Starting a degree is a major decision in any student’s life. Not only do you need to decide which course is right for you, but you also need to decide which institution is right for you. There are a multitude of factors to consider when choosing a higher education provider to study with – location, cost, teaching staff, student life, what their academic skills support is like, the list goes on. However, perhaps the 5 most important factors to consider are:
1.What do students say about their experience at that institution?
When taking on further education, you are committing the next three or four years of your life to that institution. Therefore, it is so important to make sure you choose an institution that is the right fit for you. At ACPE, besides offering some of the top courses in Australia, we are proud of our how current students have rated the quality of their undergraduate experience. In the most recent QILT survey data, our students have rated the quality of their experience at 87.3% which is significantly higher than the National average of 73.5%. At ACPE you are more than just a number, we get to know you by name and make you part of our community. From our academic staff to our student support and services staff, everyone is here to support you. We want to get to know you and understand your unique needs so that we can make your student experience the best it can be.
2.Will you be supported?
A common complaint from new university students is the vast difference between High School and Higher Education. Many students aren’t ready for the transition and need some extra support in their first few years, therefore the learning support offered by your education provider is so important. ACPE has a dedicated Student Learning Support and Student Services team that are here to support you throughout your entire college journey, from learning and academic skills support to wellbeing and counselling support, ACPE is here to ensure you can excel in your chosen course and achieve to the best of your ability. Our students have rated our academic support skills at 90.8% which is significantly higher than the national average at 73.9%. At ACPE you will not fall between the cracks.
3. What is the student life like?
Many people look back at their undergraduate years with fond memories of ‘uni life’, this is largely due to their experiences outside of the classroom. Therefore, it is important to consider what the extra-curricular options are at your chosen institution. ACPE offers a range of activities for our students to get involved in, from national to social sport, footy tipping, dance groups, to Mario Kart and pool comps. There is also a vast range of social experiences on offer including our ‘free-food Wednesdays’ and our famous Annual dinner. At ACPE the excitement doesn’t end with your lessons, it continues through until you graduate.
4. What is your end goal?
When you undertake a higher education course, one of the most important considerations is where the qualification can take you post graduation. More importantly, how will your chosen education provider help and assist you in reaching that goal. In addition to qualifying you in your chosen field, your education provider also needs to guide you to become career ready. ACPE offers a range of services to get you career ready, our Career Development Services team have all the connections, tips and tricks to ensure you finish your studies in the best possible position. We believe you start building your future career and networks from the day you enrol with us. With access to our vast industry partnership network, ACPE students gain valuable work experience and networking opportunities giving them a competitive edge in the job market upon graduating. This is how ACPE is able to maintain an overall 89.5% graduate employment rate and a 100% employment rate for education graduates.
5. What do their graduates have to say?
Perhaps the best way to gain insight into any education provider is through speaking with or hearing from their graduates. People who have already been through your institution will have the greatest understanding of what it is truly like to study there and how that provider will prepare you for life after college. Our ACPE graduates, each year complete a survey (QILT survey) that reflects on their experience at the college – our graduates gave us a rating of 82.5% which is higher than the national average. In the 2021 survey ACPE was rated at 90.8% for student support, which is 15.8% above the national average, 87.3% for teaching quality and 87.8% skills developed. In addition to our graduates rating us highly, they also remain involved with the college well after they have finished their studies, ACPE takes great pride in the positive experience of our graduates.
Before choosing your higher education provider, make sure you have really considered the options available to you and which institution would be the best fit for you. To find out why ACPE is the best option for you, you can book in for a personalised campus tour where one of our Student Enrolment Advisors will show you around our state-of-the-art campus and showcase why we off some of the best courses to study in Australia. Come to ACPE for an education experience as unique as you.
