Checklist: How to choose the uni for you

✅ Course

Does the uni offer the course you really want? Seems pretty obvious, but sometimes it’s easy to get distracted by other details.

If you’re looking for a course with a specific pathway to your dream career, like nursing, teaching or law, you’ll want a uni that specialises in those particular study areas, or that ranks highly for certain specialisations in both Australia and globally.

Or maybe you can’t pick between your two favourite subjects. Did you know you can choose from a whole range of double degrees at UOW? You can follow both your passions and graduate with two degrees in less time than if you studied them separately. Winning.

Not sure what course you want to do? These five tips might help.

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.

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."

Your university years are some of the best. As you enter a world outside of school, you’ll meet lots of new people from a diverse set of backgrounds, while also getting to learn and focus more on the things that really interest you.

Student life at uni might look a little different in 2021, but there are still plenty of reasons why students give UOW 5 stars for overall experience (GUG 2021), and rank UOW higher than any other NSW or ACT uni overall (QILT 2019).

With clubs and societies to join, beaches to visit, friends to make and heaps of support available, UOW offers a student experience like no other.

Setting yourself up for your future is key when selecting a uni. If the uni you’re looking at has great industry connections, emphasises practical learning and ensures students gain internship or project-based opportunities, then you’re looking at a uni that will prepare you well for your future career.

We’re proud to say that UOW does all these things – and more. We focus on giving you the knowledge, skills and experience that employers are looking for, so you can graduate confident and ready to hit the ground running. That’s why our grads experience a higher chance of securing full-time employment than the average Australian uni student.

Check out Careers Central for more info.

✅ Accommodation

Living away from home for the first time can be very exciting, but also a bit daunting. Whether you’re moving for uni or moving because you’re ready, it’s important to find your home away from home. So, if you want to live near the beach or in the city, there’s a UOW student residence for you.

Lots of unis have student accommodation, which is a great way to make new friends and ease yourself into your new independent lifestyle. But did you know that UOW is one of just a few Australian unis to offer an accommodation guarantee to first year students? Apply by 13 November 2020 to lock your room in for 2021. One less thing to worry about.

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?

With all the spanners that 2020 has thrown in the works, 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 for 2021 has pathways and support in place to help you reach your goals, no matter what your ATAR turns out to be.

At UOW, we know you need certainty and support. That’s why we also offer 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.

For more future students stories, check out The Stand.