There are plenty of resources you can use to help you wade through the hundreds of places you could choose to study at. Below are a few of the most important things you should tick-off when making your choices.

1.    Make use of UCAS fairs and HE Fairs

Taking place all over the UK, UCAS fairs and Higher Education fairs great opportunities to find out a more about places you’re interested in, plus all the places you didn’t even know existed! Speak to the University representatives who are there. At 17, I went along as a student and I now go for Kaplan Business School as the person at the other end of the stand, so have been on both ends! All the questions I wasn’t sure about asking were exactly what everyone else was asking too! Don't be afraid to ask as many questions as you like and find out as much as you can. That’s what these are for!

2.    Visit it

Open Days give you a great feel for what a University is like and is a way to really find out about the course, campus location and facilities. It is a great way to get a feel for the atmosphere and work out what’ really important. I ruled out a few unis just by going along and getting a feel for a day.

3.    Speak to students and academic staff

These guys will be able to tell you why they chose to spend a few years at their particular uni. Whether it was the awesome bakery, great facilities or perfect location, getting their perspective can be an invaluable part of your research. Academic staff will be able to give you a better understanding of what your course involves, the sorts of subjects you cover and how you’re assessed, which is useful to know before committing a few years of your life to it!

4.    Websites, prospectuses and books

Books like Times Higher Education Guide can give you anything from the male to female ratio, through to the price of a local pint! Institutions will have prospectuses and websites to help you find everything you could want to know, too.   

5.    Talk to teachers and careers advisors

Careers advisors have lots of information about the different places you can study, and often books and prospectuses you can borrow. Teachers will know about universities they studied at and can often give useful advice about the good places to study the subjects they teach. As with all advice, take it with a pinch of salt and remember to...

6.    ...Listen to yourself

If you get advised that you Joe Bloggs Uni is the best for you, take it on board and think about it; other people's perspectives can be very helpful! But the most importantly of all, make sure you make your final decision. After all, it’s you who will be going there!