For the UK, look at the UCAS web site www.ucas.ac.uk/
This is who you have to apply for uni through in the UK and they have info about unis and other FAQs. This is from UCAS
http://yougo.co.uk/ and is more of a forum, so maybe you can ask some questions here from people in the same boat as you.
Also, when you interview for uni (don't always have to interveiw, but you can request one), you can ask any questions about course structure, research opportunities etc.
I'm sure there are similar internet resources for other countries. Just keep asking the questions and get as much info as you can.
Hope it all goes well