The three types of people who choose a short course

Thinking of enrolling in a short course? You’re in good company.
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There has been a significant rise in the number of short courses available in the arts in recent years. Such courses fill an important need in the ever-changing context of contemporary employment, where industries evolve quickly and employers find themselves needing to upskill so they can stay on top of new developments.

But that’s not the only type of person who enrols in a short course. According to RMIT, there are three types of people who complete the institution’s short courses — and their lesser known cousin, the single course.

Whether you are in need of some new skills for work, or just want to follow your passion, you’re not alone.

1. The hobbyist

You work in the creative or media industries, but also juggle various side projects that you’re passionate about, such as amateur photography or film making. Whatever the medium, lately you’ve found yourself considering a course that will strengthen your experience — and you’re keen to try applying these at your day job too.

Courses for you:

People and Portrait Photography

Introduction to Jewellery Design and Making

2. The upskiller

You’re a media and communication professional, but lately you’ve been thinking about career progression and how you are going to get that promotion. Upskilling for the role is on your mind and, while you have a basic understanding of Photoshop, you really want to expand your knowledge. A friend suggested you try a short course but you have some questions about how you’ll juggle this around full time work and want a course that is close to work in the city.

Course for you:

Adobe Suite for Design and Presentation

3. The questioner

You loved studying at university and sometimes entertain the idea of going back and studying urban design or psychology. But you don’t want to leave your job and committing to another three years of study isn’t possible for you. Still, you miss the intellectual stimulation and ideas, and you wish you could study one subject to inspire you and get you thinking differently. Luckily a friend told you about these new “single courses”, where you can take the same subjects as university students and don’t have to be enrolled in a full degree.

Single courses for you:

Future Design Contexts

Origins and Development of Urban Planning

Sustainable Futures

Foundations of Psychology

To find out more about short and single courses at RMIT in 2018, read the latest short course guide.

Brooke Boland
About the Author
Brooke Boland is a freelance writer based on the South Coast of NSW. She has a PhD in literature from the University of NSW. You can find her on Instagram @southcoastwriter.