How to find a course

How do you go about finding a postgraduate course or research programme at a UK university? With so much choice available, it isn’t surprising that some people don’t know where to start looking.
The most important thing to do is to think very carefully about what it is you want to get out of your study. This will depend upon your interests, your experiences and your long-term ambitions. Only you can make the right choice but you should get as much advice and assistance as possible. If you are currently at university, talk to your tutors and, if appropriate, careers advisers.
You should also contact the British Council, which offers advice and information for anyone considering coming to the UK. Talk to your family and friends. If possible, talk to people who have already studied in the UK. Most UK universities have alumni networks. Many will also have international officers working in your own country.

Exhibitions and fairs

UK universities attend exhibitions all over the world. These exhibitions, usually organised by the British Council, provide an ideal opportunity to talk to representatives from the universities and with alumni. An average exhibition will have representatives from over 100 institutions and will normally be busy, with many people waiting to speak to the exhibitors.
With so many exhibitors and so many students attending, it is important to prepare carefully before you attend an education exhibition. Make sure that you know exactly what you want to ask. Write down your questions in advance and make a note of the answers. Get a copy of each university’s prospectus and any additional information on your chosen subject area. If the university does not have any prospectuses left, leave your name and address and ask for a copy to be sent to you.
Exhibitions also provide seminars about studying in the UK, which take place throughout the event. Some seminars will be about general issues such as studying and living in the UK or applying for postgraduate study and some concentrate on specific subject areas. Seminars provide basic information and the opportunity to ask questions. The British Council has an information desk at every exhibition where you can obtain information, talk to counsellors about studying in the UK and obtain impartial advice.

Information resources

When you are clear about the subject you wish to study, you need to find out which universities offer the courses or research programmes you are interested in. The best place to start your search is at www.prospects.ac.uk/pgdbase You can also find details of all courses in Prospects Postgraduate Directory. available in your local British Council office.
The online database provides more information per entry and also allows you to search for postgraduate programmes by subject of study, institution, qualification and keyword. Each entry includes a description of the course or research opportunity, information on the duration of the course and the number of students plus a section with information relevant to international students. E-mail links mean that you can contact with course providers directly.
In addition to postgraduate opportunities, the British Council’s www.educationuk.org site includes information on boarding school and college education plus English language, career-based, and undergraduate programmes. The site also has a link to the English in Britain website where you can search accredited institutions offering relevant English language courses.
You can find out about student welfare, application processes and visa arrangements. The site will also point you to your nearest British Council office. Once you’ve got what you need from the website, click on the relevant link to contact the British Council. Your local office will have a wide range of books, directories, brochures, guides, prospectuses and CD-ROMs that you can use.