Helping your young person choose the right course and university

Which comes first: course or university?

Before you dive into the details, sit down with your young person and help them decide their priorities.

• Focus on the course first if they have a specific career goal (like medicine or engineering) or have a passion for a subject.
• Focus on the university first if they are undecided on a career and care more about the learning environment, distance from home and the ‘vibe’ of the campus.

How to choose the right course

1. 1

   Check the entry requirements

   Entry requirements vary between universities, even for similar subjects, so try not to assume that higher entry requirements always mean a better course. Universities set these grades for many reasons, such as how the course is taught, the specific topics covered and how many places are available.

   Some universities reduce their entry requirements after considering an applicant's circumstances, experiences and potential. These are called contextual offers. They are designed to make higher education more accessible, ensuring every student has a fair chance to succeed and support talent.

2. 2

   Take a deep dive into the modules

   Think of modules as the individual building blocks that make up a degree. While two universities might offer a course with the same title, the specific syllabus and learning outcomes can vary widely. You should encourage your young person to look beyond the course name and read the module descriptions for each year. These descriptions provide the details on exactly what they will study, the skills they will gain and the specific topics the tutors will cover.

3. 3

   Consider the teaching and assessment style

   How a student learns is just as important as the subject itself because every young person thrives in a different environment. You should help your young person consider whether they prefer consistent coursework or a single final exam, and whether they learn best in large lectures or small groups. At Coventry University, we support these varied needs through block learning, where students master one subject before moving to the next.

4. 4

   Look out for industry links and placements

   A degree provides the knowledge, but placements provide the professional experience that employers value most. Many courses offer a placement year where students spend a full year working in their chosen industry. When you research courses together, look for those with strong industry links. These practical connections can act as a launchpad for a successful career.

5. 5

   Review the specialist facilities

   Does the selected subject require a 24-hour newsroom, a mock courtroom or a specific lab? Does the university library cater to subject-specific requirements adequately and will it be open when needed? Seeing these facilities in person during an Open Day will help you determine if the university truly invests in the tools needed to succeed.

How to choose the right university

Location, location, location

Kirstie and Phil were right about one thing: location matters. Do they want a busy city centre, a self-contained green campus, or to be near the coast? Do they want to be close to home or experience somewhere far away and totally new? Airing all these questions early in the process can really help to shortlist universities quickly.

Support and wellbeing

Despite their reputation, many universities have significant flaws in their student welfare practices (see pages 8-10). Excessive workloads, lack of support from staff and inflexible learning structures can contribute to high levels of stress and mental health issues for students.

You want to know that your young person will receive the support they need to settle in, make friends and succeed on their course. So do your research and see if their shortlisted universities offer any of the following. 

• Wellbeing support.
• One-to-one support.
• Studies support.
• Career and skills development support.
• Disability support.
• Settling in support.
• An on-campus medical practice.
• Adequate safety and security on campus.

Accommodation options

Moving away from home for the first time is a big deal. You won’t be there to keep an eye on them, so you need peace of mind when it comes to where they live. When shortlisting universities and first-year accommodation options, think about the following:

• Safety and security: does the accommodation have 24/7 security?
• Location: can they walk to lectures and shops easily?
• Affordability: are the costs all-inclusive or are there hidden extras?
• Facilities: will they have easy access to laundry facilities and free Wi-Fi?
• Community: is there a good social environment and social spaces?
• Choice and availability: what type of rooms are available? Are there suitable contract lengths and can a university guarantee accommodation?

Next steps

Once your young person narrows down their course or university choices, visit the campuses in person. No website or prospectus can truly replicate the feeling of standing in a teaching space or walking the local streets. These visits, usually called Open Days, will allow you and your young person to see if the reality of the campus matches the priorities you’ve discussed together.