Hi everyone, first posting on here for me!
I'm hoping for a bit of advice. At the moment, I'm looking to apply to do a PhD having previously got a 2:1 BSc and an MSc, plus two years working as a Research Assistant. My question is, what's the best way to decide on the university to go to?! My previous degrees have been from local unis, plus I still work close to where I live, so while I would love to now move somewhere new for PhD study, it's all a bit new and scary for me! I'm aware I'll be wherever I end up for at least three years- what's the best way other people have found for deciding whether a uni is right for them?
Sorry for all the rambling here!

Ok, the sorts of things to look for:

1) RAE ratings of departments
2) The profile of the prospective supervisor(s) and later whether you think you can get on with them for 3 years.
3) Will you be joining a research group?
4) Whether you like the prospective town.
5) The opinions of existing PhD students.
6) The topic of course!
7) Gut feeling

Anyone anything else?

Cost
Number of postgrads about