Studying at uni can be a lot of fun, but it’s also a lot of hard work. Going to uni doesn’t just mean a qualification, it may give you opportunities to travel, meet new people, connect with the community and expose you to new ideas!
University degrees focus heavily on academic study. Depending on what course you choose there will also be some practical application of what you are learning, but not as much as a TAFE course. In some occupations, like nursing and teaching, you are required to have a university qualification to work in Australia.
How do I know if I want to study at uni?
Deciding what to do next after high school can be tough, but there are many different paths you can take. Many people choose to take a gap year after they finish school to think about what pathway is right for them or to take a break from studying. During this time people work or travel to gain other experiences that will help them decide what to do next. If you are feeling lost, there are student advisors who are available to help you weigh up your options.
The best way you can decide what you want is to think about what brings you joy. What sparks your interest and you want to learn more? Does academic study bring you joy or does something more hands-on feel right to you?
How do I choose a course?
First of all, there are two types of degrees, undergraduate and postgraduate. Undergraduate degrees are the first level of higher education, so they are the first thing you study at university. Postgraduate degrees, like master’s or PhD, are a way to study more after you have completed your undergraduate degree.
Some university courses prepare you for a specific job, like journalism or engineering, while others have a broader focus, like arts or commerce. Broader degrees will give you skills that can be used in a range of different jobs. They can help you narrow down your interests by studying a variety of topics before choosing one that sticks out to you.
The best way to choose a course is to think about the job you want to do and see what courses lead you there. If you’re not sure about what job you might like to do, you can try to think about the subjects at school you enjoyed studying, then find out what courses are similar.
Course Seeker and Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching have some great tools to help you explore all the different courses and universities out there.
Once you have chosen a course you can work out which universities offer that course, and which one would be best for you. You may need to move to a new city or interstate to attend the university you choose. There are lots of options for students who move out of home including college, renting your own place, or living in a sharehouse with other people. Some of this can be paid for with Centrelink if you are eligible.
Applying for a course
How you apply for a course depends on the state the university is in, each state has its own university admissions centre. You may be able to apply through your school, ask your careers counsellor for more information.
- NSW and ACT: Universities Admissions Centre
- NT: Apply to Charles Darwin University through the South Australian Tertiary Admittance Centre
- QLD: Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre
- SA: South Australian Tertiary Admittance Centre
- TAS: Apply directly to the University of Tasmania
- VIC: Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre
- WA: Tertiary Institutions Service Centre
You can also study online through Open Universities Australia, this option is more flexible if you are unable to study on campus and is open to anyone regardless of age, educational background or location.
University Fees
Unfortunately, university isn’t free, two different types of placement will determine how much your uni course will cost. You will be offered either a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) or a fee-paying place. A CSP is subsidised by the Australian government, which means you just pay a student contribution towards your fees. The government does not subsidise a fee-paying place, so you will have to pay the full tuition fees.
The government offers five different types of student loans to help you pay for your course. That means the government will cover the upfront cost of your uni fees and you can pay back your loan when you start working and earning money.
For more info check out StudyAssist’s paying back my loan page. You may also be eligible for income support while you are studying – use the Student Income Support Eligibility Tool to find out if you are.
Remember: everybody’s pathway is different, and it’s all about finding the right fit for you. So, get thinking and good luck!
