How are the guides organised?

Guides are grouped into six areas that follow the journey from first shortlist to first job: choosing a university, admissions, funding, study skills, degrees and credits, and life after graduation.

Do the guides cover all countries?

General concepts apply everywhere. Country-specific pages currently focus on UK applications via UCAS. US-specific content covering the College Board and Federal Student Aid system is planned next.

Where do the facts and figures come from?

Every statistic links to its official source — bodies such as HESA, the Office for Students, the Student Loans Company and the European Commission ECTS Guide. The source and the academic year are shown on each page.

Can a guide tell me whether I will be accepted?

No. Admission decisions involve factors we do not have access to. The guides explain how admissions processes work and what institutions say they look for. For entry requirements and offer rates, check the programme page on the university's own website or on the official comparison tool.

Choosing a university

How to build a university shortlist

Turn a long list into five or six programs you can compare properly.

GuideTool: Shortlist toolChart

What this guide covers

This guide explains how to build a university shortlist in plain terms. It is written for future students and covers the key concepts you need without assuming prior knowledge.

Key concepts

The core ideas in this guide are explained step by step. Where a term has a specific meaning in higher education, it is linked to the glossary.

Full guide content will appear here on launch.

Questions about choosing a university

: Guides are grouped into six areas that follow the journey from first shortlist to first job: choosing a university, admissions, funding, study skills, degrees and credits, and life after graduation.
: General concepts apply everywhere. Country-specific pages currently focus on UK applications via UCAS. US-specific content covering the College Board and Federal Student Aid system is planned next.
: Every statistic links to its official source — bodies such as HESA, the Office for Students, the Student Loans Company and the European Commission ECTS Guide. The source and the academic year are shown on each page.
: No. Admission decisions involve factors we do not have access to. The guides explain how admissions processes work and what institutions say they look for. For entry requirements and offer rates, check the programme page on the university's own website or on the official comparison tool.

More in Choosing a university

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