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Online Resources: Higher Education

You will find a lot of useful information on the Internet.  The following sites should help with your research:

Higher Education – What subject do you want to study at university and where?

  • Study Interests Questionnaire at: www.ukcoursefinder.com
  • www.bestcourse4me.com – find degrees, careers which your A Level subjects could lead to. Also, check out the percentage of students who were accepted onto a particular course with your A Level subjects.

Higher Education Research

  • http://www.ucas.com Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). This website provides information on all courses recruiting through UCAS.  An interactive course search will help you find suitable courses and institutions (check out the entry profiles (EPs) for entry requirements, etc.).  It also links to more than 200 university and college websites;  lists higher education fairs and conventions by region and reproduces information from a range of UCAS publications (e.g. for parents).  During August and September the site will give clearing information, listing all the unfilled university and college places. 
  • Check out the websites of individual universities and colleges.  Many provide their prospectus on-line; facts and figures about the institution; the opportunity to email admissions tutors, destination statistics of graduates and Open Day information.  Some will also give departmental links, giving you access to lecture notes, reading lists, details of lecturers and previous exam papers.
  • www.unistats.direct.gov.uk  – You can find and compare information regarding the quality of teaching in universities and colleges on this website. The site contains feedback from higher education students combined with official statistics on entry requirements, teaching quality, student results and employment outcomes.
  • www.which.co.uk/university for details of 30,000 full-time undergraduate courses; profiles of more than 250 universities and colleges and practical advice from experts, including what to include and what not to include in a Personal Statement.
  • www.opendays.com
  • www.prospects.ac.uk – The Higher Education Careers Services Unit (HECSU) provides information on what you can do with your degree or HND (by subject area).  Their publication ‘What Do Graduates do?’ is also available online and provides destinations of graduates by subject area.
  • www.push.co.uk – This site about student life is based on information and opinions of students and recent graduates.
  • www.guardian.co.uk/education/universityguide – The Guardian University Guide: league tables
  • www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk – The latest set of league tables and rankings, plus impartial contributions from a wide range of HE guidance colleagues, organisations and other relevant bodies on all aspects of choosing university, UCAS, student life and finance.
  • www.whatuni.com – What Uni: video and written reviews
  • www.thestudentworld.com – International study opportunities
  • www.astarfuture.co.uk – International study opportunities
  • www.fulbright.org.uk – Fulbright Commission:  study in the USA 

If you’re uncertain as to whether or not university is the right option for you, try: