Nursing and primary education tops UOW’s most in-demand degrees

There has been a sharp increase in people wanting to study health-related courses at the University of Wollongong compared to pre-pandemic intakes.

Nursing, primary education and business are some of the most in demand courses heading into the 2022 year at the University of Wollongong.

The Bachelor of Nursing ranked first in terms of preferenced degrees at UOW according to the University Admission Centre with the course the 42nd most popular across the state.

Primary education and business rounded out the podium places, while nursing out of UOW’s South Western Sydney campus in Liverpool ranked sixth.

UOW deputy vice-chancellor Professor Theo Farrell confirmed the list reflected the university’s intake via its popular early admissions program.

“UOW has received strong interest from students looking to start their university careers in 2022, and is delighted with the quality and calibre of applicants,” Prof Farrell said.

“The list of the 10 most popular UOW courses for 2022 from the UAC centralised admissions system is in line with the preferences from UOW’s early admissions program, with nursing, business, primary education, and exercise science popular fields of study among potential 2022 first year students.

Nursing has long been a popular choice for students at UOW, however, there has been a significant spike in admissions in this field, particularly with higher achieving HSC students.

UOW Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Theo Farrell.

“While the Bachelor of Nursing degree has topped the list of popular UOW courses for a number of years, demand for Nursing has grown significantly over the past two years.” Prof Farrell explained.

“For example, the number of early admission applicants choosing nursing as a preference is more than 40 per cent higher for students commencing studies in 2022 than it was for students commencing in 2020, the last intake prior to the pandemic.

“UOW has also seen an increase in the number of very high ATAR students applying for nursing.

“Since the start of the pandemic, UOW has also seen significant increases in demand for other health related degrees, including pre-medicine, science and health; medicine and health science; exercise science; and nutrition science.”

The exact number of new students at UOW won’t be available until the census at the end of March, but there will be a significant increase in students who received early admission with a 31 per cent increase in early admission applications.

At this stage, it is not possible to say how many new students will enter UOW through the Early Admissions program or through UAC as many have received more than one offer and are still weighing up their options.

However, UOW’s early admissions program, which has been running successfully for more than 20 years and which has always been a popular entry pathway for students, has seen record numbers of applications over the past two years as students have sought an element of certainty during the disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The University of Wollongong will play a central role in preparing the next generation of nurses. Picture: UOW

The number of Early Admission applications for 2022 was 31 per cent higher than it was for 2020, the last intake prior to the pandemic.

Reliable student numbers will not be available until census date, at the end of the current applications and enrolments cycle, at the end of March.

UOW’s famous O-Week begins February 23 with classes beginning the following week.

Prof Farrell said people keen on studying at UOW should reach out, with various options available for those who didn’t receive the necessary marks to gain conventional entry.

“People who are interested (in studying at UOW) should contact the university,” he said.

“If students did not realise the academic outcome to gain direct entry for their chosen degree UOW College Australia has an extensive range of Commonwealth-supported pathway programs offered across campus and via distance that may provide university entry and credit.”