Which course should I choose?

How do I choose the right uni course?

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to choosing a uni course. What matters is finding one that interests you, takes you where you want to go and fits around your life.

If you're still deciding what to study, our Help Me Choose quiz can help narrow down your options.

If you already have a few courses in mind, use the questions below to compare them.

What should I consider when choosing a university course?

There are six main things to consider when you're comparing courses: what you’ll actually study, where the course could lead, how it's structured, what you need to get in, whether you need professional accreditation, and the cost involved.

They won't all carry equal weight for you, but working through them in roughly this order stops any one factor from dominating the decision on its own.

How to compare university courses at a glance

You can find this information on each course page on our website.

1. What will I actually study?

Two courses might have similar names, but the subjects they cover won't necessarily be the same. One might offer a major you're particularly interested in, while another gives you more freedom to explore topics through electives.

Check the subject list on each course page before asking yourself:

• Which course covers more of what I want to learn?
• Are there any subjects I'm particularly excited about?
• Is there anything I'd be disappointed to miss out on?

You won't get to choose every subject, and you don't have to love them all. But selecting a course that holds your interest is far more likely to keep you motivated when study gets challenging.

2. Where could the course lead?

Even courses in the same field can open up different career opportunities. Take a look at the potential career outcomes. Are there particular roles that appeal to you? Does one qualification offer more flexibility to explore your options?

It can also help to see where graduates in that study area actually end up. The Australian Government's ComparED website lets you compare graduate employment and student experience results by study area and university, using data from the Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching (QILT) surveys.

Ask yourself:

• Which course aligns more closely with my career goals?
• Am I interested in the career opportunities associated with each course?
• How do the graduate outcomes compare?

3. How is the course structured, and what’s the time commitment?

Course structure is worth looking at closely, especially if you're fitting study around work, family or other commitments.

Check how many subjects there are, whether you'll study online, on campus or through a mix of both, and whether you can study full-time or part-time. Pay attention to when subjects are offered, too. Some courses offer compulsory subjects several times a year, while others only offer them once.

It’s also worth considering which qualification level suits your goals. Qualifications vary in how long they take to complete – and a shorter one might be all that you need to get where you want to go. Our guide to university qualifications breaks down your options.

Ask yourself:

• Does the course offer the delivery mode (online, on campus or both) I need?
• Does the course’s duration feel like something I want to commit to?
• Are there any subject start dates I need to take into consideration?

4. What do I need to get in?

Entry requirements vary by course and can change over time. Some courses ask for a particular Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) or previous study. Many courses available through Open Universities Australia offer an entry option called Open Access, which means you can use single subjects as a pathway into the full degree.

Check the current entry requirements on the course page before ruling an option in or out. A course you assumed was out of reach may offer another way in. Our guides to university entry requirements and how to get into uni without an ATAR explain the different pathways.

Ask yourself:

• Have I checked the current entry requirements for this course?
• If I don't meet them yet, could I get in through Open Access or another pathway?

5. Does the course have the professional accreditation I need?

Some professions, including psychology and teaching, require you to complete a course that's recognised by the relevant professional body. If you're working towards a regulated profession, check that the course meets the requirements you'll need to register or practise after graduating.

You can usually find accreditation or professional recognition details on the course page. If you're unsure, check with the relevant professional body before you enrol.

Ask yourself:

• Does the career I'm aiming for require professional accreditation or recognition?
• Does this course meet those requirements?

6. What will it cost?

Course fees will vary between universities, even for qualifications in the same field. When comparing your options, look at the total indicative fees and whether the course offers Commonwealth supported places. These are places subsidised by the Australian Government, meaning eligible students only pay part of the cost of their studies.

Our guide to how much university costs can help you understand how university fees work. If you have questions about fees or study loans, get in touch with a student advisor. They can't provide financial advice, but they can help you understand your study options.

Ask yourself:

• How do the total course fees compare?
• Does the course offer Commonwealth supported places?
• Are there any additional costs I need to budget for, like equipment or placement expenses?

How to compare your shortlist

Once you've narrowed your options down, compare each course across the above areas. Then:

1. Rule out any clear mismatches. Check for things like entry requirements you don't meet, a study mode that won't work for you or professional requirements the course doesn't cover.
2. Compare what matters most to you. You might care more about career options, flexibility, course content or the amount of time it takes to graduate. Focus on the factors that will make the biggest difference to your decision.
3. Look at what's left. If two or three courses still feel like a good fit, use the questions below to help separate them.

Still torn between a few courses?

Try these as tie-breakers:

• Which course are you most interested in studying? If the practical differences are small, genuine interest can help you choose.
• Which one fits your current commitments best? Compare the subject start dates, including when you'll need to take compulsory subjects. Go with the course that suits your availability.
• Which one better supports what you want to do next? If one course gives you a clearer pathway into further study, a placement or a career you're interested in, that may help you decide.

If you're still unsure, you could start with a single subject where that's an option, or get in touch with a student advisor. They can help you compare course structure, entry options and how different courses could fit around your study goals.

What if you choose the wrong course?

It happens, and it's rarely as final as it feels in the moment. You can switch subjects or courses, although your options will depend on your university and the course you want to move into. You might even be able to get credit for subjects you've already completed, so you don't have to start from scratch.

If you're having second thoughts, our guide to what happens if you choose the wrong degree or course explains the options and what to check before making a change.

What to do next

Where you go next depends on how far you've narrowed down your options:

• Still deciding what to study? Try the Help Me Choose quiz to explore courses based on your interests and preferences.
• Already have a study area in mind? Explore courses and start building your shortlist.
• Worried you've chosen the wrong course? Read what if I choose the wrong degree or course?
• Still deciding whether university is right for you? Start with is university worth it?
• Want to talk it through? Get in touch with a student advisor.

FAQs about choosing a course