How To Choose A Course That Fits You: What Should I Study?

Do you wish to study in Australia but need clarification about what course to choose?

With so many options available, sometimes it can take time to find the right course. So before you directly pick a course that pops into your mind, it is crucial to sit back and research the study area you want to build your career.

It can be overwhelming to decide what to study, so here’s a complete guide to choosing the right course that fits you for international students in Australia.

1. Understand Why Do You Want To Study

When choosing your course, the most crucial thing you need to do is ask yourself why you want to study in Australia. 

Do you want to extend your skill set to advance in your career? If so, pick a course that will help polish your skills and qualifications. And if you want to grow in your current work field, select a course that applies to your career. 

Discussing study options with your coworkers, friends, or employer can help you decide which course suits your profession.

On the other hand, if you are looking for a change in your career path or to expand your knowledge, you must research what career you would like to pursue. 

Conduct extensive research about programs, subjects, and the duration of your preferred course. Also, explore long-term benefits and employment opportunities you can get by studying a particular field. 

2. Understand The Industry You Want to Work In

Before choosing a course, understand the industries that will offer employment opportunities after completing your course. 

Once you have gained knowledge about the industries, focus on choosing an industry-specific course that will help you to provide a career path to your desired destination. 

For instance, if you want to build a career in Australia, you can choose a course like Civil Engineering with growing demand due to the expansion of construction projects in the country. 

Apart from that, you can pursue other popular courses like Nursing, Accountancy, Agricultural Sciences, Medical, Psychology, Computer Sciences & Information Technology, and much more. 

3. Focus on What You Are Interested In

Sometimes it can be hard to choose a course and determine what to study at uni, so it’s essential to focus on where your interest lies. By questioning yourself, you will figure out the exact path you need to take. 

Here are a few things you can consider to make your decision easy:

4. Do a Two-Part Degree

Suppose you are planning to enter a regulated profession like teaching, law, dentistry, medicine, or architecture. In that case, you will notice that several universities in Australia provide a two-part degree. 

This will enable you to study a related course through an undergraduate degree and then get a professional qualification at the postgraduate level. 

For instance, before entering a postgraduate medical degree, you could first complete your health science degree at the undergraduate level. 

This will give you more time to determine whether you are ready to commit to your chosen profession. However, remember that it might take a long time to graduate.

5. Choose A Generalist Degree

Suppose you have a rough understanding of the subject you would like to study. In that case, taking up a generalist degree that includes science, arts, business, or health science will allow you to explore subjects from various fields. 

For instance, an arts degree will enable you to study various subjects like languages, history, cinema, or psychology. 

Once you find your area of interest, you can complete a major or specialize in that particular area. 

6. Complete A Foundation Course

Foundation courses help international students to get entry into undergraduate courses at different universities in Australia. These courses not only offer you a chance to fit into the Australian culture and its education system but also allow you to discover your study interest. 

Most foundation courses in Australia directly lead you to the study field of your interest, like arts, health science, or business. This allows you to see a specific study area before commencing your degree. 

7. Try A Shorter Course

When you are unsure whether you want to study a particular field for longer, you can take up a short-term lower-level qualification to see if you like it.

For instance, if you plan to pursue an advanced diploma in accounting for two years, you can first see if you like. Enrol in a six-month certification course instead of in the same educational institution. 

If you find the course interesting, you can move to a higher qualification level through a pathway. This can help you gain credit scores for subjects you have already studied.

8. Pay Attention To Course Subjects

Every course has several different options, so make sure that the course you choose covers subjects of your interest. For instance, engineering students can study anything from civil engineering to biomedical engineering.

Therefore, before you sign up for the course, it becomes crucial to understand whether you want to deal with design and construction or focus more on concepts of biology and medicine. 

9. Take A Reality Check 

When you have figured out “what course I should study” in Australia, it is time to do a reality check. 

Do you need specific qualifications like the GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test) or an English language proficiency certificate to enrol on a course? 

Can you afford the tuition fee, flight tickets, and the cost of living? If you qualify for all these things, you are ready to study a course of choice. 

If not, keep going, as a pathway program can help you to achieve all your dreams. You can also get some financial help by applying for a scholarship. 

How long do you want to study a course? Here is an overview of the study duration for full-time degrees:

• Undergraduate degree - three years

• MA - one to two years

• PhD - four years

• Postgraduate Certificate - six months

10. Decide What is Important To You

While searching online for how to choose a course that fits you, you will come across different criteria for different subjects to evaluate what you are looking for. So make a brief list of features that you are considering. 

These could be anything, course fee, practical experience, research facilities, rankings of the best courses to study at university, internships, employment opportunities, and more. 

Remember, there are too many factors to consider when choosing a course, so what you might think is right for you can be wrong for someone else. Hence, if you are still wondering what course to study at uni, always listen to your passion. 

11. Conclusion

Undoubtedly, choosing a course is an important decision in your life. However, if you get to Australia and realize that you have made a huge mistake by taking a particular course, remember it’s never too late. 

You can take advice from a student counsellor on your campus and ask them, “what degree is right for me.” They will help you to explore more choices that might interest you. 

Do not spend two to three years studying something you are not interested in. It is all about your passion — if you follow it, you will surely succeed.

Useful Links to Explore:  

• English Language Requirements for Australia
• Cultural differences you may experience in Australia
• How to find Part-Time work as a Student in Australia
• Seven Tips for Students on a Budget in Australia
• How to get a Scholarship to Study in Australia
• Driving in Australia as an International Student
• How to change your Course or Institute in Australia
• The Benefits of a Professional Year Program (PYP)
• A Complete Guide to Study in Australia
• Types of Education in Australia 
• What to Study in Australia?