Entry requirements to a local university is quite competitive. Not everyone who graduates from a JC or polytechnic may be able to enrol in a course of their choice for local universities.
Rather than studying in a course and thereafter working in a sector in which they are not interested, there are two alternative options to pursue a degree. The first is to go overseas to study, where they may be able to qualify for the course of their choice. However, this option is costly, especially given the elevated living expenses abroad, and not everyone can afford this.
A more affordable option compared to studying overseas is to study in a private university in Singapore. Some of these private universities offer accelerated pathways to a degree through their own diploma programs. Others offer top-up courses, which take in students who have a relevant prior qualification such as a previous diploma, and these top-up courses typically award a degree within 1-2 years of coursework.
Those who wish to can use this excel sheet to compare courses and fees across the different private universities.
Read Also: NUS, NTU, SMU, SUTD, SIT & SUSS: Complete Guide For Local University Courses Fees And How Much Starting Salary You Will Earn As A Fresh Graduate
Parkway College of Nursing and Allied Health
Parkway College of Nursing and Allied Health is a private institution which focuses entirely on healthcare. It offers a 3-year Bachelor of Science (Hons) In Diagnostic Radiography and Imaging, which is awarded by the University of Hetfordshire (UK).
Course Fee (3 years): $77,698
Singapore Institute Of Management Global Education (SIMGE)
SIMGE offers courses in Business, Computer Science, Arts and Nursing. Refer to this list for the full list of courses.
SIMGE works with the following partner universities:
- Grenoble Ecole De Management
- La Trobe University
- RMIT University
- University At Buffalo
- University Of Birmingham
- University of London
- University of Stirling
- University Of Wollongong
Most courses in SIMGE are full-time courses, however, some are also offered as part-time courses. Some courses offer the possibility of taking a double major, but these courses are also more expensive and will take longer to complete compared to their single major counterparts.
The course fees for SIM are estimated since part of the course fees are payable to the partner university and are subject to changes in exchange rates.
Read Also: How Much Does An Australian University Degree Cost For International Students
Management Development Institute Of Singapore (MDIS)
MDIS offers degrees from Business, Engineering, Fashion & Design, Biomedical Science, Media, Healthcare, Psychology, Information Technology, Tourism & Hospitality, and Safety, Health and Environmental Management.
MDIS partners with the following universities:
- University of Sunderland
- Teesside University
- Bangor University
- Edinburgh University
- University of Central Oklahoma
- Northumbria University
- Leeds Beckett University
- University of Roehampton
MDIS offers foundation and diploma courses, which can be used to fulfil the pre-requisite criteria for the degree and top-up degree programmes.
Some degree programmes in MDIS allow for direct entry into the or third year of qualifications, depending on prior qualifications. For instance, a student who has completed their A-levels or has done a related polytechnic diploma may be able to qualify to enrol directly into the second or third year.
Course fees vary depending on the course as well as the year of entry. The course fees are roughly $10,000-$16,000 per year, with the most expensive course (Psychology) costing $47,960 for 27 months of full-time study.
Kaplan Higher Education Academy
Kaplan offers degrees in Business, Law, Early Childhood, Psychology, Tourism & Hospitality, Computer Science, Psychology and Sports Science, and it partners the following universities to offer these courses:
- Birmingham City University
- Monash University
- Northumbria University
- Murdoch University
- RMIT University
- University Of London
- University College Dublin
- University Of Essex
- University Of Portsmouth
Note that while Birmingham City University and Murdoch University offer programmes in Law, these programmes do not meet the requirements to be a qualified person for the Bar in Singapore.
Course durations are between 12 months to 25 months, and courses cost between $13,270.75 to $39,420.00.
Read Also: How Much Do Polytechnic & ITE Graduates Earn – And How Much Less Do They Get Compared To University Graduates
PSB Academy
PSB Academy offers degree programmes in Accounting and Finance, Business Management, Engineering, Safety, Computer Science, Life Science, Mass Communication, Nursing and Sports Science.
PSB Academy partners with the following universities:
- University of Newcastle, Australia
- Coventry University
- La Trobe University
- University of Hertfordshire
- Edinburgh Napier University
- Edith Cowan University
Course duration is between 1-2 years for most courses. However, some double major courses will need an additional year to complete.
James Cook University
James Cook University does work with partner universities to offer their courses. It offers Business, Commerce, Cybersecurity, Economics, IT, Psychology, Science, and Tourism courses. Some of these courses have different specialisations, however they cost the same across the different specialisations.
Course durations are 24 months, except for Bachelor of Psychological Science, which offers a honours year for an additional 12 months of study. Course fees range from $62,130 to $64,746.
Curtin Education Centre
Curtin offers courses in Communications, Commerce, IT and Nursing, delivering its own courses without working with partner universities. It has its own diploma courses which allow students to enter Year 2 of their degree studies after Stage 2 of the diploma. The nursing course is a top-up course for nurses who are already registered to upgrade to a degree.
Source: Curtin
While each of the degree programmes has its own specialisations, the tuition fee remains the same within the course.
Read Also: University Buying Guide 2022: 5 Laptop Recommendations Under $2,500 For University Students
Advantages Of Studying In A Private University
While university brand name matters in the university degree, not everyone has the same circumstances. Private universities offer the potential to complete the degree within 1-2 years for most courses, which will allow the individual to start finding a job earlier.
While Law courses in private universities will not qualify an individual for the Bar, they can still work in the legal sector.
In other sectors, while employers may not value a private university degree as much as a local university degree, job prospects and career progression may be even more limited with just a diploma. The median gross monthly salary for private university graduates in the 2021/2022 cohorts was $3,200, which is still higher than $2,800 for Polytechnic Graduates.
Regardless, the degree is perhaps most useful in getting the first and perhaps even the second job opportunity. While a better degree will put an individual at an advantage, there is no shortage of opportunities for someone to prove themselves at work.
Read Also: Complete Guide To Using Your CPF To Pay For University And Polytechnic Fees Under The CPF Education Loan Scheme
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