Education in Singapore and studying in Australia
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Hi all, really need to ask some questions. Hope anyone of you can reply. (:
I'm currently sitting for my Os (yes I am going to continue mugging after this post). I'm a private candidate (used to be from a rather good govt school but joined a private school due to personal and medical reasons although I'm fine now).
I'm aiming to go into mass comm (hopefully in ngee ann) because I have an interest in it. I will most probably be going to aust to pursue my degree (into a university that recognises the diploma and gives advance standing). First question is : Will the poly accept students from govt schools over private candidates?
I'm hoping that I can get in. Just worried because this is a highly sought after course.
I will have to wait till May until I know if I am accepted.
Another option is to study in Australia by taking a foundation course and then going on to get a degree. However, I'm 17 this year so there's this problem with parents being overprotective and also financial issues. 4 years of studying in aust is going to be very costly. I don't want to be a burden on my family. Will have to get a good study loan if I really want to go. Only advantage is that this will take a shorter time to get a degree and more exposure. But I really don't want to spend unnecessary money.
So...second question is : Which one is the better option?
Also, is it very hard for poly graduates to get into NTU's mass comm degree course?
I know I should'nt be thinking now. My plan is to try if I can get into the poly course and if I can't, then think of another alternative. I'll be checking this post after my Os. So please, reply anyone! Tell me anything else I need to know...
Thank you so muchhhh..` -
I dun see why u shouldn't be a financial burden to your family when u are studying. Dun forget, they will be your financial burden in return after u graduate.Originally posted by fr0z3nfire:Hi all, really need to ask some questions. Hope anyone of you can reply. (:
I'm currently sitting for my Os (yes I am going to continue mugging after this post). I'm a private candidate (used to be from a rather good govt school but joined a private school due to personal and medical reasons although I'm fine now).
I'm aiming to go into mass comm (hopefully in ngee ann) because I have an interest in it. I will most probably be going to aust to pursue my degree (into a university that recognises the diploma and gives advance standing). First question is : Will the poly accept students from govt schools over private candidates?
I'm hoping that I can get in. Just worried because this is a highly sought after course.
I will have to wait till May until I know if I am accepted.
Another option is to study in Australia by taking a foundation course and then going on to get a degree. However, I'm 17 this year so there's this problem with parents being overprotective and also financial issues. 4 years of studying in aust is going to be very costly. I don't want to be a burden on my family. Will have to get a good study loan if I really want to go. Only advantage is that this will take a shorter time to get a degree and more exposure. But I really don't want to spend unnecessary money.
So...second question is : Which one is the better option?
Also, is it very hard for poly graduates to get into NTU's mass comm degree course?
I know I should'nt be thinking now. My plan is to try if I can get into the poly course and if I can't, then think of another alternative. I'll be checking this post after my Os. So please, reply anyone! Tell me anything else I need to know...
Thank you so muchhhh..` -
Q1: Will poly accept students from govt schools over private candidates?Originally posted by fr0z3nfire:Hi all, really need to ask some questions. Hope anyone of you can reply. (:
I'm currently sitting for my Os (yes I am going to continue mugging after this post). I'm a private candidate (used to be from a rather good govt school but joined a private school due to personal and medical reasons although I'm fine now).
I'm aiming to go into mass comm (hopefully in ngee ann) because I have an interest in it. I will most probably be going to aust to pursue my degree (into a university that recognises the diploma and gives advance standing). First question is : Will the poly accept students from govt schools over private candidates?
I'm hoping that I can get in. Just worried because this is a highly sought after course.
I will have to wait till May until I know if I am accepted.
Another option is to study in Australia by taking a foundation course and then going on to get a degree. However, I'm 17 this year so there's this problem with parents being overprotective and also financial issues. 4 years of studying in aust is going to be very costly. I don't want to be a burden on my family. Will have to get a good study loan if I really want to go. Only advantage is that this will take a shorter time to get a degree and more exposure. But I really don't want to spend unnecessary money.
So...second question is : Which one is the better option?
Also, is it very hard for poly graduates to get into NTU's mass comm degree course?
I know I should'nt be thinking now. My plan is to try if I can get into the poly course and if I can't, then think of another alternative. I'll be checking this post after my Os. So please, reply anyone! Tell me anything else I need to know...
