Choosing a University

Every course and every university is different and each student wants different things. The chances of finding a perfect match can be a challenge despite over 150 universities and universitylevel higher education colleges in the UK and the wide range of courses available. You will almost certainly need to decide what is most important to you. Do you want the best course or one that is quite good but offers the options you really want? Do you want the ideal work placement or the course with the least continuous assessment? It is all a matter of priorities which you feel are important for you, after all you will be the one who has to study on the course and you maybe living there for over three years or more.

So choosing the right course at the right university for you will require some research. The more research you put into the process the more likely you will make the right decision. Doing your homework will pay-off. A happy student makes for happy lecturers and happy parents. Once you have done all the reading, visiting and talking you can complete your UCAS application in the full knowledge that you have made a fully informed choice that you are happy with. It is good experience for life and future job applications.

This will then free you up to focus on your studies and ensure that you hit the grades which will actually get you to your univeristy and your course of choice. Good luck!

So how do you go about choosing a university?

For some, the choice of subject and type of course will narrow down the number of possible universities to just a few. If you want to study veterinary science, there are only seven places you can go in the UK. If you want to study Burmese, there is only one (it's SOAS, the School of Oriental and African Studies). For many, though, particularly if you are interested in one of the major subjects such as English, chemistry, law or mechanical engineering, there may be 30 or more similar courses so do your homework.

It is costly to change courses or change universities and difficult to break the news to your parents and friends. Research into the reasons why students leave universities early in the course often finds that choosing the wrong course was an important factor. It is crucial to do good research and decide carefully.

The Location
Where do you want to go?
Do you really like your family or do you want to get as far away as possible? Do you want to visit your boyfriend or girlfriend every weekend (or, perhaps, want an excuse not to)? Do you want to find the cheapest way of going to university?

One way or another, location is likely to be an important factor. If you want to live at home, the decision might be straightforward. If you live in or near to London there could easily be half a dozen local universities to choose from. If you want to go away from home, then distance or travel time to and from home might be a factor. Whether you go away to university or remain living at home either experience will be quite different. Going away to university may give you a greater sense of freedom than staying at home. Living away from your family and the town where you currently live may make your life less restrictive. You are free to choose. Relocating away from home means that you will be free to study and socialise as and when you like without having to worry about getting the last bus home. Moving away from home will almost certainly be more expensive. Have you discussed financial arrangements with your family. Are you able to get a part-time job? To happily live away from home will require you to be much more self-reliant, with a need to take responsibility for shopping and cooking for yourself maybe for the first time. Home does offer some emotional security and leaving home is a big decision. It is also a great way to mature and transit into adulthood.

Moving away from home may improve your graduate employability. Graduate employment research has evidenced that students who leave home develop selfsufficiency far sooner and therefore have potentially better job prospects than those who stay with family. The family safety-net has gone and students, to be successful, will need to learn that laundry does not wash itself. These are excellent life-skills! These life skills of self-sufficiency are very transferrable into the workplace.

Some 'local' students choose to experience the best of both worlds. They choose a university 30 miles or less from home, live on campus in first year (experiencing university life to the full, making friends and networks) and then have the option of moving back home in subsequent years. Students who choose a sandwich course or placement year sometimes opt for placement jobs closer to home or vice versa to save money or experience living away from home. Courses involving a year abroad are available to all students whether they have lived at home or moved away.

Looking at a specific location. If a particular town or city interests you, it is advisable to look at the geographical location of the university or universities you are interested in.

Is the location city-centre or several miles outside? The former will be handy for ammentities and night-life but may be noisier and less picturesque. The latter may be located in a beautiful setting but if you have to live off-campus there could be high travel costs and restricted access late on Sunday evenings. Don't forget that some larger cities have more than one university.

The town or city facilities might be a priority for you. Your time at university will be an opportunity for you to pursue your interests in a way you may never be able to again. Access to many things, such as sports facilities could be very cheap and you will probably have some time to become seriously involved if you wish. Whether you like to dance the night away, follow the Premier League or haunt the theatre, or engage in volunteering choosing the right location will help to fulfill your dreams and aspirations.

Bear in mind that the prospectuses frequently boast about the attractive surrounding countryside, but unless you have a particular interest that takes you there, such as climbing or fell walking, it is doubtful if you will spend much time taking in the sights. Our university profiles describe each university's location and locale. The city profiles give an indication of the sporting and cultural opportunities available, together with notes on pubs, clubs and shopping facilities.

