Which UK university is best for you?

PTE Author
PTE Author
Image - University of Glasgow
Reading time: 8 minutes

People study abroad for many reasons - to see new places, to experience a different culture, and maybe most importantly, to get access to student life and educational opportunities not available at home. If you want to study at a UK university, you’ll not only have access to some truly innovative teaching and research - you’ll also be joining one of the most multicultural student bodies in the world. 

Within the UK, there’s a huge range of universities and courses to choose from. So, how do you choose between over 160 institutions, and thousands of courses? Research finds that half of students who drop out of university early do so because they chose the wrong course, so it’s important to be completely happy with your choice.  

So, let’s have a look at what you need to consider before you make your university application, so that you can make the right choice. 

Choose your subject   

The first step in the process of choosing a university is deciding what you want to study. Your UCAS personal statement will be sent to all your university choices, so it should be relevant to all the courses you apply for. This means that all of your course choices must be the same or in a similar field. 

Think about the school subjects you’re good at, but also think about what you could spend the next three or even four years studying.  

Is there a subject that you want to continue and deepen your knowledge in? Or do you want to study something completely new?  

Do you want to study a subject like law or medicine that relates to a specific job? Or perhaps you want to take a course like history that can be used in a wide range of careers? Think carefully about these questions, and the rest of the process will become a lot easier. 

Do as many events and online taster sessions, and sign up for as many free online courses as you can. Futurelearn has a great range of taster courses from universities all over the world. This can really help you decide where your interests lie.  Above all, keep notes on what interests you, and what doesn’t. 

If you think you want a broader degree, then you’ve always got the option of doing a joint honours degree. This means you combine two different courses. Many joint honours courses combine a language with another subject, giving you the possibility to use your learning around the world, or even do a study placement in another country.  

Consider the competition 

When thinking about what course you could do, it’s important to consider the competition. Some courses have many more applicants than places, but there are also hundreds of ‘hidden’ courses which get far fewer applicants. For example, the University of Oxford gets 16.9 applicants per place on its Economics course, but it’s closer to 3 applicants per Classics place. Classics covers a range of areas like politics, history, linguistics, social sciences and more, and really challenges your intellect.  

Economics might be competitive, but Classics might be just as valuable. There are thousands of ‘hidden’ courses, which, just because they’re not famous, don’t attract as many applicants. Check out the full range of courses on the UCAS Explore site, and the Uni Guide, and do it with an open mind. 

Once you’ve narrowed down your list of courses, it’s time to think about where to study. 

Think about location and compare universities in the UK 

The UK might be a small country, but it’s incredibly diverse. There are large, international cities like London or Glasgow, smaller towns and cities like Cardiff, Belfast or Nottingham, rural universities like Lancaster, coastal towns like St. Andrews or historic cities like York, Oxford or Cambridge.  

So, when you’re deciding on a UK university, you need to first ask yourself: what’s important to you? Would you prefer to live in a busy city or in the quiet countryside? Are you going to be doing a lot of exploring or will you stay near campus? These factors will make a difference to your decision. 

You’ll also need to think carefully about costs. Different parts of the UK have different costs of living, depending on things like rent, transport, and the cost of entertainment. Check out property websites to see what rents are like, to get an idea of how expensive life will be.  

For more information, check out our article on the cost of living in the UK.  

Finally, the type of university itself is important. Some universities have campuses where the whole of university life takes place, like the University of York. Others are more spread out, such as the University of Manchester, which has buildings all over the city. Each has its own atmosphere and you should think about which you prefer. 

Look at the rankings: How to choose a university in the UK 

Find out how your preferred universities rank in the league tables. Rankings of the top universities in the UK don’t just measure teaching quality. They show data on student satisfaction, post-graduation employment rates, and staff to student ratios. 

The best universities in the UK and courses with higher rankings will be more competitive to gain entry to. You can apply for up to five courses on your UCAS form, so it’s a good idea to choose a range of courses and universities. Include an ambitious choice which you may or may not get the grades for, and safe choices that you know will accept you. 

You can check the Guardian university rankings, or the Times Higher Education rankings to see which universities are the most highly rated. 

That being said, student life in the UK is about balance. You need to consider both rankings and what’s right for you. It’s no use going to a top ranking UK university in a location you hate, studying things that don’t interest you, and where the culture on campus doesn’t appeal to you.  

Sometimes it might be better to move down the rankings if you know that the university will really help you to shine.  

Remember, the reason that there are so many different kinds of university is because everyone is unique. If you’re applying to somewhere that you know really matches your values and interests, you’ll be much more likely to make a success of your university career. 

