The Good Universities Guide

There are two things that are often used to determine whether one institution is preferred over another: word-of-mouth and location. While these are reasonable things to consider, many other factors could and should inform your decision.

Choosing a sector, or type of institution will narrow down your options. Choosing a field of study might also since some providers also focus on delivering courses relevant to a particular profession or field of study.

However, if your interests are less defined, and your shortlist is still long, there are various other considerations which may help you make a decision about where to study. Think about three things: What characteristics make each institution unique? What should an institution have or do for you? Are there certain things that you particularly need from an institution?

Tertiary institutions: how can you tell them apart?

A vast number of elements combine to make each institution unique. While none of them makes an institution better or worse overall, these differences can mean an institution is a good or bad choice for you. Think about …

• Public vs. private institutions: Public institutions include most universities and publicly-funded TAFE institutes. Private institutions include registered training organisations (RTOs) and private higher education providers.
• Special focus: Although most institutions will have a mix of ‘academic’ courses (like humanities and sciences) and others (like accounting, creative arts) that are practical or vocationally oriented, some institutions emphasise one or the other. Some also specialise in teaching and / or research in one field. If this is the case, you should make sure facilities are adequate (see below).
• Research focus: Universities are required to do some research; private providers and TAFE institutes are not. Among the universities, some do a broad range of research, while others focus on one or two niche areas.
• Teaching quality: Feedback about teaching will always be subjective, but it is certainly an important thing to consider. Go to University Ratings for information about what university students think of their teachers.
• Graduate outcomes: Go to University Ratings for information about how different university graduates fare in gaining employment and salaries.
• Graduate satisfaction: Like teaching, feedback from students about their experiences will always be subjective; the experience of students will also vary across different fields and campuses at the one institution. Go to University Ratings for more information.
• The student body: Are there lots of school leavers or mature age students? Domestic or international students? Are the majority of students on or off campus?
• Facilities: Size is the big determinant. Campuses will differ with respect to the creature comforts on offer. While it is undoubtedly nice to have access to a second-hand bookshop, or a basketball court, just remember: at some small campuses you can't even get a coffee, but you can collect lots of friendly vibes.

The must-haves for a tertiary institution

The resources that your institution should provide will depend on its size, type and also the field of study you are in.
You should probably expect fewer services and a smaller library at a small, private provider than at a massive university. On the other hand, if that small, private provider specialises in fine art, then you should expect to find easels, pottery wheels, the full range of essential equipment.

It used to be the case that you could expect to find a wide range of support services and facilities at most universities. However, the introduction of Voluntary Student Unionism (VSU) has lead to significant cuts to some services. Even so, you should expect a library that is adequate to your needs, as well as academic assistance services. These are the basics and they are important.

Finding an institution to match your needs

There are certain other things that institutions do differently which make it easier to choose between them if you have any special requirements.You might prefer one institution over another because of:

• Location: Institutions can be classed as ‘regional’ or ‘metropolitan’. There will be some that are near your current address, and others that aren’t. This is not the be-all-and-end-all though; look further afield if you will enjoy the course and environment better.
• Entry flexibility and TAFE credit: Entry requirements are particularly relevant to prospective university students. Be aware that some institutions are more likely to take a range of factors (not just a score) into account during their admissions process.
• Study mode: Some institutions specialise in distance and/or online learning. If you cannot get to class all (or any) of the time, they could be useful.

Check out the policies and track record on some of the above by checking out the University Ratings.

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