Where to Study?
Options on where to study are often impacted by a number of factors including; academic results, career aspirations financial resources and emotional needs. Only you know the weight of factors impacting your decisions on whether to continue formal study and where to study. If the answer is yes: in your home country or abroad, at university or at TAFE, on campus or online?
Three websites areaofstudy researchers have determined to be valuable in guiding youth to decide on where to study are posted below:
Whether you're intending to study towards a vocational certificate or diploma, or an academic intensive undergraduate degree or postgraduate award, The Good Universities Guide, offers a wealth of informative information on everything from a comparative overview of 'all' Australian universities, TAFEs and private providers.
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opportunity costs, employment prospects, social factors and course content delivery.
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Times higher Education offers an easy to navigate platform, publishing a comprehensive overview of world universities and academic world rankings.
Trade Alternatives
If you're considering an alternate pathway forward - perhaps something more practical and hands on there are plenty of interesting trade alternatives to explore.
Possibly the best way to start is to head to over to training.gov.au, click on the National register of VET and type in a word relevant to a possible course of interest e.g. electrical and follow the links.
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Financing Study
Unless you have wealthy parents who are prepared to back you, decisions regarding what to study, how long to study and where to study will invariably be influenced by your financial position.
If you are an Australian student planning to study in Australia you may qualify for government assistance.
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Additionally, depending on your study choices, HSC results and career aspirations you may also qualify for government or industry backed scholarships.
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Commonly available funding is offered to most students in the following forms. Please be aware that deadlines often apply for funding so it is important that you apply on time.
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To get a Commonwealth supported place (CSP) or a HELP loan, students must be enrolled with an approved Australian education provider.
Approved providers are universities, approved private higher education providers and Open Universities Australia (OUA).
A comprehensive list of providers can be found at the following link:
https://www.studyassist.gov.au/you-study/providers-offer-commonwealth-assistance
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Eligibility?
Study Assist provides a simple form based assessment for determining eligibility for study assistance.
NOT EXPECTING THE ATAR TO SCORE A PLACE IN YOUR PREFERRED COURSE?
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Didn't get into the books this year? Know you could have done better if COVID didn't interfere with your head, or your dog didn't die or your best friend didn't move or that Math's teacher wasn't so useless or blah blah blah?
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IT IS NOT OVER! It is NOT TRUE that the only way to gain entry into that course is through a great ATAR in year 12.
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While achieving a solid ATAR score will probably provide a shortcut to that course you want to enrol in, IT IS NOT THE ONLY MEANS TO GET THERE and NO you do not need to repeat the HSC to get in.
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If your ATAR is reasonable it is probably possible to gain entry into a different course at your favoured university and then transfer to your dream course once you have established that you are capable of good grades at university level.
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In other words instead of using year 12 to gain entry into your favourite course, use the results from a less favoured university course to gain entry into the one you want. Check with individual institutions to find out how to make this work for you.
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The following article from 'The Art Smart 'contains further information on how to gain entry into a preferred course with a low ATAR
What to study?
Options on what to study are often impacted by factors like results, interests and career aspirations.
Again the weight of variable influences on your subject choices is yours alone. In an ideal world everyone would make tonnes of money doing something that they love. Unfortunately the reality of marrying a passion for composing poetry for financial stability is in all probability financially unrealistic but depending on your need to create worth the financial instability.
Some websites that may help you decide are listed below:
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Queensland University of Technology
Even if you're not considering study at QUT, the following link is a useful tool for detangling the confusion around course options.
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If you're really unsure about what to study Open Universities Australia offers subject choice advice based on multiple choice user input.
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In The News
2021
NSW HSC Timetable​
The NSW HSC written exams are due to commence 18th of October 2021.
The official timetable is available for download at the NSW Education
website.
2021
VCE Timetable
Exam dates for 2021
are published by the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority.
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CONSIDERATION OF EDUCATIONAL DISADVANTAGE' FOR NSW STUDENTS
On the 27.7.2021 Premier Gladys Berejiklian intimated that upcoming HSC exams would possibly be impacted by Cornona Virus lockdowns and has advised that a decision regarding any changes would be handed down in the next few days.
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Other Considerations
If moving away from home to study is on the agenda, you'll want to consider accommodation options.
Should you live on campus, move out with friends, or look for cheaper private accommodation alternatives such as boarding or renting a room in a share house?
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Again affordability and whether or not you can access assistance will often impact your decision.
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Student.com publishes a comprehensive list of student accommodation providers with the added value of published price transparency.
Although flatmates.com.au isn't a dedicated student accommodation site, the website features student accommodation search filter options and publishes a vast array of affordable, well relatively more affordable, accommodation options for students through private accommodation providers and other students seeking flatmates to share group housing and costs.
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Corona Virus & Your HSC
Every student in Australia has been impacted in some way by the Corona Virus. For some further information on ways your academic results and tertiary entry eligibility might be adjusted visit the following sites.
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https://artofsmart.com.au/coronavirus-effect-hsc-faqs/
https://www.ieu.asn.au/news-publications/news/2020/04/hsc-update
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Regional Australia Scholarships
As part of The Australian Government's 'Planning for Australia's Future Population' program the 'Destination Australia Program 't has committed to support eligible tertiary education providers with funding to offer scholarships to domestic and international students to study and live in regional Australia.
So if you intend to study in regional Australia check with your institution whether they have regional education scholarships on offer and how to apply.
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Can't Decide?
Not ready to embark on a lengthy complicated course of study but feeling a bit bored and want to study something interesting, relatively affordable and maybe worthwhile?
Perhaps consider a 'Masterclass'? ‘Masterclass’ is a dedicated online learning platform for individuals interested in learning from some of the world’s best in their fields.
Affordability? Less than $500-to learn from some of the planet’s most respected leaders in your field of interest is achieved through maximising the power of technology to reach mass audiences.
