Where to study?

What do you need to think about when deciding where to study? For creative arts and design subjects, there are two very important factors: the style of tuition and location. In addition to these will be more general factors such as facilities and opportunities to study abroad.

It is important to think about what you would like to get out of your time in higher education as this will directly affect where and what you will want to study. It is best to have a good look at the courses and institutions before applying so you can get a feel for both the learning and living side.  Here are some of the factors that might affect your decision making

• Campus vs Non-Campus

Campus institutions tend to promote a bit more of a community feeling – often halls of residence, teaching and a variety of shops and pubs are clustered on campus. Non-Campus universities are often situated away from their halls of residence and students can expect to be more scattered.

In the non-campus option, you may find yourself a little more independent but without an obvious community; in a campus your community is all around you but you may find yourself in a bit of a bubble.

• City Based vs Non-City

It is very important to think about where you want to live when applying for higher education. One of the biggest choices here will be between an institution in a big city and one outside of a big city. This is a deeply personal choice, so think hard. Generally speaking, institutions outside of the city are far more likely to be more traditional campuses with nearby halls of residence. Those in the city are more likely to be a little more scattered. But remember, that this may not always be the case.

• Style of learning

How you want to learn is also central to this decision-making process. Some institutions, and even some courses within institutions, are more practical and vocational in both training and assessment. Others are likely to be more seminar and lecture focused. Some institutions and courses may even combine elements of both!