Choosing a university or college

Step 1: Choosing courses

There are lots of universities and colleges to choose from, so think about where you'll be happy. Would you like to be close to home or live in a different part of the country? Think about what you want - each place and its nearby town will offer something different.

Whatever your criteria, research the institution and its location before applying. Speak to friends, family, advisers and the institution itself for advice, but make sure the final decision is yours.

Which is the best university or college?

Different places suit different people, so it depends what you're looking for. There is no national curriculum for higher education courses, but the Quality Assurance Agency carries out external reviews and the Unistats website contains statistics and reports about students' views on the quality of teaching.

Leafing through a book

There are different guides and league tables that can help you, but check the source as it may be biased: some universities post league tables on their websites which show their courses at number one. For information and impartial advice check the Times Online or The Complete University Guide, an interactive site where you can highlight your requirements and create your own unique table.

University and college map
Search for universities and colleges and see where they are located on a map.

List of universities and colleges
A complete list of universities and colleges who use UCAS, their contact details and links to further information.

Open days
Visit the universities and colleges on an open day to get a feel for a place and ask your questions direct.

Order a prospectus
Each university and college has a prospectus that contains details about the institution and courses available; find out how to order them.