From a young age, every student is expected to know which career they want to pursue in life when they grow up. However, many of the students struggle with deciding one specific career and the pressure keeps building up as they finish highschool and college and still cannot decide.
For those of you who can relate to this, perhaps you might want to choose a course that is flexible enough for you to opt for different alternative careers after graduation, so that you can explore and see which career fits you best. A major that will not tie you to one specific kind of job, and will open doors to a variety of employment options is what you’re looking for.
Down below, we have a list of the 3 most versatile degree choices you can opt for that can help you develop the skills for a diverse range of jobs.
1. Computer Science
What Will You Study in a Computer Science Degree?
Computer Science majors generally learn components of programming languages, algorithm design, software data, networking and systems, and etc. In the first year of the degree you will typically take modules such as computation theory, pattern recognition, machine learning and the basic principles of computer science. You will also be learning about how computer science fits into today’s world and businesses in the context of computer science.
As you progress into the following years of your degree, you will be acquiring various specialist and transferable skills to make you attractive for future employers. This will be achieved through more advanced modules such as pattern and signals, data structures and software product engineering.
In the final year of your degree, most universities require their students to submit a final project applying everything they have learned throughout the course. During this time, you will also have the option to choose modules based on specialized areas of interest for you. This degree, much like others, also includes professional internship with industry mentors during the final year.
Career Opportunities for Computer Science Graduates?
App Development
Web Design
Tech Support
Computer Programming
Software Testing
Technology consulting
Network Security
IT specialist
How Much do Computer Science Graduates Earn in Australia?
A computer science graduate in Australia would typically earn around 156,000 AUD per year on average. The salary can however range from as low as 73,200 AUD per year to as high as 246,000 AUD per year.
If we look at the percentiles of salary distribution for computer science graduates in Australia, 25% of the computer scientists are earning less than 107,000 AUD per year while 75% of them earn more than 107,000 AUD per year.
Read more here.
Top Universities to Study Computer Science in Australia According to World QS Ranking by Subject 2021
This is the No.1 course for computer science in all of Australia.
Course Details
Program | Bachelor of Science (Extended) with a major in Data Science/Computer and Software Systems |
Intake | March |
Duration | 4 Years (Full time) |
Indicative Fees | Contact Excel Education |
University of Sydney is ranked the 1st for employability in Australia and 4th globally by the 2020 QS Employability Rankings.
Course Details
Program | Bachelor of Advanced Computing with major in Computer Science |
Intake | February |
Duration | 4 Years (Full time) |
Indicative Fees | Contact Excel Education |
UTS Students are ranked 64th in the world for graduate employability because of the university’s utmost focus on real world like industry experience.
Course Details
Program | Bachelor of Computer Science (Honours) |
Intake | January | July |
Duration | 4 Years (Full time) |
Indicative Fees | Contact Excel Education |
2. Accounting/Finance
What Will You Study in a Finance/Accounting Degree?
Financial skills are in utmost demand in various occupations. Today, degree holders in this field are not just limited to crunching numbers, handling finance and accounting but also involved in aspects like budgeting, maximizing ROI, improving efficiency and productivity.
Accounting and Finance is the course for you if you enjoy mathematics and want to apply it to business, ranging from management to economics.
Interesting modules you will be learning under finance and accounting degrees include, business law, marketing, economic principles, quantitative methods, investment analysis, taxation and auditing, management strategies and accounting information systems.
The course structure and modules might differ from university to university, however most universities typically have a range of cores and electives that you can choose from and also offer industrial training during the final year of study.
Career Opportunities for Accounting and Finance Graduates?
Financial Manager
Management Consultant
Certified Financial Planner
Bookkeeping
Auditing
Tax preparation
Insurance
How Much do Accounting and Finance Graduates Earn in Australia?
Accounting and Finance graduates typically earn around 93,500 AUD per year on average. The average salary can range from as low as 37,800 AUD per year to as high as 118,000 AUD per year.
