Frequently asked questions
- How do I choose my school subjects for Year 11 and 12?
- Who can I talk to about careers and jobs that interest me?
- Can I volunteer some time to work along side someone in this occupation?
- What job opportunities are available if I get a degree?
- What if I already know which career I want to pursue?
- How can I better my chances of getting into the program of my choice at university?
- How do I apply for university?
- How much does university cost?
- Why should I go to university?
- How is university different to school?
- Why should I choose UniSA?
- Where is UniSA?
- What types of programs are offered at UniSA?
How do I choose my school subjects for Year 11 and 12?
Choosing the right subjects at school is critical in starting you off on the right track. Choosing a career first will allow you to find out what you need to study at uni and then check out the entry requirements. This will help you plan what subjects you need to study at school. Go to Choosing a career to get an idea of how to start looking at careers that might interest you. Then go to Choosing school subjects for our tips and guidelines.
Who can I talk to about careers and jobs that interest me?
It is important to know what these careers involve so there won't be any surprises in the future. Often the best way to find out about is to speak to someone who is actually working in the area. Ask them what they like and dislike about their job, what hours they work, what training is involved.
Can I volunteer some time to work along side someone in this occupation?
Yes, you can. Arrange to do some work experience in your chosen field. Work Experience is a great way to find out what the occupation is really like and helps you decide if it is the right sort of work for you. Most schools organise Work Experience placements for students. Speak with your schools career counsellor or alternatively you may like to try and get some work experience during your holidays.
What job opportunities are available if I get a degree?
It is hard to know exactly what careers will be in high demand in the future. It is wise to select professions which are in high demand or are predicted to be in high demand in the future. This will increase your chances of finding employment. The following are some ways in which you can get help with career choices:
Work with the career counsellor and teachers at your school
Your school can play a very important role in providing guidance and counselling when planning for your future. People that may be able to assist this decision making process within your school are your subject teachers and your career counsellor. Sometimes this may be as easy as arranging an appointment to discuss your situation or simply catching them when they have a free moment.
Discuss your options with parents, guardians, family and friends
Remember that you are not alone in this decision. Discussing plans with your parents, guardians, family members and close friends may be one way of helping you make your choices for the future. Friends and family can also give you an insight into your personal skills you may not be aware of. They may even suggest a career that you haven’t even thought of!
Look ahead and take into consideration what type of program you might like to do at university
Looking ahead at the types of programs you may want to study at university can assist you in deciding the appropriate subjects for year 11 and 12. Does the program you are interested in have any prerequisite subjects? Are there any assumed knowledge subjects suggested for any of these programs? Remember that being fully prepared and researching all of your options keeps doors open.
What if I already know which career I want to pursue?
If you are one of the lucky ones who feel they know exactly what they are going to do, that's excellent, but what happens if:
- you change your mind?
- you can't get into the course you've set your heart on?
It is important not to limit your options. Ask yourself:
- is it easy to apply for my desired programs later?
- is there another program I can do in a similar area?
Make sure you do some research, not only on the program you are interested in, but find out what else is out there.
How can I better my chances of getting into the program of my choice at university?
You need to prepare in advance. Once you have identified the career you want to pursue, by finding out the entry requirements of the university programs that lead to that career, you are increasing your chances of entering that program. For example, if the prerequisite for the program you want to study is Chemistry, you'd want to start Chemistry in year 11 in preparation for year 12
For entry into UniSA you must have completed the South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE) or equivalent and completed the right combination of subjects. If you are unsure about these requirements, go to Entry requirements for year 12 or simply call Future student enquiries on (08) 8302 2376.
How do I apply for University?
In South Australia, we have one central admissions centre called SATAC (The South Australian Tertiary Admissions Centre). If you are interested in applying for programs at university, you must apply through SATAC by the end of September for entry into the following year.
More information about applying to UniSA
How much does university cost?
At many universities, there are two ways you may enter study:
- As a Commonwealth supported student. These students are only required to pay a contribution to the university for the full cost of their study, and the Commonwealth funds the balance;. The amount of contribution is determined by the university within a range set by the Government. Refer to the Goingtouni website for more information.
or
- As a full fee-paying student. These students pay the full, real cost of their program to the university without commonwealth support and the fee is set by the university. Not all universities offer fee paying places to undergraduate students.
In either case you may be eligible for Commonwealth assistance. For eligibility guidelines please refer to the Goingtouni website.
HECS-HELP*
- You are able to defer the payment of your Commonwealth supported amounts to the Australian Taxation Office until you are in the workforce and earning a taxable income over the established threshold. HECS-HELP does not incur any interest, however the amount owing is indexed annually (closely resembling a rate similar to the Consumer Price Index).
- Alternatively if you pay your amount up-front you will get a discount on the amount owing.
FEE-HELP*
- For full fee-paying student, the Commonwealth has a ‘loan’ program called FEE-HELP. It works in a similar way to HECS-HELP allowing a full-fee paying student to defer payment of tuition fees. There are some specific criteria attached to this program but the Government charges interest.
*HELP - Higher Education Loan Programme. For eligibility guidelines
please refer to the Goingtouni
website.
Why should I go to university?
The career you have chosen may or may not require a university education. However, most professions these days require some kind of further education. A university qualification opens doors to a bright future.
More information about the benefits of going to university
How is university different to school?
It is bigger
- There are lots of people from different cultures, many age groups and varying experiences.
- Lectures – there can be as many as 400 people in the same lecture theatre as you.
- Tutorials – smaller group sessions where you have the opportunity to discuss, debate and present information on the week's topic.
- Practicals – you can be in a lab or out in the field getting some hands on experience or even work placements.
The year is structured in a different way
- You usually have two study periods of about 16 weeks.
- You can study full-time or part-time and you may study some courses externally.
- Time spent being taught is usually less than at school (you may have as little as 12 hours contact a week), but you need to do a lot of additional study in your own time.
You are more independent
- Uni is an adult environment - we don't deal with your parents, you can choose to attend a lecture or choose to sleep in! It's up to you, but remember, you are responsible for your learning.
- You can choose what you want to study and can focus on your areas of interest.
- There are support systems at university but you need to seek out that help.
- There are broader opportunities.
- Study abroad opportunities - you have the opportunity to study 6-12 months of your degree at your choice of a number of overseas universities. You do not need to pay any additional fees for the subjects you study but you do need to be able to support yourself. There are some scholarships available.
- Club/social activities - university is not just about study. It's important to get yourself involved in the social aspect of university life as well. There are hundreds of clubs and social activities available at UniSA.
Why should I choose UniSA?
UniSA is one of the largest, fastest growing and most innovative universities in Australia and continues a long tradition of providing students with a high quality education.
More information about why UniSA is unique
Where is UniSA?
UniSA is based in South Australia with four campuses in or near the capital Adelaide, City East, City West, Magill and Mawson Lakes. It has a presence in two regional areas with the Whyalla campus and the Mount Gambier regional centre.
More information about UniSA campuses
What types of programs are offered at UniSA?
UniSA offers a wide variety of range of programs including those in the business, health sciences, engineering and information technology, and education, arts and social sciences areas.
More information about UniSA programs