If you’re nearing the end of your schooling years, choosing which university to go to is likely playing on your mind. The decision may feel overwhelmingly significant. After all, it’s potentially the final step in your formal educational journey. Or perhaps you’re simply exhausted by the thought of making the decision. Who cares where you go, as long as you get a degree, right? But regardless of how you’re feeling, picking a university is riddled with questions. In comparison to high schools, universities seem enormous and extremely confusing. The rumours about entering the “real world” may scare you and the truth is, your choice represents the first of many independent decisions you will have to make. So, how on earth do you choose the right university for you?
What Degree do you Want to Pursue?
Although it goes without saying, looking into the different degrees available at various universities is your best starting point.
- For example, ANU and Monash are currently the only two universities in Australia to offer the prestigious PPE degree (ie Politics, Philosophy and Economics).
- Likewise, if you’re wanting a forensic science degree, Deakin offers the only accredited degree of its kind in Australia.
Additionally, consider whether you’re wanting a single degree or a double degree. Melbourne University, for example, does not provide for double degrees.
Whilst these caveats can be confusing, they can narrow down your options very quickly. I’d recommend starting your research by considering your broadest area of interest and then looking at the homepage of each university to see if any courses jump out at you.
What if there are lots of Universities that offer my degree?
If you find yourself in this situation, you may want to consider the reputation of the degree offered by each university. For some highly competitive industries, employers may look at where you obtained your degree as an indication of the standards you’ve achieved.
To understand the reputation of a degree, research is your best friend.
- This can take the shape of googling or of talking to those in the industry.
- ATAR and other entry requirements may also provide guidance.
However, proceed with caution on this point. University rankings can be highly subjective and often for the more practical degrees, are of little importance. Reputation is by no means a determinative factor of success. In many cases, employers are more interested in your experience than how you present on paper. RMIT, Swinburn and La Trobe are all known for their Internship and Industry Placement opportunities.
Consider the Location and Atmosphere
Do you want to train into the vibrant Melbourne city each day for classes? Do you want to attend an expansive campus with beautiful natural surroundings? Or, does the location of your campus not really matter to you at all?
This point may seem trivial but remember that your university is a place at which you’ll spend hours each week. One of my favourite things about going to ANU is how pretty it is (and how good the cafés are)!
- ANU is situated alongside a river, which flows into a lake where students often spend their downtime running, walking or picnicking around.
If the ambience of your environment is important to you, I cannot stress how valuable it could be to attend university open days. This will allow you to get a taste of the community at each university. Some universities, notably Deakin, are known for the emphasis they place on the “student experience”.
What Other Opportunities do the Universities offer?
Have a look t the opportunities outside of class time that your university offers.
For myself, finding a university with an extensive study abroad program was essential. Many universities offer niche societies like the “Quidditch club” or the “Taylor Swift Fan Club”.
You may also want to consider whether your university competes in national or international academic competitions. Whilst some of this information will not be available online, reach out to any contacts you have who go to those universities. The more people you talk to, the better you will be able to understand their experience with the universities you are considering.
What if I want to change courses halfway through my Undergraduate?
Your university decision does not have to be a permanent, irreversible one. Not only do many students jump from degree to degree, but many students change university campuses entirely. I, myself, am spending the current semester in Melbourne instead of Canberra and will be spending 2023 at a university in Belgium.
Luckily for us, the Australian system is super flexible when it comes to transferring course-credit from one university to another. Change is very much possible. So do not be afraid of trying out a new experience, backed with the knowledge that you can always make a change if the original plan doesn’t work out.
Conclusion
Choosing your university can be difficult, and if I were to condense all the advice in the world into two major points, it would be these:
- consider the broader environment of each university; and
- be open-minded about potential experiences.
I encourage you to attend university open days and speak to as many university students as possible. Immersing yourself in the environment is an invaluable way to gain an insight into what it might be like to be a Monash University Student, an RMIT student or a La Trobe student.
Although the ultimate goal of university education may be to achieve that degree certificate, your university campus is a place where you’ll spend hours each week over a number of years. It does have the capacity to shape your sense of connection and belonging, if you’re open to it. For more tips, check out these articles:
Manoj Arachige
Manoj Arachige
Manoj Arachige
FAQs
Does University Ranking matter?
- Rankings (QS, Times Higher Ed, Good Universities Guide) help compare reputation, research output, and employability; the Go8 (Group of Eight: Melbourne, Sydney, ANU, UQ, UNSW, Monash, Adelaide, UWA) are generally most prestigious.
- However, rankings alone aren’t enough—course content, teaching quality, graduate employment, and campus life also matter greatly.
What is Graduate Employment rate?
- High graduate employment rates can signal strong industry connections, practical programs, and good support.
- Check employment statistics and industry links for your target course and university. These are published on sites like ComparED, Course Seeker, and university websites.
Article written by Claire Boulter who did a double degree in law and languages at the Australian National University.
