Supporting your child's journey to university starts in high school. We're here to guide you through the steps with all the resources and information you need to support their transition to university.
Supporting your child's journey to university starts in high school. We're here to guide you through the steps with all the resources and information you need to support their transition to university.
A university education can set the trajectory of your childs future professional career by providing access to the knowledge and skills that employers demand, as well as opportunities to build lifelong connections with peers and industry.
At RMIT, your child will be set up for success with the support services to seamlessly transition from high school to university, opportunities for global experiences to broaden their mind and career outlook, and the flexibility to tailor their studies to match their interests and career goals. Our courses are designed in collaboration with industry to ensure that your child graduates with the practical and transferrable skills to launch their career.
=123 globally
10 in Australia
1 Art & Design
1 Architecture / Built Environment
4 Communications & Media Studies
6 Engineering (Civil & Structural)
Is your child in their final years of high school and thinking about their future career goals? How your child journeys through high school can have an influence on their tertiary studies. If you haven’t started talking with your child before this point or your child doesn’t know what they want to do after high school, we're here to guide you through the process and what to expect, no matter what stage.
Some courses require prerequisites to ensure a base level of understanding of the topics covered and indicate that your child has a preexisting interest. If they aren't interested in the VCE subjects that are prerequisites, then this might be a good indication that this course is not for them.
Often there are prerequisites that may not align with what your child thinks of their desired course and career path but are crucial to be competent in the workforce. For example, if your child has shown interest in nursing as they want to help people, they should be aware that a workplace competency will be in measuring medications, so a prerequisite of maths is required for this course.
Year 10 is a great time to soak in all the information that starts to roll in and keep it in your back pocket. It’s an exciting time when your child will start being exposed to their future options, their interests and strength areas may become more apparent, and work experience will allow them to see what the working world is really like.
Subject selection for VCE will happen later in the year, so begin Year 10 by starting conversations with your child and gathering up resources to start your preparation.
University Open Days and expos are great places to seek advice on subject selection, so head to one of these with your child to kickstart the conversations.
University preparation includes knowing which VCE subjects to select. We’ve put together the tips to help your child get started and make VCE subject selection easier.
Year 11 is the beginning of VCE for most students, which means their chosen subjects may be the start of obtaining the prerequisites required for their future university course.
In Year 11 your child's chosen subjects give them the base knowledge for studying a subject more in-depth in Year 12. Sometimes students need to have studied the Year 11 equivalent subject to study it in Year 12, which contributes to their ATAR. Their ATAR determines whether they will be able to study their preferred university course at an undergraduate level. Additionally, your child may need a certain ATAR and have studied the Year 12 subject to get in (also known as a prerequisite), so it is best to start thinking about how your child’s subjects align to university courses early. If your child decides they want to study something they didn’t do the right subjects for during school, RMIT’s pathway options help bridge the gap. They’ll be studying for the career they are after in no time.
Year 11 provides the opportunity to establish positive study habits, embrace the resources available to them at school surrounding careers, and begin exploring university options. It’s a great time to support them in their exploration at expos, Open Days and online forums.
It’s all happening in Year 12 and a range of experiences and feelings are normal for your child during this time.
Year 12 is a great time for you to equip yourself with practical knowledge on things like pathways, scholarships and SNAP, which will be very useful as your child starts to make the big study decisions. It's also useful to learn about VTAC course information and Change of Preference to learn about how to submit VTAC course preferences and key dates for when VTAC releases offers and how to reorder preferences.
Helping your child explore course options that match their interests or dream career plays a big role in setting goals to keep them motivated throughout high school. As a parent, you can guide them through understanding the courses and pathways they can choose from, including the differences between vocational and undergraduate study.
Undergraduate study is generally broader in subject matter and more theory-based, typically taking 3-4 years to complete, resulting in a bachelor-level qualification. Vocational education focuses on equipping your child with practical skills to get them ready for a specific job quickly. Vocational courses, also known as TAFE, can take as little as 6-12 months to complete and can be used as a pathway into a degree.
As the largest dual-sector university in Australia, RMIT offers a broad range of pathways that allow your child to transfer from a vocational or TAFE course to a degree. Even if they don’t meet the required prerequisites or ATAR, they can still achieve their dream degree through our pathways.
When the time comes for your child to fly from the nest, you’ll both be feeling nervous and excited. Ensuring you have all the right information to help your child transition to a more independent life can be daunting, but RMIT offers plenty of support, options and resources to help make the transition smooth so your child can embrace this next exciting chapter!
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RMIT’s Equitable Learning Services (ELS) provide learning and disability support that empowers students to achieve their goals.
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Learn everything there is to know about your teen’s future study by asking all the right questions at RMIT University’s Open Day.
If you're a parent from overseas, you can find all the information and resources needed to help prepare your child to study in Australia.
Chat to our friendly team about any questions or queries you have about programs, applications, pathways and more.
Acknowledgement of Country
RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Sentient' by Hollie Johnson, Gunaikurnai and Monero Ngarigo.
Acknowledgement of Country
RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business.
