Choose a subject you are interested in. A good way to check this is to look at one of the first year modules reading lists, get one of the core text books and have a read. If you find it interesting, and want to find out more then you might have found a suitable course.
Then find out which uni's offer that course, and how good they are.
Finally, from that shortlist pick the ones that you think you will have fun at. Things like paintball, nightlife etc.
A note on Uni paintball: The current level of uni paintball is generally lower than elsewere, but not nearly as far below as it was last year, or the year before. It is developing strongly. Portsmouth, who haven't been playing in the inter uni events recently, hold their own perfectly well in their local league (nspl) against the non-uni teams. Teams like Coventry and Birmingham competed against each other with teams made up of a large number of players who also play Masters, NSPL, PA and Millenniums.
University paintball is not the exclusively remedial level it used to be. Admittedly the inter-uni events didn't always provide a level of play that challenged the best players, but it is not a choise between playing uni paintball or playing externally. The uni season doesn't overlap with the main season, allowing players to play with their uni team and then with a normal team as well. This is what many of the better uni-league players do.
