The Cegnet guide to HE websites

A guide to HE information and advice covering everything from deciding whether uni is right for you to getting a graduate job

 

Thinking about HE

UCAS – read what UCAS says about ‘Is uni for you?’

Not going to uni – compare apprenticeships, gap years, distance learning and jobs as alternatives to university

London University Taster Course Programme – provides insights into degree subjects and student life

University and college open days – directory as well as advice about subjects, universities, a gap year, etc.

Whatuni? – has a list of upcoming open days (part of the Hotcourses Group)

Push – read ‘Why bother with uni?’ as well as info about UK universities, student life, gap years, open days and student finance

Studential – has information on FE, gap year, HE, apprenticeship, enterprise and British Army options

The Sutton Trust – organises one-week summer schools and residentials for bright students from non-privileged homes to give them a taste of university life

Career Camel – find information on career journeys and pathways at 16+ and 18+ (advertising and sponsorship funded site)

HESA – has comprehensive data on students in HE

Careerpilot – aimed at 13-19-year-olds in SW England has general information about progression opportunities including higher education

Taking a Gap Year

Omio.com – has lots of information about Gap years – from why to do one, to how to plan and how to enjoy one!

The Year Out Group – includes over 30 gap year organisations that provide opportunities at home and abroad

Travel companies that offer a booking service covering travel, volunteering and work experience abroad include Gapyear.com (owned by Flight Centre UK Ltd), Real Gap (part of CT Travel Group) and STA Travel

 

Studying abroad

The Complete University Guide – has info on studying abroad

A Star Future – has info on studying in Europe and further afield

Studyportals – is a Dutch company providing a range of information on undergraduate degrees taught in Europe

Fulbright Commission – has info on studying in USA

Government of Canada – info on studying in Canada

Future Unlimited – is the official Australian website for international students

 

Applying to HE

UCAS – is the organisation through which you apply for most HE institutions in the UK. It tells you how to apply and provides information on courses as well as finance and support

Apply to uni – for information on applying for uni including tuition fees, open days, A-Z of universities

British Council – provides information for international students interested in studying in the UK

The National Admissions Test for Law (LNAT) is used by universities to select students for their law courses

The UK Clinical Aptitude Test (UKCAT) – is used in the selection process by a consortium of UK university Medical and Dental Schools

Studential – has free examples of personal statements but remember your personal statement must be plagiarism free. (Studential also offers a commercial editing service)

Unipod – Oxford Brookes University’s guide to choosing a university, choosing the right course, organising finance, writing your personal statement, etc.

The Student Room – has advice on applying for universities and courses including a personal statement builder and ‘University Connect’ (recent examples of offers made)

 

Where and what to study

Whatuni? – helps students find universities and courses in the UK. It has an A-Z of universities. ‘What can I do?’ provides ideas for degree subjects to study based on the A levels you are taking.

Which? University – help with finding the best UK university and degree course for you

Best course 4 me – for ideas about where and what to study

The Complete University Guide – has information about university rankings, where and what to study, how to apply, student finance, student life, graduate careers, distance learning and studying abroad

Push – read ‘Why bother with uni?’ as well as info about UK universities, student life, gap years, open days and student finance

People and Planet – annual rankings of UK universities by environmental and ethical performance

The Open University – offer degrees through distance learning

UKCourseFinder – from the Morrisby Organisation helps you to find a degree course based on your interests

Unistats – is the official website for comparing UK universities, e.g. course data, student satisfaction scores, jobs and salaries after graduation

The QAA – read their reports on the quality and standard of HE providers

University coursefinder – from The Daily Telegraph will help you refine your degree course choices

The University Guide – from The Guardian has information on courses and university rankings

The Student Room – has an A-Z of universities and provides help with choosing a subject

The Good Universities Guide – print and online directory of universities and colleges

Top Universities – has information about studying abroad at leading universities

 

Student finance

The Student Room – has links to Student Finance England resources and the government finance websites of the other home nations.

Student Finance England – to sign up to Student Finance online

Best course 4 me – What’s the return on your investment in HE?

The Office for Fair Access (OFFA) – promotes and safeguards fair access to higher education. See their website for student FAQs and info about bursaries and university access agreements

The Student Calculator – from Brightside helps you to work out how much money you will have at university and how much you will need

Gov.UK – for information about student finance and loans

Student loans company – for information on student finance and repayments

 

Student life and housing

Student Beans provides students with offers, discounts, entertainment features, advice and money saving opportunities

The Student Room – has advice on student life and studying

Push – read for info about student life and housing

 

Graduate and postgraduate

Whatuni? – has an ‘I want to be…’ section which shows you what graduates do by subject studied

The Institute of Student Employers – brings together hundreds of organisations that employ graduates. Find out the latest trends in graduate recruitment

Prospects – has comprehensive information on applying to HE, jobs and work experience, careers advice and postgraduate study.

Milkround Online – has information about internships, placements, graduate jobs and schemes

 

Don’t forget also…

Many providers of HE information also post on Facebook, twitter, LinkedIn, Google+, YouTube, Instagram and Pinterest

Visit HE institutions and talk to current students to help you decide

Visit Unifrog for University ideas

Read newspapers such as The Times, The Daily Telegraph, The Guardian and The Independent for articles on trends and developments in HE

Access to HE courses – (QAA) are designed for people who have been out of education for some time, especially those who left school with too few qualifications to be able to go straight to university. A student who successfully completes all course requirements is awarded the Access to HE Diploma