Trending fields of study for 2027

HEALTH is once again the clear favourite among students applying to start university in 2027, with new data from the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) showing it continues to dominate first-preference choices.

While the top five most popular fields of study remain the same as the last year, Engineering & Related Technologies has jumped ahead of Natural & Physical Sciences to fourth spot.

More than 52,100 applicants have already submitted their university preferences, with 28.4% listing a Health course as their top choice. Society and Culture ranked second, attracting 19.6% of first preferences.

This early data highlights consistent interest in health-related fields such as nursing, medicine and allied health. Top ranking Health courses include Bachelor of Medicine and Medical Science degrees while in the field of Society and Culture, Bachelor of Law degrees rank the 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 so far for 2027. It’s important to note that this is an early indication of interest only, and preferences will continue to change as we get closer to the major offer rounds in December and January.

Field of study at first preference at 30 September 2026

*Society and Culture includes areas of study 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, Senior Media and Communications Officer, UAC on 0436 459 603, or 
Kim Paino, Chief Strategy and Engagement Officer, UAC on 0409 155 112.