10 amazing resources for making better university decisions
There are loads of league tables out there, and plenty of commercially driven so-called university advice sites out there.
But quite frankly, so many of them have lazy journalism, trotting out the same bland advice, or worse still, are filled with so many university promotions or “recommended unis”, that you can’t tell what’s impartial advice and what is paid-for advertising.
And don’t even get me started on all those ‘search’ websites that prize your details out of you when you register, only to batter you with emails and texts over the following days and weeks, recommending entirely irrelevant stuff!
It’s tempting to name and shame the worst of these, but instead I thought I’d highlight some of the best, most genuinely useful resources.
Plenty of these are commercial, but they sit on the right side of authenticity, doing something different in the sector, and offering something more than the usual, dull, bland advice and supposed ‘Top University’ recommendations.
Oh yes, and I have no financial affiliation with any of them, except Unibuddy. I spent a big chunk of my time building Unibuddy and for complete transparency, I still retain a financial interest in them.
The Student Room
The Student Room is the grandaddy of university chat forums, and is still the best place for wide-ranging student opinions and discussions.
There are two ways to get the most from it;
1. Browse your subjects and universities of interest - you’ll pick up a stack of useful info and views.
2. Ask any specific questions you have - there are always enough people on it that you can get just about anything answered.
Just don’t be that person who asks “Is the University of XXX any good”. You’ll just get shallow opinions from keyboard warriors!
Zero Gravity
A relative newcomer to the world of widening participation and university access.
For bright students from backgrounds where going to university is not the usual route, Zero Gravity supports students into uni, and on out into careers, through mentoring and peer-support.
With financial support from some massive companies, they also offer a whole bunch of scholarships.
In a comparatively short period they’ve helped thousands of students reach their potential.
Maybe they can help you too!
UniTasterDays
Run by the thoroughly down to earth Jon Cheek, UniTasterDays does exactly what it says on the tin: giving comprehensive coverage of every opportunity for you to get a taste of different courses at different universities, whether through on-line or in-person taster courses and open days.
Plus they have plenty of value-added, through parents guides, university staff training courses, and their Podcast. Simple!
Unifrog
Unifrog is one of several platforms that schools can subscribe to for managing and supporting their students to apply to university. This one gets my nod for the way they have balanced their business.
First, they offer useful, unbiased information for their students, with a fantastic range of resources for researching and shortlisting your choices. Meanwhile they also give schools an amazing resource to support their students, and they create opportunities for universities to engage with students, without letting the commercial dimension overpower the legitimacy of the information.
If you are lucky enough to have Unifrog at your school, it will be your first port of call for just about everything!
Springpod
I’ve been a big fan of Springpod since they first came on the scene a few years back.
The Subject Spotlights are the ideal length and depth to give you genuine insight into studying a subject at university. These are not quick, TikTok-style adverts making everything easy and fun. These are well produced, thoughtful mini-courses. They go deeper than you might expect, and you need to have a genuine interest in the subject, or you’ll rapidly get bored.
And that’s the way it should be, because that’s what three years of study will be like.
So give them a go! You could find yourself utterly hooked, or you could end up drifting into boredom. Either will be a valuable lesson!
Springpod also has a load of online work experience opportunities available. I don’t have personal experience of these, but if they are delivered with the same care and attention that the Subject Spotlights are, then I reckon they are worth a look!
Unibuddy
It’s hard to believe, but in 2017 it was impossible to go to a university website, find a student from a particular course, or a particular country, and chat with them about their experience.
Now the Unibuddy Chat platform can be found on most university websites in the UK, on UCAS, plus hundreds of universities world-wide. Meanwhile the Unibuddy Community platform supports tens of thousands of students who have applied and are making the transition to university.
Nobody is more proud of that than I am, having been part of their early team.
What you probably don’t know, is that you can also go directly to the Unibuddy website, to the ‘For Students’ page.
If the university you have applied to has an applicant group on Unibuddy Community, you’ll be able to request to join it right there.
And if you scroll further down, you can search to see if your potential university choices are amongst the 700+ universities worldwide using Unibuddy Chat. If so it will take you straight to their platform, and you can start chatting with their students!
From High School to Uni
Just like #BetterUniChoices, ‘From High School to Uni’ is a passion project. It was started by Philippa Dobree-Carey, who set it up as a way to pass on her experiences of being a parent of two heading off to university.
And she has produced something super-useful. Check out her blogs on everything from packing and preparing for university, to study tips and finding accommodation.
There are downloadable resources, and of course there is a fantastic book that you can buy.
Plenty for students, but also for parents who are at the sharp end of supporting their sons and daughters!
Save the Student
If Martin Lewis is the money guru for the general population, then these guys are the go-to for students.
Their annual Student Money Survey is essential reading, giving realistic costs and spending, and breaking it down by region and even by University.
They have easy-to-understand information on every aspect of student finance, including some super-useful information for parents.
And they have great tips and deals to save you money.
What more do you want from a student money site!
Prospects
I remember Prospects being a series of books many years ago. But despite their age, they remain the definitive guide to careers and professions.
There is a lot of information on the site, aimed both at university leavers, and those just applying.
What I particularly like is the ‘What can I do with my degree’ section, which has a whole load of information that you simply can’t get anywhere else.
For almost every degree subject, it gives you job options, typical employers, required skills, work experience suggestions, further study options and a handful of case studies of real graduates.
It really is essential reading as you refine your subject choice!
The University Guys
Finally, The University Guys. While my expertise is focused pretty exclusively on UK admissions, The University Guys have cast their net rather wider, building up expertise so they can advise and support students wishing to leave the UK and study elsewhere.
Their super-committed team deliver talks and fairs at schools up and down the country, they have a huge amount of free information on their website, and if you need one-to-one support and guidance they offer that too (for a charge).
