Comparing UK universities 2024

While some students have their hearts set on going to a specific place to study, others base this decision on their ideal course - by comparing universities, you can make an informed decision on the place that's the best fit for you

How to choose a university

Submitting an application for full-time higher education through UCAS allows you to select up to five related courses, giving you scope to explore a number of institutions while improving your chances of being accepted.

As you start to narrow down your subject options, and compare course content, you'll also be shortlisting different universities that you'd like to study at.

If you're finding it hard deciding on which university to go to, you can find university courses at Discover Uni and compare them according to institution. This may help you to focus on your best options.

There are many other resources available to help you with this. The following university ranking systems can help when comparing universities:

You can carry out your research by:

Attending open days/university fairs - utilise the opportunity to ask questions to current students and alumni about their experiences and get a feel for the university campus and its location before you apply. You can chat to current students through UCAS - UniBuddy. Even if you can't visit the campus in person, many universities now host virtual open days. Discover more about university open days and find the latest open days and events.
Visiting university websites - a university's official website is a great way to assess how the university presents itself. You may be able to download an online prospectus to see what the university has to offer.
Checking out its social media channels - interact with the university and its students through platforms such as Twitter (X), Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram, as these are ideal for making contacts and asking for advice.

What to consider when choosing a university

In 2021/22, Universities UK reported 285 higher education (HE) providers in the UK, with over 1.7 million undergraduates studying at these institutions. Having so much choice can make the decision a tough one, especially as you'll want to get this right first time.

Some useful things to bear in mind when comparing UK universities include:

Location - are you planning on living at home or are you prepared to move further away to study your preferred course? Would you rather live in a big city or somewhere less hectic? Read about the 7 most popular UK student cities.
Travel - the ease of getting to and from university, plus train, bus and airport locations for getting home.
Culture - what it's like to study at that university, including the students' union and what it can offer you.
Student satisfaction - discover what other students think of a university by checking out the results from the Office for Students' (OfS) National Student Survey 2023.
Cost - when it comes to the cost of going to university, you'll find that it won't be cheap. As well as your tuition fees and accommodation, there are daily living costs including travel to and from campus. There's also a great disparity between towns and cities across the country. See NatWest's Student Living Index 2023 report to view the ten most affordable UK cities. You can also read our tips on saving money as a student.
Global impact/sustainability - the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2024 assess the top 100 institutions according to their commitment to tackling a range of global issues. You can now discover the real impact universities have had on their students and wider communities when it comes to addressing gender inequality, poverty, climate change and ensuring a quality education for all.

Why you should check the TEF university ratings

The Teaching Excellence and Student Outcomes Framework (TEF) assesses excellence in teaching at universities and colleges. A new TEF framework was introduced in September 2023, with current assessment results now taken into account.

For students, the straightforward ranking system helps you to compare universities according to their standards of teaching and learning, so you can make an informed choice as to which option would be best for you.

While it's still voluntary, 228 universities and HE colleges in England chose to participate in the TEF 2023.

Students receiving tuition fee loans from Student Finance will find these still cover the complete amount, regardless of any fee increases.

Visit student loans and finance for further information on tuition fees and funding and to explore the cost of going to university.

Find out more

Explore how to choose the right degree.
Discover more about university life.
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