Selecting a course of study beyond high school is one of the most pivotal decisions of life. It can make or break a student’s academic and professional future. While passion and preference should be the guiding factor, job prospects also play a crucial part in the decision. Full-time employment, average salaries, job role, and scope are some of the key factors. In essence, the primary goal of a graduate degree is a successful career.  

Best Degrees To Study In Australia

Australian universities are one of the most popular study destinations. Here is a list of the best degrees in the country that can transform students into employable graduates:

  • Medical Science and Related Fields The percentage of graduates employed in different Medical sciences are as follows: – Employed Graduates of Rehabilitation Studies: 96% – Employed Graduates of Dentistry Studies: 94.5% – Employed Graduates of Pharmacy Studies: 93.6% – Employed Graduates of Medicine Studies: 92.9% – Employed Graduates of Veterinary Studies: 90.6% – Employed Graduates of Nursing Studies: 88.8% – Employed Graduates of Health Services & Support Studies: 88.4% Medical degrees have the highest labour force participation and employment rate in Australia. Graduation in one of the most useful degrees equips students with invaluable skills and a stellar career. The job roles vary from Occupational therapist, Hospital or Industrial Pharmacist, Doctor, Dentist, Nurse, etc. In addition to the ATAR/IB requirement, the eligibility criteria for these courses are rigorous and require a GAMSAT score as well. ACU, USYD, CSU, QUT, UTS, ANU, WSU, UC, & Monash University offer some of the most popular medical courses.
  • Teacher Education Degree Employed Graduates: 91.1% The education field of study provides the opportunity to inspire and shape the young minds of the nation. With a Bachelor of Education, students can teach in government or private schools. They can choose between Primary, Secondary or Early Childhood education courses as per their career aspirations. One can enrol in a leading teaching university degree available at ACU, MQ, WSU, UQ, UNSW, UNE or UON.
  • Engineering Employed Graduates- 86.6% One of the most versatile degrees for prospective students is Engineering. It branches out into a plethora of areas such as aerospace, machine learning, thermodynamics, infrastructure, power generation, and others. Thus, the job scope widens as well as career opportunities. One can step into any sector with this degree and find a compatible job. For instance, defence, space exploration, urban development, transport, etc. For graduation at a public university MQ, UNSW and UON are the top-notch choices.
  • Business & Management Employed Graduates: 86.3 In the current economy, business acumen, financial & communication skills are highly regarded. The scope of work after studying at business schools expands considerably. For instance, one can work in corporate finance, insurance, taxation, risk management, sales development, strategic partnership, business analysis, accountancy or personnel training and management. Students can bag jobs at large MNC’s, investment banks or utilise their innovative expertise at startups. For business degrees UNE, UTS, ANU, ACU, MQ Monash, and Griffith University are the top-notch choices.
  • Agriculture & Environment Study Employed Graduates- 85.9% Australia’s immense topographical wealth makes it obvious that its study will make it to the in-demand courses list. With a degree in Agriculture, one can work as an Agronomist and a forestry consultant or expert. Whereas a Bachelors in Environmental Studies opens up the gateway to numerous opportunities. One can work as a Geologist, Ecologist, Botanist, Wildlife or Marine Biologist, Toxicologist, Meteorologist, Town Planner, Environmental Safety Officer, or Conservation advocate. RMIT, UQ, University of Sydney, Griffith, Curtin, and Flinders University offer outstanding courses in Agriculture or Environmental Study.

Degrees That Don’t Guarantee a Job

As per the flow of the labour market, each subject gains or loses its shine after a while. The reasons could be countless, ranging from the dwindling necessity of the job role or an overabundance of graduates than the actual demand. Here’s a list of courses that are declining in employability.

  • Tourism, hospitality, personal services, sport, and recreation Employed Graduates- 82.1%
  • Humanities, culture and social sciences Employed Graduates- 81.7%
  • Science and Mathematics Employed Graduates- 81.5%
  • Creative Arts Employed Graduates- 78.2%
  • Computing and information systems Employed Graduates- 77.5%

Things To Consider Before Studying in Australia

  • Pre-Requisites Deciding what to study in Australia also depends on the eligibility requirements of universities. For international students, there is a long list of terms and conditions such as visa procedures, health insurance, and bank accounts. It’s important to ensure complete eligibility in the course before beginning the application process. Students might need XII mark sheets or ATAR, IELTS or TOEFL scores, letter of recommendations, CV, and other course-specific requirements, depending on their country of origin.
  • Cost of Studies University education in Australia is quite expensive. For domestic students, a Bachelor’s degree is capped by the government for different subjects. The fees are divided into 4 bands that can range from AUD 3985 to AUD 14,630. For an international student, an undergraduate degree can cost an average of AUD 30,580. In addition to the tuition fees, the living expenses are also exorbitant across the country. The student visas require AUD 20,000 in a bank account as proof of living costs. Students can opt for a private university to avail international scholarships for affordable premier education.
  • Geographical Considerations Besides the reversed weather and Christmas in summer which baffles foreign students, there are other climatic and spatial factors to be considered. The whole country remains relatively dry and warm across the year. However, some states experience more preferable climates than others. For instance, if one wants the most rain-free days, Perth is the best bet. The topography of the region can also dictate students’ preferences. For example, a marine enthusiast might flourish more near the Great Barrier Reef system in Queensland than in the tech hub of Melbourne, Victoria.
  • Future Plans The choice of the course reflects a student’s vision of their life. If one wants to pursue post-graduation or a job outside Australia, an internationally accredited program is the way to go. If international students want to stay in Australia after their graduation, they should look for a degree that makes them eligible for a post-study visa. Moreover, to attain a work visa, their job prospects should fall in the skilled occupation category. Thus, one should keep their long-term goals in mind to pick the best degrees for the future.

While a student shouldn’t base their decision solely on employment trends, it’s wise to keep a keen eye on them. It can easily cater variety and safety to their professional future. If the chosen subject isn’t in demand, students can pick a related field with higher job prospects. For instance, an undergraduate student with an affinity for mathematics can channel it into an Engineering degree, instead of Bachelor in Maths. It’s crucial to examine the most employable degrees, their eligibility, and costs to plan a way forward to admission.