If you have decided that University is the best route for you, then it is time to put in the research to find the one that suits your needs.
There are so many things to consider when choosing a University, and it’s not just which has the best students union (University of Sheffield voted number one for 6 years by Whatuni). This decision will be the first you have made when it comes to your education, and without sounding too scary, will shape your future.
Our best advice when choosing a university is research and make a list (we have a helpful template below). Your priorities might be different to those of your friends (and your parents) but there are some things you need to consider:
Understanding the costs
How much will it cost to go to university?
To study at university, you need to pay tuition fees (learn more about tuition fees in our blog). Tuition fees can vary depending on what you are studying at university or your home country. Tuition fees are capped at £9250 a year and most universities accept a student load of the same amount to cover the cost.
Below is a breakdown based on where you like and where you plan to study.Student Fee Information
| Student’s home region | Studying in England | Studying in Scotland | Studying in Wales | Studying in Northern Ireland |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| England | Up to £9250 | Up to £9250 | Up to £9000 | Up to £9250 |
| Scotland | Up to £9250 | No Fee | Up to £9000 | Up to £9250 |
| Wales | Up to £9250 | Up to £9250 | Up to £9000 | Up to £9250 |
| Northern Ireland | Up to £9250 | Up to £9250 | Up to £9000 | Up to £4160 |
| EU | Up to £9250 | No Fee | Up to £9000 | Up to £4160 |
| Other international | Variable | Variable | Variable | Variable |
What is a student loan and how do you apply?
What is a student loan and how do you apply?
There are two types of loan: Tuition fee loan and a maintenance loan. The tuition fee loan covers the full cost of your course and is paid directly to the university. You won’t have to start paying this back until you have finished the course and are earning over a certain amount.
Maintenance loans are for your living costs. This is an additional loan that is paid directly into your bank account at the start of each term. How much you get depends on your household income and your course start date.
Below shows you the maximum amount you can get depending on where you live:Academic Year Maintenance Loan Information
| Living Situation | 2022 to 2023 academic year | 2023 to 2024 academic year |
|---|---|---|
| Living with your parents | Up to £8,171 | Up to £8,400 |
| Living away from your parents, outside London | Up to £9,706 | Up to £9,978 |
| Living away from your parents, in London | Up to £12,667 | Up to £13,022 |
| You spend a year of a UK course studying abroad | Up to £11,116 | Up to £11,427 |
| If you’re 60 or over on the first day of the first academic year of your course | Up to £4,106 | Up to £4,221 |
Source: gov.uk
Is there any other financial support?
If you are on a low income, have children or support dependent adults, have a disability or are studying certain courses (such as Medicine, nursing, social work, teaching) you may be entitled to extra financial help. The government’s student finance calculator will be able to give you more information.
Budgeting tips when choosing a university.
Finance expert Sean MacNicol gives us his top tips to keeping on top of the pennies at university:
“When you start planning for university, it can be easy to become confused and overwhelmed by the changes to your financial responsibilities.
The first step you should take is to understand exactly how much money you need to pay for necessities like accommodation, food, and household bills. Once you’ve done so, set yourself a budget for everything else, for example going out, clothes and transport.
The temptation with student loans is to borrow more than you need, but with an accurate budget plan in place, you can avoid having to make unnecessary repayments once you’ve graduated while ensuring you don’t restrict yourself too much during your student life.
Consider downloading a free personal finance app to automatically allocate helpful labels to each of your expenses so that you can instantly see where your money is going and make appropriate changes to your budget.”
Where are the cheapest places to study?
Studies have shown that money worries have a major impact on anxiety. Where you live in the country will impact your living costs. Weekly shops, accommodation and public transport vary dramatically from North to South and London will be more expensive than anywhere else.
