Most Popular University Courses Among Victorian High School Graduates: Data Reveals Key Trends
2025-08-25
Data reveals the most popular university courses among Victorian high school graduates and emerging trends in 2024-25 university admissions.
Data reveals the most popular university courses among Victorian high school graduates.
Image source: Herald Sun
Australian media recently analyzed VTAC data on students' first-choice university courses from the past few years. A comparison between the 2024-25 and 2020-21 admission results shows trends that are both similar and different.
The Big Picture: Top 4 Courses Remain Stable
The four most popular courses have not changed much over these years.
- Arts at the University of Melbourne
- Science at the University of Melbourne
- Medicine at Monash University
- Commerce at the University of Melbourne
👉 While the ranking of these top four courses is the same, the number of students applying to each has clearly increased.
👉 The general degrees at the University of Melbourne lead to many different specializations, so it's normal for them to attract many applicants. The continued popularity of medicine at Monash suggests that more people believe studying medicine right after high school is a good financial choice.
The Middle Ranks: New Courses Rise as Others Fall
Dentistry and engineering are new popular choices.
- Dental Science at La Trobe University
- Science at Monash University
- Biomedicine at the University of Melbourne
- Engineering at Monash University
- Science/Engineering at the University of Melbourne
- Nursing at Deakin University
👉 The new popularity of engineering courses at Monash and Melbourne suggests that students are more "job-oriented." They believe engineering will lead to better career prospects.
👉 Courses that have become less popular include Nursing at ACU, Physiotherapy at La Trobe, and Design at the University of Melbourne.
Overall Trend: STEM and Dentistry Are More Popular
Key Insights:
👉 STEM fields are becoming more popular overall. Traditional science and medicine are still strong, and engineering has become a new favorite.
👉 Nursing remains popular but faces competition. Although nursing is still a popular field, some students may now be choosing other courses that they find more attractive or believe offer higher returns.
Based on the data, the list of popular courses in 2024-25 appears to be more diverse. It is no longer limited to the old combination of "nursing plus traditional arts and business" courses.
Planning Your University Course Selection?
Understanding course popularity trends can help inform your decision, but choosing the right course should align with your interests, strengths, and career goals. Our experienced advisors can help you navigate course selection and maximize your chances of admission.
👉 Book a free consultation to discuss your university pathway today!