The cost of living

Then, of course, there is the cost. Generally, the south of England and London are more expensive places to live than the rest of the UK so if cost is significant for you do take this into account.

What Sort of University Do You Want To Go To?

As you might expect universities are not all the same. At one extreme is an ancient collegiate university, a world leader in research and offering traditional academic courses, with most students achieving AAA or better at A level, large numbers of postgraduates and many overseas students. At the other extreme is a very locally-orientated university which does little research and offers more vocational courses to a higher percentage of students from the local area, many of whom are mature (over 21 years) and do not have A levels.

Both universities may be very good at what they do. Each university-type will offer a different student experience. What is important is to think about what is right for you.

Old or new university.

Generally, older universities will do more research, recruit a higher proportion of school leavers and offer more traditional academic courses. Newer universities will be more locally and vocationally-orientated and recruit more mature and part-time students. If you are interested in what is an old university and a new one, find out when the institution became a university. New universities gained university status (changing from polytechnics) in 1992. Institutions who gained university status before 1992 are classed as old universities they were founded between 1200 and the late 1960s. Don't always assume that having a crest or old style logo means old university and vice versa. Old universities sometimes have modern outlooks and fresh logos to reflect this, while some new universities want to create a sense of history.

The right course for you is a greater priority than the age of the establishment.

Large or small university

Universities also vary greatly in size, from fewer than 2,000 students to over 30,000. A small university might be perceived to be more personal and cosier with more facilities to go around; it may have slightly fewer facilities and non-academic activities. A big university will be busier and may feel more impersonal (lectures can be delivered to hundreds of students at a time). There may be a lot more activities taking place.

Student numbers are only a guide to where a university sits on this spectrum. Some large universities are divided into colleges, creating a small university feel within a big university context; others are located on several relatively small sites in city locations therefore possessing all the advantages of a big university.

Quality and Reputation

Most people would like to go to the best university that they can. Rankings are helpful. By bringing together a variety of measures the League Table rankings try to give a reasonable and independent basis for deciding how good a university or a subject within a university really is. Differences of a few places in the table are insignificant, but a university in the top ten is doing a lot better in most or all of the variables than one in the bottom ten or even in the middle. It is clear from that even the best universities vary in quality across subjects. Some universities perform consistently well and appear in the top 20 of many subject tables while others come low down in the main table but have one or two very good departments that do well in the subject tables. So it is important to look at the main League Table alongside the Subject Tables.

Teaching quality is measured using the outcomes of the National Student Survey. This is an annual survey of final-year students asking about their experiences as a student. It is not a direct measure of quality rather it indicates how satisfied students were with the experience they had. As with all satisfaction surveys, it can be influenced by expectations: a student who expects to get a very good experience from a top-quality university may rate it lower than a student who was surprised by the experience they received at a less well-respected university. This level of subjectivity ought to be taken into account when looking at the results.

As ever, quality comes at a price. An Oxford degree 'costs' more than other universities, though in this case the currency is examination results rather than cash (though see also the section on Cost). Look at the entry standards column in the League Table ranking and you will see that it follows the overall ranking fairly closely. In other words, universities higher in the league tables will, in general, ask for higher grades than those lower down the table.

Your results. You will need to make a judgement about how well you are going to do in your school or college examinations and choose universities where you have a realistic chance of meeting the entry requirements. If you are taking A levels and are predicted to achieve AAA you may have more choices available to you. If you are being predicted CCC these grades may well exclude you from most of the universities near the top of the table.

This does not mean it is not worth applying.

The Facilities
The facilities offered by universities are fairly similar to one another. All will have a library, a sports centre, a health service, a careers service and so on. If there is something that is particularly important for you it is worth checking it out before you apply. You could even create a speadsheet with a list of key facilities to build your own university facilities checklist. Accommodation will be important if you are going away from home. Is there an accommodation guarantee for first-year students? What about later years? If you are an avid on-line gamer you will want to know if the rooms have broadband or wireless access and whether there is a cost attached. If you are often out late socialising you may want to know where the accommodation is located so you and your family can be reassured that you can return home late at night and you will feel safe doing so. If you are unable to live in university accommodation for the duration of your course find out where the private accommodation is located check out the surrounding ammenities e.g. shops, nightclubs and the laundrette. Will you feel safe there late at night?