Thank you so muchhhh..`
Ans: No, they go by O level results, just register with them.
Q2: worried because this is a highly sought after course?
Ans: Not really, see ur cohort, every year varies, don't wan to take the risk then get a good O's results.
Q3: Which one is the better option?
Ans: I came from a poor family too, i am like u too at ur age, but after giving some thoughts, i better not waste the money coz my younger siblings need the money. And i hate the borrowing part for overseas study, coz the one offered by OCBC and DBS have high interest rate.
Q4: Also, is it very hard for poly graduates to get into NTU's mass comm degree course?
Ans: yes very hard
Just study hard for now, if u wan to enter ntu com study, then go through the A level way and get straight A's -
Money is the key for everything. Knowing Mass Comm is the direction you are heading is good for your age.
If financially is possible, I suggest you go Aust for your studies. I have friends that took the road to Aust for their studies and they have not regretted. In fact, one even complains why she spent 1 year in NUS, wasting of her time. Oversea Uni will provide you will a different studies environment. U r away from your family and friends and you learn to be independent. U will have less distraction and study better. U get to know other country cultures and might not want to come back to Singapore again. Who knows !!!!
Study in Singapore, provide less burden on financial. But you lost the opportunity to explore life.
We live only ONCE. Seize the day when it is young.
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Almost accurate in these answers. However, if your aim is to do well to get to NTU right from the start, I don't see why it's hard for poly grads to get into NTU's Mass comm. At least there were people I knew who had made it and it was 99% PERSPIRATION.Originally posted by ricklee:Q1: Will poly accept students from govt schools over private candidates?
Ans: No, they go by O level results, just register with them.
Q2: worried because this is a highly sought after course?
Ans: Not really, see ur cohort, every year varies, don't wan to take the risk then get a good O's results.
Q3: Which one is the better option?
Ans: I came from a poor family too, i am like u too at ur age, but after giving some thoughts, i better not waste the money coz my younger siblings need the money. And i hate the borrowing part for overseas study, coz the one offered by OCBC and DBS have high interest rate.
Q4: Also, is it very hard for poly graduates to get into NTU's mass comm degree course?
Ans: yes very hard
Just study hard for now, if u wan to enter ntu com study, then go through the A level way and get straight A's
As a student who was from poly before coming to Aust, I feel that you should do the course in Poly first before deciding to come over. When you are here, what you learn about is in Australia context, Australian perspectives. Unless you want to reside here, you should have a better view of SIngapore's context before coming here to further for future referencing. Being independent at 17 is hard. Trust me. Get more exposed in singapore first, If you are one who has freedom at home, basically independent. There isan't a need to learn to be independent. To me, life back home where my close knitted family and close relationships are far more important at the age of 17. Foundation to support is very important because no matter how enjoyable and friendships here are, they stay in this country. for survival sake to tell you the truth. many who came here are people who felt trapped at home, didn't have that "freedom" to begin with hence wanting to escape. Those who had that freedom longed for home. Though monetary terms are captivating as well, it is a matter of priority. My poly lecturer was here to do a PhD but chose to go back midway because of her family longing for her. Though scholarship was offered, she said something powerful "Husband and family, she only has one. But to study, opportunities are everywhere."
you are still young, experiencing life can wait for 3 years can't you? Relationships take more time to develop. SO it depends on you and your priorities.
Oh yah. one thing to remind you, if you want to come here and study, be sure that you can write convincing and powerful argumentative essays. If not, a degree with passable results, I don't think is supposingly good. Poly days had taught me to do research and write better essays than I would in Sec school. and for you the transition is huge if you r thinking of doing foundation years. PLS don't think that Aussie life is easy to deal with and studying is no sweat. Perspiration is more than what a poly day would need. -
i am graduating from university soon, i would really say singapore uni really is very stressful one, but it doesn't mean going to Oz uni will be easy either. Oz uni's emphasis on a different kind of education, 50% assignment, 50% exam. In my opinion their education is really more enriching. In the sense that u really learn more things there. Can u imagine i took 8 modules average every sem for 7 sems excluding industrial attachment. This is life in spore uni. Money a very important factor i would say.
