Taking the leap into tertiary education is exciting, but choosing what and where to study can feel overwhelming. With so many factors to consider—funding, career paths, location and support—it’s easy to feel unsure. To help you navigate this process, we’ve outlined key things to consider and how to approach them.
Self-assessment: Identify your interests, strengths, and goals
Your studies are a stepping stone to your future career, so it’s helpful to start by thinking about what kind of job you see yourself doing. Take time to consider what you enjoy, what you’re good at, and what kind of lifestyle you want.
Do you like working with your hands, or would you prefer to be on a stage? Do you like helping people, or do you like solving complex technical problems? Additionally, would you be comfortable with shift work, or working predominantly outdoors?
There are several online resources that can help match your interests to potential career paths. Try our Study Search tool to see which study areas align with your interests or take the Career Quest quiz for personalized career suggestions.
Explore what the career is really like
Hearing first-hand stories from people who’ve worked in an area you’re interested in can provide invaluable insight. Tap into your network—family and friends might know someone in the industry—or search online for real-life stories.
Explore our student and graduate stories from a range of programmes →
Research industry trends and job market demands
Understanding the job market and average salaries in the industry you want to work in can help you know what to expect. Resources like TradeMe’s Salary Guide and CareersNZ Job Market guides are a great place to start.
Consider life commitments
Deciding to study is exciting, but you want to seriously consider how it will fit into your life. Most courses will provide an estimate amount of time the course will take weekly. Our time calculator tool helps you figure out if you can fit study in with your hobbies, caregiving, work and rest.
Take advantage of school resources
Still in school? Make the most of your connections. Teachers and careers advisors can offer valuable insights and help you explore your options. Careers advisors may even be able to arrange tours or info sessions at schools or institutions you’re considering.
Attend open days or information sessions
Open days and information sessions allow you to kōrero with staff and tutors from areas you're interested in. Keep an eye on our events page for any upcoming open days, or if you’d like to talk to a member of our team, fill out our Chat to Kaimahi form. →
Take a close look at the programme information
Once you’ve narrowed down your options, dive deeper into the details. Check out the course content, prerequisites, and whether extra qualifications are needed. Some programmes even include examples of student work, tutor info, and potential career pathways.
Who offers the course you want to take
Once you know what you want to study, consider what institutes offer it, and where they are located. Polytechnics and universities are similar, but there are some key differences to consider, check out the difference here.
Additionally, consider how much travel time is needed, or whether you would need to move cities. At Whitireia and WelTec, our programmes are offered at multiple campuses across the Wellington region. Explore our programmes to find the best fit.
Available support
Check out the support services available at each institution. Some things you’ll want to look for is pastoral, academic, wellbeing, careers, disability, and māori and pacific support. While you may not need all of these, knowing help is there can be a huge relief, especially during busy exam periods.
Funding and cost
Consider the total cost of your studies, including any additional study you might need to reach your career goal. Explore all the funding options available, like the student loan, student allowance (which you don’t have to pay back) and Fees Free (which pays for a years' worth of study depending on whether you’ve studied before), and what scholarships you can apply for.
- Study Spy have a great database of scholarships to check out →
- Explore the Whitireia and WelTec Funding Your Study page to find out about scholarships, fee’s free, and more →
Kōrero with your whanau and friends
Your friends and whānau know you best and can be a great sounding board while you make your decision. Don’t hesitate to lean on them for support and advice.
Chat to one of our friendly team
Looking for more help with your decision? Fill out our Chat to Kaimahi form and you’ll be put in touch with someone who can help you with enrolment information, or advice about a particular programme area.
