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How to choose between your university offers

Get help and advice from University of Plymouth students on making your firm and insurance UCAS choices

When you receive your offers from the universities you have applied to, this will start the next round of decisions: which of these offers should you choose? You need to select two – one firm choice and one insurance. Your firm choice needs to be your favourite university, where you really want to study. Your insurance choice is your back-up option.

There’s lots of research you can do to narrow down your choices. Think about what’s most important to you and what will help you to get the most out of your university experience – course, accommodation, location, social scene?

Here are some things to consider that might help you decide:

1. Make sure you would be happy at your insurance university
The offer for your insurance choice is usually a couple of grades lower, just in case you don’t get the grades you were predicted. But make sure you choose an insurance university that you would be happy at, as it’s a possibility that you might end up there.

2. Attend an offer holder day
These days are for students who have received an offer from the university and can provide more in-depth information than open days. Go along and ask as many questions as possible, it is a great opportunity to grill current students, support services and academics!

3. Research the Students’ Union
What are the facilities like? Does it have the clubs and societies you want to join?

4. Explore the accommodation
Do you mind sharing or do you want en suite facilities? What are the communal areas like? Are the rent costs realistic for you? How far from the halls to campus?

5. Look around the local area
You’ll be living in the city for at least three years so make sure you’re comfortable there and it has all the amenities you want.

6. Think about location
If you’re looking at campus universities, how close to town are you? Is it easy to get home after a night out?

7. Research the course
Universities don’t follow a curriculum, so check what modules they offer. Will you get a chance to study your favourite topics? Is there a placement year?

8. Be realistic
Before you start any research make sure that the conditions of your offer are achievable and you understand all the requirements – some have non-academic conditions attached. It is great to try to aim for something higher, but if it’s not feasible then maybe that is not the one for you.

9. Other things you might need
What support services are there? Can the careers team help you find a job during, and after, university? Do you need any specialist help whilst at university?