How can I choose a university where I am likely to be taught as an individual rather than feel anonymous?
Look beyond the university’s overall size and check the specific faculty, department, or course you would enter. Examine the timing and size of small-group classes and seminars, adviser or tutor arrangements, when instructors can be consulted, and how learning support is accessed. At an open day or by speaking with current students, ask whether it is easy to approach instructors and whether support works in practice. Check official information for the relevant academic year.
Key points
- Check class and seminar sizes, as well as opportunities for individual guidance and feedback.
- Find out about advisers or tutors, office hours, academic consultations, and how students use them.
- Ask current students how approachable instructors are and what support is like in practice.
Things to check
- Even within one university, interaction with students can differ by faculty, department, course, year of study, and class.
- Having a support system does not by itself determine the experience; how much individual attention a student receives can also depend on how they participate and seek help.