Which university to choose?

• Make sure you've chosen the right subject. It is fundamental to be 120% sure about your subject.
• Consult university rankings.
• Find out what the university library is like.
• Check the course content.
• See what sports and societies are on offer.
• Find out about the student accommodation.

Don’t worry, we’re here to help! This article will help you outline some crucial things to consider when choosing a university to make sure that you're making the best decision for whatever experience you’re looking for.

The students who struggle the most when picking a university are the ones who aren’t sure about what they’re looking for in the first place. To avoid this, spend some time thinking about what you want in the future. What does your ideal life look like in a few years, and what can help you get there?

The biggest things to consider when choosing a university are individual and based on your own preferences. So, first think about your personal development goals. How much does a school’s location or size matter to you, and what is your budget? If you choose to study abroad, you should know that many countries offer international students longer visas to search for a job after graduation. Is this something you want to take advantage of? Studying at a university can shape the rest of your life, and it’s best to have some intentions (with room for flexibility) as you make a decision.

Now, make a ranking of your own list of priorities to compare the pros and cons of different programs and locations. Ensure that you consider short-term aspects like your social life as well as long-term goals such as your career path.

You might be surprised, but university rankings aren’t very helpful when planning how to choose a university. Looking at schools on a much smaller scale will tell you much more. If you want to study a specific subject, check out the school’s department of your subject of interest.

One of the most important things to consider when choosing a university is how the course content differs between schools. Imagine that you want to study business, for example. When looking at the business department, you might find that one school has more courses in sustainable business leadership while another has more interesting classes in international business management. Your decision could have just gotten much easier!

Find more detailed information about future courses, class sizes, faculty involvement, and opportunities like internships and research assistant positions through a school’s department. Do some research on the subject you’re interested in and reach out to the schools for more information.

When you’re picking a university, you’re also choosing a second home. The library, gym, and housing options as well as mental health support, career services, academic advising, and international student services are all a part of your future experience. Make sure that these are what you’re looking for!

The size of the school is also an important factor for many students. Larger schools may have more name recognition, which could give you a step up on your resume. They might also have a broader range of courses and more social activities.

On the other hand, you could also benefit by picking a university with a smaller student body. With smaller class sizes, it’s easier for students to form relationships with professors. This could lead to more personal attention in the classroom and greater support for individual success.

When you're learning how to choose a university, don’t forget about your life outside of classes. Your social life is complementary to studying, and different schools’ social scenes are important things to consider when choosing a university. There are many ways to make friends, try new things, and develop your interests depending on the school and location you choose.

Universities usually have sports groups, clubs, and societies to keep you busy while studying. If you’re interested in any particular activities, take a look at what different schools already offer! Keep in mind that it’s usually possible to start new student clubs too.

Your lifestyle will also heavily depend on the location of your new school. Would you rather live in a town, small city, or metropolis? How is the public transport system, and is accommodation readily available?

All of these questions are important for your future and are good questions to ask universitys. However, don’t be afraid to venture into the unknown! This is a great time to immerse yourself in a new international environment.

Of course, of all the things to consider when choosing a university, the cost is likely one of the most important. Your daily expenses will vary depending on the school. If you’re studying abroad, it will differ depending on what country you’re from.

Tuition often becomes a centerpoint when students are learning how to choose a university. Yet, it's also wise to look beyond the tuition and see what other fees apply to your stay. Look into the locations of schools to find the average rent and be aware that some countries advertise a weekly rate while others typically have a monthly rent.

Some good questions to ask universitys would be about the possibilities for student housing and student discounts for other living costs. Regardless of this possibility, spend some time thinking about things like your weekly grocery list. Check out the local supermarkets to see how much you’d be spending and see if your budget can meet that. Our country guides can also give you some insight into average living costs.

There are several options to approach budgeting for your education. One way is to look at loans, where you would borrow money and eventually pay the amount back. Another option to consider is applying for scholarships and grants. There are a huge number of scholarships available from individual schools, foundations, governments, and businesses. With this type of funding, you wouldn’t need to worry about paying any money back.

Of course, you could also look into finding a part-time job as long as it doesn't interfere with your studying. Some schools even have job listings that are only open to their students.

Even if you already have some good questions to ask universitys in mind, the students who are already at a school truly know best. So, as you are figuring out how to choose a university, talk to current students online to learn more about real experiences.

Unibuddy gives you a free platform to chat with current students at specific schools and in some of the most popular destination countries. You can ask international students about their experiences at a school to get a realistic idea of what life there is like. Each student ambassador’s experiences at a school will be different, but their insight could still give you a better understanding of your prioritized factors than a school’s advisors can.

In short, picking a university becomes much easier once you think about your personal priorities and realistic limitations. If you get stuck, look to current international students from your country or in your preferred country to get some advice that you may not have considered before. Studying abroad is a huge decision, but a worthwhile one that is full of personal growth and adventure! So, take your time, choose the right program for you, and enjoy.

Written by Simran and Sara, students

So you’re thinking about going to university. With so many programs and universities, how do you pick? Here are nine factors to consider.

Have you thought about what you want your university experience to be? In Canada, we’re lucky to have such a range of options, from small rural universities to large urban campuses – every experience will be different.

First and foremost, you want to go to a university that has a program you’re interested in. On top of that, you’ll want to consider the different variations of that subject and how it can translate into different programs.

Let’s say you enjoy biology in high school. A university might offer programs in biology, biochemistry, biomedical engineering, biomedical sciences, biostatistics, and life sciences so it’s important to see which program is the best pick for you. Here are some questions to get you started.

University may be the first time you live away from home. Depending on which university you choose, you may have to move away from family, friends, and maybe even your country.

Besides where you live, you’ll spend a great deal of time on your university campus. Outside of lectures, you’ll hang out with friends, study or work on group projects, grab a bite or drink, attend events, use the athletics or recreation facilities, and more. Pick a university you like by narrowing down what you’re looking for.

Whether you’re staying in your hometown or moving across the country, where you live during university is important. Most students choose to live in residence for first year.

If you’re moving away from home, that means so long home-cooked meals and hello pizza! But seriously, you’ll need to consider where and what you’ll eat while at university including meal plans and places to eat on campus. You might also want to consider the more budget-friendly option of cooking your own meals.

Make an informed decision by checking out these other articles.

Do you have a budget to cover your costs? Finance is something university students keep in mind a lot more than students in high school. When you’re in university, the costs are higher and you tend to pay a good portion yourself, if not all the costs. In light of that, here are some things to think about.

Outside of being a student, who are you? What defines you? What are you passionate about? Many of your best university memories will happen outside the classroom, so find out about the range of extracurriculars.

Student life doesn’t stop on campus. Getting around town for food, shopping, and going out means knowing how to get from point A to point B.

Another important thing to consider is how a university can prepare you for the future. Whether it be continuing your education or entering the workforce, learning how your degree will translate into a career is important.

We hope these questions help you narrow down your prospective university options. University is a big and exciting life decision, so we hope you find a school that lets you succeed in both academics and life experiences.