Revealed: Most in-demand Aussie uni courses and what they cost

More than 70 per cent of Aussie uni students say their course fees are too expensive, new data shows. See the most in-demand courses and how much they will set you back.

Chloe Leaupepe has just begun her first week of university, though things could have looked different if not for the guidance of their parents.

Studying a Bachelor of Arts and Masters of Teaching at Australian Catholic University, the Portuguese-Samoan student said she relied heavily on help from her parents Kelly and George to navigate course preferences.

“She was looking and researching into it more than I was,” Chloe said of her mum.

While she always knew she wanted to teach, Chloe said her mum helped her look into all her options, and the benefits of doing a masters degree.

“(She was) making sure that I actually liked what I was doing, not going to waste money, and also that it was a suitable job that had a good future for me.”

“I had no idea what I was doing,” she laughed.

Friends Noelle Nicolas, Chloe Leaupepe and Raphaela Stojoski have just started university. Picture: Tim Hunter.

Friends Raphaela Stojoski and Noelle Nicolas also have started their first week of university alongside Chloe, thanks to the guidance and support of their parents.

“My parents John and Lorraine were my greatest supporters during my HSC and throughout my whole life,” Noelle said.

“Having both of their support and guidance during that time helped me stay true to myself and look at all my options clearly before ultimately choosing a pathway that would be the right fit for me.”

These young women aren’t the only university students receiving help from their parents with new research finding parents from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds are twice as likely to influence their children’s university course choices.

Parents from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds are twice as likely to influence their children’s university course choices. Picture: Tim Hunter.

Almost 40 per cent of young people from (CALD) backgrounds said their parents had a lot of influence over their course choices compared to just 18 per cent of students from non-CALD background, according to a survey by Year13, an organisation which advises young people on post-school choices.

Year13 Co-Founder Will Stubley said it’s nice to see parents getting involved “because we know that they care”.

“Seeing parents being actively engaged is super positive,” Mr Stubley said.

“When you compare it to a parent that’s not engaged at all, you definitely want a parent to be there, give some guidance, and help the student make those decisions.”

RMIT Professor Catherine Gomes said this increased influence may come from having “more to prove”.

“If you’re constantly told (or think) you’re not on the same pace as everyone else, then you always have to try harder,” Prof Gomes said.

The Year13 survey also found while many young people valued tertiary education, they also believe the cost of degrees is too high.

More than 70 per cent said their course fees are too expensive, with law and art students the most concerned followed by those studying social sciences, business and commerce, creative arts and design, and architecture and urban planning.

Just 8 per cent of the 15 to 24-year-olds surveyed said they were not at all concerned about course fees.

As of June last year, more than three million Australians owed $74 billion in HECS debt.

In a further blow, loan debts were increased by 7.1 per cent last year.

As a result of high university fees, ACU Lecturer Dr Rachel Stevens said parents could be footing the bill for their children more than ever.

“So parents may be well within their rights to have some influence over the course they may be paying for themselves, or will be at least financially supporting their adult children into their 20s,” she said.

Originally published as Revealed: Most in-demand Aussie uni courses and what they cost