No wonder there are so many questions. This year, moreso than ever, prospective students are discerning customers.
They want to know that their course will be worth it, that their subject will help them pursue their chosen career, and that they are making the right choice.
The Guardian University guide, published this week, offers a wealth of information for students-to-be. But still, the dilemmas faced are many.
So when we asked for your questions for our applying to university live chat, you had plenty to say. Thank you to all those who took part.
A huge thank you also to our panel of experts who ran a lively and informative discussion yesterday afternoon. These are some of the highlights:
DisasterBear asked:
How typical are typical offers? Like when a course says it generally accepts AAB-ABB, does this mean that is all they will take? And how much of that information is taken based upon AS grades?
One of our experts, glyniskelly, replied:
Universities will rarely make offers below their quoted "typical offer". The offer is a guide to the range for a particular subject. If a student's application is massively impressive and a university wants them, they are likely to offer at the lower end of the range ... so in your example ABB instead of AAB, but they would not be likely to offer anything lower.
Choice was a much-discussed issue. Raspberries24 wrote:
I am currently a an AS-Level student, and I'm not quite sure what degree I want to do!
I'd be quite happy doing a degree in Lingustics, History or Philosophy, so I was wondering how I could help narrow my choices?!
Also, I have been looking at a joint Lingustics/Philosophy course, and was wondering how well joint degrees are regarded?
rozbrody offered this advice:
I'd focus on doing some research into degree courses. The ucas site is good and even though universities may offer a history degree, the nature of what is studied may be vastly different between universities.
Explore the specialisms that are offered in the final year as they may help you narrow your choice.
Joint degrees may offer you more options as you have studied both subjects in depth but you usually cover two thirds of each subject.
Visiting universities on open days may also help you narrow your choice.
KatyF had a question about specific versus all-round subjects. She asked the panel:
I want to work as a clinical scientist, ideally within the NHS, and am planning to apply for a biology-related course. But I'm unsure whether to go for something broad like biological sciences, or one of the more specific courses such as genetics or cell biology. Are there any advantages to having a more specific degree or do employers favour all-rounders?
AnneFieldingSmith replied:
What will count most is a good quality degree from a good university, together with lots of motivation and interest in the jobs for which you apply.
Unless you are absolutely certain about your specialisation area now, you are probably better off with a broad biology course. The benefits of the broad degree means you can taste lots of different aspects of biology before specialising, perhaps with a Masters course (if you can afford it!) afterwards. Why not look at the sorts of careers that people have gone onto from a couple of broad and specialised degrees?
Thanks again to all those who took part. You can re-read all the advice given here.
Education news from the Guardian
In a week dominated by the University Guide and advice for students, we round up the best of the coverage:
University guide 2012: University league table
Cambridge tops the Guardian league table
University Guide 2012: subject tables
Get insider tips from admissions tutors
Education news from around the web
• The Telegraph breaks the story of the first free state run boarding school, which has been given the go-ahead by the government.
Christopher Hope reports:
The Government has committed up to £17.34 million phased over four years to contribute towards the capital costs, with significant investment already made and committed to by the school's foundation for the remainder.
• Meanwhile, the BBC focuses on a report from Ofsted which says that children of parents serving in the armed forces should be given more help at school.
Forces children tend to do as well as other pupils, but frequently changing school can have an adverse effect, the education watchdog found.
The BBC reports that the government is providing funds to tackle the issue.
Guardian Education Centre seminars for teachers
This half-day conference for primary school teachers will help you inspire students to read with pleasure and maintain the reading habit. Andy Stanton, author of the Mr Gum series, will be joined by Julia Eccleshare, Guardian children's books editor, and reading development experts.
Time: 1 July, 9.15-12.45.
Cost: £48, including refreshments and resources.
Insight into Journalism: investigative and features journalism
This seminar, part of our popular Insight into Journalism series, gives secondary school teachers and college tutors the chance to spend a day at the Guardian. You'll meet specialist journalists from the investigations team, find out from writers what makes a good features article and learn about commissioning, editing and interview techniques.
Time: 8 July, 9.15-4.30.
Cost: £72, including lunch and resources.
Education seminars from Guardian Professional
Getting the best education for children in care
The Guardian's one-day seminar in association with Tact (the UK's largest fostering and adoption charity) will provide an overview of the UK education system and strategies for dealing with the challenges faced by looked-after children and their carers.
26 May, London.
Making the most of media opportunities to enhance your school's profile
Whether it's sharing good news or handling a crisis, headteachers and school management teams need to be able to handle the media in all of its forms. This one-day seminar in association with the NAHT is essential for new and aspiring heads as well as established school leaders who wish to update their knowledge. It includes a session on social media.
13 June, Birmingham and 20 September, London.
Distinctiveness and branding in higher education
Higher education institutions will struggle in the marketplace unless they stand out from competitors and make sense to stakeholders. The Guardian's half-day seminar in partnership with the Leadership Foundation for Higher Education will explore what it takes to develop and maintain a distinctive brand that attracts students, staff and funders. Participants will hear from experts, examine case studies and have the opportunity to network with peers.
28 June, London.
Find us on the Guardian website
All today's EducationGuardian stories
Follow us on Twitter and Facebook
EducationGuardian resources
The Guardian University Guide 2011
The Guardian Postgraduate Guide 2011
The world's top 100 universities
Updating table of university fee announcements for 2012
From Guardian Professional
The Higher Education Network for university professionals
Free online classroom resources on the Teacher Network
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