20 Dec 2023
Media releases
Latest uni study trends for 2024
NOW that Year 12 applicants have received their final results and locked in their preferences, the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) has released preference data showing the most recent study trends for 2024.
Statistics based on the preferences of more than 69,400 applicants show Health continues to dominate as the most popular field of study with 24.5 per cent of applicants listing a Health course as their first preference.
Five medical science courses make the list of top 10 courses by first preference. Combined Bachelor of Medical Studies/Doctor of Medicine at UNSW Sydney maintains first position with 1,481 applicants putting this course at the top of their list. It's joined by Doctor of Medicine at Western Sydney/Charles Sturt, Bachelor of Medical Science and Doctor of Medicine at the University of Newcastle/University of New England, the Bachelor of Nursing at UTS and the Bachelor of Science/Doctor of Medicine at the University of Sydney.
Society and Culture (including law) is the second most popular field of study, with 20.6 per cent of applicants listing a course as their first preference. The University of Sydney’s Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Laws and UNSW Sydney’s Bachelor of Double Law are popular.
Management and Commerce is the third most popular field of study with 12.6 per cent of applicants choosing a course in this area. The most popular course in this field and second overall was Bachelor of Business at UTS with 956 first preferences, followed by Bachelor of Commerce at the University of Sydney with 742 first preferences.
Since early bird closing the order of field of study preferences has remained the same, except for Information Technology, which has pushed ahead of Education.
A breakdown of the top 10 courses and first preferences by field of study, with a comparison to data at early bird fee closing, is below.
Kim Paino, Chief Strategy and Engagement Officer said, ‘Students are making their final course choices armed with their end-of-year results. They are looking at realistic options when considering their study plans for 2024, mostly within their preferred field of study.’
‘With the release of December Round 2 offers tomorrow, we can expect applicants to review and change their preferences again for the next ATAR-based offer round on Thursday 11 January.’
The top 10 most in-demand courses
| Course | No of first preferences* |
|---|---|
| Bachelor of Medical Studies/Doctor of Medicine, Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Medical Studies/Doctor of Medicine - full time at UNSW | 1,481 |
| Bachelor of Business - full time at UTS Sydney | 956 |
| Doctor of Medicine - full time at Western Sydney University, Campbelltown campus/Charles Sturt University, Orange campus | 902 |
| Bachelor of Commerce - full time at University of Sydney | 742 |
| Bachelor of Arts - full or part time at University of Sydney | 734 |
| Bachelor of Medical Science and Doctor of Medicine (Joint Medical Program) - full time at University of Newcastle/University of New England | 703 |
| Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Laws - full time at University of Sydney | 690 |
| Bachelor of Double Law - full time at UNSW | 657 |
| Bachelor of Nursing - full time at UTS Sydney | 608 |
| Bachelor of Science/Doctor of Medicine - full time at University of Sydney | 608 |
Field of study by percentage of first preferences
| Field of study | 30 Sep 2023† | 15 Dec 2023* |
|---|---|---|
| Health | 25.7 | 24.5 |
| Society and Culture# | 20.6 | 20.6 |
| Management and Commerce | 12.3 | 12.6 |
| Natural and Physical Sciences | 9.7 | 9.9 |
| Engineering and Related Technologies | 9.4 | 9.6 |
| Creative Arts | 7.0 | 7.1 |
| Information Technology | 4.7 | 5.0 |
| Education | 4.8 | 5.0 |
| Architecture and Building | 4.3 | 4.4 |
| Agriculture, Environmental and Related Studies | 1.1 | 1.1 |
| Mixed Field Programs | <0.5 | <0.5 |
| Food, Hospitality and Personal Services | <0.5 | <0.5 |
* As of Friday 15 December. This date is the change of preferences deadline for December Round 2, the first ATAR-based offer round.
† As of early bird fee closing.
# Society and Culture includes areas of study commonly taught in arts faculties: philosophy, politics, history, sociology and languages, law, psychology, social work and counselling, and economics.
– END –
For further information (media only) email media@uac.edu.au or contact:
Diane Jardine, Communications Coordinator, UAC on 0436 459 603, or
Kim Paino, Chief Strategy and Engagement Officer, UAC on 0409 155 112.