When deciding which University to go to it is very important that you look at all your options and weigh up all the factors which you think would make a good university to you. The first step to choosing a good university is to write a list of everything you are looking for in a University. Remember that this is going to be the place you are going to spend 3+ years living at so obviously it will have to suit your needs. Below are a few ideas of what you should take into consideration in order to choose your perfect university.

• Halls of Residence - When looking at this you will have to decide what sort of accommodation you want. An options you may be given is fully catered. This will most likely be the most expensive because you get all your meals provided for you. You may also be offered semi-catered and self catered. For the more independant of you it may be beneficial to choose self catered but if you have no idea how to cook perhaps choosing fuly catered is the best option.

You should also take into account the 'state' of the accommodation at your chosen Universities. Ceratinly in my own experiences some Universities have much better accommodation that is more modern and less, well, run down than others. You will have to make you you go to the open days and take advantage of the tour of accommodation that are always on offer to make sure that you choose a good university. (You can also check out our dedicated Student Accommodation section for more information)


• Student Union - Another important thing when considering which university to attend is the Student Union. Many Universities nowadays have excellent Student Unions with good facilites and of course a wide selection of drinks at rock bottom prices. It is always worth doing your research to find out the selection of drinks on offer, the prices and the location of it. Some campus Universities have SU bars right next to their Halls of Residence but others have them in the city centre. Make sure you check everything out before you go.
  
  
• Location of University - For those of you who think location is what will make a good university for you then this is definetly a factor you should consider. Some Universities are located in city centres whereas some are in the middle of no where with the only way to get into town being a bus service...which isn't always reliable. There are obvious plus points to being in the centre of a city, mainly because you will never be far away from the hustle and bustle of everything that is going on. The shops are close and of course to are the bars and clubs.
  
  
• Student Night Life - This is one of the biggest things people look for when choosing a University. Good night life equals a good University for most people. You will have to research the towns and cities your chosen Universities are located within to see if the nightlife is up to scratch. The University websites sometimes feature sections on the local night life because they know it is an important thing prospective students look for.