How to choose a Uni or College; Part 2; Choosing what and where to study

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.

Comments

[AR. MANISH RAJENDRA]

i m an architect from pune, india.
i m looking for postgraduation in project management(construction industries)... let me know the list of university which having this course in UK,AUST.,SINGAPORE,CANADA,NEWZELAND.... PLZ SEND ME INFORMATION... WAITING FOR REPLY...
THANKING YOU.
AR. MANISH RAJENDRA.

[Kushagra Aggarwal]

sir,
I want to know aout biotechnology courses after class 12th.

[raghu]

1.I am a student who finished my post graduation in biotechnology kindly let me know the Ph.D. options I have in abroad or if it is not possible let me know the M.S.options.
2.how do you rank national university of ireland (galway).

plz let me know the answers for the above querries as soon as possible.

[M.HASNAIN]

i m looking for graduation.
which having this course in UK,AUST.,SINGAPORE,CANADA,NEWZELAND.... PLZ SEND ME INFORMATION... WAITING FOR REPLY...
THANKING YOU.

[tamar]

hello,thank you for e-mail.i like study but i live in syria arab p.aleppo so befor courses,wich having
tamar

[MEHTAB AHMED]

Dear Sir/Madam,
I am looking for course MBA TOURISM in UK, USA, AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND. I am waiting ur prompt response.

regards,

MEHTAB AHMED

[Husnola]

Thanx for information.
I want to study in the USA or UK.
Now i'm studiing in Osh State Uni. After 6 monthes i'll finish my graduation, but untill it i want to study in abroad, can u help me? Have i got a chance?
Reply me, pls.

[Timur Amanaliyev]

Dear Mr. or Mrs.
Hi now I study in Turkey as Mechanical Engineer but I wonna study in Europe somewhere where I could be relaxed with my future career life so please if someone could help please send me your messages.....
With hope that someone will help me Timur.......

[tanveer ahmed]

I want to study in the USA or UK.
Now i'm studiing in Osh State Uni. After 6 monthes i'll finish my DAE, but untill it i want to study in abroad, can u help me? Have i got a chance?
Reply me, pls.

[sivaranjani.c]

HELLO, IM SIVARANJANI.C FROM (CHENNAI)INDIA. THANK U FOR UR CONSTENT GUIDANCE AND LASTING RELATIONSHIP WITH ME.I HAVE COMPLETED MY GRADUATION IN B.COM CORPORATE SECRETARYSHIP. I WANT TO DO A MBA PROGRAMME IN ANY OF THESE COUNTRIES- SINGAPORE, AUSTRALIA, UK, US. I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO QUOTE THAT IM A DISTINCTION HOLDER WITH 80% IN COLLEGE AND SCORED 90% IN HIGHER SEC SCHOOL EXAMINATION. I HAVE BEEN AWARDED THE BEST FEMALE NSS VOLUNTEER IN THE STATE OF TAMIL NADU AND HAVE BEEN AWARDED THE "OUTSTANDING STUDENT" IN THE COLLEGE. SO IM SEEKING A UNIVERSITY WHICH RECOGNIZES MY TALENTS AND PROVIDE ME SCHOLORSHIP AND HELP ME STUDY MBA.I WOULD ALSO BE WILLING TO WORK IN THE RESPECTIVE COUNTRY AND RENDER MY SERVICES TO THAT COUNTRY AND UNI.
I WOULD BE GRATEFULL IF U COULD HELP ME OUT ACHIEVE MY GOAL.
THANK U,
WITH REGARDS,
(SEEKING UR SUPPORT N GUIDANCE WITH ATMOST CONFIDENCE ON STUDYLINK),
SIVARANJANI.C

[umer]

thanks you all for guidance.i m umer from pakistan.i am 20 years old before three years i passed matric.i want to study abroad .iwant to be a m.b.a passed but i haven't any facility to study overseas.please do some fever for me and kindly give all information for me how can i go abroad easily.
i am looking forward to your reply
best regard
muhammad umer

[umaer]

hi
i like to larn with u i want your rply

[umaer]

hi
here is umaer from pakistan i want to learn abrod in uk.i have passed matric before 2 years and like learn in abrod.so pease give me details how can i join these studies.i want to study in games.i want cooching coarses in uk in my favrot game.please reply me asw u can hurry.
waiting for your reply
umaer ashraf.pk

[YIMAM ABEBAW]

I am ABEBAW from Ethiopia I WANT TO LEARN abrod in USA OR CANADA.I am was holding my bachler(BA) last year.But,at this year I AM master student in ethiopia.Eventhough,I AM not satisfied beacuse it is not my field and it is not profficinal.I AM DEEPLY INTERESTED TO LEARN MANEGEMENT AND BUSSINES ADMINTRATION IN POST GRATUATE.PLEACE REPLAY ME AND I am waiting your responce.

