Are you excited to embark on a new journey now that you’ve got your SPM results? If you’re looking forward to new experiences and gaining a new lease of confidence, then enrolling yourself in a college or university will definitely prove to be one of the best decisions you’ll ever make.

Location

First off, decide where in the world you want to be. Would you like to experience the great British culture and weather? Then the UK should be your first option. Or if you’re looking for sun and a lot of outdoor social activities, Australia is a brilliant study destination. Alternatively, consider the US if you’re intrigued with its financial district or economic powers. Once you’ve decided on the location, narrow down the districts or areas. This will make your decision-making process a lot easier.

Universities

When you’ve decided on an area, say Central London in the UK, list down the universities in that surrounding area. It’s worth including universities that aren’t just centrally located as there are great public transportation systems these days, which would enable you to get to the university within an hour. For instance, it’s worth considering places like Middlesex although you’ve decided on Central London, as Middlesex is only about a half hour ride on a fast train.

Campus surroundings

It’s important to take into account your campus surroundings. Would you like it to be closer to town and amenities, wish to study in a place surrounded by greenery or prefer it right next to the sea? Many students who love running off to the beaches for a bit of volleyball, swimming and sun tanning end up going to Brighton University, situated in Brighton in the UK. Choosing the right location will not only help you study better, but it also works as a motivation for you to further indulge in hobbies.

Courses

Shortlist a couple of universities in various locations and look at the courses available. Do they have your desired course? It’s also important to check the university and courses against the Times Higher Education university rankings. It’s not always important for a university to make it into the ranking list, but if it does, then that’s a bonus point. It’s also always helpful to know about student satisfaction level, graduate employment opportunities and the facilities available.

Fees

Now, consider the course fees. The more prestigious a university, the more expensive the fees are. Think Brown University, MIT, Cambridge University, Harvard and Oxford University. Fees are also relatively higher when the university’s situated in the city centre. The further you get away, the cheaper the fees will get. There are always scholarships available too, so don’t be disheartened if the course at your dream university is too expensive.

Hotcourses is here to help!

Look on our website and you’ll find all the information you need to get into a college or university. You can look at all available courses from a wide range of universities from the UK, US, Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Singapore and even Malaysia. Browse for scholarships or if you’re confused, read reviews from present and past students about their university experiences. We also provide articles on visas, course details, accommodation and fun things you can do whilst you’re in a particular country. Above all, your search will be so much easier as you’ll get to shortlist your preferred options and compare them on all sorts of criteria.

GOOD LUCK!