University choice in the UK
The United Kingdom has some of the best universities in the world. Oxford and Cambridge are both regularly among the top 5 universities globally according to most rankings tables, with other leading institutions such as UCL and LSE not far behind. Yet there is a wealth of choice beyond these top universities. Here, we break down the most important criteria impacting your choice of university, helping you to find the perfect fit.
Campus vs. city
One of the most important factors to keep in mind when choosing a university is whether it is located on a campus or within a city or town. Campus universities are typically self-contained, with shops and amenities on-site alongside university buildings, and are also located at some distance from population centres. The University of Sussex campus, for example, is located in Falmer, which is 10 minutes away from Brighton by train. City universities, on the other hand, are often more diffuse, with different departments situated within and throughout cities. King’s College London is a prominent example of a city university, with sites at the Strand, Waterloo and Denmark Hill.
The advantages of a campus university lie in its convenience. With all academic departments, services and libraries in one place, there are minimal travel demands on students, saving money and time. A city university may be more time-consuming and expensive to navigate, but also gives a taste of professional life beyond university, as well as allowing students to make the most of all that the city has to offer, on their very doorstep. The choice of campus or city ultimately depends on the student’s personality, interests and personal preference.
The Russell Group
The Russell Group constitutes twenty-four of the most elite universities in the UK, judged according to the quality of academic research and graduate outcomes. These universities are as follows:
Queen Mary University of London
These are, traditionally, the most competitive universities in terms of places. Unlike the Ivy League in America, there is no athletic dimension to this cadre of UK universities. These universities are those which, traditionally, have produced the best-quality academic research, as well as the most aspirational graduates.
A sub-sect within the Russell Group that is frequently reified by educators is the so-called ‘Red Brick’ group of universities. These are the institutions that were set up throughout the 18th and 19th centuries in the emerging conurbations of the Industrial Revolution. They consist of the universities of Birmingham, Bristol, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester and Sheffield.
Academic rankings
There are a number of publications within the UK that compose an annual, comprehensive academic rankings system for universities in the UK. Among the most authoritative of these are The Times, The Complete University Guide, and The Guardian. The criteria used by these publications is often complex and scores each university on a range of metrics. The Times, for example, assesses five main performance areas: Teaching, Research Environment, Research Quality, Industry and International Outlook. Each of these is an aggregate of individualised scores, such as the ratio of students to staff. Thus, far from being arbitrary and weighted in favour of the older, wealthier universities such as Oxford and Cambridge, these rankings are scientific and, for general purposes, accurate.
The result is a league table that changes year on year, discouraging stagnancy and complacency. Although the Russell Group looms large in the minds of many prospective students and parents when thinking about university choice in the UK, there are a number of institutions outside this cadre which have climbed high in the rankings in recent years. Prominent among these is the University of Bath, which sits at number 5 in the Complete University Guide’s rankings for 2024, as well as the Lancaster University, which is at number 10. University rankings are an important corrective to the notion that the Russell Group is the only option for an aspirational student.
Subject-specific provision
The overall rankings, however, will only take you so far. Universities will tend to be better at teaching some courses than others, and it is important to do your research into specific subject provision. Some universities, although outside the Russell Group, may even be among the best for one or two subject groups in terms of academic research and graduate outcomes. A prominent example of this is the University of Loughborough, which ranks fourth among UK universities overall for Sports Science according to the Guardian rankings table, and first for graduate outcomes within the subject. League tables will tend to have individualised rankings for each subject, and it is vital to consult these.
Student satisfaction
Student satisfaction is a measure of the student’s overall experience at a given university, and does not tend to loom large within university rankings. Student satisfaction can be impacted by a number of factors. This can include quality of teaching but is certainly not limited to it. Student satisfaction can also be determined by perceived value for money, extracurricular provision and quality of student life.
Each university has something special to offer in terms of extracurricular activities. Some, such as Loughborough and Nottingham, are very good for sport. Others, such as Cambridge and Durham, are excellent for music and drama. It is important to do your research if you are interested in more specific activities such as sailing or rowing, which are contingent on the university’s location.
For quality of student life, something to bear in mind is location. As mentioned above, a starting point is to consider whether the university is situated within a city or on a campus. Yet the UK enjoys a vibrant and diverse culture that varies widely across the country. Cities such as Manchester, Liverpool and Brighton offer fantastic gigs and a vibrant nightlife. Smaller towns such as Oxford and Bath are picturesque and provide a quieter student experience. Towns in the north of England may also be cheaper than their southern counterparts in terms of living costs.
Making an informed decision
University choice in the UK should take all of these factors into account. Since your child will be spending at least three years studying at university, it is vital that they make an informed choice that balances academic provision with quality of student life. It is important to note that there is no ‘one size fits all’ approach to university choice: each child has unique academic and extracurricular interests. Making an informed choice will ensure that your child is able to flourish within the environment that best suits them.
University selection with Chapkin Edwards
Chapkin Edwards’ team of highly knowledgeable and experienced consultants is well-equipped to help you with choosing the right university for your child. Beyond advising on the best university choice in the UK, we can also guide you through every step of the UCAS application process. For help in university choice and application, please get in contact here.