Research the teaching style  

It’s a good idea to look at the style of teaching and assessment at your chosen university. Some courses focus more on final exams, some on coursework, and some on projects, dissertations and independent research.  

See whether your university’s exams are open book or closed book. If they’re closed you have to remember a lot more, but if they’re open you will probably have to give more detailed answers in your exams.  

If you can attend open days and chat to other students and potential professors, do so. But if you can’t, remember that each university course website will tell you about the course content and how it is assessed. You need to make a choice based on what type of assessment will suit you best. 

Some courses are taught in large lectures and seminars, and others, such as many Oxbridge colleges, will teach you in small groups or one-to-one with a tutor. The teaching style that works best for you will be decisive in your choice. 

Consider your hobbies   

Every university has its own culture and social life based around the student unions and societies. University life is about more than studying, for local and international students alike.   

You will have a more balanced student experience if you make time for your hobbies. Look on the university website to learn about student societies and clubs, and see which activities are available to you. But don’t worry if you don’t see anything that appeals - you can always be proactive and start your own society.  

Do you have a sport that you love to do? If you do, and you’re really good at it, you might even be eligible for a scholarship. There are all sorts of funding and awards available, so even if you think you won’t get anything it’s a good idea to check. 

Read about sports scholarships at UK universities.   

Make sure you fulfil the English language requirements 

You’ll need to pass a test of English for your UK student visa requirements. You can take any Secure English Language Test (SELT) that’s been approved by the Home Office, the UK government department responsible for immigration.  

PTE Academic can be used for UK student visas for degree level courses, and to access 99% of universities in the country. The test takes two hours, covers reading, speaking, listening and writing and is entirely done on a computer. Results usually come back within 48 hours, making it convenient and reliable.  

Choosing a UK university requires a lot of thought. Luckily, choosing an English test to get the visa is easy.

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    10 new English words
    By PTE Author
    Reading time: 5 minutes

    Hundreds of new words are added to the dictionary each year, and it often takes months of consideration to decide which ones. But when the pandemic began in 2020, many words we’d never heard of suddenly became part of our day-to-day vocabulary – think words like “furlough”, “stay at home order”, and COVID-19 (which was only invented in February 2020). With this, dictionaries raced to add new entries, and helped us to define our “new normal”. So, what are some of the words that got added last year? Let’s explore 10 new words you’ll need:  

    1. Adulting 

    Definition: The action of becoming or acting like an adult 

    In December 2020, the Oxford English Dictionary added the word “adulting.” It’s often used by young people when they talk about doing tasks that are essential to every-day life – like cooking meals, buying insurance, or paying taxes.  

    How to use it: My roommates and I are adulting all the time. We clean the whole house every Saturday! 

    2. Awe walk 

    Definition: Taking a walk outside and making an effort to look at the things around you 

    “Awe walk” hasn’t been added to the Cambridge Dictionary yet – but they have noticed it’s been used quite a bit. The word “awe” means a feeling of respect. So when someone says they will take an awe walk, it means they’ll notice – and feel grateful for – all the small things around them. 

    The word was actually coined by the authors of a psychological study, which found older people who took awe walks felt more positive and less stressed over time.  

    How to use it: Today on our awe walk we noticed a tree we’d never seen before.  

    3. Contactless 

    Definition: not having to physically touch or interact with people, or relating to a technological system for payments, where information is transmitted over short distances without physical contact

    “Contactless” delivery became a popular option for shoppers during the pandemic. People who choose contactless delivery get their groceries or food delivered to the doorsteps, but don’t have to go out to receive them. Merriam-Webster added the word to their dictionary in April, right at the beginning of the pandemic. Contactless is also referred to when talking about contactless payment technology.

    How to use it: Our family started to shop at a new grocery store, because we wanted the option to have contactless delivery.  

    The limit on contactless payments has increased. 

    4. Doomscrolling 

    Definition: the action of constantly scrolling through and reading depressing news on a news site or on social media, especially on a phone  

    Dictionary.com added “doomscrolling” in summer 2020. And, we’ve all done it. Doomscrolling is when you become obsessed with staying up to date with bad news. It’s a combination of the noun “doom” and verb “scroll” – and was made popular by the journalist Karen Ho last year.  

    How to use it: I was doomscrolling on Twitter today while reading about Covid-19 cases. I think it’s why I feel so anxious now.  

     

    5. PPE

    Definition: an abbreviation for personal protective equipment 

    Many of us first heard the word “PPE” at the beginning of the pandemic, and the word was added by Merriam-Webster last April. PPE is the abbreviation of personal protective equipment. This is the clothing people wear to protect themselves from danger. Masks, gloves, face shields, and goggles are all examples of PPE. 

    How to use it: Many healthcare professionals and essential workers did not have access to PPE at the beginning of the pandemic.  