Abebaw FROM ETHIOPIA

[Md.Enamul Haque]

i m looking for graduation of B Sc Textile Engineering.
which having this course in UK,AUSTRALIA.,SINGAPORE,CANADA,NEWZELAND.... PLEASE SEND ME INFORMATION... WAITING FOR REPLY...
THANKING YOU.

[sardar hussain]

i m sardar hussain from pakistan. my qualification is B.A, p.t.c. i want to do diploma in education from sweden, what is the prucedure.plz guide me about this.
thanks

[Kazi Sabrina Sonnet]

I Want School Scholarship Or Admission (Any Location)

[Kazi Sabrina Sonnet]

I Want School Scholarship Or Admission (Any Location)

[swathi]

respected sir,/madem

iam swathi.i was got my IELTS academic band 5.5i.e speaking 6.0, remaining5.0,sir by using this am i eligible for any university,please mail me u.g courses,basically i am science background international student

thank you sir/madem swathi

[Gurdeep]

Sir,
I have done B. tech just this month. Its in ECE field. I wana do post graduate diploma at the Canada At Humber college. Plz tell me the deadlines for the application forms And other requirements. Also please tell me about other alternatives. I will be thankful to you.

[Maricel]

I'm having my Mastertal Degree (MS Physical Education) now in my Universtiy (Mindanao State University)where i took up my undergrauate degree, but still im still planning to go an overseas schooling where I can honed my skills more effectively..Maybe with your help you can find me university where I can enroll and take some scholarships if ever if there's an availabe... Aside from having my masteral, I was still a member of Theater Company in my university...Where in fact I was one of the Touring member in our Country to participate Fstivals in United Kind specifically Contacting the World 2006 in Manchester, Bruhaha International Theater Festival in Liverpool and Aberdeen Internatinal Youth theater Festival in Scotland... I got this with thorough audition and luckily to be part of them... Hope to have soon a university that can compensate and help my needs of studies...THanks and God bless
Maricel, Philippines (Mindanao State University-Main)

[MASOOD]

HI
I AM MASOOD FROM IRAN .I AM BACHELLOR OF RADIOLOGY COURSE .I WANT CONTINIUE IN MASTER OF RADIOLOGY BUT I HAVE NOT ENOUGH MONEY.WHAT DO I DO?WHAT CONTRY HAVE MS RADIOLOGY ?

HOW MUCH FEE EDUCATION IN THIS UNIVERSITY?
THANK

[PANDEY SURYA NARAYAN]

plz send me the list of uni and col related with hospitality in uk and aus

[PANDEY SURYA NARAYAN]

plz send me the list of uni and col related with hospitality in uk and aus

[ATIKA]

Dear Sir,

Iam living in pakistan.I have done my masters in public administration with the specialization of marketing.Iwant to study more in Australia butBacically i belong to a poor family , i cannot afford the charges of addmission and other monthly fees.I want to do masters in business administration.

Please let us know how to take admission without money.

Regards,

Atika

[asil]

DEAR SIR IM LIVING IN IRAQ IM STUDENT IN COLLEGE OF MEDICINE I HAVE AHOLIDAY FOR 3 MONTHS STARTING IN JULY IN THIS PERIOD I WANT TO TAKE ACOURSE IN MEDICAL EMERGINCY AND ANY THING DEALS ABOUT MEDICINE BRANCH PLZ CAN U HELP ME?

[boskey sharma]

hi i am boskey right now i am working as service coordinator in whirlpool office i want do MBA in Human Resources from USA .Please tell me the gud college located in INDIANAPOLIS US .Kindly Support me to make my career smooth.