At Students Ireland OS (SIOS), one message comes up again and again when we speak with graduates:
“I wish I had researched my university better before applying.”
That regret rarely shows up in first year. It usually arrives after graduation, when the excitement fades and real questions emerge:
Was this degree the right fit for my career?
Did I understand the costs clearly enough?
Why do employers value some universities or programmes more than others?
Why did no one tell me this before I applied?
This newsletter is written to change that outcome.
Choosing a university is one of the biggest decisions a student will ever make. Yet many students still base that choice on rankings, social media, hearsay, or pressure from others. Proper research before applying is not about overthinking—it is about protecting your future self from avoidable disappointment.
Below are the best practices for researching a university properly, explained in a natural, practical way, and—most importantly—the reasons these steps dramatically reduce post-graduation regret.
1. Start With the Degree, Not the University Name
One of the most common mistakes students make is choosing a university first and a programme second.
Reputation matters—but only to a point. What truly shapes your experience is the specific degree programme, not the logo on the hoodie.
Best practice:
Download the full course handbook, not just the marketing summary. Look at:
- Core modules vs electives
- Assessment methods (exams, projects, placements, group work)
- Contact hours and workload
- Whether the curriculum is theoretical, practical, or blended
Why this avoids regret:
Many graduates realise too late that their programme was either:
- Too theoretical for industry roles
- Too narrow for career flexibility
- Outdated compared to market needs
When students research the actual modules in advance, they avoid the shock of discovering in third year that the degree does not align with their interests or employability goals.
2. Research Academic Staff and Teaching Quality
Universities sell courses. Lecturers deliver them.
Who teaches you matters far more than most applicants realise.
Best practice:
- Look up academic staff profiles in your department
- Check their research areas, industry background, and publications
- See if they supervise undergraduate research or projects
- Read student feedback where available
Why this avoids regret:
Strong lecturers inspire curiosity, confidence, and ambition. Weak engagement leads to disengaged students.
Graduates often say they felt like “just a number” or that teaching quality varied wildly. Researching staff beforehand gives you a clearer sense of:
- Mentorship opportunities
- Research exposure
- Whether staff are connected to industry or policy
This directly affects postgraduate options, references, and career pathways.
3. Understand Graduate Outcomes, Not Just Entry Points
Universities proudly advertise entry requirements. Fewer talk honestly about exit outcomes.
Best practice:
Investigate:
- Graduate employment rates (6–12 months after graduation)
- Typical job roles alumni enter
- Industries and employers recruiting from the programme
- Postgraduate progression statistics
LinkedIn is an underused goldmine here. Search for alumni and see where they actually work.
Why this avoids regret:
A degree is not just an academic journey—it is an economic investment.
Graduates regret programmes that:
- Lack clear career pathways
- Are oversaturated in the labour market
- Do not match employer expectations
Understanding outcomes in advance helps students choose degrees that open doors rather than close them.
4. Be Brutally Honest About Costs and Financial Reality
One of the deepest post-graduation regrets is financial.
Best practice:
Go beyond tuition fees and calculate:
- Accommodation costs
- Living expenses
- Transport
- Books, equipment, and placements
- Opportunity cost (years out of full-time work)
If loans are involved, understand repayment timelines and salary thresholds.
Why this avoids regret:
Many graduates only realise after finishing that:
- Their salary does not justify their debt
- Financial stress limits career choices
- Further study feels impossible due to costs
Clear financial planning before applying allows students to balance ambition with sustainability.
5. Research Industry Links and Work Experience Opportunities
Degrees without real-world exposure are increasingly risky.
Best practice:
Check whether the programme offers:
- Internships or placements
- Industry-led projects
- Guest lectures from professionals
- Accreditation from professional bodies
Ask directly: How does this programme connect students to employers?
Why this avoids regret:
Graduates often say, “I had the degree, but no experience.”
Programmes with built-in industry engagement reduce that gap and improve employability immediately after graduation.
6. Go Beyond the Prospectus: Listen to Current Students and Alumni
Marketing content is designed to attract you. Student experience reveals reality.
Best practice:
- Talk to current students outside official open days
- Ask alumni what they would do differently
- Look at independent forums and student societies
- Ask about workload, stress, support, and culture
Why this avoids regret:
Regret often comes from misaligned expectations:
- Course intensity
- Assessment pressure
- Social environment
- Support availability
Real conversations expose issues brochures never mention.
7. Evaluate Student Support and Wellbeing Services
Academic success depends on more than intelligence.
Best practice:
Research:
- Academic advising quality
- Mental health and counselling access
- Disability and learning supports
- Career services strength
Why this avoids regret:
Students rarely plan to struggle—but many do.
Graduates regret institutions where support was:
- Overstretched
- Hard to access
- Reactive instead of proactive
Strong support systems help students stay on track and complete their degree with confidence.
8. Consider Location, Lifestyle, and Long-Term Fit
You are not just choosing a university—you are choosing a place to live for years.
Best practice:
Think honestly about:
- Cost of living
- Housing availability
- Commute and transport
- Social life and community
- Safety and inclusivity
Why this avoids regret:
Many students underestimate how environment affects motivation and wellbeing.
Location mismatch leads to loneliness, burnout, and disengagement—issues that often surface only after it is too late to transfer easily.
9. Understand Flexibility, Transfers, and Exit Options
Life changes. Your degree should not trap you.
Best practice:
Ask:
- Can you change majors or pathways?
- Are credits transferable?
- What exit awards exist if circumstances change?
Why this avoids regret:
Graduates regret rigid systems that offered no flexibility when interests or circumstances evolved.
10. Define Success on Your Terms, Not Society’s
Perhaps the most important research step is internal.
Best practice:
Ask yourself:
- What does success look like for me?
- Am I choosing this for passion, security, or pressure?
- Would I still want this degree if no one else had an opinion?
Why this avoids regret:
Some of the deepest regrets come from living someone else’s plan.
Clarity before applying leads to ownership after graduation.
Final Thought from SIOS
University regret is rarely about intelligence or effort. It is usually about information gaps.
Research does not limit ambition—it strengthens it.
At SIOS, we believe informed students make empowered choices. The time spent researching before applying can save years of frustration, debt, and missed opportunity later.
If you are applying this year, research like your future depends on it—because it does.
Because graduating without regret is not about luck. It is about preparation.