What are the benefits of going to university?

Are you currently in college or sixth form and thinking about what to do next?

You might be considering starting an apprenticeship, taking a gap year, doing some volunteering, becoming self-employed and setting up your own business, studying towards a degree at university or going straight into full time work. There are many different options to think about and routes you can take to get to your chosen career path.

If you are thinking about going to university there are many benefits to consider, it’s not just about learning and obtaining a degree it’s also about the life experience which comes with being a student. If you’re wondering if university is the right option for you, the benefits detailed below might help you make your decision.

Increased Employability

Over the course of your time at university not only will you be awarded a degree, which is often desired or required by employers, but you can also develop various skills. This can increase your employability which is important as it refers to your ability to secure and keep employment.

During your degree there are plenty of opportunities to take advantage of that can increase your employability further such as:

Undertaking a placement year
Studying abroad for a year
Maintaining a part time job
Seeking out work experience

At Northumbria University we offer support for finding these opportunities through our careers service ‘Graduate Futures’ which is available to help you throughout your time at university and beyond graduation. You can book personalised sessions either in person or online in the form of careers guidance and employability advice. This can enhance your employability and career prospects with CV and interview preparation.

More on how higher education improves employability

Development of Skills

Employers look for transferable skills that you will be able to apply in their workplace to your future job role. During university you can develop skills such as your communication, organisation, time management and teamwork along with many more. They are all important and transferable to the workplace. These skills can develop throughout your time at university whilst studying towards your degree as you learn to manage deadlines and maintain a work-life balance.

Your confidence can also increase along the way as you take on more responsibility throughout your studies and in your own life, particularly if you are living away from home. By developing these skills and using them throughout university, when attending future job interviews, you can demonstrate your adaptability by utilising these skills in different scenarios.

Greater Independence

Making the decision to go to university provides the opportunity for greater independence, especially if you choose to live away from home whilst studying towards your degree. For many students it can be their first time living away from home. Students will have more responsibility in terms of cooking for themselves, budgeting their own money and navigating a new city. We realise that this could be a little bit overwhelming for some students. At Northumbria University our ‘Student Life and Wellbeing’ services are available to students where our friendly and specialist advisors are here to offer support if it is needed.

This increased independence at university allows students to grow and learn throughout their degree. It’s an opportunity for personal development as you learn new life skills, meet new people and navigate student life.

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Meeting New People and Experiencing Student Life

University isn’t just about learning, it’s also a great place for socialising, meeting new people and experiencing student life. Not only will you meet people during lectures and seminars, but Northumbria University has over 100 societies that you will have the opportunity to join during your time at university. Joining a society is a way to meet like-minded people who have similar interests. It also gives you the opportunity to try new things, learn new skills and even go on trips abroad. They can also help you establish a work life balance alongside your studies, providing a time for you to socialise with others.

As well as societies there are also a variety of sports clubs which you can join and play socially or competitively. Both societies and sports clubs are a great way to make new friends and you also have the option of setting up and running your own society!

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A brilliant opportunity to make new friends, try something new and have the best time during your studies.

When making your decision on whether or not to go to university it is important to consider all of these benefits and take time to do your research in order to discover the right option for you. Further resources you might find helpful can be found here.