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your chances of going into poly is as good as those from govt schools because U will be fighting for your chances with them in the same JAE.Originally posted by fr0z3nfire:Hi all, really need to ask some questions. Hope anyone of you can reply. (:
I'm currently sitting for my Os (yes I am going to continue mugging after this post). I'm a private candidate (used to be from a rather good govt school but joined a private school due to personal and medical reasons although I'm fine now).
I'm aiming to go into mass comm (hopefully in ngee ann) because I have an interest in it. I will most probably be going to aust to pursue my degree (into a university that recognises the diploma and gives advance standing). First question is : Will the poly accept students from govt schools over private candidates?
I'm hoping that I can get in. Just worried because this is a highly sought after course.
I will have to wait till May until I know if I am accepted.
Another option is to study in Australia by taking a foundation course and then going on to get a degree. However, I'm 17 this year so there's this problem with parents being overprotective and also financial issues. 4 years of studying in aust is going to be very costly. I don't want to be a burden on my family. Will have to get a good study loan if I really want to go. Only advantage is that this will take a shorter time to get a degree and more exposure. But I really don't want to spend unnecessary money.
So...second question is : Which one is the better option?
Also, is it very hard for poly graduates to get into NTU's mass comm degree course?
poly graduates can go into university based on academic merit. -
Hmmmmzzz.Originally posted by fr0z3nfire:Hi all, really need to ask some questions. Hope anyone of you can reply. (:
I'm currently sitting for my Os (yes I am going to continue mugging after this post). I'm a private candidate (used to be from a rather good govt school but joined a private school due to personal and medical reasons although I'm fine now).
I'm aiming to go into mass comm (hopefully in ngee ann) because I have an interest in it. I will most probably be going to aust to pursue my degree (into a university that recognises the diploma and gives advance standing). First question is : Will the poly accept students from govt schools over private candidates?
I'm hoping that I can get in. Just worried because this is a highly sought after course.
I will have to wait till May until I know if I am accepted.
Another option is to study in Australia by taking a foundation course and then going on to get a degree. However, I'm 17 this year so there's this problem with parents being overprotective and also financial issues. 4 years of studying in aust is going to be very costly. I don't want to be a burden on my family. Will have to get a good study loan if I really want to go. Only advantage is that this will take a shorter time to get a degree and more exposure. But I really don't want to spend unnecessary money.
So...second question is : Which one is the better option?
Also, is it very hard for poly graduates to get into NTU's mass comm degree course?
I know I should'nt be thinking now. My plan is to try if I can get into the poly course and if I can't, then think of another alternative. I'll be checking this post after my Os. So please, reply anyone! Tell me anything else I need to know...
Thank you so muchhhh..`
summary:
(+) More exposure to white ways of life by being there
(-) u may get in social/rootedness conflict should u not wanna come back or if u get picked up by an aussie.
(+) better education system
(+) Possibility of permanent staying there = chance to skip ns
(-) conflict over $ wiht ur family should ur career not work out..
You should go abroad coz its better overseas. And more importantly, it may be ur only chance to get abroad and STAYabroad should u want to. Easier to get green card in white countries as a student than if ur a foreigner should u develop in SG (asian country). So depends on where u wanna live in future and where u see ur life ending up.
Historically, SG has no proper/credible mass comm aura/association as much as Oz, i mean look at shitty local ads.. plus the CENSORSHIP and stuff. Plus the actual MODE of education is authoritarian..
if u make it in oz, u could try and skip ns..
If u were in oz, if u are female, u run the risk/bonus (no offence to anyone) of being chased by aussie males and settling down and stuff.. beautiful children and all, but conflicting family/cultural/stuff as i have seen from some of my friends..
Now about money.. yeah if u get a study loan u will be BONDED to someone to pay off da loan.. which sucks, but at least u'll get guaranteed employment if ur bonded to ur sponsor.
Now about local universities accepting students.. Hey if u make the grade, u will get in. Meritocratic society
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I am too torn by this decision...
It is my greatest wish to leave Singapore and go to a place like Australia to study.... I even have 2 years exemption and doing a course I really want.. but my parents just couldn't afford it... I am not sure whether I can take a loan.. how are the interest rate like if I take a huge study loan?
