How to select a university course or degree

For courses at Australian universities , click on HOME page link  in upper left corner

Here’s a list of  critical  questions to help you make better decisions when choosing a degree or course to study at  university. It’s best not to decide on a university or degree subject on a whim without carefully checking out what you’re getting into. Making a bad choice due to insufficient preemptive investigation will cost  tears, time, money and financial and work  opportunities. Consequence of choosing a degree related to jobs not in demand.

• Which degree course suits me given my interest, academic strengths at school ?
• Which degree is easiest to get into or easy to pass ?
  
• Which degree makes the most money, leads to high salaries?
  
• Which degree is best  for getting a good job preferably that is recession proof ?
  
• What other degrees are available  which I may not have heard of ?
• How to  pick between 2 degrees that interest me ?
• Should I aim for a TAFE diploma or University Degree ?
  
• Which University offers the best course  for the subject I have chosen ?
  ie. How to choose a university ?
• Which university course is right for me given the country I live in ?
• What  university is the best in Australia , or does this even matter at all ?
• Which institution offers distance learning education programs?
• Which university should I go to given where I live in Australia ?
  

Suggested criteria for choosing a degree or subject area:

• Do you like the subject matter of  this degree? Is it interesting to you?
  
• Do you know much about this subject matter ?
• Will this degree lead me to a job that is in high demand ?
• Is this  degree relevant or necessary for my chosen career path  ?
  
• Will this degree lead me to a job that is highly paid ?
• Will this degree lead me to a job that is sustainable, offering stable employment ?
• What is  the course duration  ?  Is it a  3 , 4 5 or 6 year degree program ?
• What is the male: female student ratio in this faculty ?
  ( Campus life has always been and continues to present best opportunities  for young people to network  for dating and eventual marriage and procreation )
• What HSC level subjects do I need for admission to a particular degree I am applying for ? Do I  meet these course perquisites ? Eg, If I want to study  Electrical Engineering  , what HSC subjects must I  pass at Secondary school besides getting sufficient ATAR score ?
• Is an undergrad level qualification enough for the Australian workplace?
• Is an Australian Master or doctorate PHD  necessary for employment  in this field?
  Eg Research roles,  Academia, Policy making etc
  
• How far is the university campus away from my house or accommodation?
• What is the cost of this degree program compared to other undergraduate degree courses  in Australia ?
• Does this degree qualification lead to a job that clashes with my personality type ?
  ( Eg. you  selected Accountancy  but you are an outdoorsy type , perhaps Environmental science may be better?)
  

Work environment and financial factors to think about:

• Have you thought about what life in Australia is like working in this area upon graduation? ( ie. working conditions )
• Done indoor ,outdoor ,underground, in water in air?
• Hands clean or dirty  at the end of the day?
• Located in a city or remote area like a mining town ?
• Predominantly dealing with people, computers or machinery / equipment?
• Involve  numbers , writing , speaking or creative ideas?
• Highly stressful  or relaxed?
• Requires / allows casual, formal or uniformed dress code?
• Puts you in contact with happy or troubled people on a daily basis?
• Regular hours or  shift work or on 24/7 call duty?
• What is the Male to female staff  ratio at this Uni ?
• Have you done your homework in checking out the job prospects after graduation?
• How much will this job pay as a fresh graduate in Australia or your home country?
• How much will this job pay after 5 years of experience in Australia or another country?
• How do these salary figures compare with other jobs, other degrees  in the Australian economy?
• How viable is this job in 5  or 10  years time giving the changing economy , especially in Australia ?
• Have you spoken to SEVERAL people currently employed in this job and got their unbiased opinion?
• Is this job in demand in Australia ? ( or whichever  country you will be returning to )
• Is probable this job type will be outsourced to a country where labor is cheap? ( Eg. China or India )

For courses at universities in Australia, click on  HOME page link  in upper left corner

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