Should You Study at a Small University?

There is no doubt that a university is shaped by its students and a busy and bustling campus is a welcome sight for many. However, a smaller university can be equally charming and might be better if you’re wanting a more tight-knit experience.

Times Higher Education (THE) has ranked some of the best universities in the world with less than 5,000 students (we’ll come to the rankings in just a bit) but how do you know studying at a small university is for you?

We’ve taken a look at some pros and cons of being at a smaller university as a postgraduate student.

• More contact with professors and supervisors: Smaller universities tend to have smaller class sizes as there’s less students overall. Your classes could be as small as 10 students (or even less). Smaller class sizes mean you’ll get more one-to-one time with professors and supervisors. You’ll be able to receive more tailored feedback, spend more time with your tutor and build a strong personal relationship with them.
• More room for discussion in class: Another benefit of smaller class sizes is the room for discussion and debate during seminars. Learning from your peers is a big part of postgraduate study. Students at all universities are encouraged to participate in these discussions in class, but smaller groups definitely make it less intimidating.
• Community feel: There is often a stronger sense of community at smaller universities. You’ll probably know your class, your tutors and maybe even the university staff by name. Personal relationships mean there is more support available when you need it. University support services can also give more time and energy to individual student needs.
• More space: There’s usually more space at smaller universities (although the overall campus might be small). University spaces like libraries and Students’ Unions aren’t as crowded. If you’re someone who doesn’t like being in crowded places, you’ll find smaller university campuses very welcoming.
• Overall, less intimidating: Smaller universities are just a little less intimidating. They have smaller campuses or may be located in smaller towns. They are easier to navigate around and can feel safer than big cities and campuses.

• A less busy university experience: If you’re imagining your student life at a busy campus, with student nights outs, busy student accommodation blocks and a huge sporting culture then a smaller university may not be for you. You’ll still get plenty of opportunities to socialise with other students, but they may not be as organised as at larger universities. If you’re someone who’s looking for smaller activity groups and an intimate student experience, you’re probably right looking at smaller universities.
• Limited in-house research facilities: Research laboratories and centres are expensive and smaller universities may not have the budget to have all these resources in-house. They often partner-up with other universities and research bodies to fill this gap. You can still expect world-class research at smaller universities (as you’ll find out in the rankings), but you should check what they have on offer before committing. If you think you’ll thrive in a more specialised and personalised research environment, smaller universities might have what you need.
• Limited accommodation choices: Since smaller universities welcome only a small number of students, accommodation options might be limited. Smaller universities might only have a few student housing blocks, or they might even be concentrated within a single campus.
• Not much to do around: If your small university is also in a small town, there may not be a whole lot to do outside of your studies. Even though you’re likely to find everything you need on a daily basis nearby, you might find yourself travelling for shopping and entertainment. This is both time consuming and comes at an added cost.

In reality, it really depends on the type of experience you want and the type of person you are as to whether a smaller or larger university is going to work best for you.

Think a small university is the right choice? Here’s a list of the best small universities in the world and the UK taken from the Times Higher Education World Rankings. Maybe there’s a place waiting for you at one of these universities!