I've got a place in NUS doing a general degree course.. something I do not really want and it's a 3-4 years course... I don't like the education system in Singapore, I don't think I can take another year in Singapore studying.. it is so stressful....
My parents do not like the idea of me going overseas. They thinks that Singapore degrees are better but it is not true... They always told me they couldn't afford it... and it is not their fault but I just need to experience the once in a lifetime chance for me to leave here and start afresh in another country.. another country that I think I wouldn't be so stress... anyway, for me.. I am and will always think that if you got the chance, go overseas... local unis are crap... most people don't even know where Singapore is.... -
Stop MOANING, if u wan to study, paid for it yrself.Originally posted by kindaichi83:I am too torn by this decision...
Ur parents don't owe you anything.... -
As a student currently studying Mass Communications at Ngee Ann Poly, I can tell you that as long as you possess that unique factor in you, and have sufficient 'O' level grades, especially in English, your chances of getting into the course should be moderately high.
I was like you, planning to go to Australia to study a foundation course first before embarking for a Mass Com degree. But on hindsight, coming to Ngee Ann's mass com was the ideal decision, since it will allow you to gain a solid foundation in the dynamics of Mass Communication first. Trust me, you'll have hardly any regrets banging for this course if your interest in it is overwhelming.
Hope to see you next year, heh. -
poly grad who come into ntu will find it hard to cope so must work harder cos their maths foundation is very much weaker than those A levels one.
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studying in oz? school fees is one thing. accommodation is another. food and drink, shoppings all must be counted. u will need to fork out alot of money. unless u can get scholarship or sponsorship from somewhere then it's okie. but if u become aussie permanent resident..then ur school fees will be cheaper..the same as aussie citizen..
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Studying in Oz is tough I tell you. You need to be mentally prepared. Its not easy life. You have to study and make time to care for yourself. If got chance to go local, go for it. The students here pay only a few hundred less than international students, they're not happy with their own education system. We pay so much to study in their country, they pay just a little less. The thing is that the Oz government is still raising the cost of education here, no one is happy.
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If your parents cannot afford to send u overseas, then u have to work hard to get into Ngee Ann Poly. U must get good aggregates in "O' level & be strong in Eng. (preferably get A).
Finish poly, then try for NTU. If cannot, then work & save up for U. in Australia.
Don't depend on yr parents cos not every parents have the means or willingly to sacrifice. Don't blame them cos there are many instances of kids wasting their hard-earned money. -
Not really ..Originally posted by ditzy:Studying in Oz is tough I tell you. You need to be mentally prepared. Its not easy life. You have to study and make time to care for yourself. If got chance to go local, go for it. The students here pay only a few hundred less than international students, they're not happy with their own education system. We pay so much to study in their country, they pay just a little less. The thing is that the Oz government is still raising the cost of education here, no one is happy.
MBBS for foreigners - 46K +per year
MBBS for locals - 8K+ per year (under CSP scheme)
LLB for foreigners - 22K per year
LLB for locals - 8k+ per year
my masters - 8K+ per year
Foreigners taking my masters - 14k per year
Big difference. The locals are making noise because they didn't do well and they want to do the specific course. The uni say ok we charge u full fee like international student to compensate for the lack of inadequacies ....so local make noise say We want to pay CSP prices. Hence the fight goes on between the intellectually compromised and the university.
Anyways I think australian education is good in a way . They are meant to be practical and encourage you to explore issues. In poly, I remember I deviated from the textbook and used refereed journal articles to argue a point.....nearly flunk...why? Lecturer say I never follow or used textbook. In australia, they accept your argument if you can substantiate it. In Singapore, lecturers only think one way so u have to follow that one way. -
foods more expensive in oz.
if you cant adapt quick, dont bother.
study/teaching methods are heaps different......you dont get spoon fed.
its probably better than singapores education system too. -
Hmm..actually i had this idea that i paid much more than the local students. But the difference for upfront paying local students are not much cheaper. I think they are arguing that HECS places are getting fewer and more competitive.Originally posted by fymk:Not really ..
