The latest ICEF survey of international students planning to study abroad has revealed that career prospects and institution reputation are the top two criteria students consider when deciding on a university. With three of the top ten universities located in the UK, no wonder students decide to study in the UK.
However, with so many popular universities to choose from, students often need help choosing the right university that aligns with their interests. The foreign university search process is a tough challenge in itself. From exploring the campus through virtual tours to attending university fairs and asking hundreds of questions from your friends and family to filtering out the overdose of information, it really demands a lot. However, at the end of the tunnel, there is an inexpressible feeling of happiness when you successfully choose your home for the next few years.
Learn below about the qualities a student looks for in a university before deciding or booking a free consultation with SI-UK India.
Top Five Reasons Students Decide on a UK University
1. The location of a university
The importance of the location of a university is repeatedly emphasised in several study blogs and student guides. Like choosing the right course, picking the right location plays an important factor in a student’s university experience.
Whilst picking a location, important factors that weigh in are:
- Safety
- Affordability
- Friendliness
- Employment opportunities
- Culture and lifestyle
Location is probably the most important factor for international students in deciding where to study. Many of them prefer a large city institute for better commuting facilities, employment opportunities, and professional networking convenience.
Although large cities do have better infrastructure, students should not ignore several reputed universities in smaller cities. For example, the University of St Andrew and the University of Durham are among the UK’s best universities and are not based in a metropolis. Thus, choosing a university based on location might not always be a good idea. One should also consider other factors, such as the university's reputation, specific subject records, etc.
2. Future career prospects
For most students, attending a university is a lot about getting into a fulfilling career and serving their families and society. They are most likely to choose a course and an institute that has the potential to offer better career prospects. Universities with high graduate employability are among the first choice of international students.
However, some argue that blindly running after employability quotients might hamper a student’s overall development, and thus, they should also consider campus life, networking opportunities, and extracurricular activities.
3. Academic focus
An institute’s academic records play an important role in helping students choose their dream place to study. Many go for schools that focus on intensive education and research work. Many students are attracted to the teaching faculties’ reputation and universities’ research standards, which deserve consideration.
In addition, a student should explore how well the university offers internship opportunities, the course class size, and on-campus facilities.
4. Total cost of study
When a student thousands of miles away dreams of studying abroad, one of the major points in his/her mind is the total cost of study, which can deeply affect one’s life. It doesn’t matter much when you are from a well-to-do family. However, the course fee is of huge consequence for a mid-income family. Thus, they look for financial aid and scholarship opportunities.
Remember, do not let the course price scare you and miss out on an excellent opportunity to attend your dream university. You should take an extra financial step if you don’t get a scholarship.
Contrarily, the programme fee is not directly proportional to a college’s quality. Many top universities with lower costs can also be life-transforming. All you need to do is put extra effort into researching the school and its programmes.
5. Social life/campus activities
The campus environment plays a significant role in shaping one’s future. The better one enjoys campus life, the more developed one’s personality will be. This is why aspirants check out a university’s student union, campus activities, and sports programmes before accepting the offer. These activities don’t just make students become team players and develop their personalities but also prepare them to face any form of personal and professional challenges.
Study in the UK
Contact SI-UK India if you want to learn more about studying abroad in the UK, or book your free consultation and begin your application for the upcoming intake.
I sincerely thank SI-UK for getting me accepted to UCL. The MSc in Urban Development and Planning is extremely competitive, but the right guidance provided by SI-UK made my dream of studying at University College London a reality. The services were exceptional from beginning to end. 
