Choosing what course to study at university is one of the biggest decisions you'll make. However, there is one thing that you should remember when deciding - it’s your choice.
Consider the following questions to help you decide the right course for you.
- Do you want to study the course?
- Is the course something you'd enjoy?
- Will the course help you get your dream job?
- What if you want to study more than one course?
Do you want to study the course?
There are different types of undergraduate study available to you as an international student but the most popular is a bachelor’s degree. There are so many exciting courses to study so it can be difficult to choose the right one. If you’re unsure of your choice, try to narrow it down to your top five.
Some universities have online ambassadors who are available to answer your questions regarding any prospective course you’re thinking of taking. They have helpful insights about what to expect and just chatting to them can help you make your decision.
Is the course something you'd enjoy?
Consider the subjects you enjoyed the most at school or college and then research similar courses that you can study at university. Going to university isn’t just about getting a degree that guarantees you a job, there are life experiences to be gained and friendships to be made too.
Having genuine interest will be appealing to potential employers and your passion might set you apart from other candidates. As Steve Jobs famously said, "the only way to do great work is to love what you do".
Many universities will also offer scholarships for their degrees which can help you financially. Here are just a few that Newcastle University offers: Engineering Excellence Scholarships, Science Excellence Scholarship and Faculty of Medical Sciences Undergraduate Excellence Scholarships.
There might even be clubs and societies you can join that can be beneficial for your course. Learning with like-minded individuals, discussing your interests and passions for the course can help you understand the subject matter better.
Will the course help you get your dream job?
If you want to work in a particular field then typically you’ll need a course that is a step towards it. The type of course that will assist you in getting your dream job will more than likely be a course you enjoy anyway.
Business-related degrees from a triple accredited business school like Newcastle University can benefit a wide variety of possible careers. At Newcastle University's London campus, our business degrees cover modules like finance, marketing and economics whilst also offering an innovative curriculum in the major European financial city.
With many courses containing integrate work placement, not only do you have the degree to prove you can do it, you have the experience too.
Here are some examples of popular career paths and what courses can help you get there:
- Engineer - Civil Engineering, Geographic Information Science and Digital Electronics are courses that can help you decide what type of engineer you want to be.
- Scientist - Medical Science, Biomedical Sciences and Chemistry are all applicable for scientist-related career paths.
- Business Manager - Economics and Business Management, International Marketing and Management, Mathematics and Accounting benefit business-minded individuals looking to achieve in the business world.
- Lawyer - Humanities and Social Sciences, History, Psychology and English Literature might all be enjoyable for a law-lover but keep in mind you need to have a Master's in Law degree if you want to be a qualified solicitor or barrister.
It might be ideal to visit your prospective university and attend an open day if possible. You can take a look at the facilities such as laboratories, find out more about your chosen course and teaching style.
If visiting isn’t possible, research online about your prospective university. You will find lots of valuable information from students forums and blogs.
What if you want to study more than one course?
If you are independently minded and want to study more than one subject, you might find a Combined Honours has plenty to offer.
Explore new interests or develop your existing expertise with a demanding degree programme. Study complementary subjects that work together or choose unusual subject combinations to reflect your individual interests and career aspirations.
The right course for you should be enjoyable, beneficial for your future career and be one you decided on. You can find your perfect course by having a look at what fantastic degrees we offer in our prospectus.
Download Newcastle University’s prospectus
Newcastle University is a member of the prestigious Russell Group of universities and is devoted to providing an outstanding learning experience for students.
International students attend Newcastle University to utilise our state-of-the-art facilities, welcoming city and the wide range of exciting undergraduate programmes that we offer.
Take a closer look at the courses you can choose from by downloading our prospectus.
