The higher education system in the UK is very
diverse, and you can study at a wide range
of institutions, from traditional universities
to further education colleges with higher
education provisions, to smaller and specialist
institutions. As a result of this diverse range
of institutions and their different modes of
teaching and learning, you can choose the
setting that best suits you and your individual
preferences.
When it comes to choosing what and where
to study, the ‘what’ always comes first. What
course do you want to study? Once you know
that, you might have the difficult but exciting
prospect of deciding where to study it. A
primary consideration is what the course is like
at each institution, i.e., the content of the course
– does the History programme cover the topics
you are most interested in?
It is also important to note that different higher
education providers might teach the courses in
different ways. Some institutions might focus
on the more theoretical aspects of the course,
whilst others embed more modes of application
and research.
Understanding the different types of universities
will enable you to make the best decision.
A good way to answer this question is to think about what is most important for you as an individual and marry this with the type of setting most suitable to you.
Do you have any preferences on location?
This may be influenced by family or work
commitments. It is important to note that if you
would prefer to study online, there are some
institutions that provide a 100% online model.
This could allow you to remain at home but still
study your course of choice.
Are you looking for a traditional academic
university or a more vocational/professional
one?
Everyone has a preferred style of learning,
and different types of universities will
accommodate these. Going to a university that
better suits your style of learning will enable
you to better achieve your goals. For example, if
you prefer project work as a mode of learning,
you can attend a university that does not place
significant weight on end of year exams.
Do you like the idea of learning as part of a
large cohort of students or as part of a smaller
one?
Attending a larger university will provide the
conventional ‘university’ experience of being
in large groups. Meanwhile, going to a smaller,
more specialist institution will mean smaller
class sizes where you may receive more
individualised attention.
Do you want a traditional residential student
experience or a more work-like experience?
If you are looking to study Make Up Artistry, you
could study at a specialist institution like the
Arts University Bournemouth, or a traditional
university like Solent University, or at a further
education college like Bury College. This
variety is not just for more applied courses,
for instance the academic subject of Law can
be studied at a traditional university, but also
a specialist professional university like The
University of Law.
The best way to approach choosing where to
study your chosen course is to keep your mind
open to all types of institution, to find out more
about them (by reading prospectuses and
social media posts, attending open days and
talking to current students), and then decide
which suits you the best.
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