All universities have open days and attending these is a great way to get a feel for a particular institution. You’ll get to speak to lecturers and existing students, tour the buildings and grounds, examine the various facilities and take a look at the surrounding town or city. Prospectuses and websites are other great sources of information and reading these is essential when choosing your course of study at a university.

Where is the campus situated? Is there a certain part of the country you’d like to experience? Is the countryside that surrounds the university of particular interest to you? Do you want to study away from home? Moving to a new city for the duration of your studies can offer an adventure, throwing you into a new world, allowing you to meet different people and enjoy a wider variety of experiences. If it’s going to be your first time away from home there are valuable life lessons to be learned too. You’ll learn how to shop and cook for yourself, how to do your own washing… On the downside, you’ll have to deal with separation from family and old friends and factor in travel costs when you return for visits during holidays.

If you do choose to study away from home, where are there halls of residence and what are they like? Does the uni guarantee first year residence? If they don’t, is accommodation readily available at an affordable price in the neighbouring area? Think about things like internet access, ease of travel to and from campus, personal safety, entertainment facilities…

Some universities are bigger than others. Do you want to attend a large campus, or would you prefer a more college-like atmosphere? The size of the institution may also have bearing on the student-faculty ratio and on the number and quality of facilities available.

All universities have an employment service. You may need a holiday or part-time job to eek out that Student Allowance. It may be useful to find out that when you finish your course, what assistance is available to help you find employment in your chosen field? Do they assist with the work experience component of your course?

How much flexibility will you have in choosing and mixing various courses? How much of the course has a practical or applied aspect to it? Can you do an elective course for a hobby? Is there an online/distance learning option if required?

You’ll know your course fees going in (or you should), but what about extras? How much will it cost you to use the gym? How much will you have to pay for the Student Union fees? What about textbooks?