If you have a particular minority interest you would like to follow while at university, then this could be a decision-making factor. Most universities will have sports pitches and clubs, societies and unions. Climbing walls and an Ultimate Frisbee society may be harder to find. The students' union will be able to tell you about sport and leisure facilites.

Students' Unions (sometimes called Students' Guilds or Student Associations) have always been an important aspect of student life. They have evolved from the traditional image of providers of cheap beer and student protests. The modern entrepreneurial union will have a wide range of services from food and stationery outlets through to comprehensive advice services. Increasingly they are providers of part-time employment for students and are becoming involved in personal skills development. Inevitably some are more active and innovative than others, so they are worth exlporing further. Our University Profiles give a summary of each university's Students' Union.

Over the years as the financial position of students has worsened universities have responded by setting up employment agencies or Job Shops. These are generally located in the careers services or Students' Union buildings. The agencies use their contacts with employers to help to identify suitable employment opportunities. The agencies will also help to ensure that rates of pay and hours of work are reasonable and within statutory guidelines. If you think you may become short of cash, a good employment agency of this type could be vital to your financial stability. Do take a look at the individual University Profiles for information on the availability of part-time work.

If you have any special needs, do take the time to ensure that your needs will be catered for by the universities that you are applying to.

All universities will have a comprehensive understanding of the Disability and Equality Act 2010 and its legislative requirements. Some universities with newer buildings make accessibility much easier while others that have older buildings might make accessibility more challenging. If in doubt have the confidence to ask.

Be sure you find the institution that you feel will support you to have the best student experience possible.

The Cost
Cost has always been a factor in the decision-making process. Since 2012 entry English universities have been granted permission to charge tuition fees of up to 9,000 per academic year. Welsh and Scottish universities are also able to charge English students up to 9,000 per academic year. Most English students applying to English universities will be subject to tuition fees. Different arrangements are applicable accross England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. For the minority of students moving from one country in the UK to another there is a more complex arrangement. Read University Tuition Fees for the up-to-date information and how tuition fees might affect you.

Universities have introduced bursary/scholarship schemes to assist students who are from lowincome backgrounds and for students who wish to study shortage subjects. In order to find out how much it will cost to study at a particular university you will have to check their fees and your potential eligibility for any of their bursary schemes. Read about bursaries and scholarships.

Even then, this may not give you the full picture, as costs vary accross institutions. Ask the question. If you wish to be thorough, ask universities how much it will cost for you to join the sports centre, connect to WiFi, use the library photocopier or bring your family to your graduation ceremony. Many universities supply this type of detail in their prospectus and on their website. If you are planning to start university in 201314, use our Student Loan Repayment Calculator for an insight into how much you may need to repay and how long it may take.

In summary, underestimate cost at your peril and remember to budget for your social life too.

Making the Decision

Compile a short list of possible universities. For some, location will be critical and this will immediately narrow down the choice. Others may be keen to go to a prestigious or high-ranking university and then have to consider whether they can meet the entry requirements. Some students may be particularly keen to carry on with a minority sport and so will want to go to one of the two or three places where they can do this. For most, it is a combination of factors such as these that will result in the elimination of most universities, so that a manageable list of perhaps ten or fifteen will emerge. Then the detailed work begins.

The first sources of information will be the undergraduate prospectus, website and app. These are the main recruiting documents that universities produce and should include most of what you will need to know, including details of courses, facilities and entry requirements. Prospectuses and websites are not impartial; they are designed by the marketing and advertising department to make the university seem attractive. The sun is always shining in prospectus photographs. Good quality prospectuses and websites will give you a feel for a university's priorities. Nothing replaces a face-to-face visit. The website will generally have the most up-to-date module choice and financial details. Our University Profiles include links to the individual university websites. The website might give you the chance to take a virtual tour of the university. Departments will usually have their own sites and you can often access student handbooks for all the detail you will ever need about courses, options, teaching methods and assessment.

Tricks of the prospectus trade

Graduates always get interesting jobs. There may have been one student who twenty years ago became an astronaut. What are the usual employment routes available to graduates from the course? Data and 'graduate level employment' or the graduate data from our subject rankings is a better guide. Famous bands or top media personalities hang around the Students' Union but when did the chart-topping act whose photograph features in the prospectus actually come to the campus? On a typical week (as opposed to the freshers' week or summer ball when all the stops are pulled out) what will be the entertainment or guest lecture programme?

