Course Selection

[bakedpotato]

Hello,

I'm intending to study a bachelor of arts next year at UoM as the selection of majors (particularly economics and international relations) it has really interests me. However, ultimately I'm seeking a career in the finance/economics sector and also do a postgrad study in something commerce or law related, so I have been advised by my careers counselor that my undergraduate degree be something related to that.

Should I change my preferences? My ATAR didn't meet the commerce cutoff for UoM, so what universities do you guys recommend if I'm going to study commerce? I've also heard that internal transfers are possible?

Thank you.

Mod (J41): Thread moved to general uni discussion.

[Joseph41]

EDIT: Also, I've moved this thread to the general university discussion sub-forum, where it will, hopefully, get more attention. I think your question is one wider than a UniMelb-specific question.

Hello,

I'm intending to study a bachelor of arts next year at UoM as the selection of majors (particularly economics and international relations) it has really interests me. However, ultimately I'm seeking a career in the finance/economics sector and also do a postgrad study in something commerce or law related, so I have been advised by my careers counselor that my undergraduate degree be something related to that.

Should I change my preferences? My ATAR didn't meet the commerce cutoff for UoM, so what universities do you guys recommend if I'm going to study commerce? I've also heard that internal transfers are possible?

Thank you.

Hey, bakedpotato. Welcome to ATAR Notes!

I'm not an expert here, but I think you have a few options (and keep in mind that all advice here will be non-expert advice). The three major ones in my mind are as follows:

1. Continue with Arts at UoM, and then study postgraduate Laws or Commerce (the latter seems to make more sense to me considering your career aspirations).

2. Study straight Commerce or Laws or whatever (somewhere other than UoM due to what you've said in your post). You could do some Arts breadth/elective subjects as part of that.

3. Study a double degree of Arts/Commerce or Arts/Laws. This is honestly the standout to me, but it depends on a few things. How do you feel about Monash (as UoM doesn't offer double degrees)? What's the travel time like to Monash compared with, say, UoM? Would you satisfy the entry requirements for Monash? EDIT: And you could still major in International Relations, and do Economics electives.

And to answer your other question, yes: internal transfers are definitely possible.

[bakedpotato]

EDIT: Also, I've moved this thread to the general university discussion sub-forum, where it will, hopefully, get more attention. I think your question is one wider than a UniMelb-specific question.

Hey, bakedpotato. Welcome to ATAR Notes!

I'm not an expert here, but I think you have a few options (and keep in mind that all advice here will be non-expert advice). The three major ones in my mind are as follows:

1. Continue with Arts at UoM, and then study postgraduate Laws or Commerce (the latter seems to make more sense to me considering your career aspirations).

2. Study straight Commerce or Laws or whatever (somewhere other than UoM due to what you've said in your post). You could do some Arts breadth/elective subjects as part of that.

3. Study a double degree of Arts/Commerce or Arts/Laws. This is honestly the standout to me, but it depends on a few things. How do you feel about Monash (as UoM doesn't offer double degrees)? What's the travel time like to Monash compared with, say, UoM? Would you satisfy the entry requirements for Monash? EDIT: And you could still major in International Relations, and do Economics electives.

And to answer your other question, yes: internal transfers are definitely possible.

Thank you for your answer

Arts/Comm at Monash was actually my first preference however the inconvenient travel time (and methods) and personal circumstances makes it really difficult for me to get there. My parents have recommended me to start off with the bachelor of arts at Melbourne and depending how I find it, I can either transfer externally to a different university or transfer internally (attempt to, as it seems quite difficult from what I have read from other posts) to commerce.   
If I do end up wanting to change degrees, I'm leaning towards an internal transfer as I really like the facilities, location and the model (plus friends from highschool would also be there), so just wondering how difficult would it be to transfer?

Sorry for so many questons, I just like to know my options thoroughly before I make my decision.

On a side note, I really wish the Monash campus was situated in the city or somewhere D:

[Joseph41]

Thank you for your answer

Arts/Comm at Monash was actually my first preference however the inconvenient travel time (and methods) and personal circumstances makes it really difficult for me to get there. My parents have recommended me to start off with the bachelor of arts at Melbourne and depending how I find it, I can either transfer externally to a different university or transfer internally (attempt to, as it seems quite difficult from what I have read from other posts) to commerce.

 

Not a problem at all!

Yeah that sounds a bit of a shame; from your opening post, the Arts/Commerce double degree really sounded pretty spot on. How long would it take you to get there/back home? Obviously I can't comment on the personal circumstances, though.

If I do end up wanting to change degrees, I'm leaning towards an internal transfer as I really like the facilities, location and the model (plus friends from highshool would also be there), so just wondering how difficult would it be to transfer?

It's usually fairly straightforward, but that's obviously a subjective measure. You'll usually have to hit a certain average in your present course to be considered for a transfer (but the whole thing is easier if the new course is at the same uni, anecdotally). Like, this page here, which Alter linked in another thread, lists the requirements for mid-year transfer. To transfer into Commerce, you'd need a 70% (Distinction) average.

Sorry for so many questons, I just like to know my options thoroughly before I make my decision.

Nah, totally a smart decision to ask! I'm sure others can weigh in here more than I can.

On a side note, I really wish the Monash campus was situated in the city or somewhere D:

Tell me about it hahaha.

[Orb]

Studying an arts degree with a major in economics is definitely employable in the finance/economics sector.

In fact, there are lots of science students who get employed by the big banks. A Comm degree just teaches you a bit more about the commerce field, it doesn't have too much in terms of competitive advantage.

What's more important is probably what you do at uni and what you get out of it. Also, a 70 average for transfer isn't too hard if you do a bit of work consistently xD

[bakedpotato]

 
How long would it take you to get there/back home?

It would take me around 4-5 hours depending on transport times back and forth from Monash. I was lazy (regrettably) and didn't get my learners until last week (at age 18.5 years) so driving isn't an immediate option for me xD

[bakedpotato]

Studying an arts degree with a major in economics is definitely employable in the finance/economics sector.

In fact, there are lots of science students who get employed by the big banks. A Comm degree just teaches you a bit more about the commerce field, it doesn't have too much in terms of competitive advantage.

What's more important is probably what you do at uni and what you get out of it. Also, a 70 average for transfer isn't too hard if you do a bit of work consistently xD

Thank you for answering my question
While parents/counselors/seniors have encouraged me to study what interests me, they've also been telling me the lack of career prospectives with an arts degree as well as having an undergrad degree relating to masters would be better, which is why I'm having second thoughts.

I'll definitely try and keep up my grades in uni, I let myself slip during year 12 and parents weren't exactly happy xD