The Future Student Podcast

What’s it actually like to pack up your life, move 12,000 kilometres, and start law school in a country you’ve never even visited? In this episode of the Choosing Your Uni podcast, Rob Malicki sits down with Kiran , a law student at Bond University who moved from Vancouver, Canada to the Gold Coast to chase her goal of becoming a lawyer. She shares the real story behind the leap, the moment the ho...

We unpack one of Australia's most common education questions — TAFE vs university — and explain why it's the wrong question to ask. This episode covers the real differences in cost, duration, and employment outcomes, and reveals how the two pathways connect in ways most people don't realise. Want to compare all your uni options? Join us at the National Virtual Expo from May 10-17th. Register free...

Many people assume TAFE and university are separate tracks, but the TAFE-to-university pathway is one of the most well-established routes into higher education in Australia. This episode breaks down how the pathway works, how credit transfer can save you years of study, and who benefits most from starting at TAFE before moving into a degree. Want to compare all your uni options? Join us at the Nat...

Is a gap year a smart move or a risky detour? In this episode, we dig into what Australian gap year students actually do, what the research says about outcomes, and how to decide whether taking time off before university is the right call for you. We also cover how deferral works and what to do if your gap year wasn't part of the plan. Want to compare all your uni options? Join us at the National...

Rob breaks down the real data on masters degrees in Australia — from salary gains and employment rates to when postgrad study makes strong financial sense and when it doesn't. A practical guide for anyone weighing up whether to take the plunge. Want to compare all your uni options? Join us at the National Virtual Expo from May 10-17th. Register free at expo.choosingyouruni.com for Extended Access...

Many Australian scholarships actively favour mature age applicants — yet most eligible students never apply. This episode breaks down the financial support already built into the system, the types of scholarships available through universities and external organisations, and practical tips for making your application stand out. Want to compare all your uni options? Join us at the National Virtual...

Online degrees have become the go-to option for mature age students in Australia, but how do you know which provider is right for you? This episode breaks down the quality of online qualifications, highlights the best providers for adult learners, and covers exactly what to look for when choosing an online degree that fits around your life. Want to compare all your uni options? Join us at the Nati...

Thinking about going to university as a mature age student? This episode breaks down how mature age entry works in Australia — from how applications are assessed, to the most common pathways in, to why the data says older students often thrive. Practical, honest, and encouraging. Want to compare all your uni options? Join us at the National Virtual Expo from May 10-17th. Register free at expo.choo...

Is going back to university at 30 actually worth it? This episode breaks down the employment stats, salary outcomes, and real-world factors that should shape your decision — including when a degree makes perfect sense and when it might not be the right move. Want to compare all your uni options? Join us at the National Virtual Expo from May 10-17th. Register free at expo.choosingyouruni.com for Ex...

Is it too late to start university at 40? In this episode, we look at the real numbers behind mature age study in Australia — from earning potential and employment outcomes to flexible study options — and explain why your forties might actually be a great time to get started. Want to compare all your uni options? Join us at the National Virtual Expo from May 10-17th. Register free at expo.choosing...

Thinking about moving from TAFE to university? This episode breaks down the step-by-step process for transferring, including how articulation agreements work, how much credit you can expect, and the key things to watch out for along the way. If you've got a TAFE qualification, you might be closer to a degree than you think. Want to compare all your uni options? Join us at the National Virtual Expo...

Not every career requires a master's degree — but some absolutely do. In this episode, we break down which fields demand postgraduate study, where it adds value without being essential, and how to figure out what's right for your specific career goals, including the real salary data and costs involved. Want to compare all your uni options? Join us at the National Virtual Expo from May 10-17th. Reg...

Think you need an ATAR to get into university? Think again. In this episode, Rob breaks down the surprising stats on how most Australian students actually gain entry, walks through the main alternative pathways — from TAFE diplomas to enabling programs and the STAT test — and explains why not having an ATAR might matter far less than you think. Want to compare all your uni options? Join us at the...

With nine in ten Australian university students now combining study with paid work, balancing the two has become the norm rather than the exception. This episode breaks down the practical strategies that actually help, from choosing the right study mode to managing your time and letting go of the guilt. Want to compare all your uni options? Join us at the National Virtual Expo from May 10-17th. Re...

Can you still get into university after taking a gap year in Australia? This episode breaks down the deferral process, what happens if you need to reapply, the pathway options available, and whether time off actually strengthens or weakens your application. Want to compare all your uni options? Join us at the National Virtual Expo from May 10-17th. Register free at expo.choosingyouruni.com for Ext...

Can TAFE students go to university? Absolutely — and the pathway is more structured and powerful than most people realise. This episode breaks down how the TAFE-to-university transition works, what credit transfer can save you, and which universities have the strongest articulation agreements. Want to compare all your uni options? Join us at the National Virtual Expo from May 10-17th. Register fre...

Not everyone has a clear path into university, but bridging and enabling courses are opening doors for thousands of Australians every year. This episode breaks down how these programs work, what they cost, how long they take, and whether one might be the right move for you. Want to compare all your uni options? Join us at the National Virtual Expo from May 10-17th. Register free at expo.choosingyo...

With postgraduate graduates earning a median salary of $97,500 — well above most undergraduate holders — is further study worth the investment? This episode breaks down the types of postgraduate qualifications available in Australia, highlights the fields with the strongest career and salary outcomes, and offers practical advice on how to choose the right program for your goals. Want to compare al...

What if university was not just a place to get a degree, but a place to build your network, your experience and your personal brand all at once? In this episode of the Choosing Your Uni podcast, Rob Malicki chats with Dulaj, a business student at the University of Western Australia studying management and communications. It is a lively and practical conversation about making the most of uni, from...

Over a million Australians changed jobs last year — but which degrees are worth the investment if you're making a bigger leap? This episode breaks down the top qualifications for career changers in Australia, from nursing and teaching to IT, psychology, and MBAs, with key stats, realistic timelines, and advice on how to avoid starting from scratch. Want to compare all your uni options? Join us at...

Didn’t get the ATAR you needed? You’re not alone — and you’re not out of options. One of the biggest misconceptions about getting into uni in Australia is that everything comes down to your ATAR. But here’s the reality: most students don’t get in that way. In this episode of the Choosing Your Uni podcast, Rob Malicki breaks down the many alternative pathways into university — from mature age entry...

What’s it like to study biomedical science at Griffith, especially as an international student trying to balance a demanding degree with a strong social and support network? In this episode of the Choosing Your Uni podcast, Rob Malicki chats with Chancy, a biomedical science student at Griffith University, about why he chose Griffith, what the day-to-day reality of biomed looks like, and why he se...

What’s it really like to study at UWA, and what kind of student thrives there? In this episode of the Choosing Your Uni podcast, Rob Malicki sits down with Darya, a biomedical science student at the University of Western Australia majoring in microbiology and immunology. It’s a great conversation that moves between two big themes: what it is actually like to study a detailed, science-heavy degree,...

What happens when you realise the thing you love is not just a hobby, but the path you actually want to build your future around? In this episode of the Choosing Your Uni podcast, Rob Malicki sits down with Malak, an interior design student at Torrens University in Sydney. Her story is one of persistence, creativity and finding the confidence to come back stronger. After starting university, stepp...

What’s it actually like to study at Macquarie University, especially if you’re moving away from home, living on campus, and still figuring out whether you’re on the right path? In this episode of the Choosing Your Uni podcast, Rob Malicki sits down with Paddy at Macquarie University for a grounded and genuinely insightful conversation about student life, belonging, and the messy reality of working...