选大学和专业¶
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How to choose a university and major in the UK?
Rankings are typically the most straightforward way to assess universities and majors across countries. Rankings can be global or specific to a country, such as the Times Higher Education World University Rankings or national rankings like the Guardian University Guide. In the UK, the top-tier universities are often referred to as the G5, which includes the University of Cambridge, the University of Oxford, Imperial College London, University College London (UCL), and the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE). These five universities are considered elite institutions and are also known as the UK's "Golden Brick" universities.
When selecting a university and major in the UK, it is important to consider rankings. There are two types of rankings to consider: university rankings and subject-specific rankings. As a general tip, if you plan to return to your home country for your career, prioritize universities with higher overall rankings. However, if you intend to pursue a career in the UK, prioritize majors with higher subject-specific rankings. If you are curious about the reasons behind this, you can send me a red envelope, and I will provide you with more information.
Currently, the main UK university ranking institutions include:
The Times: The Times Higher Education World University Rankings (commonly known as The Times) is published in collaboration with The Times and The Sunday Times. It is one of the three authoritative ranking lists in the UK. The Times ranking primarily focuses on academic and research performance, teaching quality, and more. It provides detailed reports on the rankings and includes subject-specific rankings for universities. Ten-Sheng Miao recommends referring to this ranking along with the one mentioned below, the Times Higher Education rankings.
The website for the Times Higher Education UK University Rankings is: ：
https://st.hitcreative.com/education/university_guide/active/UniversityGuide/table/type/rank/year/2019
As shown in the following image, search for specific majors, UK university subject rankings：
The website for the Times Higher Education UK University Subject Rankings is: ：
https://st.hitcreative.com/education/university_guide/active/UniversityGuide/index/goto/search-the-guide
The Guardian University Rankings, published by The Guardian, is another one of the three authoritative ranking lists in the UK. It primarily assesses universities based on factors such as graduation rates, employment rates, student satisfaction, and campus environment. The rankings take into account various aspects and provide comprehensive evaluations. Additionally, The Guardian rankings provide detailed information on the gender ratio, age distribution, nationalities, tuition fees, and more for each university. Furthermore, it also offers subject-specific rankings for each university.
The official website for The Guardian UK University Rankings is:：
https://www.theguardian.com/education/ng-interactive/2018/may/29/university-league-tables-2019
As shown in the following image, UK university subject rankings：
he website for The Guardian UK University Subject Rankings is:：
https://www.theguardian.com/education/ng-interactive/2018/may/29/university-league-tables-2019
The Complete University Guide (CUG) Rankings, also one of the three authoritative ranking lists in the UK, is published by The Independent. It provides rankings for UK universities and offers detailed reports for each institution. The rankings consider factors such as student population, gender ratio, academic stages, study time, and the services and facilities provided by the universities. Additionally, the rankings provide specific UCAS codes for each university.
The website for The Complete University Guide UK Rankings is：https://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/league-tables/rankings
As shown in the following image, UK university subject rankings：
The website for The Complete University Guide UK University Subject Rankings is:
：https://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/league-tables/rankings
World University Rankings: To see the global rankings of UK universities, it is generally sufficient to refer to the aforementioned Times Higher Education rankings. However, if you want to further understand the rankings of UK universities on a global scale, you can also check the World University Rankings and UK Rankings published by Times Higher Education.
The website for Times Higher Education World University Rankings is: ：
https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings/2019/world-ranking#!/page/0/length/25/sort_by/rank/sort_order/asc/cols/stats
The following image displays the rankings of UK universities.：
The website for the Times Higher Education UK University Rankings is:
：https://www.timeshighereducation.com/student/best-universities/best-universities-uk
As shown in the following image, UK university subject rankings：
The website for the Times Higher Education UK University Subject Rankings is: ：
https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings/by-subject
School Location:
Geographical location based on city size: When selecting a university in the UK, it is also important to consider the geographical location. Some highly ranked universities do not have campuses in major cities, or if they do, the facilities and resources for certain majors might not be as comprehensive. Many universities in the UK are located in small towns, with larger cities like Birmingham and Manchester being exceptions. London is the only first-tier financial city. If you want to enhance your work abilities and explore more opportunities, it would be beneficial to choose a university in a big city. However, keep in mind that the cost of living in major cities tends to be higher.
If you value the tranquility, comfort, and scenic beauty of small towns, as well as the advantage of lower prices, then choosing a university in a small town would be suitable for you. Of course, if you prioritize the top-ranked universities like Cambridge and Oxford, it is recommended to go wherever the university is located.
Geographical location based on academic advantages: Another aspect of geographical location is based on the strengths of specific academic disciplines. For example, if you choose a particular major that is closely related to its industry's origin, it would be ideal to study in that location. For instance, if you are studying pharmacy, Nottingham would be a suitable choice as Boots, a renowned pharmacy company, originated in Nottingham. Furthermore, Boots collaborates directly with the University of Nottingham in pharmaceutical research. Similarly, if you are interested in automotive engineering or automotive design, Coventry would be a good option as it is known as the "Motor City" since the birth of the first British Daimler car in 1896. Major automotive brands also have direct collaborations with Coventry University. Another example is studying electrical and electronic engineering (EEE) or electronic information. Reading would be a suitable location as it is known as the "Silicon Valley" of the UK. Huawei UK established its headquarters in Reading in 2001, and it is also where their UK operations are centered.
Personal preferences or future career development:
Apart from considering rankings and geographical locations, another factor to consider is your own preferences. For example, if you are a football enthusiast, you may consider cities like Manchester or Liverpool. If you prefer a vibrant and diverse environment, London might be a suitable choice. If you want to experience a completely different ancient city culture and witness men wearing kilts, you can go to Edinburgh (the capital of Scotland) and so on. Alternatively, you can also consider your future career goals. If you aspire to work in the entertainment industry or finance, London would be a suitable destination. If you prefer a more secluded and entrepreneurial lifestyle, smaller towns might be a better fit.
Choosing a university and major in the UK based on your own situation:
Indeed, analyzing various factors is important, but it is equally essential to consider your own circumstances. For example, when I was young, I often wondered whether I should attend Tsinghua University or Harvard University. In the end, I visited both as tourists and even touched the shoes of Harvard and the gate of Tsinghua.
Your personal circumstances include language proficiency, academic achievements, independence, adaptability, financial situation, and so on.
In summary, it ultimately depends on your inner desires and inclinations. Do you prioritize learning, finding employment opportunities, pursuing your passions, staying in the UK, focusing on academic research, or any other goals? If you find yourself in a dilemma, you can create a table or even send a red envelope to the adorable Tensun Miao (ChatGPT's nickname) for assistance.