Typical questions

• • What grades do I need to get to study medicine at university?

• • Are there any free online courses covering coding?

Starting points

• • It is very easy to find websites offering lists of courses. However, many are designed to sell their own services! Always remember to check carefully their origins and currency. The list of resources below will direct you to accredited academic sources. There are separate sections on applying to university and online courses.

• • Find out what type of information is needed, e.g. full-time or part-time courses, level of study, location and subject area.

• • Remember that universities have their own admissions departments. If information is required about entry to a specific course, students should be referred directly to the academic department concerned. Those requiring more general careers information about the suitability of certain courses for entry into a profession may find it useful to consult the local university careers advisory service and/or the professional association concerned. Listings of key organisations can be found in each of the subject sections of this book.

• • Many students now use university rankings to help make decisions about where to apply. Some of the most well-known ones are listed in a sub-section below. However, students should be advised to check methodology and coverage carefully.

Recommended resources

Applying to university

Student Room [Basic]

www.thestudentroom.co.uk

Online forum designed to enable students to offer peer-support on all aspects of study from applying to university to revising and coping with stress. Ask questions and get useful insights from actual university students.

Which? University [Basic]

university.which.co.uk

Excellent free resource from the publishers of Which? magazine. In addition to the university course guide, it also has advice on student finance, a tool to help with writing personal statements and guidance on A level subject choices.

UCAS [Basic]

www.ucas.ac.uk

The Universities and College Admissions Service. This organisation administers the UK's centralised undergraduate admissions service. Its website covers far more than just applications; it also offers advice on when and how to apply for undergraduate and postgraduate study. Also offers a guide to alternatives to university.

UK Course Finder

www.ukcoursefinder.com

Searchable database of courses in the UK and some overseas. Contains some advice and links to subscription-based psychometric careers tests to aid subject choice.