Where should I apply?

Choosing a university course is all about asking the right questions. Whether you’re a sixth form student going to university for the first time, a mature student returning to education, a professional embarking on postgraduate study or research, or retired and studying for your own enjoyment, don’t fill in your application form until you are sure what you are applying for.

You should visit your chosen few universities or colleges if at all possible. If you’re an international student, check the websites for virtual campus tours to get an impression of what the place is like. You might want to attend an official visit day or open day, or you might want to visit unannounced on a normal working day to see what it’s like to be a student there. Check first that this is possible, get a map and away you go. If there are several universities in the area, try and visit them on the same day. If you have to go on a weekend, find out which libraries and departments are open on weekends. Bring your parents or friends along too – they may be able to help you decide. But the final decision is yours!

If you’re not familiar with the Internet, or confident with computers, this would be the ideal time to get started – the world wide web is a fantastic resource for finding out about different universities. You can even apply to some universities on-line. Check and compare assessment results for teaching and research, and find out how the courses you’re interested in will be taught and assessed. You might be able to e-mail admissions tutors or departments for answers to your questions. See the on-line prospectus and future events listings as you may be able to attend concerts, lectures and drama productions cheaply or for free. Look at the students’ union website – check that events are open to guests before you go.

The prospectus and course information will give you the basic facts about the university and the course, but not the whole picture. Reference books written by students and other independent guides to universities may tell a different story from the glossy photos in the brochure.

Prepare some questions to ask each university on your list. For example, ask about the student support facilities. Is there a financial adviser you could see? Your biggest expense at university will probably be your accommodation, so find out what the halls of residence are like and how much they cost. What careers do graduates go into? What is the unemployment rate after graduation? All these questions and more should be answered in the literature the university sends you or on their website. Whatever you study and wherever you choose, there should be people to answer your questions. Ask away!

Finally, at Goldsmiths, we’ve got a reputation for having a relaxed atmosphere – it could be the music from our practice rooms, a video crew filming outside college, the buzz when our art and design degree shows are on – so check us out!

Heather Wooldridge is student recruitment officer at Goldsmiths College, University of London.