Introduction
In Singapore, where education is so important for all, a university education is very much viewed as a key stepping stone to successful employment and career opportunities. As great of a value that a university degree can bring, there are also some trade-offs to consider, such as the opportunity costs of not working, as well as the hefty tuition fees to fork out.
This is why university degrees can be split broadly into two variations; a Part-time degree and a full-time degree. While both options are offered by local and private universities, a part-time degree is mainly designed to enable working adults to attain a professional degree whilst working. A part time study in singapore has most definitely become an increasingly attractive option for this very reason. If you find yourself conflicted between these two options, then read on to learn about these four factors that you should consider before making a decision.
1. Duration of Degree Programme
Studying for a full-time degree means fully dedicating your time to studying, and this may not be feasible for working adults who don’t have the luxury of time to do so. This is also one of the top reasons where a part-time degree is superior to a full-time one, as pursuing the former can allow you to better juggle your time between work commitments and your academics.
You must take into consideration the duration of the university course, and whether you are capable of committing to completing it. For instance, the duration of the university course would matter greatly for those looking to get married and start a family or for those looking to get posted overseas for work, as you would have to halt such other plans in finishing a longer-duration degree.
Generally, most adults who are already in the workforce would want to finish their studies as fast as possible. If you are one of those, you can consider taking up Birmingham City University’s programs that are offered via Kaplan in Singapore, as they are fast-track programs that will allow you to graduate with direct honors within the span of one year!
2. Total Cost of Degree
When discussing costs, there are two main costs to consider. One would be the cost of tuition fees, and the other are the opportunity costs incurred when choosing to pursue a full-time degree over continuing your work and earning an income.
When it comes to tuition fees, the cost of a degree is indeed very high in Singapore. Tuition fees for the Singapore local universities like NUS and SMU generally range from $8,200 to $12,000 or higher per annum, where the health courses are even more costly. A four-year Arts and Social Sciences course in a local university can cost around $32,800. For SUSS and SIT degree programs, the full course fees can range from around $25,000 to $35,000. These are no small amounts, and which may be a big factor in deciding whether to pursue a university degree or not. It is hence imperative to weigh the costs and benefits carefully before making your decision.
On the other hand, there are also the opportunity costs of giving up the option of working full-time so as to study for your full-time degree, which would mean losing out on the income that you could have earned from working full-time. Those not willing to temporarily halt their working life can thus consider pursuing a part-time degree program, which would allow for you to pay off your tuition fees with the income you earn, effectively enabling you to graduate without the burden of a student loan. This would be an attractive option for those that have nestled comfortably in their job role, but who want to take the step of getting a Bachelor’s Degree for better work opportunities and benefits.
3. Structure of Lessons
The structure of lessons is no doubt very different for a part-time degree versus a full-time degree, where we should expect part-time students to benefit from a course program that is structured around their availability.
It is hence beneficial to take up a part-time degree if you have other commitments like family and work, as you can then design your course structure in a way that best fits your lifestyle. This can mean scheduling your lessons on weekday evenings after work or structuring your modules such that you can focus on completing one at a time. This is completely different from the degree programs that full-time students take, where it is required for these students to take modules simultaneously and to take up to four or even five at one time.
4. Campus Location
For those pursuing full-time degrees, you may not take into consideration the location of your campus as much, due to factors like having the time to travel to school without the burden of any other commitments, as well as the option to stay at in-campus accommodations where applicable. However, this would not be the case for part-time students who are working full-time simultaneously, because it would be too much for those working in the far East side to have to travel all the way to the other side of the island for classes. The location of your university campus is thus a factor that you would have to take into consideration when deciding between a part-time or full-time degree program. Conclusion
There are plenty of educational opportunities as well as programs that you can choose from, be it locally in Singapore or in universities from elsewhere in the world. The question is whether a part-time or full-time degree will better suit your lifestyle needs and commitments, considering the four main factors that we have discussed above; Duration of degree program, costs incurred, course structure, and location of the university campus. Well, the best advice now is to take all the time you need to carefully weigh your costs and benefits, and make a wise choice for yourself! Be sure to explore the different degrees offered as well so that you don’t end up wasting your time and money on the wrong courses.
Conclusion
There are plenty of educational opportunities as well as programs that you can choose from, be it locally in Singapore or in universities from elsewhere in the world. The question is whether a part-time or full-time degree will better suit your lifestyle needs and commitments, considering the four main factors that we have discussed above; Duration of degree program, costs incurred, course structure, and location of the university campus. Well, the best advice now is to take all the time you need to carefully weigh your costs and benefits, and make a wise choice for yourself! Be sure to explore the different degrees offered as well so that you don’t end up wasting your time and money on the wrong courses.