How to Choose a Degree Course in the UK
You’ll spend three or four years on it, so it’s worth looking past league tables. Here’s how to compare degree courses on the things that matter to you.
The short version
- Start with the subject: choose something you’re genuinely interested in and check what each course actually teaches, module by module.
- Compare how courses are taught and assessed, including contact hours, exams versus coursework, and placements or years abroad.
- Use Discover Uni, the official UK site for comparing undergraduate courses, to see student satisfaction and graduate outcomes.
- Check entry requirements carefully, including required subjects and admissions tests, not just grades.
- Make sure an English provider is on the Office for Students Register before you commit.
Choosing a degree means making two decisions at once: what to study and where to study it. Both matter, and the best choice for you might not be the one at the top of a league table. Here’s a practical way to compare your options.
Start with the subject
You’ll spend most of your time on your subject, so interest matters. Ask yourself:
- Which subjects do you enjoy studying, not just score well in?
- Do you want to go deeper into something you know, or try something new, such as psychology, law or engineering?
- Does the career you have in mind require a particular degree? Medicine, dentistry, veterinary science and architecture do, and some professional routes need a course accredited by a professional body.
If you’re unsure, broad subjects or joint honours courses keep more doors open.
Look at what the course actually teaches
Two courses with the same title can be very different. On each university’s course page, check:
- Modules: which are compulsory and which you can choose.
- Teaching: lectures, seminars, labs or studio time, and roughly how many contact hours you’ll get.
- Assessment: the balance of exams, essays, projects and practical work.
- Extras: placement years, years abroad and opportunities to work with employers.
Study tip
Download the module list for each course on your shortlist and highlight the modules you’d be excited to take. The course with the most highlights is often a better guide than its ranking.
Compare with official data
Discover Uni is the official UK website for comparing undergraduate courses. For many courses, it shows:
- Student satisfaction from the National Student Survey
- What graduates were doing after their course
- Typical entry qualifications and continuation rates
Use it to compare like with like, such as the same subject at different universities, and treat small differences with caution.
Check the entry requirements
Entry requirements are more than grades. Look for:
- Required subjects, such as A level maths for many engineering and economics courses.
- Admissions tests for some subjects and universities.
- Interviews, portfolios or auditions for courses such as medicine, art and design, and performing arts.
- Contextual offers, which some universities make to applicants from certain backgrounds or schools.
Have a mix of courses on your list: some with requirements above your predicted grades, some that match them and at least one a little below.
Think about the place, too
- Location and cost of living: big cities offer more, but rent can be much higher.
- Campus or city: some universities are self-contained; others are spread across a city.
- Distance from home: consider travel costs and how often you want to go back.
- Support: look at accommodation guarantees, wellbeing services and disability support.
Open days, in person or online, are the best way to get a feel for a place. Talk to current students as well as staff.
Check the provider is registered
In England, universities and colleges that offer higher education should be on the Office for Students (OfS) Register. GOV.UK points out that not all colleges that teach degrees can award them, and a degree that isn’t officially recognised may not be accepted by employers or other universities. Our guide to checking a university is recognised explains how.
Your shortlist
Once you’ve narrowed your list to five courses, our UCAS application guide covers the deadlines for 2027 entry, and our guide to student finance explains how you’ll pay for it.
Questions students ask
Should I pick a subject for a particular career?
Some careers need specific degrees, such as medicine, dentistry or architecture, and some professional roles need accredited courses. Many graduate jobs accept any subject, so interest and ability often matter more than the subject name.
How much should league tables count?
They can be a starting point, but each table weighs different things, and an overall ranking says little about a particular course. Look at course-level information and visit if you can.
What’s a foundation year?
It’s an extra year of study at the start of some degrees, designed for students who don’t meet the usual entry requirements or are changing subject. It adds a year of fees and living costs, so weigh it up carefully.
Can I change course after starting?
Often, especially early in the first year, but it depends on the university and the course. Talk to your department and student services before deciding, and check how a change affects your student finance.
This guide is general information for students in the UK. Dates, fees and rules change, so always check the latest details with UCAS, GOV.UK, Student Finance England or your university or college before making decisions.
