Most popular courses at Queensland universities for 2023

The first round of QTAC offers are out, with the state’s major universities revealing the most popular courses in 2023. See which degrees are in high demand.

Information technology and law degrees have attracted significant increased interest from the Class of ‘22, with one university linking it to this year’s major cyber attacks.

After Queensland ATAR results were released on Friday, the first round of tertiary offers were sent on Thursday. The predominant round of offers will go out on January 12.

The Courier-Mail contacted the state’s 11 major universities to see which courses were top of QTAC preference lists for this year’s graduating cohort.

Federation University’s Brisbane campus head James Roffee said IT is a growth area.

“Naturally with the recent trends in cyber-related crimes we’ve seen an increased interest from prospective students interested in information technology,” he said.

“In response to this, the Brisbane City Campus will be implementing additional pathways for students to undertake Information Technology Studies, with more detailed information to come in the new year.”

IT and computer degrees are also among the most in-demand at the Queensland University of Technology and Griffith University.

Chanel Li, 17, Harry Sheppard, 17, Kate Sanderson, 18, Chun Tsung Lee, 17, and Laura Webb, 17, are among Queensland’s top achievers for the Class of ‘22. Picture: Steve Pohlner

UNIVERSITY OF QUEENSLAND

UQ’s top programs by number of first preferences this year are Engineering, Psychological Science, Medicine, Advanced Finance and Economics, Arts and Physiotherapy.

Demand for courses within UQ’s Faculty of Engineering, Architecture, and Information Technology are up 13 per cent due to a steep increase in demand for Engineering.

UQ Vice-Chancellor Professor Deborah Terry also highlighted the Bachelor of Primary Education, with teachers in high demand.

“Bridging programs, tertiary studies pathways and guaranteed entry into selected courses are all options students can discuss in detail with a UQ advisor,” Professor Terry said.

QUEENSLAND UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

Business, Engineering, Education, Information Technology and Nursing lead the popularity charts, but QUT’s new vertical double degrees of Bachelor of Engineering with a Master of Robotics and AI, as well as B Vision Science with M Optometry are also drawcards.

“There are various pathways if you did not get the ATAR you wanted. Often students know what they want to study but some are still deciding – some students change their course after starting and all of these situations are perfectly normal,” a QUT spokesperson said.

GRIFFITH UNIVERSITY

Nursing, Education, Medical Science, Business and Physiotherapy make up the top five.

Other areas seeing notable growth are Aviation, rebounding after the pandemic, as well as Engineering, and Computing and Information Systems.

“The ATAR is just one of many pathways to university, with many options often available to students who didn’t quite get the results they were after,” Griffith University Provost Professor Liz Burd said.

“Whether their ATAR isn’t quite what they had hoped for, or they’ve had a change of heart since submitting their university application, we are ready to explore their options.”

AUSTRALIAN CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY

Interest in ACU’s double degree of Criminology and Laws has surged at the Brisbane campus for 2023. There is also increased interest in Law, Criminology and Criminal Justice courses.

Nursing and Teaching degrees remain strong, but there has also been increased interest in the Bachelor of Commerce with the introduction of a Marketing major.

“We are pleased to see our proven reputation as leaders in teaching and nursing continues to attract large numbers of applicants,” ACU Provost Professor Meg Stuart said.

BOND UNIVERSITY

Biomedical Science, Psychological Science, Exercise and Sports Science, Laws, and Actuarial Science are among the most popular programs.

Bond University doesn’t require students to apply via the QTAC rounds, except for the Medical Program. Bond is accepting applications for its January intake until January 16.

“Big data degrees are growing in popularity with global demand for data analysts. As the only Queensland university to be accredited by the Actuaries Institute, Bond is continuing to experience high demand for our Bachelor of Actuarial Science,” a Bond spokesperson said.

UNIVERSITY OF THE SUNSHINE COAST

Bachelor of Nursing Science, Primary Education, Behavioural Science (Psychology), Biomedical Science, and Business top the preference lists.

There’s also continued strong demand for Design and Creative Industries, and Engineering.

The university’s new Bachelor of Prosthetics and Orthotics has also attracted heavy interest – it is a one of its kind in Queensland and the only three-year degree of its kind in Australia.

“There are also alternative entries into university without relying on ATAR results. Students can start one of UniSC’s university pathway programs and then go on to study once they have achieved the required units and grades,” a UniSC spokesperson said.

CENTRAL QUEENSLAND UNIVERSITY

Health and Education courses continue to be popular at CQU. In addition, the university’s Bachelor of Medical Science (Pathway to Medicine), which only launched last year, has attracted significant interest and is now at full capacity.

“Students who didn’t get the ATAR they wanted can still achieve their study and career dreams at CQUniversity by enrolling in an enabling program like Skills for Tertiary Education Proprietary Studies (STEPS) or by enrolling in a Vocational Education and Training (VET) course,” a CQUniversity spokesperson said.

“As Queensland’s only dual-sector university, school leavers also have the opportunity to enrol in TAFE courses, with Fee-Free TAFE places available on specific courses.”

JAMES COOK UNIVERSITY

The JCU courses attracting the highest number of preferences from school leavers are Medicine, Dentistry, and Veterinary Science. However, because those courses are capped, the university doesn’t make offers for those in the first QTAC round.

Otherwise, Marine Science, Physiotherapy, Nursing Science and Engineering are also in high demand. JCU has enjoyed strong demand for health-related courses over several years, but is also seeing growing interest in Law and Business.

“Many students are reconsidering their first preferences, and they’re often debating whether to study close to home or head off to a distant university,” JCU spokesperson Tahnee Leman said.

“Talking through your options with your family and university admissions advisers will help clarify your options.”

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN QUEENSLAND

Bachelor of Nursing, Education (Secondary), Education (Primary), Paramedicine, and Science make up the top five courses.

USQ also has significant growth in health-related courses, including their new Allied Health courses. They will also offer Occupational Therapy, Speech Pathology, Social Work, and Strength and Conditioning at their Ipswich campus for the first time in 2023.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Geraldine Mackenzie said QTAC first preferences for UniSQ had increased by 8.7 per cent and total preferences were up 9 per cent compared to last year.

“At UniSQ we have a range of pathway options available, including our very own Pathway College which offers UniPrep,” Professor Mackenzie said.

FEDERATION UNIVERSITY AUSTRALIA

As already mentioned, the interest in IT courses has surged, leading to additional pathways being offered at Federation University’s Brisbane City campus.

“Our Brisbane City Innovation Campus offers select degrees in an on-campus capacity and can provide the facilities and services for students whom are studying online with the university too,” Mr Roffee said.

“Federation Innovation campus has been an attractive options for students interested in undertaking Business, IT or Accounting as we’re able to provide students with flexible study options including afternoon and evening classes.”

SOUTHERN CROSS UNIVERSITY

SCU was contacted for comment, but did not respond.