For School & College Counsellors

Choosing a university course can feel overwhelming. With tens of thousands of undergraduate courses available through UCAS, many students don't know where to begin — and careers advisers are often left trying to guide dozens of students through that decision with limited time.

StudyDecidr helps simplify that decision.

Instead of asking students to search through thousands of courses, we ask a series of straightforward questions about their grades, interests, career ambitions and study preferences. We then match them with a carefully curated shortlist of courses that are genuinely suited to them — in minutes, not hours.

The scale of the problem

UK universities and colleges offer courses through more than 380 institutions, with tens of thousands of course combinations to choose from.

In 2025, a record 439,180 applicants were accepted into higher education — the highest number on record — while around 27,000 courses remained available through Clearing alone on results day.

Cost is now a major factor in decision-making: pre-applicants rank financial support and scholarships as their second most important consideration (46%) when choosing where to study.

For students without a clear structure to narrow things down, that scale of choice can be paralysing — which is exactly where StudyDecidr fits into your existing careers programme.

Why careers advisers recommend StudyDecidr

Students can spend hours sifting through prospectuses, comparing universities, or scrolling through tens of thousands of courses online. StudyDecidr lets them build a personalised shortlist in minutes, based on their grades and career ambitions.

This doesn't replace careers guidance — it makes it more focused. Instead of starting a conversation from zero, students arrive with a shortlist already in hand, so your time together goes straight to the decisions that matter.

Students can compare courses using:

• Entry requirements and typical grades
• Graduate outcomes
• Student satisfaction
• Continuation rates
• Career prospects
• Course structure and study preferences

Rather than relying solely on league tables or university reputation, students compare courses based on what matters most to them.

Perfect for students who…

• Don't know which university courses to apply for
• Feel overwhelmed by the number of options on UCAS
• Have several interests but aren't sure which direction to take
• Want to compare courses beyond university rankings
• Need a realistic shortlist based on their predicted grades
• Are considering their options before applying through UCAS
• Are exploring options during Clearing

What UCAS's latest Clearing research means for your students

UCAS regularly surveys thousands of undergraduates placed through Clearing to understand how students actually prepare and decide. Their most recent findings challenge some common assumptions careers advisers hold about Clearing — useful context to bring into your sixth form conversations:

• Clearing research starts earlier than most students think. 67% of 2024 Clearing applicants had already researched potential universities before August, up from 59% the year before — a sign that Clearing should be discussed as part of contingency planning, not left until results day.
• Clearing is no longer just a last-resort backup. Only 24% of 2024 Clearing users fitted the traditional “missed my grades, scrambling” profile — the lowest share on record. A growing share of students are choosing Clearing deliberately, to trade up or switch direction.
• Many students arrive with a clear target.45% of 2024 Clearing users contacted only one university, up from 38% in 2019 — showing that with the right preparation, Clearing doesn't have to mean applicants casting a wide, unfocused net.
• Clearing decisions aren't rushed, knee-jerk choices.Around a third of 2024 Clearing students used “decline my place” to switch course or university even after holding an offer — and over half of those “trade up” students had already reconsidered their original choice before getting their results.
• Clearing students apply the same scrutiny as main-cycle applicants.At least 8 in 10 Clearing applicants weigh teaching quality, facilities, student reviews, course content, and academic support as important factors — Clearing isn't a lower bar, just a different timeline.

Why this matters for your careers programme: the earlier students have a realistic, grade-based shortlist in hand — before results day, not on it — the calmer and more strategic their Clearing decisions will be if they need it. StudyDecidr gives students exactly that: a shortlist based on their actual predicted grades, ready to adjust in minutes if results change.

Source: UCAS, “The New Era of Clearing: What it Means for Universities” (2024 Clearing Report — Understanding Clearing Students: Motivations and Mindsets), published June 2025. ucas.com

Supporting careers education

StudyDecidr is designed to sit alongside your existing careers guidance and university research — not replace it. Many schools introduce the platform during:

• UCAS application workshops
• Higher education evenings
• Sixth form tutorial sessions
• One-to-one careers guidance meetings
• Parents' information evenings
• Clearing preparation sessions

Students complete their matches in just a few minutes, then bring their results into their next conversation with a teacher or careers adviser — giving you a running start rather than a blank page.

Free resources for schools

Our Student Advice Hub includes practical guides on:

• Choosing the right university course
• Understanding Clearing
• Writing a strong personal statement
• University rankings explained
• Student finance
• Placement years
• Graduate careers
• Applying through UCAS

These are free to use and can be shared directly with students and parents.

Why we built StudyDecidr

We believe students deserve better than scrolling through thousands of courses and hoping something stands out.

Choosing a degree is one of the biggest decisions many young people will make, yet the process often starts with an overwhelming search. StudyDecidr was created to make that process simpler, more personalised and more transparent — helping students discover courses that genuinely fit their interests, goals and academic profile.

Frequently asked questions

Is StudyDecidr free for schools?

Yes. Schools, colleges, careers advisers, teachers and students can all use StudyDecidr free of charge.

How long does it take students to use?

Most students complete their course matches in just a few minutes.

Can students use it before they know their final grades?

Yes. Students can build a shortlist using predicted grades and update their matches later if their results change.

Is StudyDecidr useful during Clearing?

Yes. Students can update their grades on results day and quickly generate a new shortlist of realistic Clearing options — helpful when time is tight and options are moving fast.

Does StudyDecidr replace careers guidance?

No. It's designed to support your existing careers programme, giving students a starting point so your conversations with them are more focused and productive.