The University of New South Wales (UNSW) is one of the most prestigious universities in Australia and typically ranks high in world university rankings too. It is particularly recognised for its acclaimed STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) courses, which attract students from around the world.
Like many universities around the globe, UNSW offers the option to study online. The university currently provides 24 fully-online courses with several new courses in the pipeline.
Choosing an UNSW online course could allow you to study at this celebrated university without having to attend a course on campus. This could have many benefits, but is it the right choice for you? In this review, we'll take a look at some of the pros and cons of studying an UNSW online course to help you decide whether to enrol.
Table of Contents
Why study an online course?
Let's first discuss the reasons why an online course might be a better alternative to a traditional course. There are a few major reasons why people choose to study online:
Flexibility
Studying online allows you to study from any location in your own time. For those that have responsibilities and commitments like work or kids, this can be a huge benefit, as you can more easily work your studies around them.
In the case of a UNSW online course, it means that you don't have to be living in Sydney near the university to study. Instead, you can study from anywhere in the world. It's a huge pull factor for international students who may not be prepared to move to Australia.
Reduced costs
An online course often reduces costs compared to an on-campus course. Even if tuition fees aren't always lower for online courses, you can save money on commuting/accommodation by studying online.
Those who can't afford to move to Sydney may find that this is a great solution. Even if you are a Sydney resident, an online course could still result in huge savings spent travelling lectures and seminars.
Set your own pace
Some online courses give you the option to study at a slower or faster pace. This could mean being able to complete a 3 year course in 4 years if you want to reduce the workload or 2 years if you want to graduate faster, and if you're seriously considering it, this University Degree Guide from Twinkl could help.
Is this an option with a UNSW online course? In some cases, yes - some subjects offer fast-track options that allow you to graduate more quickly. However, you may want to get in touch with the course organisers first to double-check in advance that this is an option for your subject.
What are the benefits of UNSW online courses?
You can study an online course at any university, so why choose UNSW? There are a few selling points that make this institution a good choice for online students. These include:
High rankings
The UNSW is a member of the Group of Eight (Go8) - a coalition of leading universities within Australia. It is ranked 6th in Australia by Times Higher Education (THE), while it is ranked 20th in the QS World University Rankings.
These rankings are based on a number of factors - but are primarily based on quality of education and resources.
Good employability
UNSW is ranked number one in Australia for post-graduate employment outcomes. If you're getting a degree in order to boost your career, a UNSW online course could be a great choice.
What makes UNSW students so employable? Part of it is the reputation that the university has - because of its high rankings, a degree at this university carries a lot of weight. However, the university is also known to have strong industry connections and some great career programs.
Strong support
Another reason to consider a UNSW online course is the fact that this university has such a strong student support network. The university has a team of dedicated Student Success Advisors who are able to assist you with any challenges you may be facing - academic or non-academic. Drop-in sessions with course facilitators and lecturers are also provided if you need to ask any course-specific questions.
While all universities will have some form of support for students, UNSW goes above and beyond many institutions.
The challenges of a UNSW online course
What are the downsides of studying online at UNSW? For some students, there may be some challenges to consider that may not make this a suitable study solution. Some of the biggest challenges of a UNSW online course include:
Competitive admission
Being a prestigious university, the UNSW gets a lot of applicants and not all of these are successful. The acceptance rate is about 60% - which is not as tough as some universities, but still moderately selective.
Online courses are typically less competitive than on-campus courses, however you do still need to make sure you meet the minimum credit requirements and have put some effort into your application letter.
Self-motivation required
All online courses require a fair degree of self-motivation. You have to be willing to stick to your own study schedule and not be distracted by other things. Some people have no trouble with this, but others find it hard to stay disciplined.
Think carefully about what motivates you to study. Do you need set lectures and seminars? Do you need other people around you for encouragement? If so, an online course at UNSW may not be suitable for you.
Lack of social aspect
Going to university can be a chance to make new friends and connections. It is much harder to do this when you are studying online. While not every student is going to care about this social aspect, some people may feel they are missing out.
A local on-campus course may be a better option if the social aspect is important to you.
Should you study an UNSW online degree?
An online degree at UNSW is highly recommended if you want the option of studying flexibility and want to gain a qualification from a prestigious institution. It is particularly well-suited if you have plans to study a STEM subject or if you are looking to increase your chances of employability.
A UNSW online degree may not be so suitable if you do not think you have the discipline for an online course or don't think you can handle the lack of socialisation. Those with few credits may also struggle to get accepted at this university and may want to consider another institution.
