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Choosing a course

There are many factors to weigh up when choosing a tertiary course, such as which type of provider you prefer, what qualification you'll get at the end of it, and how the course itself is structured.

What should I consider when trying to decide on a course or qualification?

First of all, think about what you want to get from your course or qualification. Is it the qualification itself, or are you aiming toward a specific career goal? If you’re looking for a way into a specific career, one qualification may be better than another.

For each course, ensure you think about the questions below. Some of them you will be able to answer for yourself, others will involve asking the education providers or others.

Ellie O'Connor

"If there's one bit of advice I can give to other young people it's to think about a job you want to do first, and then pick a course. Don't choose a course that sounds good and then hope there'll be a job afterwards. I wish someone had told me that about 10 years ago – it would have saved me a few tears and heartache."

Ellie O'Connor, Business Support Co-ordinator

Hear students talk about how they chose their course - video, 2.24 mins

 

What do I need to enter the qualification? Where will it take me?

  • What are the entry requirements?  Will you be able to meet these? If not, you’ll need to rethink your plans.
  • Are there any limitations on student numbers for the course you’re interested in? Some programmes may limit student numbers, or have an early shut off date.

What jobs will this qualification lead to?

Some education providers track the progress of their graduates. You may be able to find this information on their website, or ask the relevant contact person.

You should also look at how well-recognised the qualification is in the workforce? Check our job information to find out if there are specific courses or qualifications that are preferred by employers.

You can also check with employers themselves, industry training organisations or professional organisations for people working in that area.

What is the tertiary education provider like?

For some people, the environment they're studying in is very important. Learning more about the tertiary education provider can help you decide between courses.

Consider things such as:

  • what the other students are like - for example, do you want people of a similar age or a mix?
  • the size and learning style of the education provider - for example, will you work closely with your lecturers or tutors, or will you be one face among many? Which style suits you best?
  • the campus and its location - for example, is it in a city or out of town?
  • the support services that are provided
  • what the accommodation is like (if you are planning on living on-campus).
Kim Wilkins

“One of the things I’ve liked about studying at the acupuncture school is the age range of students. I also found the school a completely different experience from studying at university. It’s very hands-on and you know everyone at the school, compared to at uni where a lot of your tutors don’t even know your name."

Kim Wilkins, Acupuncturist

Other factors that may affect your decision

  • What does the course cost? Do you have the money needed, or can you get a student loan to cover your fees?
  • What are the average living expenses in the town/city where the provider is?
  • How long will the course take? Can you commit this much time to studying?
  • What student support services does the education provider offer? This may not seem important before you start, but services such as learning support, medical care and libraries may be important to you later on.

Will I be able to study what I want?

Admittance to certain courses may be limited to those who reach certain NCEA standards

Some universities and polytechnics have had to limit the number of students they will accept each year, because of high demand for places as well as a lack of funding.

In the 2010 Budget, the Government announced it would fund an extra 1,735 student places at universities and 3,173 student places at polytechnics in 2011. This is about 765 more places than in 2010.

However, this is still not enough to ensure everyone will be able to get into the course they want, so it pays to have an alternative plan.

Where can I get more information?

  • Go to career expos. These are held in most main centres, and are a great way to get advice and useful information.
  • Talk to your careers adviser.
  • Talk to tertiary education providers.  Many have a careers office and liaison staff to advise students. Make an appointment to go to see them.
  • Go to open days at tertiary providers.  
  • Talk to your whānau or other people in your community.