TAFE vs uni: Which one should I choose?

August 15, 2023

During the heady rush that is your final year of high school, it’s natural to have this burning question on your mind: do I go to uni, or do I study at TAFE?  

There’s no right answer, because it all depends on where you see yourself in the future and what you want to learn.  Let’s explore the main differences between the two, which should help you make a final call.

What’s the difference between TAFE and uni?

TAFE (which stands for Technical and Further Education) prepares you for work in hands-on industries like beauty, aged care and construction. Qualifications are relatively quick to obtain, and you focus on building very specific practical skills so that you can walk straight into an entry-level role or apprenticeship.

TAFE can also offer you a pathway into undergraduate study, if you don’t get the grades you need to enrol straight into a bachelor degree. Some universities like RMIT and Swinburne deliver both TAFE and uni courses to make transitioning across easier.

University involves studying for longer so you can gain hands-on skills and academic knowledge in a field. This prepares you for more complex roles that combine theory and practice, in industries like law, education and medicine. 

What can you study at TAFE?

There are TAFE courses on every technical skill you can think of, from coffee making and pet grooming to coding and accounting. If you’re interested in learning a trade like carpentry, plumbing or welding, then it’s the study route for you. 

What can you study at university?

University, on the other hand, involves looking at your discipline through a more theoretical lens. You can study towards any professional career that interests you, from creative arts and design to mathematics and science.

Universities want you to graduate with a well-rounded understanding of your field, so you’ll start with foundational subjects before getting a taste for different specialties and sub-topics. You’ll find uni more your style if you’re a self-directed learner.

Do they both involve assessments?

They do, though TAFE assessments typically involve more hands-on industry tasks, role-playing exercises and work placements. Uni assessments are more academic. You’ll need to do things like sit exams, present in front of your peers, and write essays (depending on what you study). But you’ll also have the chance to complete industry placements and projects.

Which will get me into the workforce sooner: TAFE or university?

If you’re itching to finish Year 12 and start your adult life, then a TAFE qualification could be the obvious next step for you. Within six months to a year, you’ll have the technical skills you need to apply for certain entry-level roles.

Trade certificates in areas like carpentry, mechanics and engineering lead into apprenticeships where most of your learning happens on the job and you earn an hourly wage.   

However! If you have your heart set on a professional career, then you can’t take any shortcuts—you’ll need to earn a degree. Most employers in the corporate, government and not-for-profit sectors require you to have a qualification before you can apply for roles.

Since you can now study most degrees online, you don’t necessarily need to choose between getting a university education or gaining work experience. You can work part or even full time while getting your degree, and enjoy the best of both worlds.

Which will get me a better paying job: TAFE or university?

Census data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics shows that uni graduates are the higher earners overall. Those who have a Certificate I or II from TAFE earn a median weekly wage of $1,050, while bachelor degree graduates bring in a median wage of $1,500 a week.

This varies depending on your industry, of course. Highly paid tradies like electricians and construction managers can bring in more than $100,000 a year, but the highest paid industries in Australia—law, finance, medicine and psychiatry—all require a degree.

Which has lower tuition fees: TAFE or university?

On the flipside, TAFE is generally more affordable than university, because the courses are shorter. A certificate or diploma can cost anywhere between $200 to $19,000 depending on whether you land a subsidised place or not, while a bachelor degree can range between $16,000 and $40,000.

That said, you don’t have to pay those fees up front. Both TAFE and university courses are covered by HELP loans, so if you’re eligible, you’ll only start repaying your tuition after you’re earning a suitable full-time income.

Can you do TAFE and uni at the same time?

If you’re a whiz at time management, there’s nothing stopping you from enrolling in a TAFE and uni course at the same time. They complement each other in a lot of ways, and you could benefit from the practical nature of TAFE combined with the theoretical nature of uni. Online learning makes it possible, too, because you have the flexibility to set your own schedule. 

But this isn’t for the faint of heart. Your first year at uni can be a surprise after high school, even if you’re only doing a part-time study load. You’ll need to set aside at least 10 hours per subject a week for readings, assessments and class activities, and adding even one TAFE subject on top of that could be a lot to manage.

Combining the two may also impact your Centrelink entitlements if you’re receiving study support payments, so tread carefully. You can find out more about study planning by chatting with an Open Universities Australia student advisor, who may have some recommendations for you. 

Resources that will help you decide

When you’re on the fence, choosing between TAFE and uni can be nerve-wracking—but we’re here to help! You can use our website to explore thousands of online courses from different universities, including TAFE diplomas, undergraduate certificates and bachelor degrees.

Or you can narrow down your study options with these tools and resources: 

• Get a personalised list of course recommendations by taking our 2-minute quiz
• Compare your favourite courses across 27 universities with our comparison tool
• Book a free phone chat with a student advisor (you can ask them anything!)