With so many Higher Education Institutions offering so many courses, it can be a very daunting task to narrow it down to a few choices. So where do you start?

It's better to start early with this one, so you've got time to do your research. You've got to make an important decision so don't leave it until a week before the UCAS form's due in before you even pick up a prospectus!

Here are some questions to ask yourself…

What will I enjoy?

You will be studying this subject for 3 to 4 years so pick something you're enthusiastic about. Don't just choose a subject because you were okay at it at school; the key is to choose something you will enjoy. When you're up at 3am slaving over an essay the day that it's due in (let's face it, this is bound to happen at some point no matter how organised you are!), it won't seem so bad if you're writing about something you're genuinely interested in.

Where am I heading on my career path?

Some degrees are specific to jobs but the majority are not. For example if you want to be a doctor, you will need to study Medicine. Some courses, like English, can lead to many different careers.

What am I good at?

It will definitely help if you are good at the subject, but bear in mind that many subjects at degree level follow a different path to the same subject studied at GCSE/ A2 level etc. Have a good read of the course content for the subject you fancy in the university's prospectus.

Do I want to gain some practical skills from my degree?

Some degrees will give you more experience of using practical skills than others. Often employers are not bothered what degree you have got; depending on the job that you're applying for in the future, employers can be more interested in the fact that you have shown commitment to three/ four years work, reached a high academic level and gained practical experience such as presentation and independent research skills.

How many subjects do I want to study?

You can usually choose single (one subject), joint (two subjects) or combined honours. Often with combined honours you study three subjects in the first year, and follow on with two in the second and third years. The first year, therefore, gives you a chance to find out which subjects you're most interested in studying at degree level.

Do I want to work for a year as part of my Degree?

Degree's with a sandwich year allow you to take a year out to work in industry. Many people say this is a good idea as many employers look for experience as well as a degree. The sandwich year usually takes place within the third year, and the degrees are usually four year courses.

Do I want to go abroad for a year?

With most language degrees you have to spend a semester or the full year in a country where the language/s you're studying is spoken. You will spend the year studying at a foreign university, working as a classroom assistant or doing some other job that will allow you to practice the language. There is usually funding available to help you with the financial cost of this. The time abroad will take place during the third year of a four year degree.

There are also options to study abroad for a semester/ year on non-language courses as most universities encourage their students to widen their horizons. If you're interested in this, ask the universities you're applying to if this would be an option at some point in your degree.

What type of assessment do I prefer?

No two degrees are the same in the way they assess the student. Some carry out most of their assessments through exams and some through coursework, and others are a mixture of the two. Think of which you would prefer/ perform best in, and check that the course you're choosing is right for you in this way.

What type of grades am I expecting?

You need to check that you're applying for courses that you have a chance of getting onto, so don't apply for courses that require a subject or qualification that you don't have or are not working towards! Also be realistic about your expected grades. Talk to your subject teachers about this and find out what grades they predict you will get. This will help you to pick a course that has entry requirements that you will be able to meet.

Am I putting myself first?

You will be hearing all sorts of advice and recommendations from teachers, parents, friends etc. It is great to be able to talk to other people about this big decision and to think about what they have to say, but the main person to consider when you're making this all important choice is yourself. Think about what YOU are interested in, what type of career YOU want, and choose a course that will help you along the path to where YOU want to be.

Click here to get some more ideas from the Aimhigher Graduate Mentors