Nursing is once again the most popular course at Deakin University, with health and medical fields also ranking highly.
With universities making their first-round offers for placements in next year’s courses last week, Deakin revealed it had made offers to 5851 school-leavers.
Across the Waterfront and Waurn Ponds campuses, nursing was the most in-demand course, ahead of occupational therapy and biomedical science.
Other health related fields in the top 10 included medical imaging (fourth), vision science and optometry (fifth), health sciences (sixth).
Deakin University vice-chancellor, professor Iain Martin said the interest in careers in health-related fields came as no surprise given the unfolding global pandemic and the increasing need for experts in those professions.
There was also demand for business, zoology and animal science, commerce and forensic science and criminology, which rounded out the top 10.
Professor Martin said while 2021 had been another challenging year for the sector and society, the continuing appetite for university study showed that, more than ever, students and their families valued the future opportunities higher education could create.
“The experiences of the past two years reinforced the value of an education that prepares graduates for a rapidly changing and increasingly digital world,” he said.
“The jobs of the future will require a combination of specialist and transferable skills, entrepreneurialism and a mindset of lifelong learning.
“Deakin is an attractive destination for both students and researchers because we are accessible and engaged in work that is important both nationally and globally, including advancing society, culture and the economy, creating smarter technologies, and improving health and wellbeing.
“We look forward to welcoming new and returning students to our campuses and offering them Deakin’s outstanding education that blends the best of learning on-campus, online and in workplaces. This is an exciting time for new university students, and we are excited in helping them realise their goals.”
Professor Martin reminded potential students it was still early in the application process, with second round offers to come and further opportunities to apply directly to study at Deakin.
Additional offers for applicants including school-leavers, mature-age students and those coming from other non-school environments will be made in late January and February, followed by opportunities for direct applications.
