What uni do I pick?
There’s lots of things to consider when looking at which university is right for you, from course and facilities to location and rankings. With over 100 universities to choose from in the UK, you’ll need to think about what’s most important to you and do lots of research. Visit campuses and look at reviews on third party sites such as UCAS, UniFrog or Student Room.
Course content
What you’ll study is obviously a big part of your decision. Find out what modules or topics the course covers - this can usually be found on the course pages of university websites. Learning about the modules will give you a good idea of the types of things you’ll be studying and help you decide if it sounds like something you’ll really enjoy.
Assessment types
How your work is assessed will depend on the course. For some courses there will be coursework, for others exams, and for some a mix of both. Also, are your exams all at the end of the year or spread throughout the year? At DMU we teach in module blocks where one topic is studied and assessed before moving onto the next one, so there’s not multiple exams at once.
Placement options
Gaining real world experience with an employer gives you an edge when applying for graduate jobs. Research what opportunities are available for placements, internships, and work experiences. DMU offers every student guaranteed work experience opportunities. DMU was rated the UK’s best university for work experience in both 2024 and 2025 by RateMyPlacement.
Location
Campus vs city university
Do you love the city vibe or fancy a single campus? Some universities have buildings and facilities spread throughout a city whereas others have a single campus with everything in one place. Visit the surrounding area to see if it’s for you - you’ll be spending a lot of time there so it’s important you feel comfortable there. DMU is in Leicester city-centre, one of only a few universities where we have a campus that’s in the city, so you get the best of both worlds.
Distance from home
Do you want to stay close to home or move further away? Think about the transport links the city has and how easy it is to get to and from. If you decide to stay living at home and commute to uni, how easy is that to do?
Cost of living
Some cities are more expensive than others, so this will impact how much you’ll need to spend on accommodation, utilities, groceries, and social activities. The average monthly student rent in the UK now stands at £562.67 [Nationwide Student Living Index 2025] with the north of England having the cheapest regional student rent.
At DMU we have students who have shared their experiences managing their finances while studying, how they balanced their accommodation fees or why they chose to do a mix of commuting and living near campus.
Facilities
What facilities does the university have? Look specifically at the facilities for your course - does your course have what you need to prepare for your career? Are there plenty of study spaces available where you can focus on your work?
Looking beyond graduation, is there a resource to help you with your career options and applying for jobs? DMU’s award winning Careers Team offers lots of support to help you get work-ready including interview practice and CV reviews.
Also, consider what there is for when you’re not studying such as sports facilities, places to eat, or shops. At DMU we’re lucky enough to have our own leisure centre!
Accommodation options
If you decide to live in university accommodation, or private accommodation in your second and third year, research what’s available. Do you want your own bathroom? Do you want to stay in a single room or a shared flat? It’s always a good idea to have a tour of accommodation blocks when you visit a university.
Rankings and reputation
You might want to look at where a university sits in league tables – but remember this doesn’t paint a complete picture. Look at the rankings and accolades for your course, in particular. DMU has been rated an ‘Excellent’ five star university by QS Top Universities for our teaching, facilities, employability, global outlook and more.
Student experience
University is about more than what you learn in books. Find out what’s on offer that will help you to be happy and productive during your time at uni. Do you want to join societies or clubs? Do you want to play sports? What support services might you need? DMU offers lots of support from financial advice to help with your wellbeing and physical/mental health.
It’s important to feel that you’re going to fit in with your new community. Everyone should feel seen, heard, and supported. Research what the university does to create a welcoming, inclusive community that you’ll feel part of. DMU is the first university to achieve a silver Race Equality Charter award for our work to improve equality and diversity.
Open days
Visiting us on campus is the best way to get a real feel for university life, affordability and the great benefits your child can get from studying with us.
Find out more and book your place
Jun
27
Open Days at DMU Leicester
Saturday
27
June
9am - 3pm