University.
At a university made up of individual colleges, you choose a specific college to live and study in. Different colleges often specialise in teaching specific subjects and will often be different sizes with their own individual atmosphere and focus.
Think about transport links, whether you want to stay close to your family and friends, what you hope to do at university outside of your studies – whether you prefer the atmosphere of a big city or time spent outdoors – and where you will be living and spending time.