Guide aids challenge of choosing university

And today Which? publishes its guide to the best universities, using criteria including how much students enjoy themselves – and how much they are likely to earn once they have finished their studies.

The magazine claims to cut through the mass of information that bombards students currently entering their last year at sixth form or college.

They will this year be facing the task of choosing which courses they want to take on, and the town or city they believe will give them the best life experience.

The National Student Survey and the Destination of Leavers from Higher Education Survey are just two alternative guides available and each university also produces its own glossy brochures in an attempt to lure new recruits.

Rating

Today Wolverhampton University, which has more than 21,000 students and a large Telford campus that is about to expand with new science blocks, welcomed the addition of the Which? report.

It will never compete with Oxford or Cambridge for academic achievement, but it does offer thousands of people in Shropshire and other parts of the region the chance of going on to further education.

The Which? report shows an 83 per cent overall satisfaction rating with the university, a figure today welcomed by its vice chancellor, Professor Geoff Layer.

He said: "We work closely with our Students' Union to ensure the facilities we provide meet the needs of today's students and we continue to listen to the ways we can further improve the learning and social experience."

University of Chester, which is soon to see a partnership with the new University Centre Shrewsbury, scored high on the number of students in further education or work with 94 per cent, while Staffordshire University scored 84 per cent with graduates earning an average of £18,000 within six months.

And it looks as though the prospect of employment is one of the most important things for students when considering which university is right, with 58 per cent looking at graduate employment ratings when making a decision.

Alex Harling, of Which? said: "Our most recent survey of university applicants found that improving employment prospects and the pursuit of a vocation were the main reason for going to university and polled much higher than learning about a subject or to stretch themselves intellectually."

Meanwhile, Aberystwyth University received medium scores across the board with students particularly complimentary of the friendly and supportive staff, whilst Birmingham City University, which prides itself on creativity, scores low on variety of union activities and sports opportunities, with an average student satisfaction score of 77.

Students at the University of Birmingham said they valued the night life, sport and political opportunities, as well as the varied union activities. It also has one of the highest average graduate salaries locally at £21,600.

Ms Harling said: "Our site is unique in the information we pull from all sorts of surveys and different organisations and with it all in one free-to-use place, it makes it much easier for applicants."

The University of Manchester regularly comes out in the top 35 in league tables with 91 per cent of students in work or further study and an average graduate salary of £21,300. Students at Keele University rated accommodation and facilities high, with 93 per cent satisfied or quite satisfied and 95 per cent going into work or further education within six months.

Newport's Harper Adams University, which specialises in agriculture, does not feature in the Which? survey.

For more details visit www.university.which.co.uk