A hybrid approach to your university research

There was a time when you only had open days and a prospectus to decide which university to attend. Now, with all the hybrid options available, such as virtual taster sessions and campus tours, there’s far more out there to help you with your university research. This article explores the other options which are now available, and offers advice on taking a hybrid approach to your university research.

Often, the journey to choosing your university will start by talking to one of their representatives. They know the courses well and can advise you. This typically happens at your school or college careers fair, or at a larger university exhibition such as UCAS.

Every degree and institution is different - even if they have the same title – so a quick conversation with a university rep can really help you sort your options into a yes, no, or maybe pile. It’s a good idea to sign up for more information from the universities you’re interested in, so they can send you details about their upcoming visit days.

Once you’ve got a general idea about which universities are right for you, you should begin your online research. Rankings are one way to narrow down your options, but does that give you an idea of what the university’s teaching staff are like?

To give you a more complete picture, try and attend as many virtual events as possible. This can include subject-specific academic taster events. The way the staff deliver their content can give you a flavour of your experience at their institution and help you to narrow your choices even further. There are many virtual events to try. You can find them all in one place on the UniTasterDays website.

You should always try to see a university before making any big decisions. Open days are great for this, as they’ll allow you to see everything that’s important to you: course facilities, accommodation, the library, social spaces, and more.

Open days can help you get a feel for the sort of experience you’ll have, as well as the chance to ask staff and students detailed questions about your chosen course. Open days are also an opportunity to see beyond the nice pictures on a university’s website. Instead, you can see it all for yourself.

Some universities might send you helpful virtual content before your visit, such as additional webinars, top tips from current students, or accommodation tours. Take the time to look through these items. They can help you to feel more prepared.

You might also wish to listen to the open days episode of The Uni Guide Podcast. This episode provides an introduction to open days, answers common questions, and offers advice for making the most of them.

You have your offers but the journey isn’t quite over. If you receive an offer from one of your chosen universities, you’re likely to be invited to an offer-holder event. These are typically hosted on campus, and there are usually a few dates to choose from.

However, if you can’t make an offer-holder event, most universities will have on-demand content which you can watch (and rewatch) at a time that suits you. This additional research could be the deciding factor to help you choose between university A or B.

Whether they’re in person or virtual, events are designed to support you with your decision-making. Keep asking questions until you’re happy you’ve got all the information you need. Make notes and rewatch the virtual content to help you with your university and course comparison.

Using a hybrid approach for your university research allows you to cover all bases, but you shouldn’t do one without the other. Virtual events are great to get the ball rolling. Meanwhile, in- person events, such as open days, are essential for ensuring the university is right for you.

Experiment with a mixture of online and in-person methods to feel well-informed and confident with your choices.