Other sources of information. In addition to the prospectus, many universities will produce a series of departmental booklets, which will give more detail about individual subject areas.

Another easy way of obtaining a pile of prospectuses and departmental booklets is to visit a higher education fair where most universities will have a stand to give out information. You may also get an opportunity to ask specific questions to a representative from the university. A list of the events for applicants starting university in 2013 14 can be obtained from the UCAS website.

If you are still unclear about entry requirements, check University & College Entrance: the Official UCAS Guide or the entry profiles on the UCAS website. If you want more information about employment or about how happy students are with their courses or about what external examiners have had to say, you can go to the Unistats website.

A personal visit to the university can also be very helpful. You can get a feel for the atmosphere of a university and find out just how far you will have to walk between the lecture theatres and the students' union when it is raining. Don't forget that open days are designed to make you want to apply and so you should be critical of what you see and hear, just like when you read a prospectus and look at the website. If you are unable to make the date of the Open Day, some departments might make arrangements for you to visit more informally during the summer. A few universities offer residential visits or accommodation viewing days, which allow a more extended and comprehensive look at the university.

While trawling through all these sources of information, you will no doubt talk to friends, parents, teachers, careers advisers and anyone else who comes within range. While it is good to talk, times have changed. A parent or teacher may have some relevant experience, this might be 20 or 30 years ago. Universities have changed a lot since then. Go and see for yourself.

Checklist choosing a university

Which universities offer your chosen subject? Where are they ranked? How far away from home do you want to go? Which facilities are important to you? Have you looked at the website? Have you got a copy of the prospectus(es)? Is there an Open Day you can attend? What are the costs of going to university? Is the library open 24 hours a day; how far is it from your accommodation? Does the university cater for your hobbies or interests? What are the career prospects like? Is there a culture of students taking placement years, sandwich placements or year abroad programmes, if that is important to you? What is the campus like location, single site, low travel costs?

International Study in France

Why study abroad in France?
As one of the UKs nearest neighbours, France is an obvious choice for study abroad, with easy travel with Eurostar via Paris to many parts of the country. France's 83 public universities are funded by the national government, which closely regulates the 'national diplomas' granted by the universities. This system allows the universities to offer students an excellent education at a very affordable price. French universities are of high quality, with two Parisian institutions ranked in the Top 100 of the 2011 QS World University Rankings: Ecole Normale Suprieur (ENS) (33) and Ecole Polytechnique Paris Tech (36). Some 33 undergraduate programmes are entirely English-taught and a total of more than 450 at either undergraduate or masters level.

Entry and visa regulations

UK residents do not need a visa and may apply directly to the institution(s). Students seeking to enter the first year of higher education in France apply through the online post-baccalaurat admission process Admission post-bac (APB) in common with all French students. Applications for the 201213 academic year have closed dates for the 201314 academic year have yet to be confirmed but are likely to be from late January to mid-March 2013.

Funding your study

Annual tuition rates at Frances public institutions are set by law and are identical for home and international students. The rates for the 201112 academic year range from 144 for an undergraduate course to 200 for a masters. Additional fees may be assessed for specific services. Tuition rates at private institutions particularly schools of business and management are higher (from 2,400 to 8,000 a year). Some specific scholarships exist for certain courses of study (doctors, engineers, etc) details from the cultural service of the French Embassy in the country of origin.

There is a well-established student housing system of Cits Universitaires (student residences) run by CNOUS/CROUS. UK students can apply for a grant from the local Caisse dAllocation Familiale (CAF) to receive a student rebate for part of the rent.

Grants can be awarded on social criteria details from CROUS. A claim must be made between the 15 February and 30 April for a course starting in the next academic year.

France is not a cheap country. Typical prices (in GBP, May 2012) are:

Meal in an inexpensive restaurant: 7.00. Domestic beer (0.5 litre draught): 2.50. Cappuccino (regular): 1.20. Coke/Pepsi (0.33 litre bottle): 1.20. Milk (regular), 1 litre: 0.65. Loaf of white bread (500g): 0.70. One-way ticket (local transport): 1.00. 1 minute of prepaid mobile tariff local: 0.15. Cinema, 1 seat: 6.50. Rent per month, apartment (1 bedroom) in city centre: 517 (average).

