How to choose a tertiary institution

If you are looking to pursue your dream career, you need to make sure that you are prepared with theory and practical know-how needed to do the job once you graduate says Greg Fillmore, Rosebank College Managing Director. Rosebank College, an educational brand of The Independent Institute of Education (IIE) offers some tips on how to choose the best tertiary institution to suit your needs.
Decide what to study
Take some time to read up on the various institutions and their offerings. This will open up your mind to the variety of careers that exist out there.
Look for quality
We’ve all heard about fly-by-night educational institutions which are not registered with the Department of Education or relevant body as institutions of learning. Make sure that you check whether your institution of choice is accredited and what current students have to say about it. Also consider the quality of the lecturers. What do other students have to say about them?
Can you afford your institution of choice?
Unfortunately tertiary education is generally costly. Consider financial limitations including whether you need a bursary, a student loan or a government loan. By planning ahead you can apply for financial assistance in time.
Will your institution
help you find employment?
University degrees or diplomas no longer hold the promise of jobs for young South Africans as hundreds of thousands of graduate’s battle to find work. What gives institutions such as Rosebank College the edge, is their willingness to help their IIE graduates find employment. Through the Graduate Empowerment Programme (GEP), six IIE graduates from Rosebank College are being placed in employment each day.
Location
According to a survey by Stanley Hutcheson & Associates (SHA) the primary challenge facing South African students was transport costs. Make sure that you can get to campus easily. Is your institution along public transport routes, and are there parking facilities if you have your own car? Location will also give you more access to accommodation options to suit your budget.
Facilities
As a student you will need access to certain facilities such as a library and internet facilities. Free Wi-Fi should be a pre-requisite. Access to a computer at a computer lab also makes your student life experience a lot more pleasant.
Culture fit
Spend a day at your preferred tertiary institution to get a feel for the culture of the campus. Some institutions are more academic than others, while others promote a balance of both academic and social life. You will spend the next three or four years of your life at that institution so make sure it’s a place you will be happy.