Has the thought of university study been playing on your mind? Perhaps you're stuck wondering why you should even apply? We've put together the top reasons why people choose to study at university.

1. Uni: Why should I?
We surveyed 100 people to find out
the top reasons why they chose to study at uni.

2. In Australia, over one quarter of the population
have gained a university degree*.
At USQ, we are proud to support over 89,000 students who have graduated.
*Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics
http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/products/D422D0160CA82AE8CA25750C00117DD1?OpenDocument

3. Currently, there are more than 1.3 million people
studying at an Australian university.
At USQ, more than 28,000 students are currently enrolled.
So why are all these people studying at university?

4. Before the fun begins, we remind you that these
are the top answers after surveying 100 people.
There are no right or wrong answers to this question,
everyone has a different motivation for choosing to study
at university. All we can do is share with you
some of the common reasons …

5. Before the fun begins, we remind you that these
are the top answers after surveying 100 people.
There are no right or wrong answers to this question,
everyone has a different motivation for choosing to study
at university. All we can do is share with you
some of the common reasons …
Let the games begin!

6. Round 1
Why do people go to university?
TOTAL POINTS
0

7. Why do people go to university?
TOTAL POINTS
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8

8. TOTAL POINTS
Why do people go to university?
TOTAL POINTS
14
25
20
14
13
9
8
6
5
It’s something that they have
always wanted to do
To learn more about a field or
industry that interests them, or to
follow a passion
To make themselves more
employable and increase their
earning capacity
To meet new people
Gain skills and knowledge
required to begin their career or
change career paths
To be eligible for a promotion,
gain recognition or change roles in
current work
To grow as an individual, achieve
a personal goal and mentally
challenge themselves
They have been asked by their
workplace to investigate further
study
25
20
10
9
8
8
6
1
2
4
5
6
7
8

9. TOTAL POINTS
Why do people go to university?
TOTAL POINTS
27
25
20
14
13
9
8
6
5
It’s something that they have
always wanted to do
To learn more about a field or
industry that interests them, or to
follow a passion
To make themselves more
employable and increase their
earning capacity
To meet new people
Gain skills and knowledge
required to begin their career or
change career paths
To be eligible for a promotion,
gain recognition or change roles in
current work
To grow as an individual, achieve
a personal goal and mentally
challenge themselves
They have been asked by their
workplace to investigate further
study
1
2
5
6
7
8

10. Why do people go to uni?
Are these the answers you’ve guessed? There’s more to come!
Keep your answers rolling in!

11. TOTAL POINTS
Why do people go to university?
TOTAL POINTS
33
25
20
14
13
9
8
6
5
It’s something that they have
always wanted to do
To learn more about a field or
industry that interests them, or to
follow a passion
To make themselves more
employable and increase their
earning capacity
To meet new people
Gain skills and knowledge
required to begin their career or
change career paths
To be eligible for a promotion,
gain recognition or change roles in
current work
To grow as an individual, achieve
a personal goal and mentally
challenge themselves
They have been asked by their
workplace to investigate further
study
25
20
9
8
6
1
2
5
6
8

12. TOTAL POINTS
Why do people go to university?
TOTAL POINTS
42
25
20
14
13
9
8
6
5
It’s something that they have
always wanted to do
To learn more about a field or
industry that interests them, or to
follow a passion
To make themselves more
employable and increase their
earning capacity
To meet new people
Gain skills and knowledge
required to begin their career or
change career paths
To be eligible for a promotion,
gain recognition or change roles in
current work
To grow as an individual, achieve
a personal goal and mentally
challenge themselves
They have been asked by their
workplace to investigate further
study
25
20 8
6
1
2 6
8

13. Why do people go to uni?
Have you guessed the top answer yet? We’re so close to finding out!

14. TOTAL POINTS
Why do people go to university?
TOTAL POINTS
62
25
20
14
13
9
8
6
5
It’s something that they have
always wanted to do
To learn more about a field or
industry that interests them, or to
follow a passion
To make themselves more
employable and increase their
earning capacity
To meet new people
Gain skills and knowledge
required to begin their career or
change career paths
To be eligible for a promotion,
gain recognition or change roles in
current work
To grow as an individual, achieve
a personal goal and mentally
challenge themselves
They have been asked by their
workplace to investigate further
study
25
8
6
1
6
8