The salary however varies between different sectors in this field. For more specific salary ranges for your interested sector, click here.
When we take a look at the percentiles of salary range in this field, 25% of the people working in Accounting and Finance earn less than 60,800 AUD per year and 75% earn more than 60,800 AUD per year.
Top Universities to Study Accounting and Finance in Australia According to World QS Ranking by Subject 2021
University of Melbourne is the no.1 in Australia for business and management. It is also ranked no.1 for ‘quality of teaching’ by Times Higher World University Rankings 2020.
Course Details
Program | Bachelor of Commerce with a major in Accounting |
Intake | February | July |
Duration | 3 Years (Full time) |
Indicative Fees | Contact Excel Education |
UNSW was ranked 1st in Australia for Accounting and Finance in QS World University Rankings 2020.
Course Details
Program | Bachelor of Commerce with a specialization in Accounting |
Intake | February | May | September |
Duration | 3 Years (Full time) |
Indicative Fees | Contact Excel Education |
University of Sydney is ranked the 1st for employability in Australia and 4th globally by the 2020 QS Employability Rankings.
Course Details
Program | Bachelor of Commerce with a major in Accounting |
Intake | February | July |
Duration | 3 Years (Full time) |
Indicative Fees | Contact Excel Education |
3. Engineering
What Will You Study in an Engineering Degree?
If your dream is to build a career around building and engineering things, whether it is mechanical, software, environment or even biomedical, an engineering degree can make it happen. The engineering field is vast, with various different types of engineering specializations and jobs you can choose from.
What you study in your degree depends on the type of engineering that you choose.
Some of the common majors in engineering degrees include:
Aeronautical Engineering
This branch of engineering focuses on research, design, development, science and technology of aircrafts.
Chemical Engineering
Civil Engineering is a branch that focuses on the use of chemical and biological processes to produce useful resources. This branch entails a mix of natural and experimental science along with life sciences, math and economics as well.
Mechanical Engineering
Mechanical engineering is one of the oldest branches of engineering. It deals with the design, manufacturing and maintenance of mechanical systems. In this course you will be studying statics and dynamics, thermodynamics, fluid dynamics, stress analysis, mechanical design and technical drawing.
Electrical Engineering
Electrical Engineering focuses on the application of electric power. Electric engineers deal with large-scale production and supply of electrical power. Electronic engineers on the other hand focus on smaller electric circuits, such as those used in computers. Hence, these are aspects you would be learning during your studies.
Career Opportunities for Engineering Graduates?
Architecture
Urban planning
Construction management
Patent law
Supply chain management
Technical consulting
Operations management
How Much do Engineers Earn in Australia?
Engineers earn an average of $104,000 per year in Australia. The average salary for engineers vary in different cities of Australia, with the highest paying city being Melbourne ($119,536 per year), followed by Sydney ($116,329 per year) and Canberra($104,197 per year).
To find out more specific salary ranges for different engineering professions, click here.
Top Universities to Study Engineering in Australia According to World QS Ranking by Subject 2021
The University of New South Wales is ranked no.1 in Australia for engineering and technology according to QS Top University Rankings by Subject 2021. It is also ranked 1st in Australia for civil and structural engineering, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, aeronautical engineering, and manufacturing engineering.
Course Details
Program | Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) |
Intake | February | May | September |
Duration | 4 Years (Full time) |
Indicative Fees | Contact Excel Education |
Monash University Engineering School is ranked 3rd in Australia for engineering courses according to QS Top University Rankings 2021. It is also ranked 1st in Australia for chemical engineering and 3rd for civil and structural engineering.
Course Details
Program | Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (with specialization of your choice) |
Intake | February | July | October |
Duration | 4 Years (Full time) |
Indicative Fees | Contact Excel Education |
UTS Students are ranked 64th in the world for graduate employability because of the university’s utmost focus on real world like industry experience.
Course Details
Program | Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) |
Intake | January | July |
Duration | 4 Years (Full time) |
Indicative Fees | Contact Excel Education |
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