Questions you may consider when deciding if studying at university is right for you.
Question Do you need to go to uni straight after school?
Answer No, you don’t have to go to uni straight after school. You can choose to enter the workforce, study elsewhere (e.g.TAFE ) or take a gap year; or go to uni later in life.
Students who do apply for uni straight after school and then change their mind can defer. At UOW, most programs can be deferred for a year.
Question Do you have to go to uni every day?
Answer No. Classes are held Monday to Friday, but are scheduled differently to High School. A UOW degree will almost always be a combination of compulsory subjects (offered at specific times) and electives (subjects students choose, and which are offered at a variety of times).
Students might be able to arrange their subjects so they’re attending uni only three days a week. However, their days will be busy and they could be in class anytime between 8.30am and 8.30pm.
Question What subjects can you study?
Answer It varies from degree to degree. Normally, a degree is a combination of compulsory and elective subjects.
Most uni students enjoy studying more than at school because they’ve chosen a degree that interests them.
Question What if you can’t afford to go to uni?
Answer Anyone can go to uni! There are so many flexible payment, financial assistance and scholarship options available. There are plenty of ways to save money on costs, for example buying second-hand textbooks. [link to Costs & Scholarships landing page]
Question How long will take it take to do a degree?
Answer Many Bachelor degrees take three to four years to complete. However, this does vary.
Question Will you get a job when you graduate?
Answer According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics*, university graduates have higher employment rates and salaries than non-university graduates.
Question What is an Honours degree?
Answer An Honours degree usually involves one additional year of study following the successful completion of a three-year Bachelor degree. It is recognised as an extra qualification over and above the Bachelor degree.
Question How do you cope with making the transition from high school to university?
Answer The first year at university is an exciting experience but new routines, expectations and responsibilities can be a shock for students and their parents.
New students are not alone in facing these issues and we have a large volume of information and resources available to assist. Our First Year at UOW site is designed to help first-year students settle in, answer common questions and act as a guide to useful services and information.
Question How can you travel to UOW? Is there parking available?
Answer There are a number of public transport links that regularly service UOW, and there are a number of parking options available. For more information:
Question Are you safe at UOW?
Answer The University of Wollongong places a very high emphasis on the safety and security of students. The University and the Residences have rules and regulations regarding safety, and the UOW security service maintains a 24-hour presence on-campus—they are fully trained emergency wardens, and their services include safety escorts for students returning to their cars alone or after dark.
* Australian Bureau of Statistics, ‘Education and Work, Australia, May 2008’, 6227.0
