Comparing more than one offer
Holding more than one offer is a good problem, and the moment most students most want advice. This is a framework for weighing them against each other, not a comparison of any specific universities — for that, use the board or the university pages themselves.
What actually matters
Weigh these in roughly this order. Most decisions come down to the first two or three, not all of them equally.
- 1
The total cost of the whole course, not just the first year
A lower first-year fee can hide a higher total if the course is longer, or if fees rise each year — ask for the full-course figure, not the headline number. Add living costs for the actual city, not the country average.
- 2
The entry route you are actually taking
A foundation year adds a year and a cost most comparisons leave out of the sticker price. Compare the total time and total cost to the degree, not just the degree's own fee.
- 3
Funding you are actually eligible for
A nominally cheaper university with no funding open to you can cost more than a pricier one with a real scholarship attached. Check what you can apply for at each, not what exists in general.
- 4
What you can do after you graduate
Post-study work rights differ by country and change over time — check the current rule for your destination rather than assuming it matches a country you have heard about from someone else's experience.
- 5
Whether the specific programme, not just the university, fits what you want
A strong university can have a weak version of the exact course you want, and the reverse. Read the actual module list and entry requirement for the programme, not the university's overall reputation.
What looks like it matters but usually does not decide much
None of these are irrelevant. They are just not where most students should spend their deciding energy.
- A small difference in world ranking between two universities in a similar band. The difference between rank 45 and rank 60 rarely changes an actual outcome; the difference between rank 45 and rank 400 usually does.
- How polished the marketing material or campus photos look. Every university's brochure is designed to look impressive.
- A friend's opinion about a university they have not attended, based on its name recognition rather than the specific programme.
- The country's general reputation as a study destination, separate from your specific offer's actual entry route, cost, and funding.
Comparing the real data side by side
Rank, cost, entry requirements and route for every university we cover are on the board and on each university's own page.
See the board