UCAS Students: Where to study

Where will I be happy?

Deciding where to study can seem like a difficult task because there are so many universities and colleges to choose from. You may wish to remain close to home or decide to live in a different part of the country: your choice may depend upon the facilities offered by a university and college, or the local nightlife. Whatever your criteria, it is important that you research the institution and its location before applying. Friends, family and advisers may offer different advice: whilst it's useful to have varied perspectives, you will be attending the university, so the final decision must be yours. Researching universities or colleges which will suit you academically and personally can take time, but it is well worth the effort if you are to find the perfect one for you.

08-09 UK Map of universities and colleges

How can I find out more?

Each university and college will have a prospectus that provides information about the institution and the courses available, but be aware that they may be biased. Attending open days can help you discover the good and bad points of a place as well as give you an idea about whether you will feel comfortable spending three or four years there. You can ask almost anything at an open day, but it's also a good idea to ring the institution about any enquiries you may have.

To find out more about individual universities and colleges, use our institution guide. This provides links to the universities' and colleges' websites, where you can learn about the services offered, as well as course information, so that you can make a fully informed decision.

Which is the best university or college?

There is no one university or college which is perfect for everyone: different places suit different people, so it depends upon your preferences. 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 from students about the quality of teaching.

There are different guides and league tables that can help you come to a conclusion, but it is important to check the source: 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 which allows you to alter the weightings of the different measures to suit your own requirements and so create your own unique table.