Rankings are the easiest thing to compare and one of the least useful. They measure universities as a whole, mostly through research, while you will spend three or four years inside one course. Start with the course and work outwards.
Start with the course
- Read the list of modules for each year. Two courses with the same name can teach very different things.
- See how it is taught and assessed: lectures or small groups, exams or projects.
- Check how much choice you have, and whether you can change direction after the first year.
- Look for placements, a year abroad or links with employers, if those matter to you.
Be realistic about admission
Compare your record with what the course asks for and whom it usually admits. A list should hold ambitious, realistic and confident options together. See reach, match and safety schools.
Work out the full cost
- Tuition, which can depend on your nationality or where you live.
- Rent, food, transport and insurance in that city.
- Travel home, and the cost of a visa if you need one.
- Scholarships, loans and whether students are allowed to work.
A cheaper course in an expensive city can cost more than the reverse. Add everything up before you compare.
Consider the language
Many universities teach complete degrees in English in countries where English is not the main language. Daily life, part-time work and internships may still need the local language, so think about whether you want to learn it.
Think about the life around it
- The size of the city and the distance from home.
- Where students live, and how hard housing is to find.
- Support for international students, if you will be one.
- What graduates of the course do next, and whether you may stay to work after your degree.
Check the facts at the source
Requirements, fees and deadlines change every year. Take them from the university’s own pages, not from forums or old articles. Our country guides link the key facts to their official source.
Where Corinia fits
Corinia narrows more than 400 universities to the ones that suit your record, your subject and your budget, and explains the reason for each suggestion. You can then compare your shortlist side by side.