How to help your teen choose the right university
- Jul 30, 2021
- 6 min read
Updated: Jul 22
If your teen’s heart is set on going to university after sixth form, then choosing the right university will be one of the most important decisions in shaping their future, and you’ll want to help them every step of the way. The 'right' university means the right one for them. It will be different from teen to teen, even within the same family.
Get familiar with the different university types, the factors every student should consider when thinking about where to apply, and how to separate what you want from what they want, by reading on. If your teen’s not sure what they want to do after sixth form, you’ll find The Parents’ Guide to Post-18 Options useful; it’s a snapshot summary of everything they could do when they leave school. Click here to take a look.
Isn’t the right university the best university?
Let’s start with the crux of the matter: not all universities are created equal. Some have been established much longer than others and may have a better reputation, but this doesn’t necessarily mean they’re best for your teen. Older universities tend to offer more traditional degrees, which may not include the up-to-the-minute courses reflecting developments in technology and business that newer universities offer. That doesn’t mean older universities are bad, many are tremendous, but universities are different, and it’s important to consider the pros and cons when your teen’s thinking about where they’ll be happiest and most successful.
What’s in a name?
You may hear different names for universities, and it really boils down to when they were created. Don’t let different names or categories intimidate or confuse you:
Ancient universities: established before 1600 (e.g. St Andrews, Aberdeen and Dublin).
Red brick universities: established in the 1800s, usually in cities, and typically built of red brick (e.g. Birmingham, Liverpool, Nottingham).
Plate glass universities: established in the 1960s, and typically built of glass and steel (e.g. East Anglia, Kent and York).
New universities: established after 1992 (e.g. Brighton, Lincoln and Sheffield).
The Russell Group universities are 24 universities from the above groups with an excellent reputation for research, teaching and industry links. They’re considered among the top universities in the country, receive about two-thirds of all university research funds, and there’s kudos attached to getting a degree from a Russell Group university. However, their entry requirements are high, and other universities might offer more appropriate opportunities, so try not to be biased.
League tables
League tables are published annually by the Complete University Guide, The Guardian and The Times/Sunday Times. They cover a range of factors, including student satisfaction, entry standards, facilities and academic services, and focus on the full-time student experience (not part-time). They can provide an indicator of how good a university is, but don’t forget that well-established universities know how to perform well in league tables through years of experience.
Less well known, but useful in assessing a university’s standard of delivering a particular course, is its rating for the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF). Ratings (gold, silver or bronze) are decided by an independent expert panel including students, academics and employer representatives. The scheme was revised, with new ratings published from 2023, so you can look up a university’s current TEF award. Participation isn’t universal, so not every university will have a rating.
University size
Like secondary schools, universities can vary enormously in size, and the advantages and drawbacks should be considered depending on what will suit your teen best.
Large universities offer a much wider subject choice, alongside greater social opportunities and an astonishing array of clubs that encourage wonderful new hobbies that could last a lifetime. Smaller universities can’t compete with this (especially specialist establishments), but they may offer a greater sense of community and belonging. What kind of environment would suit your teen best?
Campus or city
The great advantage of campus universities is that everything is in one place: lectures, accommodation, clubs, laundries, shops and so on. They’re usually situated just outside or on the borders of larger towns, 'a town within a town'. The impression can be that they’re safer, offer fewer distractions and provide a stronger sense of community, because students tend to stay campus-based.
City universities offer the same facilities, but they’re split across the town, so travelling from one place to another is part and parcel of the package, and could cover some distance. This provides a closer experience to life in the workplace for most people, and gives students a chance to become fully immersed in the city itself. While approved accommodation may be offered in the first year or two, later in their degree students are often required to find their own accommodation independently.
Proximity to home
Flying the nest is more appealing to some than others, and this is an important consideration. Attending university is, for most students, the first time they’ve lived away from home. For some, this is exciting and appealing; for others, it’s daunting and challenging. There are practical implications too. If the university is close to home, it may be possible to avoid accommodation costs, although continuing to live in the family home can dilute the university experience in many ways.
Is it important that your teen can easily pop home at weekends, or will they adjust favourably to only returning during holidays? This might dictate which universities they consider, depending on how far they are from home.
Rural or city living
Another consideration is whether your teen prefers town or country living. A university’s location could drive many of the social activities on offer, so if your teen is happiest immersed in the countryside and loves trekking, climbing and cross-country, they could feel short-changed by being plunged into an urban setting, and vice versa. Don’t consider it trivial to focus on pastimes when choosing the right university; happiness is a primary driver of success, and a university’s environment can contribute hugely.
University open days
Most universities offer an open day for prospective students, including lectures and talks. Many now offer virtual open days as well as in-person ones, so you often have both options. Websites, literature and videos can all give an excellent sense of a university, but nothing beats a personal visit. Your teen will have a chance to meet staff and students, who can answer their questions, and get a first-hand feel for whether the university is right for them.
Where possible, do join your teen on open-day visits to give them support and guidance (it can be daunting visiting a new place, much more so when you think it could hold the key to your future happiness), but give them some time alone if they need it.
Choosing the right course
Minimise your involvement here, and do not look up courses for your teen. No matter how good your intentions, inevitably you’ll start to swerve towards courses that appeal to you. Your teen must take the initiative when deciding what to study. Where you can help is in checking whether the courses they’ve expressed an interest in suit their learning style. For example, courses made up of lectures and seminars are ideal for those who enjoy classroom learning, but not suitable for practical learners who prefer doing rather than listening.
Do they have plans after university?
Try to find out about the university and its industry links. Strong ties with industry often indicate excellent internship and placement opportunities, which is very attractive for post-degree employment prospects, and especially important if you don’t have these links within your own family and contacts.
Last thoughts
The tough challenge with getting involved in your teen’s choices is putting aside your preferences as a parent and supporting your teen in the choices that are right for them, particularly if they’re the polar opposite of your own. Don’t forget, it’s natural to feel protective, but university provides a good opportunity for your teen to fly the nest in a protected environment.
Is your child planning on going to university?
For more information on the university application process and how you can help them choose the right university, check out The Parents’ Guide to University.
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