How to Compare Universities

Filter by your predicted grades and subject interests

Start by matching your predicted A-Level, Scottish Higher, or BTEC grades against the published entry requirements. Do not waste your five UCAS choices on universities that demand AAA if your teachers predict BBC. Use the UCAS search tool to filter courses strictly by your predicted tariff points.

Once you have a shortlist, download the module catalogue for each specific course. Check the ratio of mandatory to optional modules. A course with high optionality lets you tailor your degree to your career goals. A rigid course forces you to study topics you might hate.

Look closely at the assessment methods. If you perform poorly in exams, avoid courses that base 100% of your final grade on summer papers. Seek out courses that offer continuous coursework, group projects, or practical portfolios. An engineering degree might assess you via laboratory reports, while an English degree relies on 5,000-word essays.

Look into contextual offers. Many universities lower their entry requirements for students from disadvantaged backgrounds, low-income households, or specific postcodes. A university asking for AAB might drop the requirement to BBB if you meet their contextual criteria. Check each university’s contextual admissions policy directly on their website.

Check TEF ratings and National Student Survey results

Look for the TEF Gold, Silver, or Bronze badge on a university’s profile. A Gold rating means the student experience and outcomes are typically outstanding. A Bronze rating means the university meets minimum national quality requirements but performs significantly below the benchmark in certain areas.

You should also check the National Student Survey (NSS) results. Ipsos runs this survey annually, asking final-year students to rate their specific course. Search for the exact degree on Discover Uni to see the percentage of students who felt staff supported their learning. According to Universities UK (2026), 85% of students across the UK were satisfied with the quality of their course. If a specific university scores below 70% for academic support, treat that as a massive red flag.

Look at the staff-to-student ratio. A lower ratio generally means smaller seminar sizes and more direct contact time with lecturers. Ask the admissions team exactly how many contact hours you will receive per week. A humanities degree might only offer eight hours of lectures, requiring you to manage 30 hours of independent study. A science degree might demand 25 hours of laboratory and lecture time.

Review the mental health and disability support services. Check if the university offers free counselling, diagnostic assessments for dyslexia, or automatic deadline extensions for students with chronic illnesses. Do not wait until you are struggling to find out the support system is inadequate.

Analyse employment rates and average starting salaries

Use the Discover Uni dataset to find the Graduate Outcomes survey results. This data shows exactly what graduates are doing 15 months after finishing their specific course. Look specifically for the percentage of graduates in highly skilled employment or further study. A high percentage working in retail 15 months later suggests the degree holds little weight with graduate employers.

Compare the Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO) data. This uses HMRC tax records to track actual graduate earnings three and five years after graduation.

Compare the specific industry links each university offers. Check if the course includes a placement year or a study abroad option. A year in industry provides tangible experience and often leads to a graduate job offer from the placement provider. Read the graduate careers guide to understand what employers look for in your chosen sector.

Investigate the university careers service. Check if they offer CV workshops, mock interviews, and exclusive graduate job fairs. A proactive careers service will actively connect you with local employers, while a poor one will simply point you towards a generic job board.

Calculate your local living costs and rent affordability

Research the cost of university-owned halls of residence. Look at the price difference between catered and self-catered rooms, and between en-suite and shared bathroom options. You must also research the private rental market in the surrounding city. You will likely move into a private house share in your second and third years.

Use our rent affordability calculator to see if your student finance will cover the local average rent. If the numbers do not add up, you will need a part-time job or parental support just to survive.

Consider the transport links. If you plan to travel home frequently, check the train fares and coach routes. A university three hours away might cost £100 per round trip, whereas a local university allows you to commute from home and save thousands on rent.

Investigate the local part-time job market. If you need to work alongside your studies, you need a city with a thriving hospitality or retail sector. A small, isolated campus university might offer limited employment opportunities compared to a major city like Leeds or Birmingham. Check local job boards to see how many student-friendly roles are currently advertised.

Use the table below to compare how regional locations impact your basic living costs.

Tour the campus and speak to current students

Book open days for your top three to five choices. Prepare a list of specific questions before you arrive. Do not ask questions you can answer by reading the website. Ask current student ambassadors about the reality of living there. Ask them what they dislike about the course, how responsive the lecturers are, and whether the library gets too crowded during exam season.

Check the specific facilities for your subject. If you study engineering, inspect the laboratories and 3D printers. If you study media, check the booking system for camera equipment and editing suites. Ask how easy it is to access these facilities during peak times. A university might boast about a million-pound studio, but if 500 students share it, your access will be severely limited.

Walk around the local town or city centre. Check the distance from the main student accommodation to the lecture theatres. A campus university puts everything in one place, while a city university spreads buildings across multiple postcodes. Read the student housing section to understand the pros and cons of different accommodation types. Check the local supermarkets. If the only nearby shop is a premium convenience store, your weekly food bill will skyrocket.

Select your firm and insurance choices strategically

Review your initial research. Compare the conditional offers you received. Your insurance choice must have lower entry requirements than your firm choice. If both require AAA, your insurance choice offers no safety net. If you miss your grades, you will lose both places simultaneously.

If you receive no offers from your initial five choices, or if you decline them all, you can use UCAS Extra. This service opens on 26 February 2026. It allows you to apply to one additional course at a time until 1 July 2026. Use this lifeline if your predicted grades were too ambitious or if you completely change your mind about your subject.

Before making your final firm choice, attend an applicant offer-holder day. Universities invite successful applicants back to campus in the spring. These days provide deeper subject-specific lectures and allow you to meet the exact cohort of students you will study alongside. Treat this as your final interview of the university.

Make a final pros and cons list for your top two choices. Weigh the teaching quality against the living costs. Balance the graduate outcomes against the location. Make the decision based on your personal priorities, not where your friends are going or where your parents studied.

For more guidance on managing your money, choosing accommodation, and planning your career, explore the rest of thegrads.uk.