Thinking of going to university? Before making any decisions, get clued-up on the reasons to go, what life is like and what it’s going to cost.

Why should I go?

Going to university will make you more attractive to employers and you’ll have loads of new experiences. You’ll get to study your favourite subjects in more depth, and if you study away from home you’ll find out what independent adult life is like. But university isn’t for everyone. It can be expensive and stressful.

What should I study?

Doing any degree shows employers that you’re smart and motivated – important skills for any job. The main thing is to study something you want to learn more about. Talk to your teachers or careers advisor. They’ll advise you on which university subjects are best for your personality, skills and abilities.

Can I afford it?

At the moment, average student debt can be as high as £30,000. You may get a bursary and a student loan but tuition fees, rent, food and nights out all add up. Many students have to work part-time to cover their costs.

What is student life like?

You’re expected to study hard, but university is also fun. The social scene is buzzing around and you’ll make new friends and try new things. It may be hard being away from friends and family though, and money will be tight so make sure you know how to budget.

Can I get a good job without a degree?

While some jobs require a degree, there are plenty that don’t. You will need a degree if you want to study something specific like medicine. You are likely to start on a lower wage without a degree.

There are many options for school leavers. Distance learning is a good way to get a degree and avoid debt as you can have a full-time job and study in the evenings. Some universities offer scholarships or can give you additional money towards your study. There is the option of studying abroad with many universities across the world teaching a huge spectrum of courses. Tuition fees are often a lot lower if you study abroad and you get to experience living in a new country. Other options post 18 include Higher Apprenticeships, taking a Gap Year and Volunteering.

Higher Education

UCAS – https://www.ucas.com/ this website will give you information about which courses are available, and an idea of current entry requirements. It also contains direct links to the websites of most UK universities to help you find out more.

Universities are often ranked in league tables compared by things like student satisfaction, entry standards, research quality or graduate prospects. This is a useful way to get more ideas and information about the courses and universities you’re interested in. You can even find out more about how much you might earn after you’ve graduated!

https://www.theguardian.com/education/universityguide

Local Universities:-

University of Nottingham – https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/

Nottingham Trent University – https://www.ntu.ac.uk/

Derby University – https://www.derby.ac.uk/

University of Sheffield – https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/

Sheffield Hallam University – https://www.shu.ac.uk/

Loughborough University – http://www.lboro.ac.uk/