We continue our series on what to consider when selecting an overseas institution by offering important things to think about when choosing what and where to study.
There are so many ways to get information and recommendations on a college or university –friends, family, ranking guides, websites and student blogs and forums. In addition to using the advice of family and friends, you can also do some independent research to identify three or four universities or colleges where you could be happy learning, growing and networking.
Choosing where to study
Where you study can be almost as important as what you study. Wherever you go, you'll want to feel happy and settled. First you need to think about:
- Know who you are and what you want from your overseas study experience
- Choose a subject area, research topic or main academic focus based on what motivates you
- Find universities that meet your criteria – at home and overseas
- Narrow your choices based on your personal goals, the course cost and entry requirements
Independent search sites like StudyLink are a good place to start. Here you can search and compare courses from around the world. Try getting in touch with alumni from your preferred universities or talk to friends who have studied overseas.
Facilities, accommodation and costs
Although course and location are crucial when you're choosing a place to study, it's also worth thinking about:
- Size of the institution: is it one campus, or are the buildings far apart? What size are the classes?
- Social facilities: what are the clubs, venues, cinemas and sports facilities like? It may be easier to make friends at a smaller university but the choice of facilities can be more limited.
- Accommodation: what are the halls of residence like, and how much does the university and private accommodation cost?
- Cost of living: how high are the costs of food, entertainment and transport?
Quality and standards of your place of study
Before making a final choice about where you'd like to study, take time to look at official accounts of the college or university's performance such as teaching and research quality, and national student survey results.
It’s also important to find out about the entry requirements for particular courses at your chosen institution. Can you realistically make the grade? Similar courses can have different entry requirements so it's worth doing some research.
You might like to find out more about the research interests and strengths of members of staff and what links exist with employers or other universities.
To find out more about your institution:
- Look at the reports on the quality assurance agency for education website of that country – QAA in the UK and AUQA in Australia
- Find data on the student mix of the institution by looking at the university’s website statistic pages
- Look at their research and teaching profiles. Try to do this for the faculty you’re interested in and not just the whole university.
StudyLink Australia has been providing people with information on career and study options since 1991. Talk to a StudyLink counsellor today.
Stay tuned for Part 3 of ‘How to choose a Uni or College’ in next month’s Student Adventures where we tell you what you need to know about student visas and employment overseas.