Choosing What to Study
Higher Education is BIG. There are around 50,000 courses, in hundreds of different subjects and subject combinations, delivered in over 350 institutions of higher education. Choosing the right course can seem overwhelming and the process of applying daunting. Think of it as taking a series of steps:
If you're finding it difficult to make a choice, seek advice from someone
1. Identify the subject you want to study.
Perhaps you have a particular talent or aptitude you want to develop or a subject you want to study in greater depth?
If you have a particular career in mind, does it need a specific subject? If not, is there one which would give you an advantage in your chosen career?
To come up with new ideas use the Stamford Test on the UCAS website, or Higher Ideas and other software (available in most Norfolk schools). And don’t miss Norfolk’s own Higher Education Convention at the UEA every June.
For most people this first step is the hardest bit. If you are finding it difficult to make a choice, seek advice – click Other sources of information to find out where to go.
2. Develop a “long” list of places that offer the course you want.
Now you start making decisions about where to study. Things get a bit easier now that you have a long list.
3. Start looking at prospectuses and course brochures in more detail.
Look at the course content – different places can tackle the same subject in quite different ways. Also begin taking into account nonacademic issues such as accommodation, locality, travel, social life etc.
4. Think tactically! Look at the grades that different places require.
Compare these with the predicted grades you can expect. Think about whether you need a mix of places asking for higher and lower grades.
5. Create a final shortlist.
Using the knowledge gained so far, draw up a short list of maybe 10 or 12 places. Ideally try to visit some or all of them before choosing which will go onto your UCAS form.
You are now ready to apply!
