How to Choose a Course at University

Let’s face it, deciding what you want to study at university – whether for three, four, five years or more – is a big deal. We’ve gathered together some of the most important things to consider to help you make your decision that little bit easier!

What do you really want?

The first step is figuring out what you want to do. It’s best not to be too specific at the beginning of your search – what subjects do you enjoy most and what subjects are you good at? Create a shortlist or a mind map to help you explore the right type of courses.

At the University of Stirling, we offer over 220 course combinations which means you may be able to combine degrees and not have to choose between two of your favourite subjects!

ProTip: Our Course Finder can help. Type in an area of interest (e.g. Biology) and all related courses will be presented to you in a handy list.

Dig a little deeper

Don’t make a decision based on the title of a course alone, but have a look at the modules included, how teaching is structured and the assessments. You can find this information on each course page.

You can also find out what the entry requirements are, including routes of entry for international students and advanced entry from college.

What can you do after graduation?

Studying at university is the first step in a much bigger adventure, so it’s a good idea to think about what career you would like to pursue once you graduate. For example, a degree in computing would put you in a great position for a career in web or games development.

ProTip: All of our course pages have an “After you graduate” section which outlines the range of jobs you can take advantage of and explains how the course prepares you for the world of work.

Ask around

You don’t have to make this decision on your own. Talk to people you trust about your ideas, so they can support you. This could be family, friends, teachers or even careers advisors. It’s always good to bounce ideas off other people and they might even have some useful experience that they can share with you.

ProTip: There are lots of testimonials from Stirling students and graduates who have been there, done that. Check them out on our website.

The extracurriculars

Find out what other opportunities are available for students on each course – think about industry placements, internships, time studying abroad and more. These extra opportunities are often embedded in courses here at Stirling and can help you to fill your CV so you’ll have plenty of skills and experience to talk about to graduate employers.

Did you know that students who go abroad are 7% higher average wage earners, six months after graduation?*

Go with your gut

Doing lots of research and speaking to other people can help, but only you can decide which course is right for you so trust your instincts. No matter what course you choose, the University of Stirling promises flexibility and lots of exciting opportunities. We can’t wait to welcome you to the campus in 2019!

Did you know: If you missed out on our undergraduate Open Day, you can still explore the University of Stirling campus via our virtual tour.

We’re always here to help! If you have any questions about a course, please get in touch.

*Universities UK International, Gone International Report 2018

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