The Future Student Podcast

Choosing Your Uni 👍

The Future Student Podcast is the podcast for professionals who support prospective students on their journey to uni in Australia. Whether you're a Future Students professional, school careers advisor, or a member of the careers/higher education ecosystem, the Future Student Podcast dives into the news, trends and people who make this industry just so impactful.

  1. 1d ago

    Your Old ATAR Still Counts (And Other Things Mature Age Applicants Get Wrong)

    Rob Malicki unpacks the most common misconceptions about applying to university as a mature age student, from using old ATARs to the limits of TAFE diplomas. Drawing on a session with Beth Downey from the University of Sydney, this episode covers what qualifications actually count, how the mature age entry scheme works, and the practical research you need to do before committing to a pathway.

  2. 4d ago

    You're Not Ready (And That's Fine)

    Rob explores why the best business ideas come from everyday frustration, not genius — and why waiting to feel ready is the biggest trap for aspiring entrepreneurs. Drawing on a session with business launch coach Tori Tucker, this episode covers practical first steps for validating an idea, the micro-step approach to building a business alongside study, and what parents can do to support entrepreneurial kids.

  3. Aug 11

    Before You Start Your Degree, Do This First!

    Are you an international student planning to study at an Australian university? Standardized English tests like IELTS, TOEFL, or PTE can get you through the door, but do they actually prepare you to survive—and thrive—in a fast-paced academic environment? In this episode of Choosing Your Uni, host Rob Maliki breaks down a game-changing secret to academic success: why studying English in Australia before you start your degree is one of the smartest investments you can make for your future. Drawing on insights from Ian Air at the Choosing Your Uni National Virtual Expo, we explore how taking a preparatory English course builds the "muscle memory" you need to handle real-world university life. Your future depends on the choices you make today. Tune in to discover: The Academic Edge: Why research shows that international students who complete an in-country English preparatory course academically outperform those who skip it—even if they start with the exact same test scores!More Than Just Grammar: The critical academic skills standardized tests don't teach you, from taking rapid notes in fast-moving lectures to engaging in lively classroom debates and mastering Australian-style research essays.The "Direct Entry" Pathway: How you can bypass external, standardized exams entirely by completing a 10-to-20-week academic English program with direct entry into your university.Working Backwards: How to choose the right English language college by aligning it directly with your dream degree and your target university’s official partners or on-campus language centers.A Competitive Advantage: Why academic prep isn't "remedial" work—even native English speakers struggle with the massive gap between high school and university.Navigating the Australian Culture: Embracing Australia's incredibly diverse, multicultural classrooms, and finding the healthy balance between English language immersion and your native language comfort.Choosing with Confidence: How to spot high-quality, professional English colleges using the "English Australia" accreditation logo and why simply sending an email to a college can reveal how they will treat you as a student. Explore independent guidance and free resources to find your path at choosingyouruni.com. Learn more about the virtual expo at expo.choosingyouruni.com.

  4. Aug 7

    Apprenticeships Aren’t the Backup Plan: The Smarter Move for Your Future

    Are you feeling the pressure to choose a university degree just because everyone else is doing it? When it comes to life after high school, the default conversation usually centers around university campuses, degrees, and ATAR scores. But what if university isn’t the only—or even the smartest—pathway for you? In this episode of Choosing Your Uni, host Rob Maliki breaks down how apprenticeships and traineeships actually work in Australia and why they deserve a major spot in your post-school career planning. This isn't a "consolation prize"—it could be the smartest move you make. What We’re Unpacking in This Episode: Earn While You Learn: Discover the power of building a career from day one with a structured training arrangement. Get a real wage, skip the heavy HECS-HELP debt, and avoid spending years trapped in a lecture theater before stepping into a workplace.The New Era of Trades: Forget the old stereotype that apprenticeships are only for high-vis plumbing and electrical work. The landscape has shifted! You can now secure structured pathways into high-demand, white-collar fields like Information Technology (IT), Business Administration, Early Childhood Education, and government roles.Apprenticeships vs. Traineeships: Learn how they differ in duration (1–2 years for traineeships vs. 3–4 years for a full trade qualification) and how to choose the right fit for your goals.The Safety Net You Didn't Know Existed: Navigating the workforce at 17 or 18 can be overwhelming. We explain how Group Training Organizations act as a bridge—directly employing you, placing you with host employers, and providing mentoring and life-skills support so you’re never left cast adrift.Debunking the "Lesser Choice" Myth: Let's look at the reality. Skilled tradespeople are in extraordinary demand, often earning salaries that rival or exceed university graduates—faster and entirely debt-free. Why You Need to Listen: Your future depends on making an informed choice. Even if you are 100% certain that university is your path, understanding your alternatives ensures you are choosing university because it is genuinely the best fit for you, rather than just the only option ever mentioned.If you prefer learning by doing rather than sitting in a classroom, this episode will give you the practical, empowering tools to take control of your career path. Ready to explore your options further? Visit expo.choosingyouruni.com to learn about the National Virtual Expo and access independent, free guidance designed to help you find your right path.Listen now and start building your future today!

