How to compare courses on outcomes, not on brochures and commission-driven advice.
Rankings measure research output far more than they measure your employability. Read the module list, the placement options and the graduate outcomes data for your specific course.
Location matters more than students expect. A city with a strong industry cluster in your field gives you part-time work, networking and graduate roles within commuting distance.
Check entry requirements honestly, then apply across a range: ambitious, realistic and safe. Applying to five identical-tier universities is not a strategy.
Finally, ask every adviser whether they receive a commission from the universities they recommend. A good adviser will tell you plainly.