As the release of The Sims 4: Discover University is upon us, simmers are getting excited to finally go and get their in-game degrees. A university themed expansion has been on many players lists since The Sims 4 launched and now it's finally here.
While veteran players may think they know what to expect, the truth is this expansion is unlike previous ones with the same theme. Pulling some ideas from each and mixing them with new ones, Discover University has a lot to explore.
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With this in mind, there are a few things it's helpful to know before you play the game. From how to prepare through what to expect, here are 10 things that you need to know before you play.
Updated on August 14th, 2021 by Anastasia Maillot: Many expansions and packs are regularly on sale for The Sims 4, players looking to expand their arsenal of DLCs have also the option of picking up Discover University for a cheap price. Taking inspiration from previous university-themed packs, it introduces two campuses and a new world, Britechester.
Along with the obvious additions to university life like campus life, university classes and degrees, there's a handful of other features that are not exclusive to just students enrolled in university.
15 There's Two Brand-New Skills
- Robotics
- Research and Debate
Discover University introduces two new skills Sims can develop. The first one is Robotics, which lets Sims craft a wide variety of little robots once leveled at the Robotics workstation. This includes handy small robots like a Cleaner-Bot, Party-Bot, Fixer-Bot or Gardener-Bot that help with small tasks, all the way to the Servo, which is discussed in detail further below.
The Research and Debate skill can be developed using the Electromagnetic Research Archive Machine or by participating to debates on the Podiums. The benefit of leveling this skill is being able to persuade other Sims to do things, including cooking or cleaning.
14 Sims Can Now Find Roommates
Roommates are a natural part of university life, especially if a Sim opts to stay on campus during their studies. In that case, roommates are inevitable. However, even Sims outside of university can now look for roommates to split the cost of living.
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To get started, Sims can just place an advertisement online using a computer. Make sure there's additional bed-space for a roommate on the lot before doing this. A few days after posting the advertisement, a potential roommate will arrive on the lot and can be accepted as a roommate. Be careful, as not all roommates are well-behaved. Getting rid of them usually involves kicking them out forcefully.
13 Students Can Choose Between Three Housing Options
Sims attending university aren't forced to live on campus, though there are benefits to campus life. Those who prefer the campus can choose between dorms and campus housing, both of which will automatically have roommates generated.
However, it's also possible to attend university from anywhere in Britechester or from any other world in the game. This makes it easier for adult Sims to attend university for instance, and for those tight on money, it might be more beneficial to attend from home rather than move out.
12 There's A New Life-State: Servo
Once a Sim reached Robotics level 8, they can craft a Servo. Servos are a new life-state introduced in Discover University, and appear as individual, controllable Sim-like characters in the household once activated. They do have different needs, however, which must be tended to, such as recharging and tuning.
Servos can be upgraded with behavior modules, and they also enhancements that give them bonuses at every level, making them powerful household helpers. When activated, they also get traits and aspirations just like normal Sims. Just make sure not to put a servo in the rain or in water, as they will break down.
11 There Are Five New Careers
- Law
- Education
- Engineer
- E-Sports Competitor
- Soccer Team Player
Five new careers are included in Discover University. Three of them are regular careers, which can receive boosts from doing a degree in either of the two universities in Britechester: law, education and engineer.
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Two of the new careers are classified as afterschool activities, but also functions as type of careers. Sims can become E-Sports competitors and participate in tournaments, or they can join the local soccer team as a player.
10 Teenagers Should Study Hard
The university system offers two levels of degrees, basic and distinguished. If your sims want to get onto the distinguished courses then they need to start studying, quickly.
Acceptance onto the regular courses appears to be standard. However, getting into the distinguished courses will take more work. High grades from high school will really help boost sims chances of being accepted onto the higher-level courses.
9 Skills Bring Benefits
Skills are also important with higher skills being another way to boost your chances of getting onto distinguished courses, especially if they are relevant to the subject. Boosting your skills shows your sim is more well rounded so they become more attractive to the universities.
