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How To Find The Right University Course For You

Further education is something most of us will consider when we finish school, but with so many online courses and university courses available at our fingertips, just what is the right type of learning for us? We are all individuals who all work in different ways, so where do we start? Perhaps ask yourself, where do you see yourself in five years time? Treating patients in a clinic, or how about teaching students in a classroom? Perhaps it is even working towards becoming the next Prime Minister. Whatever vocation you’re after, there are a huge number of degrees available, which will all help you to achieve your dream job. All universities require a strong personal statement to get your foot in the door, but before thinking about what to put in that, look at the list below to help you on your way to choosing the right university for you….

1)  Study something that you a passionate about and have an interest in. University is like advanced school, so make sure you pick something that is worth getting up in the mornings for.

2)  Research, study, prepare and know your subject – this is extremely important if you want to study medicine. It may pay well, which might be your end goal, but more often then not, when it comes to the interview stage, you’ll come face to face with by a top professor or university lecturer within that field who will test you on the subject to see how much you know.

3)  Be realistic. The top UK universities (Oxford and Cambridge) have a very high entry level (A* AA or AAA), so you need to make sure you can achieve these grades and sustain them at that level once you’re in, otherwise you could find yourself a small fish in a very big pond who is slightly out of his depth.

4)  Courses in English-speaking countries are all taught in English, so there is a minimum English requirement. As with the above point, make sure you can pass this exam, but also maintain that level of communication.

5)  All universities require tuition fees to be paid, which differ depending on the course and university. Students living away from home will also need to pay for accommodation. Whilst it is a well-known fact that all students are skint, it is important to make sure you can still afford to eat – otherwise your brain won’t be getting the energy it needs to pass all the exams! Do some research into course costs and what the universities can offer. For example, are there bursaries or grants available? Are there readily available part-time jobs to help you earn some pocket money?

6) Visit lots of universities, research, explore and learn about the courses different universities offer. During March to September in the UK, take advantage of Open Days, conferences and Higher Education fairs.

For more information, read: Successful Personal Statements To Get You Into A Top University: 50 real-life examples- and analysis to show why they succeeded (£9.99, How To Books) by Warren Zhang and Hemant Mohapatra.