Checklist: How to choose the uni for you

Choosing the right uni is about more than a degree, it’s about your future. Look for strong outcomes, real-world learning, and opportunities like internships and industry projects that build the skills you need to start strong and go further.

That’s where UOW stands out. You’ll gain practical experience, industry-ready skills, and the confidence to hit the ground running after graduation. With dedicated support from Careers Central and strong industry connections, you’ll be backed every step of the way, from your first class to your first job and beyond.

Want to take the next step? Try this Career Quiz, a quick, 20-minute tool designed to help you make smarter study and career decisions. You’ll get personalised insights based on your interests, personality, values, skills and more, so you can choose a path that genuinely fits you.

Accessing the Career Quiz:

1. Go to the Career Quiz platform.
2. Select “Create a new account.” 
3. Complete the required fields.
4. When prompted, enter the access code: careerscentral
5. Once your details are submitted, you’ll be logged in and ready to take the quiz.

Note: The Career Quiz is a U.S. developed assessment tool. Some of the industry information, particularly the Outlook, Earnings and Professional Associations. For Australian-specific career information, refer to the Recommended Tools and Websites section at the end of the quiz.

✅ Course

Start with the basics: does your uni offer the course you actually want? It sounds obvious, but it’s easy to get distracted.

If you’ve got a specific career in mind, like nursing, teaching or engineering - look for a uni with real strength in that area.

Still figuring it out? Many UOW degrees offer flexible majors so that you can build your own degree shaped around your interests, strengths and goals.

You can also choose from a huge range of double degrees that will allow you to follow your passions and graduate with two degrees in less time than if you studied them separately. Winning.

Meet Bethany

"I am doing a double degree of law and international studies and I couldn’t think of a better combination. This degree enables me to learn a language, travel and leads me onto a path of international law."

✅ Location

It’s so important to love the campus location and atmosphere. You’ll be spending three or more years there, so be sure it’s right for you.

UOW’s Wollongong campus is like a beautiful leafy green suburb, with everything you need. A safe and affordable city, Wollongong has breathtaking national parks, beaches and Insta-worthy scenery, so it’s no wonder students come from near and far to study here.

Our Liverpool Campus at Civic Place sits in the heart of South Western Sydney, surrounded by culture, community and opportunity. Students can study close to home in a supportive environment, without the long commute or moving away. We also have campuses in Sutherland, Bega, Eurobodalla, Shoalhaven and the Southern Highlands.

See for yourself, with a virtual tour of campus.

Meet Olivia

"I wasn’t really looking at other universities… I’d been to UOW throughout school and always loved the greenery and atmosphere of campus, compared to the high-rises you get at city unis."

Vibe check: Your university years are some of the best you’ll have. As you step beyond school, you’ll meet people from all kinds of backgrounds while diving deeper into the subjects that genuinely interest you. Go to as many Open Days, Campus Tours and Information Sessions as you can to get a feel for each uni you're interested in.

There are plenty of reasons UOW has been awarded five out of five stars in The Good Universities Guide for Overall Educational Experience, Student Support and Teaching Quality (and more!) in 2025, and ranked the top public university for undergraduate student experience (QILT). All of our Awards and rankings are listed here.

With clubs and societies to join, beaches to explore, friends to make and plenty of support along the way, UOW offers a student experience like no other. 

✅ Accommodation

Where will you live? It’s a big decision, and one you’ll want to start thinking about sooner rather than later. Moving away from home for the first time can be exciting, but also a little daunting. Whether you’re relocating for uni or just ready for more independence, it’s important to find a place that feels like your home away from home. So, whether you want to live near the beach or in the city, there’s an option for you.

Many universities offer student accommodation, and it’s a great way to make friends and ease into independent living. In fact, lots of students say living in residence is one of the best parts of university life.

UOW Student Residences offer vibrant, welcoming communities with students from diverse cultural backgrounds. Residents enjoy an active social environment and make friendships that last well beyond uni. Accommodation fees are simple and inclusive, covering essentials like electricity and internet (and in some cases meals), so you can focus on settling in.

Our residences are also secure and supported by UOW Security, with built-in social, pastoral and academic support - a safe and supportive way to start your university journey.

If you’re comparing similar courses at different universities, you need to check out the federal government’s ComparEd.com site.

Here are some things to look for:

1. Does the uni rank highly among world universities?
2. How does it compare to other Australian universities?
3. How does it utilise resources to make a positive impact in the world?
4. If it’s not an old uni, how does it fare among other modern universities?
5. How successful are its graduates?

You’re probably worrying about your ATAR right now, and wondering whether it’ll be enough to get you into the course and uni of your dreams. To help ease your worries, be sure the uni you choose has pathways and support in place to help you reach your goals, no matter what your ATAR turns out to be.

We know you need certainty and support. That’s why UOW offers alternative non-ATAR and supplementary programs for students who still want to pursue their university studies despite not quite getting the high school results they hoped for, or for those who may need additional study to prepare them for their uni degree.

Think of these alternative entry options like a safety net – there if you need them and giving you peace of mind.

UOW Early Admission applications open in June. When you apply for Early Admission, UOW considers your unique skills and experiences, alongside your Year 11 results, so you can earn an offer to uni before you sit your first exam. 

Story by Patrick O'Connor

For more future students stories, check out The Stand.