20 Oct 2025
Media releases
Trending fields of study for uni in 2026
HEALTH remains the clear favourite among students applying for university in 2026, with new data from the Universities Admissions Centre showing it continues to dominate first-preference choices.
More than 68,600 early-bird applicants have already submitted their university preferences, with 26.6% listing a Health course as their top choice. Society and Culture ranked second, attracting 19.6% of first preferences.
The data highlights consistent interest in health-related fields such as nursing, medicine and allied health, while areas linked to community and social engagement also remain strong.
Top ranking Health courses include Bachelor of Medicine and Medical Science degrees while in Society and Culture, Bachelor of Law degrees rank highest.
A full breakdown of first preferences by field of study, including comparisons with last year’s figures, along with charts analysing gender, age and field of study trends, is available on UAC’s website.
The table below shows the most popular fields of study among early-bird applicants so far for 2026.
Field of study by first preference at early bird closing*
| Field of study | Percentage of first preferences 2025 | Percentage of first preferences 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Health | 26.6 | 25.8 |
Society & Culture# | 19.6 | 20.0 |
| Management & Commerce | 13.2 | 13.4 |
| Natural & Physical Sciences | 10.1 | 10.1 |
| Engineering & Related Technologies | 10.2 | 9.7 |
| Creative Arts | 6.0 | 6.5 |
| Education | 5.5 | 5.0 |
| Architecture & Building | 4.0 | 4.1 |
| Information Technology | 3.4 | 4.0 |
| Agriculture, Environmental & Related Studies | 1.1 | 1.0 |
| Mixed Field Programs | <0.5 | <0.5 |
| Food, Hospitality & Personal Services | <0.5 | <0.5 |
*30 September 2025.
#Society and Culture includes areas of study commonly taught in arts faculties such as philosophy, politics, history, sociology and languages, law, psychology, social work and counselling, and economics.
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For further information (media only) email media@uac.edu.au or contact:
Diane Jardine, Communications Coordinator, UAC on 0436 459 603, or
Peter Gangemi, Acting Chief Strategy and Engagement Officer, UAC on 0419 429 095.