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5 Things to Consider When Choosing a Degree Course

Finding a degree course sounds easy – just pick the one you like the sound of, right? Not quite. With so many undergraduate courses to choose from, finding the right fit for you takes time and a lot of careful consideration, especially when your future is in the balance.

If you’re wondering what subject you should study at university, here are five things you need to consider in the decision-making process.

1. Your true passion
Choosing a degree subject should be fairly straightforward if you have a particular interest but if you’re torn between all the possibilities, ask yourself the following questions:

●    Which subjects do I fancy studying?
●    Have I studied these subjects before?
●    If so, did I enjoy studying them?

Your time at uni will be the most important years of your life, and you’re more likely to enjoy the overall uni experience if you’re studying something that fascinates you and keeps you motivated. Not to mention that you’ll be able to reap the benefits when it comes to choosing a career three or four years down the line – which brings us to the next thing you should consider...

2. Your dream job
Is there a particular career that you’d like to pursue? Well, now is the time to think about how you can use your degree to get to where you want to be.

The subject you choose to study in uni will determine the type of degree you’ll obtain. Perhaps you don’t have a clue what you want to do as a job yet – which is totally fine! – then you should start by researching potential courses and careers that are available to people with your skill sets and qualifications.

If you’re really unsure about your career, you should look for a degree course where you can develop transferable skills that will make you a desirable candidate for any role.

3. Your strengths
You can find a degree course that’s truly suited to you and your skill sets by considering the subjects you’ve studied already and which you usually excel in; if you’re a keen member of your school’s debating club, then you might like studying law. Maybe you have an eye for photography, in which case you should consider a degree in the Arts.

Equally, don’t get put off by subjects you’ve never studied or heard of before. When it comes to choosing a degree course, nothing is really ever off limits to anyone.

4. Your desired university
Choosing the right university is just as important as choosing the right degree course. However, the truth is that many students base their preference on emotion, where their best friends are going, or, at times, just a gut feeling. While this won’t necessarily preclude you from academic success, but a decision this important deserves a bit more thought.

As of now, there are more than 100 recognised universities and university colleges in the UK. You can narrow down your options by considering…

●    The costs of travel to and from university
●    The university culture, including the students’ union and what it can offer you
●    The university’s student satisfaction scores

Don’t worry if you can’t pick just one university. You can select up to five courses (from the same university or different universities) when you submit an application for full-time higher education through UCAS.

5. Your preferred location
If you’re lucky enough to receive multiple offers from different universities and you’re struggling to choose between them, you may find that the answer lies in location (location, location).

By now you should have a clearer idea as to whether you would like to stay close to home or not? Do you want to live in a big city or a big town? How exciting of a nightlife – or coffee culture, if that’s more your thing – you’re after?

Pay a visit to the city to get a feel for it if you’ve never been before, because where you live can have a big impact on your experience and performance at uni. Even if you like the university and enjoy the course, if you hate the location then the next few years can be tough.

A Guide By: Oliver Long

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Mears Student Life are a trusted provider of purpose-built student accommodation in the UK.