Module 1 · Unit 1 — Foundations & Education
Choosing a University or Course
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Lesson 4 of 5

Choosing a University or Course

Core 60 min
Pathway

Lesson 1.4 introduces the most heavily weighted skill: Writing Task 2. See the 4-part essay as a framework, walk through a TFNG decision flowchart, and meet your first sample Task 1 visual.

What you'll be able to do
  • See the 4-part essay as a framework
  • Apply a TFNG decision flowchart
  • Use 10+ opinion phrases
  • Use reason→result linkers accurately
  • Recognise a Task 1 bar chart at a glance
Get Ready

Get Ready · Choosing a university

  • Most important factor — reputation, cost, location, or course content?
  • Is studying abroad worth the extra cost?
  • Should students choose a course they enjoy or one that leads to a good job?
Exam Vocabulary

Vocabulary · Opinion language

Opinion language by function
01
State an opinion
In my view, … / From my perspective, …
02
Strong agreement
I firmly believe that … / There is no doubt that …
03
Partial agreement
While I accept that …, I would argue that …
04
Concede
Admittedly, … / It is true that …
05
Add weight
More importantly, … / What is more, …
06
Conclude
On balance, … / Taking everything into account, …
Avoid

Overusing 'I think' / 'In my opinion' — they appear in nearly every Band 5–6 essay. Replace with higher-register alternatives.

Grammar Focus

Grammar · Reason → result linkers

Task 1 · table
StructureExample
because + clauseStudents choose this university because it offers scholarships.
due to / owing to + nounDue to strong industry links, the course leads to excellent employment.
so + adj + thatThe fees are so high that many take out loans.
such + noun + thatIt has such a strong reputation that competition is fierce.
consequently / as a resultCosts have risen sharply; consequently, students share housing.
Example · Accuracy

✓ The course is so demanding that few students complete it in three years. ✗ The course is so demanding so few students complete it.

Reading Skills

Reading · True / False / Not Given

TFNG decision flow
Read the statement
Decision
Does the passage clearly say so?
✓ TRUE✗ Keep going
Decision
Does the passage clearly contradict it?
✓ FALSE✗ Keep going
If neither, it is NOT GIVEN — do not infer
Example · Passage — How students choose a university

Surveys in the UK and Australia consistently show course reputation and graduate employment rates are the two most influential factors for prospective students, well ahead of campus facilities or social life. Most domestic students prefer to study within three hours of home, but international students weigh climate, safety and cost of living more heavily. The perceived prestige of the host city often outweighs the university's actual ranking — the 'city halo effect'. Recent data suggest almost two-thirds of UK undergraduates now factor expected debt into their choice — a figure that has more than doubled in fifteen years.

Task 1 · table
QStatementAnswer
1Course reputation matters more to students than social life.TRUE
2Domestic students always prefer to stay close to home.FALSE
3International students earn higher salaries after graduating.NOT GIVEN
4Almost 66% of UK undergraduates consider future debt.TRUE
5The 'city halo effect' has been criticised by rectors.NOT GIVEN
Speaking Task

Speaking · Part 3 — University choices

  • What factors should young people consider when choosing a university?
  • Is university the best path for everyone?
  • How has the role of universities changed in the last 20 years?
Speaking Part 3 — Factors when choosing
Band 6 · Competent
  • 'Students should think about cost, location and reputation. Cost is important because many don't have money. Reputation helps with jobs.'
  • Listed reasons, simple connectors
Band 7 · Good
  • 'I'd say there are three factors worth weighing seriously. First and foremost, the academic reputation of the specific department — not the university overall — because that's what employers actually look at.'
  • Ranked argument, hedging, specificity
Writing Task

Writing · Task 2 essay framework

The 4-part Task 2 essay
01
Introduction
Paraphrase prompt + clear thesis statement.
02
Body 1
Main reason + concrete example.
03
Body 2
Second reason OR counter-argument with rebuttal.
04
Conclusion
Restate position + final thought.
Sample introduction · 3 moves
Paraphrase
When selecting a university, applicants often face a tension between affordability and the academic standing of the course.
Outline
While prioritising cost has clear appeal in an era of rising student debt, I would argue that course reputation should ultimately take precedence.
Thesis
This essay will examine both perspectives before explaining why long-term career outcomes weigh more heavily than short-term savings.
Academic vs General Training

Task 2 is essentially identical in both pathways. The difference is Task 1: Academic = describe a chart/graph; General Training = write a letter.

Writing Task

Writing Task 1 · Sneak peek (Academic)

Academic Task 1 asks you to describe a visual. Here is a typical bar chart so you know what's coming in Unit 3.

Top factors UK students consider when choosing a university (2024)
Task 1 · bar
78
Course reputation
72
Graduate employment
65
Total cost
48
City lifestyle
41
Distance from home
AcademicFinancialLifestyle
Source: illustrative survey data, n = 2,000 undergraduates.
Writing Task

Pathway focus · Task 1 for Academic — first look

What Task 1 asks

Summarise the main features of a visual (chart, graph, table, map or process) in at least 150 words. No personal opinion.

Sample: International students at three UK universities (2020 vs 2023)
Task 1 · bar
9
Manchester
13
Manchester
7
Edinburgh
11
Edinburgh
4
Cardiff
6
Cardiff
20202023
Overview model (do this first)
Paraphrase
The bar chart compares the number of international students enrolled at three UK universities in 2020 and 2023.
Overview
Overall, all three institutions saw growth, with Manchester consistently attracting the largest cohort.
Exam Strategy

Exam Strategy

  • Exam Tip

    State a clear opinion in the introduction — examiners must know your position before the body.

  • Exam Tip

    Paraphrase the prompt — never copy more than 3 consecutive words.

  • Exam Tip

    TFNG literally: if the passage doesn't state it, it's NOT GIVEN.

  • Exam Tip

    Plan for 3 minutes before writing — saves 5 minutes of editing.

Independent Practice

Independent Practice

Introduction drill

Write 3 different introductions for the prompt above — vary the opener each time.

Linker bank

5 sentences with 'so + adj + that' and 5 with 'such + noun + that'.

TFNG practice

Pick a news article. Write 5 of your own TFNG statements, then check each one.

Key Takeaways

Key Takeaways

Remember
  • Every Task 2 = Intro + Body 1 + Body 2 + Conclusion.
  • A clear thesis is non-negotiable for Band 6+.
  • TFNG: never infer.
When you're done, mark this lesson complete.
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