So you’re yet to hit your twenties, but you’re expected to have your life planned out and ready to go as soon as school is over. A lot of pressure, isn’t it? Your first year out of high school is a big change, and with it, comes some big questions. Will you study on-campus or online? Will you take a gap year to work or travel? Will you study at all?

You’ve got more options than you might think, and online study through Open Universities Australia (OUA) is one of them. You’re used to the face-to-face mode of study, and you’ve come to picture uni in a certain way – but times are changing, and online study could be the perfect plan for your first year out. Let’s discuss.

 

To gap year, or not to gap year?

There are plenty of reasons why you should take a gap year, but on the other hand, you may be worried you’ll get left behind, or lose the drive to study. The good news is, through OUA, you can study as little as one subject at a time, which means you can keep up your good study habits, while you travel the world, or earn those sweet dollars at work. Think of it like a gap-year-study hybrid. There are so many young OUA students doing this – putting their lifestyle first, and fitting study around it.

Take David, for example. David essentially put his studies into his suitcase, and has taken them from Milan, to Toronto and Los Angeles, and now, to Jerusalem. It’s because of OUA that David is able to study a Macquarie University’s Bachelor of Arts with an Ancient History major, right in the heart of Jerusalem, where his books truly come to life. “I wanted to continue travelling, meeting new people, learning new languages,” says David, “and OUA provided me with the framework to keep doing that, whilst at the same time, working towards a university degree”. David is slowly chipping away at his degree, while he explores what this beautiful world has to offer.

 

Online study… is it legitimate?

Despite what you may have thought, through OUA, you study the same degree as an on-campus student of your provider university. You’ll be studying the same coursework, with the same tutors, and the certificate at the end has your university’s name on it. The only difference is that you can study online, from wherever you are in the world, at whatever time suits you. With degrees and subjects available from 10 leading Australian universities, you’ve got so much to choose from, and so much flexibility around how you study.

 

How do ATAR scores come into play?

For the last two years, you’ve had your eyes on the high-ATAR-prize. If you get the score you need for your preferred course, you can apply for full degree programs through OUA, just like with any on-campus university. From there, you can choose how many units you want to study at a time, to fit study around travel or work.

But what if you didn’t get the ATAR you needed? What sets OUA apart is the availability of Single Subjects, which students can use to become eligible for a full degree program. Single Subjects are open to anyone – all you have to do is enrol and start studying. If you’ve got your heart set on a certain degree, you can chat with one of OUA’s friendly Student Advisors, who’ll advise you on what Single Subjects you’ll need to complete to become eligible.

 

Say I’ve got no clue what to study…

If you’re not sure what you want to study, Single Subjects are also a great way to explore study areas, without the time or financial commitment of a full degree. If you decide to go onto a full degree program, you may be able to get credit for the subjects you studied, so in the blink of an eye, you’ve knocked off part of your degree right from enrolment.

When the chaos of year 12 dies down, and you’re ready to plan for your ‘first year out’, be sure to visit our website at www.open.edu.au to learn more about online study, and the freedom it could offer you.


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