Nursing in demand

DEAKIN University has confirmed nursing remains its most popular course despite the challenges the industry is facing.

On Friday school leavers received their first-round offers through Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre, with Deakin offering a space for up to 5851 people.

The university, with campuses in Geelong and Melbourne, confirmed nursing was again its most in-demand course.

Other health-related degrees, including psychological science, biomedical science, medical imaging and occupational therapy, have continued to increase.

Vice-chancellor Iain Martin said more than ever students were taking interest in pursuing higher education.

“The experiences of the past two years reinforced the value of an education that prepares graduates for a rapidly changing and increasingly digital world,” Professor Martin said.

“We look forward to welcoming new and returning students to our campuses and offering them Deakin’s outstanding education that blends the best of learning on-campus, online and in workplaces.

“This is an exciting time for new university students, and we are excited in helping them realise their goals.”

Other popular courses across Deakin’s Geelong campuses include optometry, business, zoology and animal science, commerce and forensic science.

Current Deakin student Natalia Dembek Sanchez (above) said if it was not for her course selection she would not have realised her potential.

“By chatting to my lecturers at Deakin, I was able to apply my knowledge of biodiversity to my passion of continuing to protect the Great Barrier Reef,” Ms Dembek Sanchez said

While aspiring to be an environmental lawyer on graduation, she has turned her passion into a viable business.

Inspire International sells ecofriendly socks, with up to 40 per cent of each sale going towards restoration works at the Great Barrier Reef.

“University is here to help people achieve their dreams,” she said.

“If your values don’t align with the university, it makes it more difficult for someone to get where they want to be, so it is incredibly important.”

Second-round offers and additional offers for mature-age students and those from non-school environments will be made in late January and February.