Six useful websites to help you choose a university

With the application deadline for most university courses closing on 15 January, many students may be fretting over the Christmas holidays.

But fear not. Whether you haven't even started looking yet, or if you've done hours of research and still can't quite bring yourself to press the "complete" button on the Ucas application, the following websites might just help you make the decision that could change the rest of your life...

1. Student Hut

This website has been described as a "TripAdvisor for universities" which allows students to rate their experiences.

The "Pick a Degree" feature allows you to filter choices based on location, student satisfaction, job prospects, campus/non-campus etc.

Set up by Dan Lever, a former student who said he was frustrated with the lack of transparency and unbiased information about university courses.

www.studenthut.com

2. The Complete University Guide

See university league tables, find entry requirements, and find advice for parents whose children are thinking of going into higher education.

The terrifying prospect of how much it will all cost is also put into context by their handy loan repayment calculator.

www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk

3. Which? University

The well-known consumer choice service's university version allows you to browse universities and courses, gives detailed course information, and even offers advice on how to write your personal statement.

www.university.which.co.uk

4. Unistats

This government-run website is easy to navigate and although statistics heavy (the clue is in the name) presents all the information in an easy-to-digest format.

Unistats gives detailed breakdowns of each university course, student satisfaction and useful analyses of factors like hours spent in lectures compared to the library.

www.unistats.direct.gov.uk

5. The Student Room

If you're really stuck, the Student Room's guide on choosing a course is a great place to start - don't be put off by the reams of text!

www.thestudentroom.co.uk

6. Hiive

Maybe, like many others, you've decided university isn't for you, or that after nearly a decade and a half of formal education, you just fancy a break.

This article on Hiive, a careers website, details one former student's journey after A-levels and goes through some of the things you need to think about should you decide higher education isn't what you want to do next.

www.hiive.co.uk

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