With many powerful figures in our society having attended prestigious universities such as Oxford and St Andrews and a nationwide discussion around “Mickey Mouse degrees,” the institution you attend seems like the be-all and end-all. But I’m here to tell you that the prestige of the university doesn’t always matter. I’ve come to realise that it doesn’t matter what university you attend as there are more important factors. This decision involves careful consideration of reputation, personal fit, and future goals.
Weighing up the factors
It may seem like choosing a university is an easy choice. Pick a subject you like and just apply. However, if you don’t like to location, city or subject you’ve chosen then you’ve made the wrong choice for yourself. I believe there are a few factors to consider before sending in that dreaded UCAS application.
Field of Study
Does the university you’re applying to offer a course you want? When I was applying I found plenty of universities offered the courses I wanted. However, when I looked at the finer details such as the modules offered, the course wasn’t really up my alley. I recommend checking out how good the university is in terms of the field of study you’re considering as well as the modules you’ll be taking.
Personal Fit
I believe the most important thing to consider is how will it fit you as an individual. If you’re staying at home consider how long your commute would be and what is in the surrounding areas. If you’re moving out, will you enjoy the new city, how far is it from home, what is the nightlife like?
Another factor I didn’t even think to consider until I started my first year was the size of the university I had applied to. Attending a smaller university fits who I am as a person more than attending somewhere with a larger campus as I prefer that personal touch.
Additionally, something else I realised when I started my first year is that I never want to sit an exam ever again. It is important to consider examination methods. So a course that didn’t have exams was perfect for me. Everything is coursework based and I get to be creative with my assignments. Moreover, Russell Groups will have more intense workloads and harsher marking compared to non-Russell Groups. This is not the case for all courses but is something to consider if you’re into the humanities like I am.
Employability
Going to a prestigious university won’t guarantee you a job. Sure it may be impressive to employers if you have attended Oxford, St Andrews or LSE but not enough if you’ve received a third-class honours degree. It is important to work hard and get a good classification rather than relying on the prestige of the institution to carry you. Moreover in more skill-based industries like technology or creativity experience can matter more than where you earned your degree. It may be more important to go to a specialist university which can help curate these skills.
Alternative Paths
You may not even need to go to university to reach your future goals. With the rise of online degree programmes attending university in person is becoming less critical in certain fields where skills, portfolios, or hands-on experience can carry more weight. In some sectors like IT, digital marketing, accounting or journalism, apprenticeships might be a more valuable experience than a traditional degree as you’re receiving hands-on experienced that the industry values.
I strongly believe that your choice of university should stem from what would make you happiest, whether a university with good student nightlife or a university with great graduate prospects. University isn’t a one-size-fits-all but one thing is for certain, you will grow to love your university. Don’t know where to start? Check out the top 100 universities in the UK.
Last Updated on November 12, 2024
Published on November 4, 2024