     

    6. Quarenteen

    Definition: a teenager during the COVID-19 pandemic  

    Do you know a “quarenteen?” It’s another word that’s been observed by Cambridge Dictionary – but hasn’t been added quite yet. If it is added, quarenteen will be a homophone for the word “quarantine.” It’ll also be a compound noun of “quarantine” and “teenager.”  

    How to use it: My sister was a quarenteen and spent a lot of time on TikTok. 

     

    7. Thirsty 

    Definition: Having a need for attention or approval  

    But doesn’t thirsty mean needing to drink? Well, Merriam-Webster added a new definition of the word last year. “Thirsty” means having a strong desire for attention – especially on social media. Thirsty is informal, and it’s mostly used by young people. 

    How to use it: My brother is thirsty. He posts so many photos of our dog Jellybean on Instagram because he wants her to be a dog model.

     

    8. Truthiness 

    Definition: something that seems true but isn’t backed up by evidence 

    The word “truthiness” became popular after American comedian Stephen Colbert talked about it on his show The Colbert Report back in 2005. It was meant to be a joke, but many dictionaries have now included the word – including Merriam-Webster. With so much disinformation going around right now, we think it’s a great word for today's world.  

    How to use it: In this class, you can’t speak truthiness and expect to get away with it.  

     

    9. Unconscious bias 

    Definition: unconscious prejudice against people of a certain race, gender, or group 

    “Unconscious bias” is a negative term, which was added to the Oxford English Dictionary last year. Everyone has unconscious beliefs about other groups, and these beliefs can cause them to discriminate against others. There is also conscious bias. When people are consciously biased, their discrimination is intentional.   

    How to use it: In this day and age, I hope more workplaces will address their conscious and unconscious bias.

     

    10. WFH

    Definition:  An abbreviation for work (or working) from home  

    The word “WFH” was added to Merriam-Webster in April 2020 when many people were WFH! This is an important word to know if you're part of an English-speaking workplace.  

    How to use it: My co-workers say they’re WFH on Slack everyday.

    So, what’s your favorite new word? We recommend keeping up on all the new words added to dictionaries throughout the year –  it’s a great way to expand your vocab!  

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  • Image- Asian woman using a laptop 800px
    Part 2: Reading test introduction
    By PTE Author
    Reading time: 4 minutes

    Part 2 of PTE Academic will take 32-41 minutes and will test your reading skills. This single-timed section contains 15-20 questions that test both independent and integrated skills.

    The sections within part 2 are designed to test your ability to read and write in English. PTE Academic is an integrated skills test, therefore, one question type in this part of the test also assesses writing skills.

    There are five questions types in the reading section. Below, we will break down each part of this section of the test.

    Multiple-choice, Choose Single Answer

    For the first question type, you will need to complete is Multiple-choice, Choose Single Answer question, which is designed to test your reading skills.

    You will be shown a text prompt for this assessment that will be up to 300 words. Possible response options will be given, with only one being correct.

    For this question, you need to read the text and answer a multiple-choice question by selecting one response based on the content or tone of the text.

    In this question type, you will earn 1 point for correct answers and 0 points for incorrect answers.

    Multiple-choice, Choose Multiple Answer

    The second question type will be similar to the previous. Multiple-Choice, Choose Multiple Answer will test your reading skills.

    In this question type, you will be given a text prompt of up to 300 words. Like the previous questions, you will need to answer the question by selecting the most suitable responses from the list of options, based on the content or tone of the text.

    For each correct answer you will earn 1 point, however, you will lose -1 point for each incorrect answer. Don’t worry, you cannot score below 0 in this assessment.

    Re-order Paragraphs

    The third question type to test reading skills will be to re-order paragraphs.

    You will be provided with a text prompt of up to 50 words and will be shown some text boxes on the screen in a random order.

    To complete the question, read the paragraph, then drag and drop or click the arrows on the screen to put your chosen responses in the correct order.

    You will earn 1 point for every pair of sentences that you place in the correct order and receive full marks if the whole paragraph is in the correct order.

    Reading: Fill in the Blanks

    Your reading skills will be tested in the fourth question type, Reading: Fill in the Blanks. You will do 4-5 of these questions.

    For this question, you will be provided with a text prompt of up to 80 words. There will be 3-5 missing words from the text.

    You will need to select a single correct answer from the 6-8 words given to fill the blanks. Not all words in the box will be used.

    You will earn 1 point for every blank that is filled in correctly for this question.

    Reading and Writing: Fill in the Blanks

    The last question type will test your reading and writing skills. Reading and Writing: Fill in the Blanks is an integrated skills question type.

