What course should you study in the University?
Selecting the right course from the large selection of options available is often a hard decision for many students in Africa. Considering that every course and every university is different, and that students have their individual preferences, here are seven (7) things you should consider when choosing the right course:
- Decide what interests you. List the fields of study that interest you, and come up with a list of courses you would consider studying based on these interests. Add the topics that you were most interested in during school as well as jobs that you envied others for.
- Do your research. The internet, newspapers, television and people around you are the best sources of information. Check online about the courses you are interested in and find out about the career prospects and the other information.
- Check out the course content. Make sure you review the course outline of the course(s) you want to apply for. Have a look at the subjects you must undertake and the types of learning, assignments and examination tasks involved.
- Decide on your course duration. To be certain that you will be committed to your studies, find out the duration of your course. Taking full time or part-time depends on your personal choice. Ensure that you will be able to balance your other priorities along with education.
- Find out the entry requirements. It is more difficult to get accepted in to competitive courses, especially those which are in high demand. This is a good measure of whether you are actually capable of doing well in the course or not. Unfortunately, some courses are too hard to get in to, or just too hard to actually succeed in completing.
- Find out about the cost of study. Affordability is another aspect you need to consider while deciding on your course, as well as the additional costs that occur, such as text books, field trips etc.
- Look for post-study career opportunities. Look at the career prospects of the course before selecting one. Consider various factors such as income, job security, stress, responsibility and other benefits while researching a profession.