Decide on the

Decide on the "Final Five"

The end goal of the research phase is to agree the five courses that students will add to their UCAS form. Before deciding on “The Final Five”, they will need to shortlist their potential places.

This shortlisting phase may include reviewing the prospectus together, visiting the universities at Open Days, or other events. Visiting universities is the best way to get a feel for how your child will fit in that environment.

Make sure you talk to current students and ask them why they chose to study there.

We recommend that together with your child, you agree the criteria you will use to shortlist the courses and universities and identify those criteria which will ultimately decide “The Final Five”.

Make sure these criteria reflect the specific needs of your child and family. For example, if your child is a practical learner, you might want to consider those courses that are highly applied and include hands-on assessments and work experience.

Choosing their subject

Things to consider when choosing a degree:

  • Do they have a current subject that they love and do well in?

    Will they still be interested in it in years to come and the potential careers associated with it? Whilst some subjects lead to very specific career options, others can provide varied options or the opportunity to specialise at postgraduate level.

  • Do they have specific vocational aspirations?

    If so, is a particular degree subject required or are the options flexible?

    Universities and colleges set their own entry requirements for higher education courses so they may vary widely. You can find the entry requirements for Ulster undergraduate degrees on the course finder online.

  • Are they interested in exploring a completely new subject?

    There are many degree subjects they won’t have encountered before. When choosing, they should relate it back to what they enjoy and how they learn best. Some courses have very high contact time i.e. lots of lectures, tutorials, workshops etc., whilst others have low contact time and more self-directed study.

  • Look beyond the course title

    Remember courses with the same name can differ greatly in content between universities. Spend time looking at the course content and the modules. This will give you an idea about the areas covered by the course and what the university’s specific area of expertise is.

What to research

  • Cost

    Tuition fees are not the only university cost. You should also consider accommodation costs and cost of living (including any travel required), which vary across the UK.

    Visit numbeo.com/cost-of-living to compare cost of living.

  • Course provision

    Which universities offer the subject area or specific course they are interested in?

    Do they carry accreditation needed for jobs in industry?

  • Teaching, assessment and facilities
    • Does the course involve a lot of practical work? Is it 100% coursework?
    • Is there a lot of group work involved?
    • Are there bespoke facilities?
    • Is there online or interactive learning provision?
  • Entry requirements

    What grades are needed for the course?

    These can vary across institutions. Specific subjects and at what level they are required e.g. GCSE/A Level/ BTEC /Leaving Cert will be listed in course entry requirements. Not all universities and colleges use qualifications and grades for entry requirements, some use UCAS Tariff points instead.

    UCAS has an online calculator to help you work out how many points your qualifications are worth ucas.com/ucas/tariff-calculator Check with the university for precise equivalencies as these may vary.

  • Other selection criteria

    Is entry dependent on submitting a portfolio of work?

    Do they have to attend an interview? Do they require a medical or Access NI check?

  • Duration

    How many years will it take them to get their degree?

    Does this include a work placement?

  • Employment/career prospects
    • Are there opportunities to enhance their CV by undertaking a paid work placement or studying abroad?
    • Does the university have good connections with industry?
    • Do students get real-world experience on their course?
    • Are there opportunities to include a year out in industry as part of their degree?
  • Research

    Does the university have a good research focus?

    Are they linking with industry to solve problems, or leading innovation in certain areas?

    This often positively impacts on the teaching and what they deliver.

  • Location

    Where do they want to study and where will they best thrive?

    Will they live at home and commute or live with other students near the university?

  • Lifestyle

    Would they prefer urban or rural? A small or large institution? Campus based or town/city based? One campus or multiple? Are there good transport links?

    All these things will affect their experience and are important to think about.

  • Accommodation
    • Is living in halls of residence or shared accommodation important to them?
    • Is it available on campus?
    • What are the accommodation costs?
    • What are the private accommodation costs for future years?
    • Are there self-catered and catered options available?
  • Support
    • Does your child need specialist support?
    • What support is available?
    • Do they have any disabilities, long-term medical conditions, or specific learning difficulties they need support with?
    • If so, what support is available from the university?
    • Will they get guidance and advice on academic matters, wellbeing issues, money matters?
  • Clubs & societies

    Opportunities to socialise play a huge factor in student satisfaction.

    Clubs and societies are great ways to meet new people, stay connected and have fun.

    What social facilities are there outside of university, such as live music venues, cinemas or sports facilities?

How to research