Health and safety

Frances health care system is among the best in the world. EU students with an European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) are exempt from the requirement to take out health insurance. Generally considered a safe country in which to live, with the expected exemptions for certain inner city areas and in the case of Paris, suburbs.

International Study in Denmark

Universities in Denmark

QS Rank University 51 University of Copenhagen 89 132 318 352 Aarhus University Technical University of Denmark University of Southern Denmark Aalborg University
View the full table

Why study abroad in Denmark?

Despite its small population only 5.5 million Denmark ranks as one of the world's most innovative countries thanks to a strong emphasis on research and high-quality education. The countrys higher education institutions work closely with business to offer an up -to-date learning environment where you can learn from industry experts and undertake internships in globally recognised organisations. Two of Denmarks universities are ranked in the Top 100 of the 2011 QS World University Rankings: University of Copenhagen (52) and Aarhus University (79). Tuition is free for students from other EU states but the cost of living is comparatively high and accommodation in demand.

Read Daniel's story about leaving Cornwall to study in Denmark Read Amelia's story about being an exchange student in Denmark

Entry and visa regulations

UK citizens, in common with EU/European Economic Area citizens or Swiss nationals, do not require a visa to enter Denmark and may stay for up to three months without a residence permit. A longer stay requires a registration certificate (for EU/EEA citizens) or a residence card (for Swiss nationals), obtained from the Regional State Administration (Statsforvaltningen) within three months of arrival in Denmark. Non-Danish citizens who do not have a Danish entrance examination are eligible for admission if they have qualifications recognised as being comparable to Danish entrance qualifications.

Applicants who are native English speakers are exempted from English language proficiency test requirements. Proof of proficiency in Danish is required for admission to programmes taught in Danish, and applicants will be required to take a test.

Funding your study

Higher education in Denmark is free for students from the EU/EEA and for students participating in an exchange programme. For other students, annual tuition fees range from 490 to 13,000.

As with any international study experience accommodation and living costs must be considered. Finding a place to live often takes time. Therefore, students are advised to contact their host institution for information about housing as soon as they have been accepted into a study programme. Some international students prefer to let or sub-let a room from a Danish student or landlord. Others rent a flat or a house, which they share with friends.

Denmark is an expensive country but it is possible to live economically (prices in GBP, May 2012): Used bike: 27109. Cinema ticket: 9. Dining out: 22. Nightclub entrance: 011. Beer or a soft drink at a bar/caf: 35. Beer or a soft drink at the supermarket: 0.501.60. Latte at a caf: 34.

Health and safety

Denmark is an extremely safe country with low crime rates and a high quality public healthcare system. UK citizens in possession of a registration certificate have access to free medical examinations and treatments with exceptions such as dental care and physiotherapy. Access to free treatment is secured through production of the relevant documents at the time of

International study in Germany

Why study abroad in Germany
Germany has always packed a punch when it comes to academia. Its long list of Nobel Prize winners dates back to 1901 and includes one of the worlds most famous scholars, Albert Einstein. It is also home to many highly-rated institutions that feature prominently in international rankings. The Technische Universitt Mnchen is Germanys highest rated institution at 53 in the 2012 QS World University Rankings. Ruprecht-Karls-Universitt Heidelberg is next at 55, followed by Freie Universitt Berlin at 87. In total there are 12 German universities in the top 200 of the QS rankings. There are more than 350 institutions offering higher education in Germany, with in excess of 14,000 degree courses on offer. Germany is split into 16 Lnder (regions) and each is responsible for setting its own university fees and registration fees. More than 800 courses are offered at degree level in English in Germany, though many of these are above undergraduate level.

Entry and visa regulations

EU students do not need a visa to study in Germany, but will need to apply for a residence permit from the local resident registration office. There are two different methods of applying to university in Germany. In some cases, you apply directly to the institution, while other universities require you to use the centralised UniAssist system. Check with your chosen provider in the first case. Applications generally need to be in by mid-January for courses beginning in September. For subjects such as medicine, pharmacy and dentistry, there is a nationwide cap on the number of students who can enrol and students need to apply through the Foundation of Higher Education Admission.

