Choosing a course

Choosing a course involves thinking about many considerations, not just one or two. Not only do you need to think about discipline areas but other elements as well. Elements such as mode of study, length of study, entry requirements, particular subject content, meeting professional requirements to practice in a chosen field, graduate outcomes, costs, etc. It can be useful for you to rank your personal priorities around each of these elements.

Top tips

Here are some top tips for exploring course options:

• Do your research. To help compare course options, you should seek advice from school, VET or university staff, and any others who may be able to offer advice including parents, mentors and friends, especially those who are working in related fields. Career advisors or career educators, admissions officers or recruitment staff can point you in the right direction for information.
• Be flexible. You also need to be flexible and willing to compromise when choosing a course, because for a vast majority of students there is no one perfect course. Each option will have benefits and disadvantages to weigh up. Most students with disability will also have to consider whether each course option includes adequate support and/or flexibility to allow you to study to the best of your best ability.
• Make a shortlist. When you do your research, consider a shortlist. This can include a range of options and alternatives; in case it isn’t possible to enter the course you most prefer. Being flexible about how you get to your planned course and/or career path makes it easier to adapt if you need to take an alternative path, as many of us do.
• Plan ahead. You have a better chance of making an informed and viable course decision if you plan ahead and allow plenty of time to get to know as many options as possible. Early planning can help to open a greater range of possibilities. Check out our planning worksheets to guide you.

Below are links to the tertiary admissions centres in each state. You can also explore specific education providers directly and explore a range of career exploration tools listed under further resources.