Pursuing higher education is an exciting and formative time, no matter when you decide to study. Choosing the right higher education provider is key to getting the most out of the experience.
The decision isn’t just about the course or the campus. It’s about having the right learning environment, support, and opportunities to help you succeed and shape your future career. With so many higher education options available, finding the right place can feel overwhelming.
In this guide, we explore key factors to consider when comparing higher education providers. We also speak with Ben Allitt, Dean of Chisholm’s Higher Education College, who shares his insights on what can help you get the most out of your student experience in higher education.
1. Consider the learning environment and support available
A welcoming and supportive learning environment helps build confidence and encourages success throughout your studies. Feeling comfortable asking questions, getting to know your lecturers, and knowing support is available when you need it can make all the difference.
What to look for:
- Class sizes that allow for personalised attention when needed.
- Lecturers and teachers who are approachable and available.
- Support services tailored to academic, wellbeing and career needs.
Ben says creating a supportive and personalised higher education environment is a key priority for Chisholm. “We limit class size. It sounds like a cliché, but lecturers at Chisholm Higher Education College actually know their students’ names and stories and work with them individually to provide tailored support.”
2. Look for hands-on, industry-relevant learning
Many students want to know that when they finish their degree, they’ll feel ready to step into the workforce. One of the best ways to build that confidence is through hands-on learning in higher education. Courses with applied learning, like practical training, placements, or work-integrated learning, allow you to apply what you’ve learned in real-world settings and build confidence for the workplace.
Experiences like these not only help build practical skills, they can also connect you with professionals in your field. They may even open the door to industry networks, mentors and potential job opportunities.
Check out our blog on the benefits of hands-on learning: Real skills, real confidence: the benefits of hands-on learning
What to look for:
- Courses with practical assessments and projects.
- Access to real industry environments.
- Opportunities for placements, simulations and work-integrated learning.
"Higher education has shifted to meet industry expectations for hands-on training," says Ben. "Hands-on and practical training in student learning is essential to meet industry needs."
3. Check graduate outcomes and career pathways
Higher education is often a stepping stone toward a meaningful and rewarding career. Looking at employment outcomes, industry connections, and how workforce needs shape courses helps you understand whether a provider is setting students up for success beyond the classroom.
Graduate outcome and career pathway stories can offer useful insight into how a course translates into real opportunities in the workforce.
Check out some of our student success stories: Chisholm Higher Education student stories
What to look for:
- Job placement rates and graduate employment statistics.
- Connections to industry partners and potential employers.
- Courses shaped by current industry needs.
Ben says aligning courses with both industry expectations and student goals is a key part of preparing graduates for the workforce. "At Chisholm, we make sure that our courses are aligned to what both industry and student need."
4. Look at rankings and student feedback
While researching higher education courses, it’s worth researching what current students, graduates, and industry are saying about a provider. Word of mouth, independent rankings, and survey results can provide valuable insight into the kind of experience students actually have and help you gauge whether a learning environment is a good fit.
One widely recognised source of student feedback in Australia is the Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching (QILT) survey. This national survey asks higher education students about various aspects of their learning experience and how well their courses support their success.
And speaking of QILT results, Chisholm is proud to be ranked the number one TAFE in Australia for quality of the educational experience in higher education.
QILT measures include:
- teaching quality
- learning resources
- skills development.
"Being the highest-ranked TAFE for student satisfaction in higher education is an outstanding outcome and a reflection of the work our lecturers put into student learning in the classroom.”
- Ben Allit
Dean, Higher Education College, Chisholm
5. Explore flexible pathways
Life doesn't always follow a straight line, and higher education should accommodate students' goals, prior learning, and career changes. Flexible study pathways allow you to progress at your own pace and explore opportunities across VET and higher education.
What to look for:
- Options to transition between VET and higher education.
- Pathways to upskill, change direction, or continue studying locally.
- Support for students balancing work, family, or other commitments.
"I am most proud of the flexible pathways we offer students from our region to study and work locally," says Ben.
Across every area that matters – from applied learning and strong industry connections to student support and flexible pathways – Chisholm has built a higher education experience designed to help students succeed.
Explore Chisholm’s Higher Education courses and discover the pathway that’s right for you.
