You might think this is easy. All you do is gather lots of information and then decide. Sounds easy doesn't it? But it is not quite so simple as you might think. There are quite a few things you need to think about.

Which comes first? Do you think about the subject and then find a university that offers this, or do you decide on a university and then decide which subject? It won't surprise you to learn that some students do it one way, whilst others choose the other way.

My suggestion to you is that the all-important factor is the subject.

So let's go through a series of questions that will help you narrow down the vast choice available. Again, I suggest you keep your final decision written down on a piece of paper in your personal file.

Which subject?

Your answer needs to be quite specific. Don't just decide on engineering or history or business. Think carefully about your career and/or interests (look back at your personal audit as a reminder). This way you can say to yourself, "OK, I want to study economics………e-commerce…………or business and finance.

Once you have narrowed down the subject you will need to find out which universities offer the subject you want. If you live in or around Beijing, Shanghai or Guangzhou you can go a British Council office and consult the many different directories that list all the undergraduate and postgraduate programmes available in Britain. Alternatively, use one of the many education sites on the Internet. www.instudy.com is a good place to start, and should narrow down the field quickly for you.

Your shortlist
By now you should have a list of possible universities or colleges. I suggest you have about ten initially. Don't be tempted to put down too many first time around. You can always research more if the first list proves to be unsuitable.

You now need to gather as much information as possible about these ten institutions. Check out their web sites, contact them and get a copy of the prospectus, or if there happens to be an education exhibition coming up, visit them on their stand. Exhibitions are a very good way to judge an institution and they provide you with a great opportunity to compare different institutions side by side. But don't just wander around the exhibition aimlessly. Arrive armed with a list of institutions that you want to talk to, and a list of questions that you want to ask each one. And as you get the answers, write them down, otherwise you'll come out of the event and discover that you've forgotten half of what you've been told.

How are you treated?
It is always a good idea to make direct contact with the university at this stage, if you haven't already done so. The way the information comes to you is a good first measure of how it feels about you as a future student. Is the prospectus sent to you quickly? Do you receive all the information you have requested? Is the material easy to follow and friendly?

What have you been sent?
Look carefully at what you have received. Have you simply received the prospectuses that are produced for home students, or have you received something written specifically for Chinese students. If you have, then it is an indication that this institution actually cares for its Chinese students.

The next thing to do is start reading. And don't just read, but make notes of any interesting points as you go. Make a list of things you like about the institution and any points that are likely to put you off.

Think carefully about such things as the location of the institution. Have a map of Britain available so you can see exactly where it is. But don't be put off by distance from London. Travel in Britain is quick and easy, and these days you don't even need to fly through Heathrow or Gatwick to get to your final destination.

More importantly, look at the exact location of the institution within its town or city. Do you want to be in a city centre or would you prefer to be somewhere quieter?

But the most important thing now is to look very carefully at the courses on offer. Do they give you exactly the right mix of subjects you are looking for? Look also at the way they are taught. Is the course mainly lectures or is there also a good mix of seminars and tutorials? How is it assessed? Is it mainly examinations or is it continuous assessment, or some of each? You will know if you are could at examinations or not, and can choose accordingly.

Pay very careful attention to the entry requirements for the course. Unfortunately you will find that many institutions express their entry requirements in terms of British O and A levels. You may need to check with your local British Council as the equivalence of Chinese qualifications, or contact the institution's admissions office direct and ask about the suitability of your qualifications. Send an e-mail and expect to get an answer in 48 hours.

Know the value of your qualifications and grades, and know which institutions will accept them. And if your grades are on the poor side, don't be over-ambitious and apply to all the prestigious universities. All you will get is disappointment. Recognise your value and apply accordingly.

Finally……speak to friends and colleagues who have studied in Britain or other countries, and listen to their experiences and advice. But when you have heard all of this………DON'T BELIEVE THEM.

Why? Because they will be given you the advise that suits them. It may not necessarily suit you. The choice of a university or college is your individual choice.

Neil Maynard

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