Funding your study

In most Lnder tuition is free, however even in regions where fees are charged these are modest at about 800 per year. Though Germany does have a system of providing grants and loans to students, these are not available to foreign students unless they have lived in the country for five years prior to beginning study. There are some scholarships available to foreign students and the German Academic Exchange Service maintains a database of current opportunities. Most Germany universities do provide some student accommodation, but the number of beds provided is very small compared to their student population. Because costs are low, waiting lists can be very long and at some universities students have little chance of securing a place in their first year. Many students therefore opt to live in private shared accommodation instead, but this also needs to be arranged well in advance of the semester start. Students who arrive late without anywhere to live often stay in hostels upon arrival and then search for a shared flat. Accommodation costs range from about 120-320 per month, depending on location.

According to a HSBC survey, Germany is the least expensive study destination for UK students, with annual costs of just above 4,200 per year. Some typical costs include: Loaf of bread: 1.20+ Cinema ticket: 6.50 Coffee in a caf: 2 Small beer in a restaurant: 2 Pair of Levis jeans: 40-50 One litre of milk: 0.60 One way bus ticket: 1.80

As a student from an EU country, you are allowed to work part-time without any extra permit so long as you dont work more than 19 hours per week during term -time. Many students work in hospitality and customer service roles, but to secure this type of job youll need good German language skills. Hourly rates are likely to be at least on par with the UK, and in some cases slightly higher.

Health and safety

EU students are entitled to use Germanys healthcare system in the same way as nationals so long as they have a European Health Insurance Card. A consultation fee of about 8 applies to most visits to medical professionals and prescriptions cost about 4. Germany is a relatively safe destination and violent crime is rare. In 2010, the number of annual crimes in Germany fell to its lowest level in 20 years, but despite this, pickpocketing and bike theft can be a problem in some areas so remain vigilant.

International Study in the USA

Why study abroad in the USA?
The USA is one of the most popular study-abroad destinations for UK students More than 9,000 UK students are studying in the US, and that number is bound to grow as UK students evaluate the relative costs of obtaining a quality degree. The US has a large and diverse higher education sector. There are more than 3,500 higher education institutions. The US has more universities in the 2011 QS World University Rankings (31) than any other country.

Many people are aware of the reputation of the Ivy League schools a group of lite private universities that dominate the more numerous and often larger state universities. Harvard is frequently cited as the worlds leading university but in 2010 QS World University rankings it was overtaken by Cambridge (which again topped the world table in the 201112 rankings). Rankings apart, Harvard epitomises US university education. It attracts students and academics from all over the world and there are few disciplines for which it can be bettered. While the term Ivy League has overtones of academic excellence, selectivity in admissions, and social litism, it was in fact an athletic consortium first and evolved into a synonym for academic excellence. While all eight Ivy League institutions are in the 2011 12 QS World University Rankings, their positions range from Harvard (2) down to Dartmouth College (99). The leading non-Ivy League university is Michigan, in 14th place and a high-quality state university.

The university year in the US is the same as in the UK. Studies start in September and go through until the following May/June. This means if you want to study abroad in the US, you need to start planning your application at least one year in advance.

Entry and visa regulations

Full-time students will need a F-1 student visa. The required application forms will be issued by the university that has accepted your application, which, on completion, must be taken in person to the US Embassy. This visa is valid throughout the length of the programme of study and for 60 days after graduation. Study in the US as part of a student-exchange programme requires a J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa. You can find out more about these different visas from the US Embassy in London. Additional procedures apply if the applicant has ever been arrested and/or has a criminal conviction, has a medical ineligibility, or has previously been denied entry into or deported from the United States.

A-level results may count towards a US undergraduate degree something to check during preapplication research.

A number of universities, including some top schools such as Harvard and Yale, are part of the Common Application system which permits online applications to more than 465 affiliated institutions. Otherwise, applications will need to be made to the individual chosen university. As part of your application, you may need to sit an admission exam, either the SAT (Standard Assessment Test) or ACT (American College Testing) both standard tests for US college admission Universities will also request a transcript listing your marks, as well as up to three letters of reference. Finally, you will complete two or three essays covering the admissions criteria.

