What WA University should I go to?

Choosing a university might be difficult in Year 12. especially when you don’t know the campus culture and the courses offered by each university. The information you receive is all over the place and is hard to break down. This blog post is a one-stop destination of all the major universities in WA and the major courses offered by each.

UWA

Located in the heart of Nedlands and on the river’s front, UWA is probably WA’s most prestigious university. It’s a university in the top 100 in the world (according to QS World University Ranking 2022) with an allocation of 80% of the total WA research funding. UWA also has 5 courses in the world’s top 50:

Agriculture and Forestry

• 9th in the world for agricultural sciences
• 38th in the world for environmental science and engineering
• 37th in the world for agriculture and forestry overall
• UWA has strong links to agricultural, natural, and mineral resources with worldwide application to industries and governments. Furthermore, UWA has high success in receiving external research grants.

Anatomy and Physiology

• 80 ATAR minimum
• UWA’s Anatomy and Human Biology explores the integration of real life application to biological and anatomical concepts. Its an excellent course that ties into current social and ethical issues.

Civil Engineering

• 80 ATAR minimum
• UWA’s Civil Engineering course explores design, construction, and maintenance of residential areas as well as public services. UWA’s industry partners and practical course will set you up for the industry. Furthermore EZONE and UWA’s facilities for engineering are state of the art and will aid in all your future learning.

Earth and Marine Sciences

• 80 ATAR minimum
• UWA’s Integrated Earth and Marine Sciences enables you to gain important knowledge in earth studies and is an essential degree for teaching you about the future of the world.

Mineral and Mining Engineering

• 80 ATAR minimum
• UWA’s Mining Engineering degree has internationally recognised experts teaching revolutionary new technologies and the latest ideas.

Other Strengths

• UWA Medical Program
  • 92 ATAR minimum
  • Postgraduate medical program with assured entry via UCAT and ATAR
• Law
• Strong campus culture

Curtin University

As one of the fastest growing new universities, Curtin University (located in Bentley) is a large university with many courses offered. Some highlights are the direct entry undergraduate medicine program that was created 5 years ago. Curtin is in the top 1% of universities worldwide. Furthermore it has WA’s best program for hospitality and tourism management and high rankings in Psychology and Nursing, in addition to a top 25 ranking in Architecture.

As a Curtin medical student myself, I am a little biased, but I cannot recommend the Medicine course enough, it’s a good style of learning with more clinical engagement allowing for much stronger foundational skills to be developed.

Strengths:

• Nursing
• Medicine
• Psychology
• Mineral and Mining Engineering
• Hospitality and Tourism

Murdoch University

Situated in the homely suburb of Murdoch, WA’s third biggest university has much to offer. With a highly reputable name and a ton of scholarships, master’s degrees and research opportunities, Murdoch is a great option.

In terms of course highlights, the critically acclaimed Veterinary Science pathway, as well as solid overall ratings in Education, Nursing, Social Sciences, Business Economics, Biotechnology and Computer Science. Furthermore Murdoch has a wide range of support services.

Of course as mentioned before the highlight is the Veterinary School. With direct connections to a farm and paddocks as well as significant relationships with Perth Zoo, the Murdoch Veterinary School has played a major role in the protection and conservation of species such as the black cockatoo, the dugong and the whale shark.

Strengths:

• Veterinary Science
• Education
• Nursing

ECU

With significant flexibility and a campus in the bustling suburbs of Joondalup and Mount Lawley, ECU is a fantastic option especially if you are looking to pursue Education, History, Visual Design, Journalism, Law, Business and the like.

Overall ECU offers a great quality of student care and is often considered the best university in WA for Education due to its outstanding teaching program that promotes graduates that are classroom and world-ready.

Strengths:

• Education
• Journalism
• Law

Notre Dame Fremantle

Last but not least is Notre Dame Fremantle. Located at the mouth of the Swan River in the bustling urban centre of Fremantle, Notre Dame is a great university for Law, Arts, Physiotherapy, Business and Medicine.

As the third Medical School in the state behind UWA and Curtin, Notre Dame boasts industry connections and great clinical based teaching. Furthermore, the Law, Arts and Physiotherapy areas are no slouch either and have been established courses for long periods of time.

Strengths:

• Physiotherapy
• Medicine
• Law

Conclusion

Choosing a university and course can be stressful, but remember that this does not determine your future. If you change your mind halfway through, you can change courses or even schools! Just make sure you pick something you like, and equips you with the right skills for whatever career you wish to pursue in future.

For more tips, check these articles out:

FAQs

Written by Isira Parahitiyawa who pursued a Bachelor of Medicine/Bachelor of Surgery at Curtin University.