Most popular degrees at each Queensland university revealed

The second round of QTAC offers has landed in school leavers’ accounts, as 11 Queensland universities reveal which courses are the most in-demand before the 2023 academic year begins.

The second and predominant round of QTAC offers landed in school leavers’ accounts this morning, with the state’s 11 major universities revealing which courses are experiencing the highest demand.

Queensland universities experienced wildly different acceptance rates during their first-round offer rollout in December, with some as high as 81 per cent and others as low as 20 per cent, with information technology and law degrees attracting significant increased interest from the Class of ’22.

SCROLL DOWN FOR DETAILS ON EACH UNIVERSITY’S COURSE DEMANDS

IT courses remain in-demand during this month’s offers, along with Business, Nursing, Education, Law, Engineering, and Biomedical Science

Dentistry also makes a couple of appearances among the most popular programs at the state’s universities, while QUT’s new double degree – a Bachelor of Engineering with a Master of Robotics and Artificial Intelligence – has also attracted strong interest.

In contrast, Bond University students are currently enjoying orientation week because Bond doesn’t require students to apply via the QTAC rounds, instead accepting applications for this year’s initial intake until January 16.

University of Queensland Campus (UQ)

The University of Queensland

UQ sent out offers to more than 3800 students this morning, bringing the total number of UQ offers to 10,022 this year.

There have been notable increases for Computer Science, Criminology, Pharmacy, Advanced Humanities and Business. Engineering made up more than 12 per cent of UQ’s first preference applications, and offers for Psychological Science are up by 30 per cent.

“If you’ve been thinking about studying this year but haven’t put in your application, it’s not too late – you can still apply before February 9. Places are still available across most programs and in many cases, this means the ATAR requirements are a little lower than last year,” Pro-Vice-Chancellor Professor Doune Macdonald said.

Queensland University of Technology

QUT made an estimated 3500 offers to school leavers on Thursday morning. The top courses are Business, Engineering, Information Technology, Nursing, and Psychology.

Double degrees remain very popular, while the university’s new vertical double degree – a Bachelor of Engineering with a Master of Robotics and Artificial Intelligence – has also attracted strong interest.

“We are always happy to talk with students about their options if they have not received an offer for their first preference. There are many different options for students to pursue their career interests,” a QUT spokesperson said.

QUT's (Queensland University of Technology) Garden Point campus. Pic Greg White.

Griffith University

Based on the remaining offers released on Thursday, the most popular programs were Nursing, Physiotherapy, Law, Biomedical Science, and Dental.

“It’s important to remember that if a student has not been offered the course they hoped for, we can work with them to achieve their university dreams,” Griffith University Provost Professor Liz Burd.

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

Central Queensland University

Health-related courses continue to be popular among school leavers and mature age students at CQU – a trend that continues from the first offer round last month. Other popular choices include Education, Engineering and Digital Media.

CQU calculated that across all disciplines, an estimated 81 per cent of total first-round offers sent in December were accepted.

“There are options and pathways available for those who didn’t get the ATAR they were hoping for, and for students who are returning to university after time in the workforce. One such pathway is the STEPS Program, which can help people gain direct entry into eligible courses upon completion,” a CQU spokesperson said.

The Central Queensland University campus on Marine Parade, Southport

Southern Cross University

The most popular courses among the January offers for SCU’s Gold Coast campus are Nursing, Midwifery, Education (Primary), Laws/Business & Enterprise, and Biomedical Science.

In the December round, which saw about 20 per cent of SCU offers accepted, the top programs were Education, Occupational Therapy, Speech Pathology, Nursing, Health, as well as Business & Enterprise.

“Students learn and practise their skills in state-of-the-art simulation laboratories and specialist facilities. Plus our partnerships with employers across South East Queensland ensure our students have great prac and work-integrated learning opportunities,” SCU engagement head Dean Gould said.

University of Southern Queensland

UniSQ enjoyed a first round offer acceptance rate of 77 per cent, and 11 per cent deferred. The most popular courses offered to Year 12 students remain Nursing, Paramedicine and Education (Secondary).

The university has not seen any noteworthy shifts or trends when comparing the December and January offer rounds and popular courses.

“We are experiencing significant growth in health-related courses, which include our new Allied Health courses. For the first time occupational therapy, speech pathology, social work and strength and conditioning will be offered at our Ipswich Campus in 2023,” UniSQ Vice-Chancellor Professor Geraldine Mackenzie said.

Australian Catholic University

New student enrolments are up, compared to the same time last year. At ACU’s Brisbane campus, the most popular choices in the January offer round are Occupational Therapy, Nursing/Paramedicine, and Criminology.

Education degrees are also popular, with Primary and Early Childhood teaching enjoying strong demand for places. Another increasingly strong performer this year at ACU has been

Exercise and Sports Science.

“The January offers provide students with certainty and excitement for the year ahead. There are still opportunities in upcoming rounds for students to preference ACU and enjoy our unique status as a national university with small campuses and a more personalised approach,” ACU Provost Professor Meg Stuart said.

Bond University

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.

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

This week is, in fact, orientation week at Bond University, so while other school-leavers are awaiting their offers, Bond students are getting their first taste of university life.

University of the Sunshine Coast Sippy Downs campus.

University of the Sunshine Coast

The top courses remain unchanged since the December offer round – Nursing Science, Primary Education, Behavioural Science (Psychology), Biomedical Science, and Business.

“The new Bachelor of Prosthetics and Orthotics being introduced in 2023 has attracted a lot of interest. The program is the only one of its kind in Queensland and the only three-year degree of its kind in Australia,” USC Acting Vice-Chancellor Professor Ross Young said.

“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.

“It has been pleasing to see an increase in first preference applications to study at UniSC from our campus regions which stretch between Moreton Bay and the Fraser Coast.”

James Cook University

Today’s round includes offers for Medicine and Dentistry, which are capped courses and always popular for JCU with a rise in first-preference applications for both.

The university continues to see growing interest in Law, consistent with the December round. Sports Science, Social Work and Science are also attracting strong interest.

“This is an exciting time for prospective students, but it can also be a stressful time for students and their families. Take some time to talk through your options with your family. University admissions advisers can also help clarify your options,” a JCU spokesperson said.

Federation University Australia

“The Brisbane City campus has not seen a significant shift in preferences of students in QTAC for the second main round offer,” Federation University’s Brisbane head of campus Professor James Roffee said.

“We’re continuing to see strong interest in Information Technology, Business and Accounting.

“Early indications appear that students are choosing Federation University in Brisbane City due to our hands-on teaching approach and our industry-linked degrees which tie in closely with the new co-operative education model that was announced in 2022.”