  5. Aug 4

    Why Australia’s Only Island University Deserves a Closer Look | University of Tasmania

    Choosing where to spend your university years is easily one of the biggest decisions of your life. It is not just about getting a degree; it is about finding a place that aligns with your values, challenges your perspective, and actually helps you launch a meaningful career.If you are a Year 11 or 12 student trying to cut through the noise of typical campus brochures, this episode is your ultimate guide. Host Rob Malicki dives deep into why the University of Tasmania (UTAS)—Australia’s only island university—might just be the game-changer you didn't know you were looking for. What We Cover in This Episode: The Global Leader in Sustainability: Did you know UTAS is ranked number one in the world for climate action and has held that spot for four consecutive years? Discover how sustainability is not just a major here—it is woven into the DNA of every single degree, from engineering to architecture.A Living, Breathing Campus: Learn how Tasmania's unique geography shapes hands-on degrees you cannot replicate anywhere else. From studying marine biology right on Hobart's harbor at the Institute of Marine and Antarctic Science (IMAS) to testing naval scale models at the world-class Australian Maritime College in Launceston."Try Before You Buy" Taster Programs: UTAS wants you to be sure about your future. We highlight their incredible (and free!) immersive experiences, including:Scholarships That Make a Difference: Moving interstate is daunting, but UTAS backs its students up with over $250,000 in dedicated agricultural scholarships annually, alongside generous relocation funding.Unrivaled Creative Arts Pathways: Hear how a tighter, highly connected community in Hobart allows creative arts and music students to skip the crowded competition of major mainland cities and land direct internships with massive festivals like Dark Mofo.Stress-Free Admissions (Your Insurance Policy): We break down the Schools Recommendation Program (opening June 25th). Learn how you can secure a university offer as early as September 3rd—months before your final exams—completely free of charge. 👉 Tune in now and take control of your university journey! For more independent guidance and free resources to help you choose the right path, visit expo.choosingyouruni.com.

  6. Jul 31

    Going Back to Uni: The Honest Truth About Returning to Study (And How to Actually Survive It)

    Thinking about heading back to university after years—or maybe even decades—away from the classroom? If you’re feeling a mix of excitement and absolute terror, you are not alone. Your future is too important to leave to guesswork, and glossy university brochures don't always give you the full picture. That is why in this episode of Choosing Your Uni, host Rob Maliki cuts through the marketing noise to bring you raw, honest, and incredibly practical insights from a panel of real students at Australian Catholic University (ACU) who have actually been in your shoes. Whether you didn't finish high school, are balancing a career, or are raising a family, this episode is your ultimate survival guide for making a successful transition back to study. What We Cover in This Episode: The "Multiple Doors" In: You don't need a recent ATAR to get into university. We break down legitimate, highly supported pathways like foundation studies, diplomas, the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT), and specialized veterans entry programs.The "Free Money" Left on the Table: Learn about the massive pool of scholarships available (ranging from $1,000 to $166,000 at ACU alone) and why so many go unallocated every single year simply because people forget to apply.The Reality of Hands-On Degrees: If you are looking into nursing, midwifery, paramedicine, or allied health, we discuss the non-negotiable reality of in-person labs, intensive clinical placements, and how to manage the logistics before you enroll.The Master Skill of Time Management: Hear candid student stories on how to balance life, family, and work. Discover why dropping to part-time study is sometimes the smartest decision you can make, and learn the critical warning about prerequisite subjects.Tackling Your First Assignments (Without Cracking): Tips on how to break intimidating essays into bite-sized pieces, why university librarians are your secret weapon, and how to conquer referencing.Your On-Campus Support Network: An overview of the free academic skills workshops, proofreading services, mentors, and casual on-campus jobs that are designed specifically to work around your class schedule. The Key Takeaway: Returning to university as a mature-age student is one of the bravest decisions you can make. You don't have to figure it all out on your own. The students who succeed are the ones who plan ahead, ask questions early, and aren't afraid to put their hands up for help. Ready to explore your options further? For independent, no-nonsense guidance to help you find the right path, check out the free resources at expo.choosingyouruni.com.

