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The importance of the university prospectus

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When you begin to consider what university is the best fit for you, a wealth of information is at your fingertips. But, the signature information is the prospectus: a book that you can order to be posted to your house or view online.

The debate

These books have a wealth of information, from general university admittance to degrees and the experience of student life, in the hope that you will fill out an application to come to their university. However, there has been a recent debate when it comes to the prospectus.

In an interview with the Guardian, John Bradley, the former principal educational psychologist for the Nottingham City Council, said these books belong to the tourist brochure genre, noting the emphasis on advertising.

“There’s a sense that prospectuses are factual,” Bradley said. “They’re not seen as outright advertising, even though they are created by a marketing department.”

Indeed, a report from the now-defunct Office of Fair Trading, cited by the Guardian, said there were significant gaps, and that students were getting biased information: “There are significant gaps in relation to specific long-term prospects, such as future income and employment, that result from choice of course and institution.”

Shortlist

There are a number of factors that should go into what university you should choose. Get a shortlist of the universities you are interested in, and research the programme you are interested in pursuing. Talk to current students and assess the environment present. Indeed, if possible, try to get out there and examine the university for yourself.

Would this be the place you would be happy spending the next three years of your life? Would this be the place that you would be not only the most productive, but also the happiest?

Decisions

There are many things to look at, and there are a lot of ways to get that information to help you make that decision. Yet, despite all of its falls, and that it might not give you all the perspective you need, the prospectus is still worthwhile in giving you the insight you need to help you figure out what uni is best for you.

So search around. Order a stack of prospectuses, and get reading. Then, get out there, talk to people, and get the complete perspective of that university, because going in with an idea of what you want is better than making the wrong decision in the long term.

How useful do you think the university prospectus is? Let us know in the comments below.

Photo: Simon Cunningham / Flickr

Alex VeenemanThe importance of the university prospectus

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