The Iglu Guide | Blog
How to choose the right university for you
Choosing the right university is an important decision for every student. Not only will it help shape your personal growth, it will play a big role in your adult future. For many students, this can seem like a pretty overwhelming task, and it’s often difficult to know where to begin. Aside from thinking about the course and location, there are many other aspects to consider that can help you make your final decision. And with 42 universities to choose from here in Australia, the good news is there’s something to offer for everyone, whatever your preferences. Here’s what every student should be thinking about before making their final university choice.
Location location location
When considering university options, the world is literally your oyster, and it’s certainly no surprise that Australia attracts over 975,000 international enrolments every year from countries all around the world. Whether you’re after city living, coastal air or access to the countryside, Australia has you covered with some world-leading institutions.
Once you’ve made a decision on your city destination of choice, the next stage is to find the right university location that will give you everything you need for the duration of your course. This task should be high up on your priority list as you’ll be spending most of your days living, studying and socialising in that environment, and so it really does impact your entire student experience. Have a think about what your daily life might look like, and how the location will impact your overall experience. A rural setting is likely to be quieter, whereas a city setting will have a busier lifestyle but potentially offer more industry opportunity for internships and networking. Take into consideration local amenities, transport connections, and the cost of accommodation to give you a better understanding of what student life would look like.
Top tip: Research your considerations online and create a short list. Attend virtual open days and connect with other students to get a truer picture of the pros and cons.
Research your course
The course you choose will ultimately be a deciding factor in your final decision so it’s important to choose university options that offer a strong program in your area of interest. Choosing the right course combines lots of different factors such as identifying your subject, understanding how that course is delivered and researching how well it performs. When you have a shortlist ready, jump online and evaluate the course delivery to make sure it aligns with your expectations. Some students enjoy lectures while others prefer smaller tutorial sessions; equally, some students perform better with coursework rather than formal exams. Taking a deep dive into the course delivery is a fast way to rule universities in, or out.
Top tip: Identify the best university more quickly by examining the course structure. Think about what type of learning suits you best, and research whether the course can be adapted accordingly.
Consider your accommodation options
Student accommodation is a huge part of the university experience and requires some serious thought. International students have plenty of options to choose from in Australia, ranging from on-campus accommodation through to purpose-built student accommodation and independent rentals. Whether you choose on-campus or off-campus accommodation, shared or private, it really boils down to situation and personal preference. Some students prefer to live off-campus to benefit from a small degree of separation from university life, whereas other students thrive on living in the middle of everything all the time. For international students and those living away from home for the first time, purpose-built student accommodation is a great alternative. It provides a safe and secure living environment that’s well located and close to all amenities.
Top tip: Write a list of your personal preferences when it comes to student accommodation and find the closest match possible, always making sure you stay within budget.
Check the academic reputation
University rankings are by no means the ultimate evaluation tool, but they do provide a useful guide in the initial research stage. They measure the overall performance against core objectives such as teaching quality, research output, academic performance, student satisfaction and international reputation. Compiled by independent organisations, university rankings also take into account the availability of facilities, industry collaboration and student engagement. Graduate employment outcomes are also an important consideration factor. The major ranking systems used in Australia are QS World University Rankings, Times Higher Education Rankings, and the Good Universities Guide.
Top tip: Different ranking systems prioritise different aspects of university performance, so always use these measurements as part of your overall evaluation, alongside all your other consideration factors.
Explore the campus culture and student community
Every student wants to be part of a university community that aligns with their lifestyle choice and value system, but without visiting in-person this aspect can be difficult to measure. The university website is always a good place to start, particularly within the sections dedicated to student clubs and extracurricular activities. These will give you a good indication of the existing student community and a general feel for the day-to-day activities, as well as an understanding of what would be on offer for you personally. Make a shortlist to follow on social media and read student reviews and testimonials where possible from recent alumni.
Top tip: Read up on the university traditions and annual events, as these can reflect the true spirit and values much more so than statistics. Create a list of priorities and assess which uni aligns better with your personal needs and values.
Evaluate university resources
Consider the types of resources you will need on site in order to support your university experience, both personally and academically. Libraries, laboratories, innovation hubs and research facilities are all considered as standard university facilities. This includes study spaces, support services, technology support and robust career services. It’s also a good idea to assess the strength of the mentorship and internship programs on offer, as well as investigate any networking events and career opportunities that are offered. In addition to these academic resources, you should also be able to expect a well-resourced student support services department. These services include health and wellness support as well as housing and cultural integration services that are designed to support international students. If you are concerned about security on campus, you can research the campus safety record to see how effectively the safety services are operating.
Top tip: Balance the university resources with your personal goals to help select an institution that provides you with a holistic experience where you can flourish and thrive.
Do your research
Researching all your choices before reaching a final decision is the most important part of the process. From academic results and course choices, through to student accommodation and student services, all the information you need is generally available online. Don’t forget to factor in all the associated living costs including accommodation, food and books, and find out if there are any grants or funding available to you. Once you have made the big decision, the next step is to get your student visa application underway and make sure you have your essentials on hand and ready to go.
Image credit: Gia Oris on Unsplash
