Choosing a University abroad With various universities spread all over the world, it becomes difficult to choose the one you should be joining. One usually feels lost when he has to narrow down to one university. After making a list of prospective universities you would like to join, each looks as good as the other. Here are some parameters that can help you make a better decision.
Academic offerings - The most important aspect while choosing a university is the subjects offered by the institution. Make sure that every university in your list offers the subject you want to study. Also compare the subject combinations offered by them. The universities have a tendency to give new titles to the courses. Make sure you look carefully at course descriptions and find out about the content of the courses in detail. Other aspects like majoring in more than one subject, the structure of the course etc are also important points of evaluation.
Reputation - Is the university famous? And is it renowned for the subjects you want to study? These are important points to note. The reputation and goodwill of the university is an important aspect in deciding how good or bad it actually is.
Other course details - Apart from the subjects offered, it is important to study the structure of the course also. The academic fees, lecture timings, professors, holidays offered, practical exposure etc are areas you need to do proper research on.
Location - Location of the institution is an important deciding factor. You should be comfortable with the city or the country it is situated in. Find out whether the university is sited in a city center or in the suburbs or in a rural setting. What are the other facilities available nearby? How is the locality where it is situated? Is it safe and accessible? All these factors play an important role.
Accommodation - Accommodation is generally the most expensive part of higher education. Find out if you are guaranteed a place in university/college owned accommodation. Get a first hand experience about the quality of accommodation offered. This can be done best by visiting the place on an open day and talking to the inmates there. Also find out for how long is this accommodation available. Many universities offer accommodation only for one year. In that case, you will probably have to find you own accommodation in the second year, so ask how easy it is to find, and generally how expensive it is. Find out about the food facilities- the mess, quality of food served, the cooking facilities, its cost etc.
Scholarships and financial aids - The academic fees of higher specialized courses can fall heavy on your pockets. Most of the colleges and universities have a list of scholarship programs, which eases the financial burden. Do find out the scholarships and other financial aids available in various institutions on your list.
Learning Resources - Research and further readings form an integral part of academics. It is essential to have a good library within the university campus. Other aspects you need to give attention to are the availability and the quality of Internet facility in the library, the fees charged, if any, the timings of the library, the policy of issuing and renewal of books and most importantly the quality of books available.
Social Life - You would be spending a few years of your life in an unknown land away from your family. The friends you make here would be your family for those few years. It is essential to find out about the social life there. Apart from nightclubs, restaurants and other places to hang out, give importance to the culture as a whole. Find out about the student mix (male female ratio) and other clubs and societies that cater to your interests.
Transport - The distance between your stay to the main campus is important. Is it a walking distance? Do you need a vehicle to move about? If you do, do you need a private vehicle? Find out about the availability and quality of public transport and how costly it is. A few journeys everyday over a period of a year can really add up!
Extra curricular activities - Apart from academics, a good university also excels in its extra curricular activities. Most of the colleges have various societies and clubs that encourage sports, music, theatre, photography and other non-academic activities. Ensure that your university has a right mix of all.
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