According to NatWest’s 2023 Student Living Index these are the most affordable Universities in the UK:Affordable UK Cities for University Students
| Ranking | City | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bournemouth | Most Affordable |
| 2 | Cardiff | Highly Affordable |
| 3 | Lincoln | Highly Affordable |
| 4 | Portsmouth | Highly Affordable |
| 5 | Newcastle | Highly Affordable |
| 6 | Manchester | Affordable |
| 7 | Leeds | Affordable |
| 8 | Birmingham | Affordable |
| 9 | Oxford | Affordable |
| 10 | Leicester | Affordable |
And the least affordable:
Least Affordable UK Cities for University Students
| Ranking | City | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Edinburgh | Least Affordable |
| 2 | Glasgow | Very High Cost |
| 3 | London | Very High Cost |
| 4 | Coventry | High Cost |
| 5 | Liverpool | High Cost |
| 6 | Cambridge | High Cost |
| 7 | Nottingham | Relatively High Cost |
| 8 | Lancaster | Relatively High Cost |
| 9 | Bristol | Relatively High Cost |
| 10 | Sheffield | Less Affordable |
Questions to ask yourself when choosing a university
Where do you want to study?
Do you want to move away, be able to commute or have a university of your doorstep? Moving away for the first time can be exciting and liberating, it can also be overwhelming and expensive. Whatever you choose needs to be right for you and your personality. You will be studying in this place for at least three years, so doing what is right for you will make sure you have a great university experience.
“I really loved where I grew up and the University in my city offered the course I wanted to do. Living at home during my first year meant I had the support of my family and a bit more money. In my second year I moved into a student house with my course mates. I had a fantastic University experience.” – Lizzy, University of Sheffield
If you do choose to move away, then you need to ask yourself: What are the halls of residence like? This is where you are going to live for a year, so make sure you know what is on offer as each university differs slightly.
Jennifer is a student housing expert, she gives her top reasons you should consider making the big move,
“Moving out gives you a real opportunity to gain independence and learn valuable life skills, from cooking a half-balanced meal, to proper budgeting so you don’t spend your entire student loan in the first week. You also don’t have to stick to a university close to home, so you’ll get the chance to explore a fresh and exciting city and enjoy all the new experiences that come with that!”
Once you have decided if you want to move away or stay closer to home, this should narrow down your options. Next you need to look at what you can study.
What subject do you want to study and what are your grade expectations?
Universities tend to specialise in certain subjects. These are the ones they get the funding for and are the leading experts in. It is a good idea to find the one that fits with your interests as it will benefit you in the future when you look for a job.
Just because a university has a great reputation doesn’t mean it offers the best for every subject. Googling “best universities for [name of your subject]” may turn up some surprising – and less competitive – results.
You can look at the university league tables and rank them by subject. This is an important thing to do when choosing a university.
By the time you come to apply for university you should have an idea of what grades you are expecting. Allow for all possibilities by picking a mix of safe choices and more ambitious options if your grades come in at the higher end of your expectations. Remember if you don’t get the grades you need for your top choice then you can always consider resitting your exams and applying again.
What else does university have to offer?
Even if you haven’t enjoyed school, it doesn’t mean you won’t enjoy university. Everyone learns in different ways. Whether you are an independent learner or prefer to talk though ideas, you can find a course that supports your way of learning. But university isn’t just about studying. Finding a campus that has a student’s union that is active and supportive will help prepare you for employment.
Anna is the treasurer for the Conservation Society at Sheffield Hallam University, she discusses why it is important to look at everything a student’s union has to offer:
“When I was applying for university, the Students’ Union was one of the first things I looked at. Degrees are important but what you do alongside your degree is also important. There are so many diverse societies, from academic to funky ones like Horror or Quidditch. Societies are a fantastic way to get involved, make friends for life, or step out of your comfort zone. The Students’ Union is a huge part of my student life, it is where I eat, exercise, meet my friends, study, go out, volunteer, work and do other activities.
Students’ unions and societies are incredibly helpful if you’re trying to gain experience for employment because you learn so many transferable skills if you get involved. Students’ unions provide a smorgasbord of opportunities to build skills, meet new people, discover passions, and just have fun alongside your degree. It provides a safe environment that encourages and enables students to explore what they want and how their future might look like.”
What will your employment prospects be like?
Getting a job at the end of your degree is going to be your end goal. You can compare employment statistics of your chosen university and courses and see if it will get you to where you want to be in the future. You need to think about other opportunities like summer jobs and internships available in the area, boosting your skills and work experience whilst you study. Some universities have links with employers, with work placements forming part of the course.
How do you know what a university is really like?
Now we have given you a lot to think about, make your pro and con list for your top 5 and book some open days to get a real feel of the campus. Most universities run open days from June to October, although there are some that have them all year round. Make sure you make time to look around the city and speak to current students if you get the opportunity.
