As you may know, you can ask a
university any questions which you have
about them by clicking on the ‘Contact
institution’ button whenever you see it
on our site. This way you can begin a
conversation with them; let them get to
know you; and obtain all the information
you need to make an informed decision
about where you study.
But what should you ask?
It can be easy to simply ask about the
scholarship opportunities they offer.
However institutions receive hundreds of
such enquiries, so your message won’t
stand out. The more unique or
personalised your question or enquiry,
the more likely it will resonate with the
university staff member who reads it; it
will be something different from what
they see normally.
There are a lot of other things you
should be asking. Just think of
everything which you would want to
know about a university you might be
studying at (especially one in a
completely different country from your
own).
Here are some ideas to get you thinking
about what you may ask...
‘Where can I live?’
Do you know what accommodation the
institution offers? Is this accommodation
on or off-campus? How expensive is this
accommodation and what’s included?
Are you guaranteed a place in on-
campus accommodation in your first
year? What support is there to find
accommodation off-campus?
‘What’s the international student body
like?’
What proportion of students currently
enrolled are from overseas? What
countries do these students come from?
Are there many students from your own
country? If so, are there any specific
clubs or societies which are tailored to
students from here?
‘How is the course taught?’
Is the course taught through lectures, lab
work or seminars? How many students
are in these classes? What is the
structure of a normal lecture/seminar?
Will you work independently, or with one
or more students as part of group-work?
How many hours can you expect to
spend on campus each week? Does this
include face-time with your professors in
their office hours?
‘What would you study specifically on a
course?’
Can you get some specific details on the
material you’ll be studying i.e. specific
authors or cases? How much depth
would you go into? Do you get to choose
the modules you take? Or is there a core
curriculum which is mandatory for
everyone?
‘What have previous graduates on this
course gone on to do?’
Does the university have any notable
alumni in your field? Perhaps someone
famous who you look up to? What
companies or organisations are these
alumni now working for which you might
be able to apply to later too? Could you
get work experience with one of these
companies or alongside one of these
individuals? Are there any unusual paths
which graduates have gone down which
might not be obvious?
‘What should I study if I want to study
at a higher level later?’
If you have aspirations to study at
postgraduate level or a further study
level, what should you study before that
(i.e. at undergraduate level)? What
courses does the university offer which
you could study which would allow you
to make this progression? Are there
pathways or pre-masters courses
available?
‘Can you confirm the application
deadlines?’
When are these deadlines? Are there
different deadlines for students from
different countries? What are the
deadlines for scholarship applications for
these courses? What do you need to
provide by this date?
‘What’s the local area like?’
Why should you study in that region?
What are the main attractions? Is there
much of a nightlife? How easy is it to
get around by public transport? Is it a
major student town, or a mix of ages and
backgrounds?
‘How can the university help me find
employment after I complete my
course?’
Does the university have links to local,
national or international industries or
organisations? Are any of these in the
same field as you’re studying? Is there a
careers department or service on
campus? Are there are opportunities to
complete work experience or practical
work as part of your course?
And if you really must , ask about
scholarships (but ask the right way)...
Read our guide to enquiring about
scholarships the correct way . Universities
will respond to enquiries about
scholarships; but only if they’re specific
and indicate that the student is
passionate about studying at that
institution.
Who'll answer your questions? Watch
our video of an international office in
action:
Now when you find a university you're
interested in on our site, you'll know
what to ask!