Which university is right for me?
© 2009 Education UK

If you have already decided to study in the UK, the next question you must ask yourself is ‘Which university is right for me?’ This may appear as a change in trend when it comes to selecting a university, but many Malaysian studying in the UK were interviewed by the British Council recently, commented that choosing a university that meets all their needs has helped them to adjust better to life in the UK.

Academic excellence is of utmost importance. Almost everyone desires to go to Oxford or Cambridge (collectively known as Oxbridge) which are highly regarded all over the world for sending forth graduates par excellence.

This is where you should go if you truly appreciate and value learning and wish to follow in the footsteps of many famous Malaysians, including Malaysia’s first prime minister Tuanku Abdul Rahman, who was from Cambridge, and Tuanku Abdul Halim and Tuanku Ja’afar, who went to Oxford.

It is a known fact that a qualification from either of these universities, will open doors for you not just in the working world but in your social standing in life.

Yet, brilliant students have been known to reject offers from Oxbridge simply because they had done some soul-searching and decided that entering such a prestigious environment would be too much pressure for them. While many parents and elders may consider this a negative decision, these students ought to be commended for their ability to understand themselves and know what works for them.

  

© 2009 Education UK

Do also ask yourself which location you would prefer for your university to be in. If you are used to the hustle and bustle of city life in Kuala Lumpur, you may adapt relatively well to the big city ‘buzz’ of London, Birmingham or Manchester, to name but a few. There, the pace of life is super-fast and you can share a flat with fellow Malaysians or students from other countries. However, you must be well-equipped, street smart, and ready for the perks and pitfalls of big city life.


© 2009 Education UK

  

On the other hand, if you come from a small town in Malaysia, university towns like Cambridge, Oxford, Bath and St Andrews may be better suited to you. Here, you will savour a more languid pace of life and a good community feel while fulfilling your quest for an excellent education.

Thanaraj Ganesan, studying an MSc in Information Systems said, ‘Based on the reputation and the quality of lecturers that the University of Portsmouth has, it was the most ideal place for me to pursue my dream. The location is also warm compared to other places. Portsmouth also is safe and the people are warm compared to the other parts of UK. Another factor is the seafront atmosphere that enhances the beauty of studying in Portsmouth.’

The quality of the facilities offered by a university is another important factor to consider when making your choice. Computers, Internet access, libraries and gyms are the basic facilities most universities in the UK make available to their students now. However, if you are looking beyond the university grounds for social and leisure activities, there are a few universities to consider. The ‘red-brick’ universities are often centrally located in big cities, offering a bustling hub for a exciting nightlife, with numerous clubs and pubs situated nearby.

These universities would also favour sport enthusiasts. Their host cities boast a number of Premier League football clubs, first-class rugby union, world championship snooker, basketball and hockey.

Meanwhile, Farah Aliana Abdul Wahab had a more sedate life in mind when she chose the University of Wales, Swansea, to pursue a BEng (Hons) Product Design Engineering. Swansea is by the sea and close to the Gower peninsula, where she can indulge in her passion for surfing during her free time.

One other important point to consider is the opportunity to be involved in practical work. Most students who pursue a medical, dentistry or optometry degree, opt for universities in the heart of London, eg King’s College. This allows them to gain practical experience in one of the many hospitals in London during their second or third year at university. This would be time well spent. Plus the knowledge and experience gained in one of the largest cities in the world will be truly exceptional.

If you are after a marine biology degree however, the Cardiff University, which is by the sea, would be a good place to study while gaining practical experience. The desire for practical work was highlighted by Jonathan Lim, a medical student at the University of Manchester, ‘I am very delighted that the programme allows its students to be given hospital and clinic experience early on, thus exposing first-hand to a doctor’s life. This further helps me in my communication skills, which will be vital for me in future.’

This year, engineering and biochemistry degrees seem to be the favourites among the female scholars in England. Those who do not make it to Oxbridge will likely head for King’s College London, the University of Bristol or the University of Surrey.

Loughborough University in Leicestershire is also gaining popularity for its engineering and mathematics degrees. It is a campus university which has student accommodation, teaching and research facilities, plus leisure activities.

  

© 2009 Education UK


f you wish to take English or languages, Cambridge and the University College of London are two of the top choices. Finance students can look to the London School of Economics or the University of Reading to pursue their interests. The University of Kent in Canterbury is one of the places where law students are aspiring to go, as are the University of Durham and the University of Exeter. A bonus point for the Kent Law School is that it allows you to work with barristers and lawyers right through your years of study.

Indeed, the UK is all about the weather, more so if you are travelling from a tropical country like Malaysia. Be sure to psyche yourself up for the four different seasons by eating well, keeping fit and reading all that you can about the country. Unlike previous generations, you have the luxury of the Internet to carry out research on the various aspects of living in the UK.

Besides the weather, you need to look out for the economic climate which is rather dismal all over the world. Hence, come ready to live on a budget and be prepared to cut corners where necessary. You can make some extra money working part-time. Also, be sure to get your banking procedures in order to ensure that all your transactions will be carried out smoothly once you get there.

Now that you have some idea of what to look out for when planning to study in the UK, be sure to be honest with yourself. Malaysian students generally seem pleased with their choice, as they decided to take up a degree that they truly enjoy. You will be spending three to four years on the degree of your choice, so plan well.


  




© 2009 Education UK