While there are many similarities between the UK and US education systems, one of the major differences is that medicine or law is not taught at undergraduate level in the US. Instead, students have to complete an undergraduate degree (which may or may not be in a similar field) before they can apply to a graduate school. Applicants seeking to study either medicine or law at graduate level will also have to sit a preparation exam (either the Medical College Admission Test or the Law School Admission Test).

Funding your study

Most undergraduate degrees in the US will take four year to complete, so being able to finance your way through your international study experience is paramount. International students at state universities pay more than local residents but the same as other out-of state students. Fees will start at about US$20,000 a year and can range to US$40,000 for one of the Ivy League institutions. This in itself need not be a deterrent. Harvard and other private universities operate a need-blind admissions process for all applicants, including foreign nationals. An applicant's ability to pay has no impact on admissions decisions. At Harvard University, 61.5% of full-time undergraduates receive some kind of need-based financial aid and the average need-based scholarship or grant award is $39,156.

There are other costs on top of tuition, such as textbooks, accommodation and student living. Loans are available for international students but need a US citizen as a co-signer fortunately they're not the only option. A number of scholarships are available for UK students, offered by the universities themselves as well as external bodies. More from the Fulbright Commission.

What about part-time work? UK students can work part-time while studying in the US and a Social Security number can be obtained from the US Social Security Administration.

Typical prices of some common items (prices in GBP, May 2012): Weekly supermarket shop: 32. Bus ticket from Boston to New York City: 16. Gourmet burger with fries: 6.25. Movie ticket on student days: 5. Bottle of water: 0.60.

Staying on after study

It is possible to stay on to work in the US for one year after graduation under the Optional Practical Training (OPT) scheme.

Health and safety

Medical insurance is absolutely essential for UK students in the US. There are several insurers in the market who offer student medical insurance policies. Students should compare various international student medical insurance plans before buying.

1. Never make your final college selection without visiting at least your top two or three choices. No matter how well you think you know a college or university, you can learn a lot (good or bad) by spending a few hours on campus, including whether or not the college feels like a good "fit" for you. Having family members accompany you on college visits is a great idea because it gives you extra "eyes and ears" and people with whom you can discuss your impressions.

2. There are no exceptions to rule #1.

3. A college is not necessarily right for you because its name is familiar. That might seem pretty obvious, but you wouldn't believe how many students equate educational quality with name recognition.

4. Investigate at least three or four colleges you know little or nothing about but offer the field(s) of study of interest to you, are appropriately selective for a students with your grades and SAT or ACT scores, and are located in geographic areas attractive to you. You have nothing to lose and you might make a great discovery. A little research and an open mind can greatly increase the odds that you make a good college choice.

5. There are very few worse reasons to select a college than because your friends are going there. Choosing a college because your girlfriend or boyfriend is headed there is one of them. In fact, if there is a worse reason to choose a college, it escapes us.

6. Investigate, investigate, investigate, and be sure to separate reality from (often baseless) opinions. Lots of folks will refer to a college as "good", "hard to get into", "a party school", "too expensive", etc. without really knowing the facts. Don't accept these kinds of generalizations without evidence.

7. Do not rule out colleges early because of cost. Many colleges offer scholarships, financial aid, and tuition installment plans that make them far more affordable than they may first appear. You can't/won't know how much it will cost to attend a college until the very end of the process.

8. Deadlines, whether for college applications, SAT or ACT registration, financial aid, scholarships, campus housing, etc. are not suggestions. Miss a deadline and you may find yourself in deep you-knowwhat. Write down on a calendar and adhere strictly to all deadlines.

9. Don't be afraid to apply to a few "reach schools". You might be pleasantly surprised by the results if you are not entirely unrealistic. Then, apply to at least three colleges you like which are highly likely to admit you. Remember, choose these three colleges very carefully as they are the places where you are mostly likely to wind up. Finally, choose at least two "safety" colleges. Colleges to which you are virtually certain you will be admitted. Choosing "safety" schools they don't really like is a mistake many students make. If you take the time to choose safety schools you would be happy to attend, you'll eliminate all the anxiety some students experience in the college application and admissions process.

10. When it is time to make your final choice, discuss your options with your family, your counselor (if you have one), and others who know you well and whose judgment you value. If you have a tough time choosing among two or more colleges or universities it is probably because you have done a good job putting together your list and you will be happy at whichever institution you choose. Once you make your choice, don't agonize over it. If you have followed these rules there is an excellent chance your final college choice will be a good one.