Researching Courses, Not Just Universities

Here is a mistake that students make all the time: they research universities and then assume the course will be fine. "It is a good university, so the course must be good." This is not how it works. The course — what you actually study, how you are assessed, what skills you develop — is the single most important factor in your university experience. A prestigious university with a course that does not suit you is a worse choice than a less famous university with a course that is perfect for your interests and learning style.

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Why Courses Vary So Much

Two universities offering the same degree title can deliver fundamentally different experiences:

Aspect	University A: "BSc Economics"	University B: "BSc Economics"
Year 1	Microeconomics, macroeconomics, econometrics, calculus	Intro to economics, statistics, economic history, politics
Assessment	80% exams, 20% problem sets	50% exams, 30% essays, 20% presentations
Maths content	Heavy — calculus, linear algebra, optimisation	Moderate — statistics and basic modelling
Specialisation options	Behavioural economics, development, financial economics	Environmental economics, health economics, policy analysis
Dissertation	Quantitative research paper	Can be quantitative or qualitative
Placement year	Not available	Available (optional sandwich year)

A student who loves maths and wants to work in finance would thrive at University A. A student who prefers essays and wants to work in policy would be miserable at University A and thrive at University B. The university name is less important than the course content.

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How to Research a Course Properly

flowchart TD
    A[Researching a Course] --> B[Step 1: Read the full course page]
    B --> C[Step 2: Examine the module list year by year]
    C --> D[Step 3: Check assessment methods]
    D --> E[Step 4: Look for placement/study abroad options]
    E --> F[Step 5: Check accreditation where relevant]
    F --> G[Step 6: Read student reviews]
    G --> H[Step 7: Contact the department with questions]

Step 1: Read the Full Course Page

Every university publishes detailed information about each course on its website. Read the entire page, not just the headline. Look for:

• Course duration (3 years? 4 years with placement? Integrated masters?)
• Entry requirements (grades, subjects, and any additional tests like LNAT or BMAT)
• Course structure (how flexible is it? How much choice do you have?)
• Teaching methods (lectures, seminars, tutorials, labs, fieldwork)

Step 2: Examine the Module List

This is the most informative part of your research and the part most students skip. Look at:

Year	What to Look For
Year 1	Are the foundation modules interesting? Are they mostly compulsory or do you have choices?
Year 2	When does specialisation begin? Are the specialisation options in areas that interest you?
Year 3/Final year	What is the dissertation or final project? Is it compulsory? What format does it take?
Optional modules	Are there modules in areas you are passionate about? How many can you choose?

Step 3: Check Assessment Methods

How you are assessed affects both your experience and your grades:

Assessment Type	Suits Students Who...	Challenges Students Who...
Exams	Perform well under time pressure; good at revision and recall	Have exam anxiety; prefer sustained work over cramming
Coursework/essays	Like time to research and refine; prefer writing to exams	Struggle with deadlines; find it hard to start without structure
Presentations	Are confident speakers; think well on their feet	Have presentation anxiety; prefer written communication
Lab reports/practical	Like hands-on work; enjoy structured formats	Prefer theoretical/conceptual work
Dissertation	Are independent, self-motivated, interested in a specific topic	Need structure and regular deadlines to stay on track

Step 4: Placement and Study Abroad Options

Some courses offer:

• Sandwich year (placement): A year working in industry between Years 2 and 3. Excellent for employability.
• Year abroad: A year studying at a partner university overseas. Enriching but adds a year.
• Integrated placements: Shorter work placements built into the course (common in healthcare and education courses).

These options significantly affect your experience, your CV, and your total time at university. Check what is available and whether it is optional or compulsory.

Step 5: Check Accreditation

For professional courses, accreditation matters: