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Things to Consider When Applying to Uni

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2 October 2015

By Bronwen

Applying to university is a long and tedious process, especially for those of us who’ve never had to make such a permanent decision before. There are so many things to consider to ensure you pick the perfect option for you. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of things for you to bear in mind when you are deciding.

Course – You’re going to apply for jobs with a degree in whichever course you choose, so it’s important that you don’t settle for anything less than the absolute best course, as it will play a large part in what you will be doing for the next 50 or so years. If you pick the wrong course though, you can always begin a new one, but it can cost you your student finance.

Distance – The UK isn’t as big as some other countries- but it’s still 603 miles long and covers 243,610 square kilometres. More importantly, transport is expensive and often unreliable too – particularly the trains. If you don’t want to be spending extortionate amounts of money, looking nearer home could be a consideration.

Cost – The sad truth is, while finance should never determine a person’s life chances, money talks when it comes to picking a uni. If you want to study in an expensive, major town like Leeds, Newcastle or anywhere in London, you will find yourself poorer than other students because of higher accommodation costs, higher costs of living (more expensive beer) and often higher transport costs. The average expenditure of the average student in the UK for accommodation alone is £132.75 per week, rising to £202.40 on average in London. The expense is possibly one of the reasons why 1/4 of students now stay at home to study.

Accommodation – For most people, some grim features of some student accommodation is all part of the fun, but for others, it can really be an issue. Some people hate the thought of sharing a bathroom or bedroom with fellow students and it can really impact their studies and overall experience at uni. If you have any concerns about where you’ll be living, make sure you clarify these before embarking on a three year course.

 

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