Career paths are rarely straightforward.
While the traditional route – finishing secondary school and completing a tertiary degree before heading straight into the workforce – works for some, many find success in different ways.
One option to consider is study pathways. These alternative routes help students gain admission to their preferred university if they don’t meet entry requirements. They can also be a great way to help you reach your academic and career goals faster through a more tailored approach to learning that suits the stage of life you’re in.
Here, we discuss all the reasons students pursue training before completing higher education, so you can see if a study pathway is the right choice for you.
What is a study pathway?
A study pathway is an alternative route towards your academic or career goals. You might want to gain hands-on experience before starting university, do a short course to see if you enjoy a particular field before committing to a bigger degree, or maybe you didn’t get the results required to get into your dream course. Whatever the case, a study pathway helps you get there.
For international students, the most common study pathways are:
- TAFE or Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses
- English language courses (ELICOS)
- Bridging courses
Five reasons to pursue training before higher education
1. Get into higher education
If you didn’t get the marks required to get into your dream course, don’t panic! Many training courses offer academic credit, which can be transferred to your chosen university course to help you gain admission.
For example, Canberra Institute of Technology’s (CIT) Diploma of Information Technology provides a pathway to a Bachelor of Software Engineering at the University of Canberra or a Bachelor of Information Technology at the Australian National University. These diplomas offer credit points, which essentially means they can be used towards future studies.
2. Explore all your options
Thinking of starting a career in early childhood education? Perhaps you’re better suited to cybersecurity? Or maybe you’re simply looking to get a clearer idea of what a four-year university degree would actually look like.
Training courses help you explore different subject areas so you can discover your interests and the subjects you don’t enjoy before committing to a course. Once training is complete, you have the knowledge and experience to make informed choices about which path is best for you.
3. Gain hands-on learning experience (and enter the workforce faster)
Pathway programs offer real-world experience in your chosen field through industry placements and training simulations before diving into more theoretical study. Think on-campus fitness facilities for students in the health industry or a paid placement in a working kitchen for commercial cookery students.
These learning opportunities not only help you develop practical skills, but they can also set you apart from other graduates and increase your employability when you’re ready to join the workforce.
Plus, VET qualifications and studying at TAFE can often help you enter the workforce faster. For example, once a 1.5-year Diploma of Nursing is completed, a student is qualified to work as an enrolled nurse, while a bachelor’s degree often takes longer (usually about three years), and students can’t qualify to work until they finish the degree.
4. Make early industry connections
Pathway programs can be a great way to meet industry experts, especially those with a hands-on learning component like placements or work experience.
Even without a practical learning module, interacting with your peers, teachers and guest lecturers will help you build a professional network in your field before you finish your degree. This could lead to mentorships, job references or even employment once you’re ready to start your career.
5. Get a better understanding of the local language
If English isn’t your first language, pursuing training before diving into a university degree can be a wise choice. It lets you practise your reading, writing, note-taking, presenting and public speaking skills with fellow students and teachers. Studying at a TAFE often means you’ll be in smaller classes with fewer students, ensuring one-on-one time with your teachers, and slow-paced learning, perfect for helping you learn English.
This can give you confidence and help you become familiar with Australian teaching, learning and working styles, making you better able to adapt to university and the local workforce.
