7 Key Factors to Consider When Choosing a University

In this article, we’re exploring 7 key factors to consider when choosing a university. You will probably find that certain factors are more important to you, and that these sway your decision more significantly. However, it is important (and sometimes necessary!) to answer all the questions below if you want to make a decision that you’ll be happy with in the long term.

What Subject(s) Do You Want to Study?

The first (and perhaps most important) of the 7 key factors to consider when choosing your university is your subject. If you’re pursuing joint honours, a liberal arts degree, or another flexible course, this equates to choosing your general subject theme. To do this, we recommend asking yourself the following questions:

• What subjects or activities do I genuinely enjoy, even in my free time?
• What skills or knowledge areas come naturally to me? Which subjects use these?
• Are there careers or industries I feel excited about, and what qualifications do they require?
• Do I prefer practical, hands-on learning or theoretical and research-focused study?
• Am I making this choice based on my goals and passions or external pressures?
• Can I imagine myself staying engaged with this subject long-term?

While most universities offer similar subjects, different universities may offer specific modules or dual degrees that may be more in line with your field of interest or chosen career path. Read through each university’s syllabuses, and you might get an even more specific idea of what you’d enjoy studying. For example, you might go from thinking “I want to be an engineering student” to knowing that you’re looking to spend a significant amount of time zeroing in on aerospace engineering. And that’s a great place to be in!

Consider Which Course Will Suit Your Learning Style and Aspirations

Once you’ve identified the subjects you’re passionate about pursuing beyond high school, the next step is choosing the right course. Keep in mind that universities often approach the same subject in vastly different ways, so finding the teaching style and structure that best suits you is crucial.

Some people may choose a course because of the teaching style. Others will decide on one that has great practicals and will eventually lead them to a specific career path.

Consider if the course you are choosing will help you to achieve your long-term goal. If you’ve chosen the subject you want to study but are overwhelmed by the amount of universities offering that course, check out our guide to course selection here.

What University Ranks Highly for Your Choices?

University rankings can give you a broader understanding of what to expect when studying at your chosen university. They’re typically backed by high-quality data.

We don’t necessarily recommend looking at a university’s overall ranking. Instead, check out how they rank for a specific subject, or use it to see if they excel in specific area that’s important to you. For example, staff-student ratios provide an indication of how much personalized instruction and support you might get on your chosen course. 

Will the University’s Facilities Meet Your Needs?

Most universities these days have a range of modern facilities, but it’s still a good idea to take a closer look at the different facilities each university has on offer and how this might improve your university experience. For example, does your university have the following facilities on site: 

• A well-equipped 24/7 library?
• A modern and fully furnished gym?
• A good cafeteria or on-site coffee shop with good reviews? 

Consider what facilities might be important to you and what you would be keen on having access to in the next few years. 

Consider the Social Life and Events on Offer

It’s no secret that making strong friendships and enjoying student life is the essence of a good university experience. Therefore, the social events and opportunities your choices have on offer should certainly be a factor to consider when choosing your university.

What events does your university have throughout the year that you might want to be a part of? 

These could be fun social events such as student union parties and local quiz nights, or networking events such as literary festivals and open mic nights. 

For those who want to find the perfect campus, whatever that means for you, our guide on choosing a campus will guide you on how to investigate both facilities and community.

Will You Enjoy the Location?

Geographical location is often overlooked as a key factor to consider when choosing a university. Beyond the campus, you might also want to consider the town/city you will be living in and the kind of social and networking activities available on a wider scale outside of the university. 

Don’t forget to check the year-round weather and transport links to see what else you might have access to throughout your degree. Going away to university can be an opportunity to live in a city or part of the world that you’d otherwise not get to experience. If the location of your studies is a huge factor for you, explore selection strategies in our guide to choosing a university setting.

What’s the Student Accommodation Like?

If you’re opting to move away for university, it’s important to consider your student accommodation options. 

Will you be hoping to stay in the university halls of residence? If so, explore online reviews of the accommodation to understand what life living there may be like and how much it will cost you. 

Alternatively, you might want to explore private rented accommodation close by and consider if this is going to suit your needs better, and if it fits within your budget. 

Conclusion: Choosing the Right University for You

The university you select will shape your future, so it’s no wonder you’re looking for a helping hand in making the decision. No matter what stage you’re at, we hope that considering these 7 key factors will help you in choosing your university. You might have a university or two in mind and be looking for reassurance – in which case, you can investigate all the key factors above for those options. If you’re just starting out in your decision-making journey, we’d recommend deciding which of the factors are most important to you first. Then, decide what ‘great’ looks like in that area and search for that.

Whatever factor is most important for you in choosing a university, Immerse Education offers numerous courses all over the world that allow students to experience subjects, courses and settings before they apply. You can check out the range of opportunities here!