How to choose the right course for you

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So you’ve decided to study in Australia, that’s the first step ticked from the list! Now, it’s important to find the right course for you. But with over 22,000 courses for international students to choose from, it can prove difficult knowing where to start.

Thankfully, our expert team were students too so are here to hold your hand through the process. From taking into consideration your interests and past experience to living in a city that represents your lifestyle, discover how to choose the right course for you below.

Why is it so important to choose a course carefully?

It’s important to remember that in order to apply for your student visa, you must write a GTE (genuine temporary entrant) statement. This is a letter which addresses the reasons why you have decided to study a specific course in Australia and not your home country. 

There is no template for this and must be a truthful statement explaining your genuine interest in studying down under. Therefore, choosing to pursue further education in Australia is not something to be taken lightly.

It can also be difficult to change your course later down the line. If you decide that you're not enjoying the subject matter or teaching method, then you may be able to switch courses but it's not an easy road to take. 

Not everyone is entitled to change course and/or education provider if you do so, it's an expensive decision to make. That's why it's crucial to think carefully before applying for a course. To find out further information on changing courses on a student visa in Australia, visit our handy blog post.

Make a list of your favourite interests

Start by making a list of the topics, hobbies and skills which interest you. Perhaps these are subjects you studied at school or always wished to pursue further. Organise the list by placing your biggest passions at the top whether that’s sports, design or marketing.

It’s also important to consider what your future career looks like. If you envision yourself as a project manager, what qualifications do you need to get there? If you have always dreamed of studying business, it’s important to consider taking an English course with most colleges requiring intermediate understanding in order for you to apply.  

Once you’ve written your list, you now have a platform to jump from and can research into courses which delve into these topics. The next step? Determining where you would like to study the course of your choice. 

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Decide where you would like to study in Australia

There are so many incredible places in Australia to choose from so make sure to thoroughly research into each state before making a decision. 

If you’re someone searching for a city-turned-beach lifestyle then Sydney may be the one for you. Or perhaps its Perth, lovingly dubbed Australia’s sunniest city, which takes your fancy. While Byron Bay is world-renowned for its laid back surf culture, community spirit (and a famous face or two). 

It’s also worth noting that a number of colleges offer the same course at multiple locations across the country, giving students the opportunity to experience living and studying in different cities. For example, International House has campuses in Melbourne, Darwin, the Gold Coast, Sydney and Byron Bay (its most recent venture).   

You can find helpful guides to some of Australia’s most popular student cities on our website with useful information on everything from cost of living to the cheapest courses available.  

Take into consideration course cost and length

It’s important to consider how long you would like to study in Australia for. Although a number of colleges may offer the same course, they all follow different timetables. Some courses in Australia may last from six months to a year. 

You can find updates on the cheapest courses in Australia on our website. If you would like to learn more about start dates and prices, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

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Research into the best courses in Australia

The final step is to research into courses which correspond with your list - and that’s where we come in! Our team of qualified education agents and student visa specialists were all international students once too so have a wealth of experience and advice to offer. 

If you decide studying in Australia is the right pathway for you, then drop us an email and our expert team will look into courses which match your budget, experience, location of choice and subject matter. We have longtime relationships with colleges across the country so are up to date with the latest prices, enrolment processes and term dates. 

The best part? Study Online Australia is fully funded by the education sector so our services won’t cost you a penny!

Study better, choose Study Online Australia.