With so much choice, finding the right course and selecting it can seem a little overwhelming. Once you’ve decided what field you want to go into, for example, law or communications, you will need to do your research by following the tips below – it won’t seem so hard!
- If you’re having trouble choosing an area of study, consider what interests you and what certain courses focus on. Do youl ove Maths or is English your forte? Do you enjoy languages or is physical education your favourite subject at school?
- Is it tough to pass? Some fields have really high drop-out rates and failure. This doesn’t mean you will follow suit, but unless you know for sure that this is what you want to do, maybe you should weigh it up with other alternatives because you won’t even know if you’ll like it.
- Ask yourself where you want to study. This might seem obvious but it’s an important factor that will influence your choice ofinstitution and course. If you live in the city, you will probably want to stick to the institutions within the metropolitan area. On the other hand, if you live in a regional area, you need to ask yourself whether you’re planning on relocating and where you will move to.
- Look at the curriculum. Unlike high school, each course at each institution is completely different so you need to take courses and compare them. Read about what your core (compulsory) units are and what choice of electives you’ve got. Compare courses by analysing what it is that attracts you to a particular one or the other.
- Quality: Look at the course accreditation (recognition). Is it recognised nationally or internationally? You might find that industry-associated courses like Advertising may come with an Association accreditation that will give you more employment possibilities as a graduate.
- Consider how long the course takes. For most Bachelor degrees, it’s three to four years (full time), but if you’re planning to do Honours, it’s longer. Double degrees are about five to six years long (full time), and part time is about double this.
- Speak to current students. Your teachers, family members or friends might be able to put you in touch with people who are currently doing one of the courses you’re considering. Speaking to them will give you a good perspective on what the course actually comprises.
- Consider the entry requirements. Although you won’t know what your ATAR is when you first lodge your preferences, you have plenty of time to change them. Find out whether there are other requirements apart from your ATAR like a portfolio, an interview or other exam, and weigh these up. Are there any prerequisites for the course? Some will require you to have completed certain subjects at school like 2 unit maths, biology, etc.
- Analyse what kind of career opportunities will be available to you when you graduate. Some courses may provide a broader selection than others.
- How much does it cost? You may want to find out what the approximate cost of the course will be and whether you can afford it. On the other hand, you might like to put it on HECS so make sure you know whether this is an option.
- Full-time, part-time or long distance? What type of education best suits your current lifestyle? You may have to work full time during the day so you’ll only be able to attend uni during night time hours. However, keep in mind that a full-time study load might only mean a couple of days a week for some courses. Do your research and you’ll get the full picture.
- Are there any scholarships you might be able to access? If you are interested in getting some funding or applying for recognition either academically or for your leadership skills, you should find out what kind of scholarships are compatible with your course.
- Does the course offer any international study opportunities? Some courses will provide you with the option of doing some of your subjects overseas. It’s an amazing opportunity to travel, establish contacts, make friends and absorb a foreign culture!
Want more? Follow this link http://studyassist.gov.au/sites/studyassist/mytertiarystudyoptions/courses/pages/courses-welcome