    You will be shown a text prompt of up to 80 words with up to five blank spaces.

    To complete the question, select one of the five options in each drop-down list to fill in the blank spaces.

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    To do well in the reading test there are many core skills you will need to learn to ensure a good score.

    If you have already attempted PTE Academic, were not happy with your score, and would like to improve, we recommend reviewing your test performance to see where you can improve.

    What's next?

    You can also read more about Part 3: Listening Test Introduction to learn everything you need for PTE Academic.

    Want more prep ideas?

    Plus, explore Smart Prep, which combines all our practice materials in one place, so it's easier for you to stay on track with your PTE preparation.

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  • Image- Writing journal 1080px
    Writing: Self-improvement
    By PTE Author
    Reading time: 4 minutes

    As part of the PTE Academic, you must demonstrate a certain set of core English skills to maximize your score.

    To help you do your best in Part 1: Writing we’ve put together some tips.

    Summarize Written Text

    In the Summarize Written Text question type, you will be scored based on the content, formal requirements, grammar, and vocabulary.

    When completing this question type you should first quickly scan read the text prompt given to make sure you understand what it is about. If you are unsure what it is about, make a guess based on the context.

    You should try to take notes on the Erasable Noteboard Booklet or on the screen as you read. If you do use the screen, remember to delete your notes before clicking ‘next’ or time runs out.

    Some quick ways to pick up points include:

    • Stick to the topic or purpose of the text. Key points in the text will usually be repeated, developed, and highlighted – try to include these in your writing. If you do not summarize the meaning or purpose you will score zero points.

    • Do not include examples or supporting evidence in your summary.

    • Use words from the text but try to use synonyms where possible.

    • Use noun phrases where possible to show that you can use certain features of academic vocabulary in your writing.

    When completing the question type, make sure you write only one sentence. If you write more, points will be lost.

    A good sentence for this question type is 20-35 words long. If you write a short sentence, it will not capture all the meaning. Remember to check the word count in the box below your answer.

    As you write the sentence, try to think about:

    • Have I summarized the key points?

    • Does my sentence start with a capital letter and end with a full stop? If you spell everything in capital letters or all of the words are in lower case, you will score zero.

    • Did I use run-on sentences? If you have, change them to a compound or complex sentence.

    Make sure to use grammatical structures that you feel you can write correctly. Usually, a complex structure is required for summarizing text.

    Don’t forget, always take time to check your grammar and vocabulary before clicking “next” or the 10 minutes is up.

    When checking your answer, look for articles, especially ‘the’, prepositions, tenses, plurals, and subject-verb agreement as well as your own common errors. Check that you have not written a run-on sentence. If so, turn it into a compound or complex sentence.

    Write Essay

    The second part of the Writing section contains the Write Essay question type.

    This question type will test grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and written discourse skills. It is important to manage time, as you will need enough time to plan, write and proofread the essay, all within 20 minutes.

    You will be scored on the content and formal requirements of the question, as well as your grammar, general linguistic range, vocabulary range, and spelling.

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    • Address the prompt. If not, you will score zero.

    • Be well-planned and organized.

    • Demonstrate critical thinking to show a logical approach to the essay topic.

    • Include 4 paragraphs: an introduction, 2 body paragraphs each developing an idea, and a short conclusion summarizing your ideas.

    • Include examples, explanations, and facts to support the point of view you are expressing.

    • Be between 200-300 words long. Try to write just over 200 words and use the time to check the quality of your writing. If you write less than 200 or more than 380 words, you will score zero.

    Use the same method of taking notes as the Summarize Written Text question type.

    Your introduction can be linked to the body paragraphs with an overview. Then, the first body paragraph can be linked to the second body paragraph with a cohesive device.

    More information on cohesive devices can be found at the below links:

    Then for a conclusion, link it by writing In conclusion, To conclude.. etc.

    In your writing, try to use complex sentences as you will score more points. Make sure to vary language by using synonyms, antonyms, and academic vocabulary.

    The use of appropriate idiomatic expressions or colloquialisms will help you score well, but do not use too many as your writing will not be entirely academic.

    Lastly, when it comes to spelling, make sure to spell each word correctly. Making more than 1 spelling mistake will mean you will score zero for this question.

    Always remember to proofread your writing to make sure there are no errors before clicking next.

    Want more prep ideas?

    Explore Smart Prep, which combines all our practice materials in one place, so it's easier for you to stay on track with your PTE preparation.

    • Smart Prep is a clear path to test day, guiding you through the official paid and free resources available for your test

    • It can be accessed whether you’ve booked a test or not – just create, or sign in to your myPTE account

    • Preparation materials include guided practice tests, introductory videos, video courses and test tips.

    Ready to get started?