MBBS for foreigners - 46K +per year
MBBS for locals - 8K+ per year (under CSP scheme)
LLB for foreigners - 22K per year
LLB for locals - 8k+ per year
my masters - 8K+ per year
Foreigners taking my masters - 14k per year
Big difference. The locals are making noise because they didn't do well and they want to do the specific course. The uni say ok we charge u full fee like international student to compensate for the lack of inadequacies ....so local make noise say We want to pay CSP prices. Hence the fight goes on between the intellectually compromised and the university.
Anyways I think australian education is good in a way . They are meant to be practical and encourage you to explore issues. In poly, I remember I deviated from the textbook and used refereed journal articles to argue a point.....nearly flunk...why? Lecturer say I never follow or used textbook. In australia, they accept your argument if you can substantiate it. In Singapore, lecturers only think one way so u have to follow that one way.
Anyway, point is ... ... i find that a lot of us have trouble adapting to self research and stuff. Not that i did much in my days, but like I did SIM in first year and moved over here in second. I nearly died, went from DI average to PA/CR.. i was devastated.. but i found my ground during my co-op year, came back, finished the last year with distinction.
Point is... you can work if you're in Australia.. but don't rely on it 100% of cos. Think of it as a supplement. Talk to the aussies... that's how I got one of my part time jobs. Ended up loving it too much to leave. I cried leaving that darn cafe when i got my 'real job'. Now i wish i could go back to waitressing.
ANyway i'm sure everyone has heard my waitressing and ticket selling stories. But.. i certainly was able to make ends meet. But of cos.. thank you so much mum. I love you for sending me here. That's my story in a nutshell. -
currently i'm finishing my studies in australia and i can tell you that i have not a single regret
the experiences are different, unique and well worth it
yes it costs a sum of money but if you can get a loan for the studies, things will work themselves out
i hate to say this but after spending a good number of years here i have decided that i wouldnt not want to start my adult life in singapore for many many reasons, maybe i'm too adapt to the life style and culture here
its abit slower, more relaxed and if you can cope with the fact that nothing here moves quite as fast as singapore, oz might be a good choice for you
of course there are always those who cant cope with the new enironment and they quit half way, well i guess its their loss then...
just telling you that so your aware that theres always those who dont embrace changes and cant take the heat
but if you can take it, some way or another it'll make you a better person
just my 2 cents -
yea studying there is a good choice, but be careful of which university you choose. if its aus make sure its a good aus uni like ANU or U Melbourne and not like james cook or flinders or wollogong.
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1 way will be to do the 1st yr in Sg before flying over to Aus for the remainding 2 yrs . That way u can save some cost as well as get the "oversea" experiences..Originally posted by kindaichi83:I am too torn by this decision...
It is my greatest wish to leave Singapore and go to a place like Australia to study.... I even have 2 years exemption and doing a course I really want.. but my parents just couldn't afford it... I am not sure whether I can take a loan.. how are the interest rate like if I take a huge study loan?
I've got a place in NUS doing a general degree course.. something I do not really want and it's a 3-4 years course... I don't like the education system in Singapore, I don't think I can take another year in Singapore studying.. it is so stressful....
My parents do not like the idea of me going overseas. They thinks that Singapore degrees are better but it is not true... They always told me they couldn't afford it... and it is not their fault but I just need to experience the once in a lifetime chance for me to leave here and start afresh in another country.. another country that I think I wouldn't be so stress... anyway, for me.. I am and will always think that if you got the chance, go overseas... local unis are crap... most people don't even know where Singapore is....
There are many instit which has Aus-related courses. And once u enroll as a student, it'll not be difficult to transfer over the uni there.
Eg. SIM (RMIT ), PSB (UWA), MDIS -
Hey thank you all so much for the advice. Really appreciate it.
Made up my mind to go to poly first and then see if I can get into a local U. If not, I'll just go to Aust to continue to get my degree. (:
Seriously do not want to burden my parents and if I do go to aust to get my degree, I will also get the chance to experience everything you guys are saying. Someone was right. Get a solid foundation here first then think about furthering my studies in aust. It'll probably come as a culture/lifestyle/everything shock to me if I were to suddenly put myself in Aust considering I'm still quite young.
Thanks for the valuable advice.
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i didnt study hard for my o's so really hoping to barely scrap past to a jc..then must start to mug for a lvls if not i wont stand a chance of entering the Us i want..hiah..
