How to help your teen do uni differently

If your teenager's in their final years of high school, chances are you've already had plenty of conversations with them about what they want to do when they finish school. But with so many options out there, how can you find the right path for your child?

Uni isn't for everyone

While some high schoolers have their heart set on a university degree, for others, the next step isn't so clear. While university might seem like a smart choice, you could be setting your child up to fail if they study something they are not passionate about, aren't suited to traditional academic learning, or can't stand the thought of another three years of study.  

The good news is there's more than one way for your teenager to get qualified and start working in their chosen career. If they prefer to learn more hands on, excel when they're learning something they're interested in, and want to start working in their industry sooner, then studying with TAFE Queensland could be a smart choice. With a certificate or diploma course they could learn practical skills in anything from agriculture to accounting and be job ready in as little as six months.

There's more than one way to get into uni

If your teen has their heart set on going to uni but you're worried they might not get the marks they need, there is another way. Actually, there's a couple of other ways. In fact, there's so many ways you'll wonder why you were even worried about it in the first place! 

Adult Tertiary Preparation 

What is it? Our Adult Tertiary Preparation (10765NAT) course will allow your child to gain or improve their ranking in order to study at university. Able to be completed in as little as six months, it will allow them to apply to QTAC for a tertiary ranking and allow them to complete university entrance prerequisites in English, maths, and science.

Who's it for? Perfect for students who didn't get an ATAR, want to improve their ATAR, and/or need to meet university prerequisites.

Certificate or Diploma courses 

What is it? Completing a certificate III level qualification or above can also help your child get into uni by helping them improve their QTAC selection rank.

Who's it for? Great for students who want to start working in their industry straight away, using their certificate or diploma skills while they finish off their degree.

Diploma to Degree pathways 

What is it? With a diploma to degree pathway your teenager can get hands-on learning at TAFE before moving on to their preferred university degree. Their diploma will generally give them a year's worth of credit towards their degree and they'll graduate with two qualifications in the same time it usually takes to complete just one. 

Who's it for? Anyone who wants to stand out from the crowd, get a head start on their career, and combine university thinking with hands-on learning. 

University prerequisites

What is it? Unilearn offers a range of common university prerequisites online including Year 11 and 12 English, maths, physics and chemistry.

Who's it for? When your child has found the perfect degree, but they haven't completed the necessary prerequisites.

You don't have to go to uni, to go to uni

What if there was a way your child could get job-ready skills, be taught by industry experts, learn in state-of-the-art facilities, and get the one-on-one support they need to succeed?

A degree from TAFE Queensland combines university thinking with hands-on learning and lets your teen forge their own path to their dream career. As well as offering our own degrees in dental prosthetics and civil engineering, we've also partnered with some of Australia's leading universities to offer degrees in music, games design, fashion, management, and visual arts.

Fee-Free TAFE funding

No matter what your child wants to study, you've no doubt wondered how they're going to be able to cover their course fees. Luckily, there's a range of funding and subsidies available to help reduce the cost of your teen's education.

The most common funding available for school leavers is Fee-Free TAFE. With over 90 industry-recognised courses to choose from, your teen can make a great decision for their future and get in-demand skills in high-priority areas including business and IT, creative industries, education and community, environment and animal services, health and science, and service industries.  

If your child's preferred course isn't on the list don't worry. There are a range of other funding options and payment methods available that can make studying more affordable than you might think.

Everyone's study journey is different. No matter where your child wants to take their career, help them get there with a diploma, degree or pathway from TAFE Queensland.