Website of the UK government

Comparing courses: Unistats

The ‘best’ course for one student might not necessarily be the ‘best’ for another: people have different priorities. But you can use the Unistats website to compare facts and figures on institutions and courses. You’ll find information on:

• course completion
• student achievement
• graduate employment
• student population (including the percentages of mature, part-time and overseas students)
• students’ qualifications on entry

You’ll also find details of students’ views on teaching quality, academic support and more from the National Student Survey.

There aren’t any official UK league tables for universities and colleges, though many newspapers produce their own, unofficial tables.

• Unistats - compare unis and colleges in the UK Opens new window

Checking course quality

Academic standards across the UK are moderated by the Quality Assurance Agency for higher education (QAA).

This means that whichever university or college you study at, and whichever course you take, the 'threshold level' to reach a particular standard (a first or 2:1 degree, for example) will be comparable.

Universities and colleges are responsible for the standards and quality of the courses they offer. This is internal quality assurance. However, the QAA also checks to see how well institutions uphold these standards, providing external quality assurance. The QAA produces reviews and reports which highlight areas of good practice and make recommendations for action. It also provides guidance on the reliability of the information on standards and quality published by each university or college.

• Find a report from the Quality Assurance Agency for higher education Opens new window

Course accreditation from professional bodies

Some professions approve or accredit related courses. If you're looking to pursue a career in a particular area, check your course is one of those approved by the relevant professional body. Every institution should be able to give you this information.

Other sources of information on universities, colleges and courses

Choosing where to go and what to study is an important decision, so it’s worth getting together as much information as you can. Follow the links below for details on further sources of information.

• Choosing a college or university
• Find a university or college course
• University prospectuses and open days