Learning, Growing and Thriving: Finding a University to Fit Your Future

Written by Mrs Ruth Grainger, Head of Futures

Choosing where to study after school isn’t just about ticking boxes, it’s about finding the place where each pupil will truly thrive. As Loughborough High School’s in-house Head of Futures and a professionally qualified careers adviser, my role is to help every student navigate that journey with confidence, insight, and a clear sense of purpose.

When it comes to making that choice, the course almost always leads the way. The subject a pupil chooses to study shapes not only their academic experience, but also their future direction. The same course title can differ significantly from one university to another, so understanding the structure, content, and teaching approach is essential. Once a pupil is confident about their course, other factors such as location, facilities, and student life naturally follow in importance.

We encourage pupils to explore these practicalities in detail: the feel of a campus versus a city university, the breadth of student societies, the support networks available, and the overall atmosphere of the institution. Open days are invaluable in this process, giving pupils the chance to see beyond the prospectus and ask themselves the all-important question: Can I picture myself living and studying here?

Alongside open days, pupils can also take part in degree-taster programmes and university outreach activities, both of which offer a valuable glimpse into academic life and can help shape their decisions early on. That instinctive response, the “gut feeling”, is often what brings the facts and figures to life. It’s not about relying on instinct alone but allowing it to work with the research they’ve done to create a complete picture.

Another key part of the decision-making process is opportunity. Whether that’s the chance to grow personally, study abroad, gain work experience, or access strong graduate outcomes, we encourage pupils to look at how each university might help them develop in the ways that matter most to them. Most institutions now offer excellent industry links, collaborative projects, and placement years, all of which can play a vital role in preparing students for the realities of today’s workplace. Experience alongside academic study is highly valued by employers, and for many pupils, these opportunities can be the deciding factor in their choice of course or institution.

At the same time, it’s important to remember that there is no single “perfect” university for everyone. Acknowledging that from the start often helps pupils manage the pressure they can feel when making such a significant decision.

To bring focus to the process, we help students build a balanced application strategy, encouraging choices that offer an appropriate range of entry requirements to provide both ambition and flexibility when results day arrives, knowing they have realistic options at every level. Pupils are also considering degree apprenticeships, which combine university study with paid work experience and offer a powerful route into both higher education and professional life. And now more than ever, Clearing is seen as an opportunity rather than a fallback, a chance to reassess and make confident decisions with new insight once results are in.

Whatever path our pupils take, my priority is that they feel equipped and supported to explore every avenue with curiosity and confidence. When our Year 13s leave LHS, I take pride in knowing they are pursuing a direction that’s right for them at this moment in time — understanding that as they grow, so too will their ambitions and ideas about the future.

Mrs Ruth Grainger, Head of Futures