YOUR UNI QUESTIONS ANSWERED
Wondering what uni will be like, or how it might be different to Year 12? You’re in the right place – here’s some key things to know about uni.
Can I study overseas?
Study abroad opportunities are available for a lot of La Trobe courses and are a great way to build connections and experiences around the world.
One option is through a semester-or-two exchange at one of La Trobe’s partner universities abroad.
Another option is a short-term program for anywhere between two to six weeks.
You’ll need to plan your study abroad opportunities in advance, so be sure to get in touch with the Ask La Trobe team as soon as you can to check your eligibility and get planning early!
Check your eligibility with Ask La Trobe
What's a typical day at uni going to be like?
Your uni experience will be unique to you, your course and your interests.
Depending on your subjects, you could have labs, tutorials, seminars and even work placements! These could be a mix of in-person and online.
It’s also good to know that uni requires a bit of self-motivation. You can do your assigned readings or work on an assignment around campus.
And lastly, at uni there are so many clubs, societies and events that’ll help you find your interests and your people!
See what uni life is like
In Year 12 I've been doing SACs, exams and weekly tests. Will I have the same kind of assessments in uni?
The way assessments work at uni isn’t too different from Year 12.
Your uni subjects will have assessments that each make up a percentage of your grade.
These include things like mid-semester tests, oral presentations, group projects, essays and exams.
At uni you’ll also learn more independently than in Year 12, so it’s important to keep yourself organised.
The LMS, which is your online learning system, will help you find weekly content and notifications from your lecturer or tutor.
Explore more about uni
Do you have double degrees and how do they work?
Yes! La Trobe offers double degrees across a range of courses like Law, Arts, Business, Nursing and Psychological Science.
Double degrees give you two Bachelor degrees in less time than if you did the two courses separately. For example, Bachelor of Laws (Honours) / Bachelor of Arts would take seven years, but as a double degree could take just five.
Double degrees can be a great way to mix something you’re passionate about with something more vocational. Or help you develop a niche specialisation!
Explore all the degrees La Trobe offers
I’m thinking of moving. What accommodation options are there? What are the costs like?
La Trobe’s Bundoora, Bendigo and Albury-Wodonga campuses all have student accommodation options!
Depending on what kind of vibe you’re looking for, there are different types of accommodation, including apartments and the more dorm-style rooms you might’ve seen in the movies.
The cost to live on campus includes all bills and utilities, and some accommodation options even offer meals as an additional add-on.
To learn about your options you can chat to the Living at La Trobe team.
Discuss your options with the Living at La Trobe team
How many contact hours will I have on campus?
The number of contact hours your course requires will depend on the units you enrol into.
Some units have lectures, tutorials and a lab or workshop, while others might only have one class for the week.
As a general guide you can expect around 10 contact hours a week per unit. You might also need some more contact hours when you’ve got assessments due.
To see how many hours your units require, check out La Trobe’s Study Plan Guide.
Check out your unique plan with our Study Plan Guide
I didn’t get the ATAR to get into my first preference , but I did get into a pathway course. I’m concerned that my study journey will be too long and it’ll take too long to get into the workforce.
It can be a bit disheartening to not receive the results we’re aiming for, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get into uni.
A La Trobe pathway course is another qualification you’ll study first so you can pick up some academic skills and get the right foundation for your dream degree.
For example, if you want to study a Bachelor of Science, you could start in the Diploma of Science instead.
It’s a good idea to use La Trobe’s Pathways Tool to find the right path for you.
Find the right La Trobe pathway for you
I’m moving out of home for the first time and I’m nervous about being so far from home and my family. Are there any support services in place that I can access while I’m living there?
Leaving home and starting uni is a big deal!
La Trobe understands the impact this transition can have on your wellbeing, so there’s a range support services that’ll be here for you throughout your entire degree.
Some support services include mental health counselling, wellbeing mentors, financial counselling and indigenous health and wellbeing services.
You can find and access all these support services and more via the La Trobe website.
Explore all the health and wellbeing services La Trobe offers
When I came to Open Day, I spoke with a student ambassador and they told me about their role, it sounds so cool! How can I get involved in this when I come to La Trobe?
Being a student ambassador is a great way to engage with the uni, make friends and get confident at public speaking.
Things that can help your chances of becoming an ambassador include leadership and customer service experience, like being school captain, doing community sport or working in retail or hospitality.
There are also a couple of other requirements to consider, like having a driver’s license and getting a working with children’s check.
Contact Ask La Trobe for more info
Still have questions?
See what your first year of uni could look like, search for courses by ATAR and get the support you need.