Getting Started3
How to Choose the Right University Course
A comprehensive guide to comparing courses using data, not just league tables.
How to Use CourseMap to Compare Courses
A step-by-step walkthrough of CourseMap's filters, salary charts, and satisfaction scores so you can make a data-led shortlist.
What Are UCAS Tariff Points and How Do They Work?
A clear explanation of how A-level, BTEC, and other qualifications convert into UCAS points, and how universities use them.
Choosing a Course2
BA vs BSc: Does the Degree Type Actually Matter?
The difference between a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Science, when it matters to employers, and when it does not.
How to Choose a Course Using Graduate Outcomes Data
A practical guide to reading GO and LEO data on CourseMap so you can judge whether a course is likely to deliver the career you want.
Applications3
UCAS Application Tips for 2026
Everything you need to know about applying through UCAS - timelines, personal statements, and references.
How to Structure Your UCAS Personal Statement in 2025
A clear structure for the new UCAS personal statement format, with guidance on what to include in each section.
How UCAS Clearing Works: A Step-by-Step Guide
Everything you need to know about Clearing, when it opens, how to call universities, and how to make the best choice under pressure.
Data & Outcomes3
Understanding Graduate Salary Data
What LEO and GO data actually measure, and how to interpret the numbers when choosing a university.
Understanding NSS Scores: What They Mean and Their Limits
How the National Student Survey works, what the scores tell you about teaching quality, and where the data can mislead.
Reading LEO Data: Graduate Salaries at Five Years
How to use Longitudinal Education Outcomes data on CourseMap to compare long-run earnings by course and institution.
Finance4
Student Finance Explained
How tuition fees and maintenance loans work, and what you actually have to pay back.
UK Student Finance: Devolved Nations Explained
Detailed breakdown of the four distinct student loan systems: England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
Plan 2 vs Plan 5 Student Loans: Key Differences
If you started a degree before 2023, you are on Plan 2. If you started from 2023 onwards, you are on Plan 5. Here is what that means in practice.
Making Your Maintenance Loan Last: A Budgeting Guide for First Years
Practical advice on stretching your maintenance loan across a full term, with typical cost breakdowns for major UK student cities.
Student Life2
Student Mental Health: What Support Universities Must Provide
Your rights to mental health and wellbeing support at university, what to look for when comparing institutions, and how to access help.
University Accommodation: Halls, Private Rentals, and What to Expect
A guide to first-year accommodation options, what university halls typically include, and how to navigate the private rental market in your second year.
Alternatives to University2
Degree Apprenticeships: The Full University Alternative
How degree apprenticeships work, which sectors offer them, what you earn while studying, and how to apply alongside your UCAS application.
Higher Technical Qualifications: A Practical Alternative to a Full Degree
What HTQs are, which employers recognise them, how they compare to degrees in salary outcomes, and how to find approved courses.