University Planning · Updated August 31, 2026
15 Questions to Ask Before Enrolling in a University Program
A due-diligence question set covering recognition, curriculum, cost, teaching, support, completion, and career pathways.
Recognition and program status
Prospective students can learn a great deal by asking precise questions before paying a deposit. The answers should be specific enough to verify.
Curriculum and delivery
Ask who awards the qualification and how the institution's status can be independently verified. For regulated professions, ask whether the exact program satisfies the relevant academic requirements.
Costs and refund rules
Ask for the current curriculum, course sequence, delivery format, attendance expectations, practical requirements, and typical weekly workload. If online, ask about live sessions and required campus visits.
Academic support
Request a complete fee schedule. Ask which charges are mandatory, whether tuition can increase during the program, what refund rules apply, and what happens financially if you withdraw or repeat a course.
Completion and outcomes
Ask how students access instructors, advisers, tutoring, libraries, accessibility services, and technical support. Find out whether services differ for part-time or online students.
Professional pathways
Ask for completion and outcome data and how it was calculated. Useful questions include cohort size, response rate, graduation timeframe, and whether employment statistics refer to field-related work.
Finally, ask what graduates must do after completing the degree. Some careers require examinations, supervised practice, registration, graduate study, or other steps. A clear pathway is more valuable than a vague promise of career success.