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Posted Feb. 4, 2013

How to Choose the Right University for Postgraduate Study

With so many universities to choose from for your postgraduate study, knowing which one to pick can be brain busting.

What makes one university better than the next? It's more than just league tables and surveys that's for sure.

Focusing on which universities are better than others will most likely leave you feeling stressed. 'Better' is a pretty awkward concept after all. If you take a look at the league tables, one university may be ranked higher for Law than another. Student surveys may reveal that Leeds offers a better experience than Plymouth. Employers may favour students that graduate from Dartmouth. Problem is, this is subject to change with every year so there is no sure-fire way to guarantee you're going to get the best education by sticking to statistics.

If we were to start naming some of the creme de la creme, you might be in for a surprise...

A recent national Research Assessment Exercise ranked the University of Essex ninth for the quality of their research, which is above Bristol, Sheffield and a whole host of other better acknowledged contenders. To top it off the figures regarding their social, political and economic research recognition eclipses those of leading universities such as Oxford and Cambridge.

When it comes to university life measuring quality can be a little more difficult. The 2011 National Student Survey pointed the finger towards Cambridge allowing them to take the trophy for first place, with Oxford and St. Andrews clocking in at joint second. But with the release of the 2012 edition, St Mary's University College Belfast snagged the number one title for itself- boasting the nation's happiest students!

At the end of the day your postgraduate success will not be down to where you choose to carry out your postgraduate study, but what you put in to it. Don't feel pressured to apply to a given university because of how they look on paper. Choose the one that feels right for you.

Go to the university open days and make the most of the experiences you can gain from them. If you're after a lively student experience immerse yourself in all the activities that they have to offer. If you want to ensure you're brushing shoulders with the best academic minds try quizzing fellow students. This way you'll have a much better idea of what to expect and will be in a much better position for making an informed decision.

Have you got any advice on how to choose the right university for postgraduate study that you'd like to share?

If so we'd love to hear from you...
 

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