MY FUTURE Careers Newsletter

University Options

Low ATAR course options at Australian universities 

If you’re finishing up Year 12 this year and you’re ATAR eligible, then you already know that you can apply to go to university. But what if you’re worried that your exams might not go well, and your ATAR could be lower than expected? Or perhaps your predicted ATAR is low, and you’d love to go to university, but you’re stressing that you won’t receive an offer to your dream course.

 

Well, we have good news for you. There are more courses than ever being offered by Australian universities that have low ATAR requirements. Let’s look at a few.

 

Low ATAR course options at Australian universities

When we searched Course Seeker for courses that required an ATAR between 30 and 60, it came up with a whopping 1477 courses to choose from.

Here are just a few examples:

 

So if you are keen to pursue a career in almost any field imaginable but you are expecting or receive a low ATAR, remember there are still plenty of courses that you could receive an offer for.

 

If you don’t have any low ATAR options listed on your preferences, or you have them listed but they’re not at the top, you can always change them before the cut-off dates for offer rounds. This could increase your chances of receiving an offer (or offers) that you really want.

 

You’ll still have a choice about where you study too

With 25 institutions on Course Seeker offering course options with low ATAR requirements, you may not even be limited by where you want to study. There are also online options to consider, allowing you to apply for courses with universities in other states and complete your studies remotely.

 

Find out what’s possible

Perhaps a course you really want to do at a specific university is out of reach if your ATAR doesn’t quite hit the mark. What can you do?

 

Again, you’ll still have options. Firstly, it’s worth calling the university directly and having a chat with someone in the Future Students team. They can identify similar courses with lower entry requirements, find bridging or tertiary preparation courses that could do the trick, or explain how internal transfers could work in your favour.

 

Don’t forget there are lots of alternative pathways to university that don’t require an ATAR at all – plus heaps of other options you can take after school other than uni too.

 

Learn more

Keen to see all your low ATAR university course options? Have a browse on Course Seeker or take a look at university websites to find out your options.

 

If you want to learn more about your potential study pathways, we have heaps of other blogs you might like to read here.

4 benefits of studying overseas 

Moving away to a completely new country might seem a bit daunting, but it’s also incredibly exciting. Lots of students decide to take the plunge and experience learning and life in another part of the world, and there are certainly some great benefits to doing so. We’ve gone through some of the benefits of studying overseas – take a look and see if it’s something that might interest you.

 

Why would I want to study overseas?

Packing up and heading across the world isn’t a decision to take lightly, so there should be some motivation behind your choice to study overseas. A few of the reasons students choose to study abroad include:

  • To travel and experience other cultures
  • To learn another language
  • To become independent
  • To step out of their comfort zone and do something new

If any of these apply to you, studying overseas could be something you might like to look into.

 

The benefits of studying overseas

Whatever your reason, there are heaps of benefits you can gain from studying overseas. Here are 3 of the top advantages:

 

Develop a global mindset

Studying and living abroad exposes you to different cultures, customs, and ways of thinking. You’ll have the opportunity to interact with people from diverse backgrounds, learn new languages, and experience a different way of life.

 

All of this will help you develop a more global mindset, something that is highly valuable in today’s job market. Many businesses and organisations operate on a global scale or have clients and customers from all over the world, so being sensitive and knowledgeable on other cultures can put you ahead of the pack.

 

Access specialised courses and knowledge

Overseas universities might offer unique programs or research opportunities that aren’t available or accessible in your home country. For example, if you’re interested in sustainable urban planning, you might choose to study at a university in the Netherlands, a country known for its innovative approaches to urban design, cycling infrastructure, and water management.

 

You could gain first-hand exposure to cutting-edge practices and techniques that could be applied back at home, and become a leader in your field.

 

Expand your career opportunities

Studying abroad can significantly expand your professional network and open up new career opportunities too. For example, pursuing a business degree in the United States can provide access to internships at globally-renown corporations, or opportunities to collaborate with professionals from industries that aren’t as big in your home country.

 

And if you do decide to return home, the experience and connections you made during your studies can give you an edge in the job market, and potentially lead to more diverse career options.

 

Challenge yourself and build skills

Like we said earlier, hopping on a plane and heading overseas is a pretty big decision. To make it work, you’ll need to be dedicated and confident, as well as having a well-thought-out plan and the finances to boot. Just the work that goes into planning and saving for study abroad demonstrates important skills.

 

You’ll be living independently away from your parents, so you’ll be responsible for managing your money and taking care of yourself – and you’ll be building heaps of valuable soft skills at the same time.

 

Find out more

Want to find out more about your study options and opportunities? Take a look at our website here.