15. TOTAL POINTS
Why do people go to university?
TOTAL POINTS
67
25
20
14
13
9
8
6
5
It’s something that they have
always wanted to do
To learn more about a field or
industry that interests them, or to
follow a passion
To make themselves more
employable and increase their
earning capacity
To meet new people
Gain skills and knowledge
required to begin their career or
change career paths
To be eligible for a promotion,
gain recognition or change roles in
current work
To grow as an individual, achieve
a personal goal and mentally
challenge themselves
They have been asked by their
workplace to investigate further
study
25
8
25
8
1
6

16. TOTAL POINTS
Why do people go to university?
TOTAL POINTS
75
25
20
14
13
9
8
6
5
It’s something that they have
always wanted to do
To learn more about a field or
industry that interests them, or to
follow a passion
To make themselves more
employable and increase their
earning capacity
To meet new people
Gain skills and knowledge
required to begin their career or
change career paths
To be eligible for a promotion,
gain recognition or change roles in
current work
To grow as an individual, achieve
a personal goal and mentally
challenge themselves
They have been asked by their
workplace to investigate further
study
2525251

17. Why do people go to uni?
This is it, it’s time for the top answer…

18. TOTAL POINTS
Why do people go to university?
TOTAL POINTS
100
It’s something that they have
always wanted to do
To learn more about a field or
industry that interests them, or to
follow a passion
To make themselves more
employable and increase their
earning capacity
To meet new people
Gain skills and knowledge
required to begin their career or
change career paths
To be eligible for a promotion,
gain recognition or change roles in
current work
To grow as an individual, achieve
a personal goal and mentally
challenge themselves
They have been asked by their
workplace to investigate
further study
25
20
14
13
9
8
6
5

19. Double or nothing!
Why would a person go to university?
The surprise round answer is…
DOUBLE POINTS!

20. A combination of all those
answers and more!
To begin with, many students struggle to pinpoint their reason for going to uni
and often their motivations change as they move through their studies.
Patience and open communication are the keys to understanding
their reasons for being at university.

21. Each student has different motivators for choosing study
and will gain different benefits throughout their journey, but one thing
remains the same: it’s totally normal to want to know what university
life is all about before you begin to study.

22. Each student has different motivators for choosing study
and will gain different benefits throughout their journey, but one thing
remains the same: it’s totally normal to want to know what university
life is all about before you begin to study.
How did you fair in Round 1?
Don’t worry, Round 2 begins on the next slide!

23. Round 2
What are the benefits of studying at university?
TOTAL POINTS
0

24. TOTAL POINTS
What are the benefits of studying at university?
TOTAL POINTS
0
Increasing their earning capacity
Helping them to explore their
interests and increase
their knowledge
Increasing their job opportunities
by providing them with
transferrable skills and knowledge
Allowing them to build personal
and professional networks
Boosting their confidence and
resilience
Providing them with a rewarding
challenge and an opportunity to
grow and learn
Paving the way for others, such
as friends, family or children, who
might want to study at uni
Helping them to find greater
fulfilment in their career
28
19
15
13
10
6
5
4
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8

25. TOTAL POINTSTOTAL POINTS
15
Increasing their earning capacity
Helping them to explore their
interests and increase
their knowledge
Increasing their job opportunities
by providing them with
transferrable skills and knowledge
Allowing them to build personal
and professional networks
Boosting their confidence and
resilience
Providing them with a rewarding
challenge and an opportunity to
grow and learn
Paving the way for others, such
as friends, family or children, who
might want to study at uni
Helping them to find greater
fulfilment in their career
What are the benefits of studying at university?
28
19
15
13
10
6
5
4
1
2
4
5
6
7
8

26. TOTAL POINTSTOTAL POINTS
21
Increasing their earning capacity
Helping them to explore their
interests and increase
their knowledge
Increasing their job opportunities
by providing them with
transferrable skills and knowledge
Allowing them to build personal
and professional networks
Boosting their confidence and
resilience
Providing them with a rewarding
challenge and an opportunity to
grow and learn
Paving the way for others, such
as friends, family or children, who
might want to study at uni
Helping them to find greater
fulfilment in their career
What are the benefits of studying at university?
28
19
15
13
10
6
5
4
1
2
4
5
7
8

27. TOTAL POINTSTOTAL POINTS
25
Increasing their earning capacity
Helping them to explore their
interests and increase
their knowledge
Increasing their job opportunities
by providing them with
transferrable skills and knowledge
Allowing them to build personal
and professional networks
Boosting their confidence and
resilience
Providing them with a rewarding
challenge and an opportunity to
grow and learn
Paving the way for others, such
as friends, family or children, who
might want to study at uni
Helping them to find greater
fulfilment in their career
What are the benefits of studying at university?
28
19
15
13
10
6
5
4
1
2
4
5
7

