General information about higher education
Questions and answers
Why do people go to university?
What exactly will they do at university?
Living away from home: what are the options?
What will the accommodation cost?
University is a place of higher learning where people continue their education after school.
A university can be a group of buildings where students live and learn, or it can be an institution which teaches by distance learning (over the internet or by post).
The courses of study offered by universities help prepare people for professions and careers.
Universities grant certificate, diploma and degree qualifications to successful students. Every year thousands of people make a great success of their university studies and go on to rewarding careers of their choice.
Many universities have large campuses with teaching rooms and student living quarters on the same site.
Why do people go to university?
It is both fun and educational.
They will meet lots of people and encounter new ideas, and learn to understand and know more about the subjects they are interested in. They will also get a fantastic opportunity to prove to themselves and to employers that they can cope with higher-level study, understand complex information, meet deadlines, work independently and in a team, solve problems, and speak and write with confidence.
It will give them a chance to study a subject that they enjoy.
Universities offer over 50,000 different courses, on a vast range of subjects and they are sure to find a subject that suits them. They can choose to study something they enjoyed at school or they can try something new and exciting.
It will help them get more interesting and better paid jobs.
Graduates (people with degrees) earn, on average, more money than people without degrees and their incomes are greater as they get older.
Graduates are twice as likely to be employed as non-graduates, and are much more likely to be promoted to managerial and senior positions.
Some jobs and careers demand a specific degree. For example; if they want to work as a librarian, doctor, lawyer, pharmacist, architect or surveyor, or in many science-related areas, such as forensic science, they have to study a particular set of courses at university. For other careers - such as accountancy, insurance, publishing, commercial buying or banking - the degree subject does not matter as much because employers are likely to want them just because they have been to university.
University is for everyone. University students are adults of all ages and from all kinds of social and cultural backgrounds. All sorts of different people go to university because people of all ages update their skills, retrain for a new career or just study for interest.
If they can meet the entry requirements for what they want to study, they will be welcome. They do not always need to have formal qualifications (such as A levels) before they start. What they do need is a willingness to take on the challenge of higher-level learning.
Nor do they need to be school-leavers of 18 to go into Higher Education - a high percentage of part-time students in United Kingdom universities are over the age of 21. Over 37% of people who apply for full-time courses, and are accepted to go to a UK university, are over the age of 21.
What exactly will they do at university?
As a student at university, they will learn a lot about the subject they have chosen. They will need to be prepared to work hard to keep on top of their studies. There are many ways to learn at university: discussions, practical work, lectures, independent study and group work. Some teaching will be in small groups, some in large groups. Sometimes, they will work on their own, either in a library or at home. Sometimes, they will work with others on particular projects. The methods depend on what suits the particular course or subject, but every course offers a variety.
Some courses include a period of study abroad, others involve practical work experience. For full-time students, diploma and certificate courses may only take two years, sometimes even less. Most degree courses take three or four years. Part-time qualifications take longer to complete, but allow people to carry on working or looking after their family. There are too many choices to describe them all here. Intending students need to think about what matters most to them, and ask the university they are interested in.
For students who choose to live away from home, going to university also brings a change in social life, and opportunities to try new activities and make new friends. Students who live at home also have the chance to develop interests through the university societies and clubs and to join in social events.
There are stories of students behaving badly and some do. Inevitably, these reports are the ones that make the headlines, but most students do not feel the need to go wild. It is up to the individual how far they will change their lifestyle when they go to university. Whatever their decision, there will be others just like each of them.
Click here to find out more about what student life is like.
University is not always easy and there will be times when the work is hard. However, Passing the course will give them a great sense of achievement and will be something to be proud of. And once they have a university qualification, they will be able to choose from a wider range of jobs and opportunities for further study or training.
There are trained careers advisers at university to help them decide what to do when they leave. Whatever they decide to do, they will have gained confidence, knowledge and skills and some friends and experiences which they will never forget.
Whether they are full-time or part-time students, they will have options on where they can live. Each option can be a success – each individual needs to choose the one that suits them best.
They could decide to live at the university in Halls of Residence.
If they study full-time and decide to live in a hall of residence, they will get support from other students. This is a cost-effective way to live and may be an important part of their study life.
Many students enjoy the lively atmosphere and social life in Halls.
Most Halls of residence are made up of blocks of flats or study bedrooms where students live together. Students usually have their own lockable room containing a bed, a desk, a chair, electric plug points and storage cupboards. Many rooms also have sinks and some have full en-suite facilities. The university accommodation office will have lots of information to help decide.
They could decide to live at home.
The advantages of this option are that they would save money on the costs of university or private accomodation. Students would be able to continue to see old friends that they have made while living at home. They can continue to have the benefit of home cooking and home laundry, but perhaps have less independence. They will need to budget for the cost of regular travel to and from the university.
They could decide to share a flat or share a house with other students.
They will also get support from friends or other students if they decide to live in a shared student flat or house. They would share bills and be jointly responsible for running the house or flat. The university accommodation office will have lots of information about suitable properties to rent..
They could decide to live in a flat on their own.
They may prefer to live on their own, although this will be the most expensive option. They would be independent and responsible for their own food, laundry, equipment and travel costs.
If they are studying part-time, they may still want to share a place to live with other students, or they may choose to stay where they are.
Living away from home: what are the options?
The options partly depend on the size and location of the university itself. There is a wide variety of student accommodation of various sizes and types, so they are sure to find a place that will suit them. They will be sent application forms to cover all types of accommodation when their course place is confirmed.
What are halls of residence?
These are special buildings where lots of full-time students live. They usually have single study-bedrooms with shared bathrooms, meeting areas and laundry facilities. Some halls provide most meals, in others they do their own cooking; they choose which they want. Many first-year students have preference for places in these halls.
If they have a disability, they will find that some places in halls have been adapted to make them accessible. However, the numbers are limited – disabled students need to contact the accommodation office before they apply for a place and will receive more information on what they should do next.
What about private rentals?
They can make your own arrangements to find a place to live, either with friends or in a place of their own. University accommodation offices have a lot of experience - they will give students advice on what to look out for, and keep lists of addresses for privately rented rooms, flats or houses. Many students rent a place together as a group, particularly after their first year. They will need to give some money to the landlord as a deposit, which they get back when they leave (as long as the place is left in good condition).
What will the accommodation cost?
This depends on the type of place they choose, and the facilities it has. They pay for the time they are in a hall of residence - about 30 weeks of the year. The price will cover all the amenities, like heating, lighting and hot water. Sometimes meals are also included. Usually, private accommodation is on a year's lease. Students may well have to pay amenities such as gas, electricity, telephone, and so on, as well as the rent and a deposit. Ask for more details of costs from the university's accommodation offices.
Every university has a Students' Union, which is run by students for students. They will get discounts for travel, entrance fees to events, museums and galleries. They could also get student discounts in some shops and restaurants, so it is worth becoming a member. The Students' Union looks after the rights and interests of students, supports them in their studies, and offers facilities to help them enjoy themselves. There will be places to eat and drink, meeting areas and halls, shops and welfare offices. It is the best place to find out what entertainment is on, or where to go to meet people. There are lots of interested and committed students to help them find their way around. The Union runs a wide variety of clubs and societies. Students can join these when they first start at university, or can find out about them at any other time through the Union. Famous bands often visit big venues at universities, and there are lots of events and trips and general fun, for all ages of student.
