Ep 120 - Does the University You Choose Actually Matter? Look Beyond the Course Name
Does the university you attend actually make a difference when you're looking for a job?
Is a degree from one university more valuable to employers than the same or a similar degree from another university?
And when you're comparing courses, is the course name really enough to tell you what you'll be studying and where it could lead?
In this Q&A episode, I look at what you should actually be comparing when you're choosing between university courses — and why the university's name is only one part of the picture.
I also answer the question that many parents are wondering:
“But surely Melbourne/Monash is better?”
The answer depends on what you're studying, what you want to do after university, and what the different courses actually offer.
What we're talking about:
What should I look at beyond the course name?
When you're comparing university courses, it's easy to look at the title and assume that two courses with similar names will give you a similar experience.
But that's not necessarily the case.
Two degrees can have almost identical names while being quite different when you look at the details.
When researching a course, look at:
the subjects you'll actually study
majors and minors
electives
specialisations
placements and internships
industry projects
work-integrated learning
professional accreditation
honours opportunities
overseas study opportunities
facilities
class sizes
teaching format
graduate outcomes
The course title is a starting point — not the whole story.
What will I actually study?
One of the most important things you can do when comparing courses is to look at the course structure and subjects.
What are you going to be learning in first year?
What subjects will you study in later years?
Are there areas you can specialise in?
Can you choose electives that interest you?
And does the content actually match what you want to learn?
A course that sounds perfect because of its name might turn out to have very little of the content you're interested in — while another course with a less appealing title might be a much better fit.
What practical experience will I get?
It's also worth looking at what opportunities you'll have to apply your knowledge outside the classroom.
Depending on the career you're considering, this might include:
work placements
internships
industry projects
clinical experience
work-integrated learning
opportunities to work with real clients
professional experience as part of your degree
These opportunities can be particularly important in courses that lead to professions where practical experience, registration or accreditation is required.
Does accreditation matter?
For some careers, professional accreditation can be much more important than the perceived prestige of the university.
If the course leads to a regulated profession or a career with specific professional requirements, find out whether the course is accredited and what that accreditation means for your future career.
This is another reason why choosing a university based purely on reputation can miss some very important information.
And if both courses are accredited?
Ask yourself, how are they different? Look at the electives, the industry connections, and how the course is delivered so you can work out which one will suit you best.
What about university reputation?
This brings us to the question:
“Does the university I go to actually matter for getting a job?”
University reputation can matter in some circumstances, but it isn't the only thing employers can consider.
Depending on the career, other factors may include:
your skills
your knowledge
practical experience
placements and internships
industry experience
professional accreditation
your ability to demonstrate what you can do
networks and professional connections
the particular course you've completed
And the relative importance of these things can vary considerably between careers.
For some professions, the specific university may be less important than whether you've completed the appropriate accredited course.
For other careers, the university environment, research opportunities, industry connections or particular course offerings may be more relevant.
So rather than asking:
“Which university has the best reputation?”
ask:
“What does this particular course offer me, and what will it help me do?”
But surely Melbourne or Monash is better?
This is a question I hear a lot from parents.
It can be tempting to assume that if a university has a strong overall reputation, its course must automatically be the better choice.
But universities don't offer identical experiences across every discipline.
A university might have a particularly strong reputation in one area, while another university may offer a course with the subjects, practical opportunities, industry connections or specialisations that are more relevant to a particular student.
That's why it's important to compare courses, not just universities.
So, what should you compare?
When you're deciding between university courses, I'd encourage you to look at the whole picture.
Ask:
What will I study?
What opportunities will I have to gain practical experience?
Is the course accredited if accreditation is relevant to my career?
What specialisations, electives or majors are available?
What connections does the university have with industry?
What facilities and learning environments will I have access to?
What do graduates go on to do?
And, finally:
Does this course actually move me towards the career or future I want?
The university's name is one piece of information. It shouldn't replace researching the course itself.
The big takeaway
When you're choosing a university course, don't stop at the course title — and don't choose based only on the university's reputation.
Look underneath the label.
Find out what you'll actually study, what experiences you'll have, what opportunities are available and what the course can lead to.
Because when you're deciding between two courses, the most important difference might not be which university is offering it.
It might be what you're actually going to do while you're there.