Frequently asked questions (and answers!)

• Which is the ‘best’ university?
• What are the advantages of doing a degree?
• I’m thinking of taking a gap year. Should I apply to university this year, or wait until I have my results?
• What is a sandwich course?
• I want to take a degree, and I’ve heard that some companies only recruit from certain universities. Is this true?
• What financial help is available?

Which is the ‘best’ university?

This is an impossible question to answer. What is best for one student is not necessarily best for another. Also, people will have different perspectives on which is the ‘best’ university.

The Quality Assurance Agency produces impartial subject reviews which rate universities on five criteria for each subject area. These can be accessed using their website: www.qaa.ac.uk.

A number of league tables are also produced by national newspapers, The Times league table being the most established. However, these should be treated with caution, as the data used can be out of date and is open to manipulation.

For an employer’s perspective, you could refer to ‘From Earning to Learning’ (Trotman) which ranks universities according to employers’ views for a range of mainly vocational degree courses.

It is important to draw up a list of your own criteria for choosing a course/university. You are then in a better position to make a decision regarding the best university for you after conducting some research.

Useful publications include ‘Choosing Your Degree Course & University’ (Trotman) and ‘The Times Good University Guide’.

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What are the advantages of doing a degree?

There are a number of good reasons why people wish to study for a degree.

• Firstly, for some jobs it is essential (eg architecture, medicine, teaching).
• For other jobs it is preferred or usual (eg marketing, human resources, journalism).
• It gives you the opportunity to develop a range of skills that employers value – research, analysis, team-working – as well as allowing you to fulfil your academic potential.
• You can experience a lifestyle other than the typical ‘9-5’ for a few years.
• Due to the range of clubs available, you may be able to more easily experience some interesting activities such as such as rock-climbing, flying or debating, that you might not have access to outside of university. You will also have the opportunity to meet and make friends with a wide range of people from other parts of the UK and even overseas.
• It gives you longer to decide on your career options.
• One of the main reasons for undertaking degree study is for enhanced job prospects. Over a career lifetime graduates earn higher salaries on average than non-graduates, and are less likely to be unemployed.

However, all this needs to be balanced against the costs incurred by going to university and the likelihood of a higher education course leading to the type of job that you are aiming for.

Average student debt is currently running at £12,500. With recent graduates numbering around 275,000 (70% more than 10 years ago), this means competition for some jobs can be quite intense.

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I’m thinking of taking a gap year. Should I apply to university this year, or wait until I have my results?

It is a good idea to apply to university in your second year at sixth form/college, even if you plan to take a gap year. You can complete your UCAS form, asking for deferred entry. By doing this you will not have to worry about your application or interviews during your gap year.

You can always apply for university during your gap year. You will have your results and universities will often offer you a place more quickly. However, you will need to make sure that you are available for open days and interviews, during your gap year (difficult if you are abroad).

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What is a sandwich course?

It is a degree or higher national diploma (HND) course that includes a total of one year’s work placement as an integral part of the course.

On a ‘thick’ sandwich course the work placement will be for one year. If you study a ‘thin’ sandwich course, you will have two six month work placements. Sandwich courses are mainly offered in vocational subjects, such as engineering, rather than academic subjects such as English.

Although it makes your course a year longer, sandwich courses have advantages. For a start, many employers will pay you when you are on your work placement and it may lead to a job with the employer once you have completed your course. Even if it doesn’t, sandwich courses can improve your employment prospects as most employers value relevant work experience.

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I want to take a degree, and I’ve heard that some companies only recruit from certain universities. Is this true?

Unfortunately yes it is. Some companies prefer students from well-established, traditional universities.

This does not mean, however, that graduates from other institutions will not succeed in finding employment. Just because you have attended a traditional university, it does not guarantee you a job; it depends on your degree classification and how well you perform in the interview.

If you have certain companies in mind contact them directly. In addition, a lot more employers are now looking for post-graduate qualifications as well as a first degree.

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What financial help is available?

Most UK students will be eligible for a student loan and some may also be able to get help towards the cost of tuition fees, depending on individual circumstances.

Other sources of financial help often depend on the type of course you study.

• The NHS gives bursaries for some health-related courses.
• Some organisations offer sponsorship, usually for vocational courses such as engineering and accountancy. Refer to the section on sponsorship for more details.

For further information on funding available refer to the reading list and useful websites ( link to this page)

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