Deciding between a campus or city uni is one of the most important questions to think about when considering your choices, says Lydia Newton, recruitment manager at the University of East Anglia (UEA).

“Campuses will generally have all the key things you need within a short walk; student union, halls of residence, sports and all your academic facilities," she says. "This often creates a strong student community and can be an ideal and supportive environment for the first move away from home.

“A city uni generally has the same facilities but spread over a wider distance in among the shops, offices and restaurants of the city centre. You may have longer to commute to your classes but are often right in the heart of things happening in town.

"I’d recommend visiting at least one of each type to get a feel and see what’s right for you.”

Getting along to a university open day isn’t always easy – especially if it’s miles away. But it’s hugely important. You might arrive and fall in love with the place, or you might instantly realise it’s the wrong choice. And if you have made a mistake, do you really want that to happen on your first day as a fresher, or on an open day when you can still easily choose a different uni?

“Nothing can beat visiting a university and seeing for yourself what it’s like,” says Alix Gould, higher education adviser at UEA. “Only by being there, asking questions and exploring will you be able to get a feel as to whether it is the right institution for you.

"Make sure you make the most of your visit by seeing as much as possible and attending at least two talks.”

Nobody has much money at uni; it’s one of the facts of student life. But, says Lydia, most universities will have additional bursaries and scholarships for their students offered on top of the main student loans.

“These are non-repayable – bursaries are usually based upon household income while scholarships will reward your academic performance or perhaps musical or sporting excellence."

“At UEA we have a number of scholarships available ranging from T-level scholarships to our 60th Anniversary scholarship which supports students with their extracurricular activities. We also have a number of donor-funded scholarships which support a range of subject areas."

Most people spend their first year in university halls – and there will be several to choose from. You're sure to have a favourite, but bear in mind there's no guarantee you'll get placed in your preferred rooms. “While universities will aim to give everyone their top choice, this is not always possible,” says Paul Bailey, UEA’s head of accommodation services. Spend some time making yourself familiar with the entire choice of halls, so you can be sure you’ll like your back-up choices if you end up living there.

When you’re on an open day, you’ve got a great opportunity to talk to people who are already studying at that uni. Make sure you take the time to pop into the student union, says Taylor Sounes, undergraduate education officer at UEA.

“The student union is the heart of student voice and change. Run by students for students and working in close partnership with your university to help make your uni experience the best it can be.

"From sports clubs and societies, academic representation, advice and housing and running events – get a better idea of your journey ahead and come and say hello to us.”

Of course, you’ll also find loads of current students on The Student Room. Make sure you visit the universities area of the forums – you’ll find hundreds of forums dedicated to specific universities across the UK. Pop in and ask a question for a quick reply from someone studying there.

Universities aren’t just there to help you get a degree, they’ll also provide support through the whole of your time studying there. The point of a good student support service is to ensure you get the best from your time at uni, says Jane Amos, associate director of student services at UEA.

“We found that nearly three quarters of undergraduates accessed our student support service at some point during their degree,” she says. Look into the student support available at the unis you’re considering – and ask current students on The Student Room about their own experiences.

Everyone loves a league table, but try not to get too hung up on the headline-grabbing overall lists. Some unis might be in the lower half of the league table, but in the top 10 for certain subjects. They might be specialists in those areas, have great links to industry and some of the best lecturers and facilities. Take the time to have check how well your chosen unis do in the subjects you care about.

There’s plenty more to think about, as well. What are the facilities like? What kind of societies are on offer? What’s the nightlife like in town? When you’re choosing a uni, take time to focus on the things that will really matter to you – and make sure your final picks are strong on those.

Our partnership with the University of East Anglia

The Student Room is proud to work with UEA, a UK top-25 university (Complete University Guide 2024) and UK top-30 university (The Times/Sunday Times 2024), as the official partner of our student life section.

Located on the edge of Norwich, a lively city full of secret gems just waiting to be discovered.

Visit their profile page to learn more or join the conversation on The Student Room's UEA forum.

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