The doors of learning may be open to you, but you need to make sure that you pick the right one. As easy as it may sound, picking a place to study is a difficult decision to make. No need to panic. Our tips on choosing where to study will help you start your journey to higher learning.
Top Tips on Choosing Where to Study
Studying at a prestigious institution might sound great. But there’s more to picking a place to study than its reputation. You need to ensure that it caters to your needs and leads you to success. Below are a few tips on choosing where to study.
Narrow Down Your Options
Having a long list of colleges won’t help you much. Do research on different institutions and narrow down your options. This will make it easier to take your pick.
Keep the Course in Mind
It’s no use choosing a college that does not offer the course you want. Ensure they have the course you want to study. Choose a programme that relates to your potential career.
Meet the Institutions Requirements
To get accepted, you have to meet the entry requirements. For universities and some colleges, this depends on your APS. This includes the requirements of the institutions and the course.
Take Note of the Location
Is the college around the corner or in a different city? If it’s far, you need to live on-campus or a student dorm. Don’t want to make the move? Choose distance learning or a campus nearby.
Make Sure the Institution is Accredited
Before you enrol, check out the reputation of the college. If the institution is not accredited, you will waste your time studying a course with no value.
Research Their Financial Aid
Not all institutions offer or accept financial aid. Choose a place to study which offers you bursaries or bursary loans if you are in need of financial assistance.
Attend Their Open Days
Get a feel for the institution by attending their open days. You’ll get first-hand experience. If they don’t host open days, check their blog and benefits to get an idea of what will be offered to you.
Apply Early
Even if your dream college ticks all the boxes, it won’t matter if there isn’t space for admission. Apply early to make sure you stand a chance to get accepted.
What to Avoid When Choosing a College
Not doing thorough research on the institution you want to choose is one of the biggest mistakes you can make. You need to have the details down before you make your choice. But there are other common mistakes students make. Some of these include:
- Following your friends – When choosing a college, don’t follow your friends. Make sure it offers what your career needs. Besides, you’ll have plenty of time to make new friends.
- Having your friends and family choose for you – Your family and friends may offer advice, but don’t allow them to choose for you. It is your future.
- Not knowing what career you want – You need to know the end goal before you can start. If not, you may end up in a course that you have no interest in.
- Choosing a course based on activities – Joining the drama club or sports team is great. But you can’t choose a college based on activities alone. Focus on the course.
Where you can Study
Not all higher learning institutions are the same. They all have their own requirements, courses and teaching methods. Before you settle down, you need to make sure that the institution fits your lifestyle. Take a look at the types of institutions below.
University
Universities offer a variety of academic courses for full-time and part-time students. Here you can obtain a degree and postgraduate studies. You will need to attend in-person classes and stick to a timetable. They also have strict entry requirements or NBT.
TVET College
Gain the practical skills you need at a TVET college. Your studies are split into your in-classroom learning as well as practical. This will teach you industry-related skills. Here you will be able to study diploma courses or earn a certificate.
Online Learning
Want to study from home but still attend classes? Then online learning is a great option. Even though you study from home, you need to follow a class timetable. There are a variety of institutions which offer this teaching method.
Distance Learning
Choose an institution that puts the students first. Distance learning allows you to study from the comfort of your home. With no classes, you study at your own pace. This gives you the flexibility to have a full-time job while saving on time and travelling costs.
Skills Academy is the word support in every way.
Choose the Best With us
If you’re looking for a college, we are the perfect choice for you. Our amazing courses and excellent student support services will make your studies with us an enjoyable experience. Want to learn more? Contact our course experts today. You can:
- Call us on 0800 39 00 27 – it’s free
- Fill in our contact form for a call back