  7. Jul 28

    Small Campus, Big Opportunities: Inside Avondale University

    Are you stressing over university rankings, assuming that "bigger always means better"? What if we told you that the university with the #1 graduate employment rate in all of Australia is a hidden gem that most people on the street have never even heard of? Your future is a big deal, and making the right choice matters. In this episode of the Choosing Your Uni podcast, host Rob Maliki breaks down the incredible story of Avondale University. With only 1,500 students—fewer than many high schools—Avondale has managed to outperform every single major institution in the country on graduate employment. How do they do it? We unpack the actual data and reveal the secrets behind their success so you can apply these lessons to your own university search. What We Cover in This Episode: The Power of Being Known: Why Avondale’s student satisfaction rate sits at a massive 89.7% (beating the national average and prestigious institutions like the University of Melbourne), and what a 1,500-student campus actually feels like.The 97.7% Employment Formula: How a laser-focus on high-demand, specialist degrees like nursing and education—paired with extensive, built-in practical placements—guarantees career readiness.The Rankings Trap: Why traditional global ranking systems ignore what actually matters to your education (like teaching quality and student support) and how you might be missing out on great options by only looking at prestige tables.Is Avondale Right for You? (The Honest Truth): Avondale is a faith-based, Seventh-day Adventist institution. We discuss who will thrive in this supportive environment, who it might not suit, and the specific programs they offer (education, nursing, counseling, business, ministry, and theology).The Super-Network: How a tight-knit, niche alumni network can give you a massive professional head start in your career.Other Alternatives to Compare: We look at comparable options to add to your shortlist, including the University of Notre Dame Australia, the University of Divinity, Australian Catholic University (ACU), and the University of Newcastle. Ready to design your future?Don't choose your path blindly. This episode was adapted from a session presented at the Choosing Your Uni National Virtual Expo. For completely free, independent, and personalized guidance to help you find the right university for your unique goals, check out our resources at expo.choosingyouruni.com.

  8. Jul 24

    Australia’s Newest Uni is Already Ranked 82nd in the World! Meet Adelaide University

    Are you trying to figure out where to spend the next few years of your life? We know how overwhelming it is to choose a university when your entire future is on the line. That is why we are breaking down everything you need to know about Australia's newest higher education powerhouse: Adelaide University. In this episode, host Rob Malicki unpacks a historic moment in Australian higher education. At the start of 2025, two major, well-established institutions—the University of Adelaide and the University of South Australia (UniSA)—merged into one massive powerhouse. The result? A brand-new university that instantly landed at number 82 in the world on the QS rankings in its very first year! But is a high global ranking enough to make it the right fit for you? We are diving deep into the pros, the realities, and the comparisons you need to make before submitting your application. Here is what we cover in today’s episode: A New Breed of University (The DNA Fusion): Discover what happens when you combine a prestigious, research-intensive, Group of Eight sandstone institution (University of Adelaide) with a dynamic, highly innovative, industry-connected university (UniSA).Where the Money & Attention Flows: We explain the strategic importance of Adelaide University's five signature research themes (including Defense, Health, Food/Agricultural Sustainability, and Creative & Cultural Strategy) and why this matters for your future career. We also look at the massive advantage of having the Australian Institute for Machine Learning right on campus.The Cost of Living Advantage: Why studying in Adelaide might save you thousands compared to Sydney or Melbourne, while still keeping you right in the heart of the city center.Degrees Built for the Future: How Adelaide University’s unique "stackable" qualification design and formal exit points give you a safety net and career flexibility.The Reality of a Transitioning Campus: We give you the honest, unfiltered truth. Merging two massive universities takes time. Find out what it means to be part of an early cohort where you have the power to help shape the university, but might have to deal with some things being "rough around the edges."By the Numbers: We compare Adelaide University's impressive 77.8% student satisfaction rate against heavyweights like the University of Melbourne and UNSW. Plus, we explain how to look past general graduate employment statistics to find the truth about your specific field.The Alternatives: Don't put all your eggs in one basket! We share how Adelaide University stacks up against Flinders University, the University of Queensland, and the University of Newcastle so you can make a truly informed choice.This episode draws on insights presented at the Choosing Your Uni National Virtual Expo. Your future is too important to leave to flashy marketing—get the independent, practical guidance you need right here.Listen now and take control of your university journey! Need more help comparing your options? Access free, independent resources at expo.choosingyouruni.com.

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About

The Future Student Podcast is the podcast for professionals who support prospective students on their journey to uni in Australia. Whether you're a Future Students professional, school careers advisor, or a member of the careers/higher education ecosystem, the Future Student Podcast dives into the news, trends and people who make this industry just so impactful.

Information

  • Creator
    Choosing Your Uni 👍
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    74
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Choosing Your Uni 👍
  • Show Website
    The Future Student Podcast