Secondary school students
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Choosing a career
If you're not sure what you want a career as, think first about what you enjoy doing right now. You’ll be happiest studying a course and working in a job that matches your interests and strengths.
Ask yourself:
- what are my favourite subjects and activities at school?
- what activities do I enjoy outside of school?
- what am I really good at?
Your answers to these kinds of questions will give you a starting point for the courses and career paths you could choose. Volunteering or applying for work experience in areas that interest you are other good ways to find out if you like them.
Check out our quick guide to courses and careers if you need further help to decide what job would suit you.
You can also take the National Careers Institute's Your Career quiz to help you understand what areas of work you may enjoy.
Find the right course
Once you have a better idea of your strengths and interests, you can search for university or TAFE courses that match those fields.
For example, if your favourite subjects at school are science and physical education, and you love playing team sports in your spare time, you might want to study a Bachelor of Sport Science. This course could help you find work as an exercise physiologist or sport scientist for a professional sport team.
TAFE or university - What's best for you?
There are several differences between TAFE and university study.
You can choose to first study at TAFE, and then at university. We make it easy for you to transfer from TAFE courses to degrees at VU through our pathways program.
Read more about how to choose a university or TAFE course that's right for you
Getting into a course
Entry into your chosen course depends on whether or not you meet the admission criteria, which are different for each course. In most cases, admission criteria include the study score (raw score) you obtain in certain prerequisite VCE subjects.
Once you have chosen the courses you would like to study, be sure to check the admission criteria for prerequisite VCE subjects. By basing your VCE subject selection on the admission criteria for your desired course, you will give yourself the best chance of gaining a place.
Some courses at VU will also use your Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR) to determine your eligibility for entry. Your ATAR is based on the total of all your Year 12 subject scores and received at the completion of your VCE.
Certain courses at VU also include an audition or interview in their entry requirements. The specific entry requirements for each course are outlined on course pages.
5 people whose ATAR was no obstacle
Quick guide to courses & careers
What if I pick the wrong course?
Here are 3 easy ways to troubleshoot a wrong course choice at every step of your university journey.
Options unlimited: forget your ATAR with these awesome alternatives
VU Early Entry
Our early entry program comes with a conditional offer to the course of your choosing, a personalised course plan and access to one-on-one course advice.
Support for school students with disabilites transitioning into TAFE
We provide personalised support to students with a disability transitioning from secondary school (including specialist schools and alternative education) to TAFE
Why choose VU
We offer many workshops and activities for secondary school students so that you can experience university life:
- engineering - hands on activities for Year 9-12 students
- legal studies:
- Michael Kirby Contract Law moot competition
- Legal studies Head Start day for Year 11 students
- sport and exercise science - Sport and Recreation Industry Pathway (SARIP) program for VCE students.
We encourage you to contact your school's career practitioner to find out more and register for these activities.
Regional school students
When considering university, regional students should focus on factors like course offerings, campus environment, support services, cost of living, and potential career opportunities after secondary school.
Researching these aspects can help you make an informed decision about the most suitable university for your academic and personal needs. Here at VU, we welcome and invite all students from all regions to succeed in an inclusive, supportive environment.
Discover our campuses
Victoria University has campuses in the heart of the city, and across Melbourne's western suburbs.
Footscray Park 360° campus tour
City Campus 360° tour
Explore our City Campus in our interactive 360° tour on YouTube.
Special admission programs
If you live in a regional or remote area of Australia, you may be eligible for a selection rank adjustment.
UniLodge
Live and study on-campus at VU. UniLodge offers apartments and self-contained studios that's only minutes walk from the hub of Footscray city.
Financial advice & support
VU Employ – careers service & support
VU Employ can provide you with advice and support along every step of your career journey.