Thinking about uni
Where to start
Choosing the right course and university can seem very daunting at first.
Your son or daughter will find that they can simplify the search by identifying:
- the universities they would most like to attend, and
- a range of courses that meet their interests and career goals.
Your son or daughter might make their decision based solely on which course they want to study, as some courses are only offered by one or two universities. They do not have to decide on one course only – the UAC application has space for up to nine course preferences.
Find out more about choosing the right course.
Going to open days
All universities run open days, when anyone can visit the university campus and look around. At open days, university lecturers, staff and current students are there to answer your questions, and there are guided tours of the campus and teaching facilities.
Attending open days can help students decide how comfortable they might feel at each university.
You can help your son or daughter by going with them and encouraging them to get the information they need. Before you go, help them write a list of questions they want to ask, the people they want to talk to and the information they need to collect.
You can find out the dates of university open days on the UAC website and in university undergraduate guides.
Narrowing down the search
Encourage your son or daughter to keep a notebook to record their research, so that they can compare courses and unis and make a shortlist of which ones they prefer. Here are some things to consider:
- If your son or daughter plans to continue living at home, they will need to choose a university that they can get to easily.
- If your son or daughter wants to move out of home, accommodation will be a factor in their choice.
- They might find it useful to ask for advice from people who have been to particular universities or who are already working in the career area they are interested in.
- They should consider which university and which course ‘feels' right. Instinct can be a very useful guide!
Uni guides and publications
Find out as much as you can about universities and the courses they offer by looking at:
The Good Universities Guide.
This is the most comprehensive listing of all courses and providers available in Australia (including vocational courses). It is published every year and is available in libraries, some bookshops, and online:
http://www.thegoodguides.com.au/ (opens an external site)The UAC Guide.
This lists all the university courses available in nSW and the ACT with Commonwealth Supported Places. The printed UAC Guide is available from August each year in newsagents. It costs around $20, and for an additional $9 UAC will mail you a copy. It is also available free to schools, and online:
http://www.uac.edu.au/ (opens an external site)-
University prospectuses, course guides and websites. These contain detailed information on individual universities, their courses and campuses, and are published free of charge by the universities themselves.
Your local library or the school careers adviser will have copies of university prospectuses, the UAC Guide and the Good Universities Guide.
