The Good
Universities
Guide
  • Courses
  • Institutions
  • Careers
  • Ratings
  • Scholarships
  • Events
  • Study Info
  • Edu Blogs
  • Login
  • Compare
  1. Home
  2. Education Blog
  3. Tertiary study
  4. Don't fear the university preferences selection process

Don't fear the university preferences selection process

Don't fear the university preferences selection process

Logging into the website of your state’s tertiary admissions centre is peak of the uni preferences decision process. For some students it will be the culmination of years of hard work and careful subject selection at high school, others will be unsure right up until the moment they have the choices in front of them, while most will fall somewhere in between. Whatever your situation, selecting university preferences and potentially how you will spend the foreseeable future, is a chance to steer your life in any direction you choose. This is a big decision, but also an enjoyable one and something that shouldn’t be consumed by the pressure to get into a certain institution and the fear of missing out.

Below are some tactics to help you get the most from the selection process and dispel the myths surrounding choosing your university preferences.

The structure of a course may differ between universities

Your first preference may not be presented exactly the same way at every university around the country. For example, a Bachelor of Arts majoring in creative writing from The University of Melbourne might have a wider theoretical base than a similar degree from RMIT. The latter may focus on industry connections and real-world application, providing a different education experience. It is important to research the available courses at different universities to find a structure and angle that appeals to your learning style and ambitions.

A prestigious university isn’t necessarily the best choice

It is valuable to look beyond the big name, Group of Eight universities when deciding on the course that is best for you. For some employers, where your degree originated may be a huge concern, for the vast majority however, it won’t matter. It is far more important to choose a university that suits your values and what you hope to achieve. A big, old university might have a name that everyone will recognise, but being just one student out of 40,000 may not give you the student experience or teaching quality to help you succeed.

Missing out doesn’t mean your dream career is over

Not everyone can have their first preference and a lot won’t even get their second. This doesn’t mean that your ambition should die with the rejection. Instead, consider other pathways to get you to where you want to be. This makes it important to think carefully about your list and how you fill the spots after the first. Carefully consider how you could spend your first year studying something transferable, with a view to switch to your preferred course after a year. You may also find that a TAFE offers a pathway into the degree you want. Filling up your list with alternatives you don’t care about will increase your chances of giving up entirely and dropping out, or put you on a path you don’t want to be on.

Related blogs

A practical guide to university preferences


09 Mar 2017

read more

Accepting your tertiary offer


15 Jan 2019

read more

Are you choosing a course for the right reasons?


09 Mar 2017

read more

Categories
  • Guest 21
  • Rankings 37
  • Student stories 41
  • Tertiary study 87
  • After graduation 30
  • Education news 55
  • Career guidance 58
Tags
Applying for uniATARpreferenceschange of preference

Become a member

Already a member? LoginForgot password?

Join the conversation

Search Universities

  • Universities in ACT
  • Universities in NSW
  • Universities in QLD
  • Universities in SA and NT
  • Universities in TAS
  • Universities in VIC
  • Universities in WA

Search TAFE Institutes

  • TAFEs in ACT
  • TAFEs in NSW
  • TAFEs in QLD
  • TAFEs in SA and NT
  • TAFEs in TAS
  • TAFEs in VIC
  • TAFEs in WA

Search by Field of Work

  • Architecture, Building and Planning
  • Create Arts and Design
  • Business
  • Computing and ICT
  • Education
  • Engineering and Technical
  • Health and Community Services
  • Hospitality and Tourism
© 2022 Good Universities Guide
Glossary | Terms and Conditions | Privacy Policy
Good Education GropuAbout | Media coverage | Contact | Bookshop
Good Universities GuideGood MBA GuideGood Schools GuideStudies in Australiaدراسات في استرالياEducar AustraliaUniversitas Australiđại học úcEducacaona AustraliaCoursen Australie澳大利亚的课程Australian Career ServicesGood Careers GuideACIRGOOD eDIGITALGEM 360 Virtual Tours