What Elective Units Should I Choose?

If you’re indecisive, this one’s for you.

One of the best parts of your undergraduate degree will be its flexibility.

Not only might you be able to work while you study, but you will get access to an array of clubs, awesome discounts and, of course, elective units.

Elective units give you that extra bit of choice within your degree to boost your expertise or focus on an area of interest that your major doesn’t usually cover.

Slightly different to core units, electives do not have to be directly related to your course study or even from the faculty you are in as long as they meet credit requirements and are at the same level as your course.

You may be overwhelmed with the abundance of options available to you. So here are our tips on how to narrow down your list.

Do I have room for elective units?

Planning what courses you’re going to take and when to take them can be the worst. Many students forget to plan the classes for their future semesters and wind up having to stay back an extra semester to complete a single unit that was previously unavailable to them.

Before you even think about elective units and start any studies, you want to make sure that all your core units can be completed in the three to four years you’re aiming for, if studying a full-time load.

Each degree will have a study load based on credit points for each unit. Most units at a university will carry a similar weight, usually 25 per cent of what is needed for the semester.

However, some units (specifically some elective units) may have a higher value of credit points, which may mean you will have to give up two elective spots for one elective unit.

Once you’ve organised your study plan, then you can consider what extra classes you might want to take.

Before you get too excited about electives, you need to consider whether or not your specific degree will have room for any extra classes in the first place.

Take a look at your study plan and how many spaces for electives you have left. They will depend on the major(s) you choose and their individual requirements.

For example, depending on your university, a double major may only have room for up to six electives, or as little as none, so double check your study plan before you register for classes.

What options are available to me?

Finding out what courses are available to you usually isn’t too tough, as most universities have course handbooks, and when registering for classes you should only be able to see what classes you can take.

Head to your university's website and check out their course handbook online to find out what classes your degree will include, what electives you can choose from and any course rules that may apply if, for example, you’re studying in trimesters.

Some elective units may have pre-requisites or co-requisites, which are units that you need to complete before or in conjunction with the unit you’re interested in. So, keep an eye out for those details if there is a unit you’re keen on.

Interest or expertise?

Now the hard part: choosing the few elective units you will take, from the many available to you.

When it comes down to it, you have two choices. Do you choose units that complement your current studies or units that are in an area of interest outside of your main studies?

Units that build upon your current studies are great because they are often higher-level units that you would generally complete in your third or fourth year of study.

This means you will be able to develop a better understanding or gain more practical skills in your main field of interest, giving you that boost when you graduate and are looking for work.

Units of interest are also great because they allow you to expand your learning. For example, you may want to include a language unit in your degree to expand your career options after graduation.

The benefit of having more than one elective unit to fill is that you can complete both options, allowing you to build on your targeted skills while learning something else of interest.

If you’re still having trouble deciding, it can be a great option to ask other students about the units you’re tossing up.

While the content of the unit is the most important thing to consider, some students may have found that the tutor was just not the best, or the content had previously been covered in another class.

Get involved in uni Facebook groups and uni forums or ask some of your classmates about their experience to help you decide.

Ultimately, it comes down to exactly what you think will benefit your studies and your future career, so it’s best to go with your gut and what you think you will enjoy.

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