High skills can also net sims some extra simoleons towards their tuition as some of the available scholarships are tied to skill levels. High grades can also earn students a merit scholarship.
8 Teenagers Can Apply To Universities
Although teenagers cannot attend university until they age into young adults they can begin the application process when they are still teenagers, although they appear to need to be close to young adulthood with aging on. Since the process can take a few sim days this is a smart idea for those playing this way.
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Teens can also apply for scholarships in the same way and, if successful, these funds will be discounted from university costs upon enrollment. Just make sure that before you apply your teen's grades and skills are at the point you need in order to maximize their chance of being accepted onto their chosen course.
7 It's Never Too Late To Gain A Degree
Unlike in previous games, university education is now available to all. As long as your sim is a young adult or older they will be able to apply and be accepted into university. This can be a great way to tell new stories as well as take a longer time to prepare your sim.
Older sims can also choose to return to university to study something entirely new. The game will not limit how many degrees you get or how many times you attend. Just make sure you can pay off any loans.
6 There Are Several Ways To Pay For University
Your university fees can be paid in different ways. The first one is directly from household funds. A new system allows you to transfer some or all of your household funds along with your sim when you move them out. These can then be used to meet university expenses.
The second way is by scholarships. These are awarded for a variety of reasons including being a low-income family, living in a specific area and having a certain set of skills. Any scholarships awarded are deducted from your fees each term.
Finally, you can take out a loan, which will be repayable with interest after you have graduated.
5 Student Loan Defaults Have Consequences
If you don't pay your student loan after graduation then you can expect to get some phone calls from the loan company. They are very insistent and continuously dodging their calls will have some consequences.
This is because the repo man has returned! If you choose to opt-out of paying for your student debts then he will pay you a visit and begin to remove your household items, one at a time. Continual missed payments will lead to more visits until the debt is settled.
4 The Universities Have Different Specializations
If your sim wants to study a regular degree then they can choose to do so at either Britechester University or Foxbury Institute. There are thirteen subjects in total and the distinguished degrees are split over the two campuses.
Britechester is an arts and humanities campus and offers distinguished degrees in Art History, Communications, Culinary Arts, Drama, Fine Art, History, and Language and Literature.
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Foxbury focuses on technology and sciences and their distinguished degrees are in Biology, Computer Science, Economics, Physics, Psychology, and Villainy.
3 You Can (And Should) Vary Your Classload
A term lasts for one sims week, with classes spread over five days. Each term your sim will need to choose a new course load and pay a new round of fees. You can choose up to four regular classes or up to three regular classes plus an elective.
While the lessons themselves are rabbit holes, each class will require you to attend two lessons and complete a task. These tasks are writing a term paper, preparing a presentation or taking an exam. Each one will require you to spend time on preparation or study. Each class also has homework to complete.
If you want to have time to explore the other activities available in university it's advisable to take a smaller class road to allow for more free time.
2 University Is More Than Just Studying
Discover University is about far more than just taking classes. Each campus has three different clubs and a range of activities. There's also a secret society who can be found lurking around after dark.
Britechester offers sims a chance to join an art society or a debate guild, while Foxbury has a robotics club and Brainiacs honor society. Both universities also have a spirit squad and a stadium that hosts sporting events.
Clubs have events at specific times each week and sims can also socialize in their campus common room where juice pong is a favorite pass time.
1 The Benefits Of University
Successfully completing twelve classes will allow your sim to graduate and receive their degree. Each degree offers a different benefit and boost to a specific selection of careers. You can find out the details before selecting your course so it's worth thinking about the future before you enroll.
The distinguished degrees will offer a greater boost if you are able to get accepted onto the course. Just make sure that you can keep up with all your tasks. If you fail a class you'll end up on academic probation. Sims may also lose their scholarships and can even have to retake classes so keep up those grades.
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