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How to find a program that's right for you

Choosing what you want to study can be overwhelming. There are loads of degrees to choose from in a wide range of areas, not to mention undergraduate versus postgraduate – where do you even begin?

At UniSA Online, we're here to help you make the best choice for your own personal circumstances and support you on your path to career success. Here are some tips to help you work through your options, and if you’re still seeking inspiration, browse our full range of programs by study area to discover what’s on offer.  

Consider your career goals

What do you want to achieve at this stage of your career? Yes, it’s a big question, but an important one to help you narrow down your study choices.

Realise your ambition

If you’re ready to progress through the ranks in your current field, a degree that’s relevant to your current role might be the way to go. Employers often list a relevant bachelor degree as a requirement for many positions – one of our many bachelor degrees may be the right choice for you to keep building your career.

For example, if you’re working as an administrator in an advertising agency, and would like to move into an account manager role, then a degree in marketing or communications could be a great fit.

A new direction

Thinking about a career change? We love this for you! Make sure you know what education requirements you’ll need for your new career choice, then browse our available degrees to find the right option.

You might be an accountant who’s always dreamed of becoming a nutritionist, or a police officer who loves analytics and IT – we’re here to help you make your dreams a career reality.

And remember, you may be able to gain credit for past study or relevant work experience, reducing the overall time it’ll take to complete your degree.

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Explore your interests

Think about your interests, and what you’re passionate about in life. You’re more likely to follow through with your studies if you’re truly interested in the subject matter.

Could your hobby or side hustle become your career with some further study? Who inspires you – are there any public figures you admire, whose career you might like to emulate?

By reflecting on your hobbies, interests and what you’re enthusiastic about, you’re then armed with the knowledge you need to start researching fields of study that align with your interests.

Play to your strengths

Think about the things you’re good at. Don’t be modest, now – write them all down. Do you love helping people or knowing what makes them tick? Or do numbers, spreadsheets and doing your own tax return float your boat? If you’re not sure about your strengths, ask a friend. Their honest assessment will help you to round out your list.

Once you have your list of strengths, then it’s time to do your research to find a career or industry that will match them. Browse job listings to see what other skills are required, or talk to your networks to see if there’s anyone you know already working in that space – their experience is valuable insight!

More tips for success

Start small

You’ve done your research, but you’re still not sure if it’s the right degree for you. That’s OK! You can start small with a shorter qualification – think of it as a trial to see if the subject matter is right for you, before you commit to a three-year degree. UniSA Online offers several different levels of study that are less time intensive, but still taught by our experienced academics.

Compare qualification types

Still not sure?

We can help! Our team of friendly Degree Advisers are on hand to talk you through our wide range of degree options, and the benefits of each. They can also provide advice on entry requirements, credit, and how to apply.

Contact a Degree Adviser

Take the plunge!

Once you start studying, you’ll have the support of our academic staff, as well as your dedicated Student Adviser, to help you on your path to success. You’ll also have the option to choose a major, switch degrees, or even pause your studies if you need to. It’s all part of what it means to study with full flexibility via UniSA Online.

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