28. TOTAL POINTSTOTAL POINTS
35
Increasing their earning capacity
Helping them to explore their
interests and increase
their knowledge
Increasing their job opportunities
by providing them with
transferrable skills and knowledge
Allowing them to build personal
and professional networks
Boosting their confidence and
resilience
Providing them with a rewarding
challenge and an opportunity to
grow and learn
Paving the way for others, such
as friends, family or children, who
might want to study at uni
Helping them to find greater
fulfilment in their career
What are the benefits of studying at university?
28
19
15
13
10
6
5
4
1
2
4
7

29. TOTAL POINTSTOTAL POINTS
48
Increasing their earning capacity
Helping them to explore their
interests and increase
their knowledge
Increasing their job opportunities
by providing them with
transferrable skills and knowledge
Allowing them to build personal
and professional networks
Boosting their confidence and
resilience
Providing them with a rewarding
challenge and an opportunity to
grow and learn
Paving the way for others, such
as friends, family or children, who
might want to study at uni
Helping them to find greater
fulfilment in their career
What are the benefits of studying at university?
28
19
15
13
10
6
5
4
1
2
7

30. TOTAL POINTSTOTAL POINTS
53
Increasing their earning capacity
Helping them to explore their
interests and increase
their knowledge
Increasing their job opportunities
by providing them with
transferrable skills and knowledge
Allowing them to build personal
and professional networks
Boosting their confidence and
resilience
Providing them with a rewarding
challenge and an opportunity to
grow and learn
Paving the way for others, such
as friends, family or children, who
might want to study at uni
Helping them to find greater
fulfilment in their career
What are the benefits of studying at university?
28
19
15
13
10
6
5
4
1
2

31. TOTAL POINTSTOTAL POINTS
72
Increasing their earning capacity
Helping them to explore their
interests and increase
their knowledge
Increasing their job opportunities
by providing them with
transferrable skills and knowledge
Allowing them to build personal
and professional networks
Boosting their confidence and
resilience
Providing them with a rewarding
challenge and an opportunity to
grow and learn
Paving the way for others, such
as friends, family or children, who
might want to study at uni
Helping them to find greater
fulfilment in their career
What are the benefits of studying at university?
28
19
15
13
10
6
5
4
1

32. TOTAL POINTSTOTAL POINTS
100
Increasing their earning capacity
Helping them to explore their
interests and increase
their knowledge
Increasing their job opportunities
by providing them with
transferrable skills and knowledge
Allowing them to build personal
and professional networks
Boosting their confidence and
resilience
Providing them with a rewarding
challenge and an opportunity to
grow and learn
Paving the way for others, such
as friends, family or children, who
might want to study at uni
Helping them to find greater
fulfilment in their career
What are the benefits of studying at university?
28
19
15
13
10
6
5
4

33. Did you manage to guess a majority of these answers?
Were some of the answers surprising?

34. Every student’s university experience and the outcomes they take
away will be different, but overall, university will likely increase a
student’s earning capacity and job prospects and provide them with an
opportunity for personal growth and fulfilment.

35. Every student’s university experience and the outcomes they take
away will be different, but overall, university will likely increase a
student’s earning capacity and job prospects and provide them with an
opportunity for personal growth and fulfilment.
One of the best aspects of studying at university is the support available
every step of the way. At USQ, we’re here to help answer questions
such as, ‘how do I enrol in classes’ or ‘how do I write an essay’.

36. Every student’s university experience and the outcomes they take
away will be different, but overall, university will likely increase a
student’s earning capacity and job prospects and provide them with an
opportunity for personal growth and fulfilment.
One of the best aspects of studying at university is the support available
every step of the way. At USQ, we’re here to help answer questions
such as, ‘how do I enrol in classes’ or ‘how do I write an essay’.
You can find out more about the different support services available to
USQ students and their families here.

37. Thanks for joining us today! We hope you had a win.
Remember, support is available and communicating with others
will be your keys to success.
*Source: 21 focus groups conducted by the USQ Online Marketing team in 2015.

38. CRICOS: QLD00244B NSW02225M TEQSA: PRV12081 00.0.A 06.2016 Graphics © Shutterstock
social.usq.edu.au
Thanks for joining us today! We hope you had a win.
Remember, support is available and communicating with others
will be your keys to success.
If you’ve still got questions or are looking for more information,
check out other great resources just like this one on Social Hub,
or, chat to a Student Relationship Officer.