Local / Private

Cynn2016

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Hi all,

I have been struggling to decide if the route for Kaplan is worth it and would like to hear some advices from here. The stigma of private dip/degree is not as recognise as a local one is very common in Singapore.

I am planning to further my degree after my diploma and realise that no local uni will accept Kaplan Diploma. Hence if i were to go on my Kaplan dip, i will end up studying Kaplan degree as well.

The reason i consider Kaplan is because of the shorter time frame to achieve the certificate. Since the cert is more of just a stepping stone in the working society. Will it be worth it? Besides how expensive Kaplan is and how cheaper can a local polytechnic gets, are there any pros and cons in terms of after i get my cert and will the cert be worth?

Hope to get some good advices. :) Thank you!
 

Farannarior

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Hi there , would be great if you could ask the University and the course administrator of the recognition of your diploma. Based on what I know and from friends , from Kaplan you won’t be able to join any local University even the SUSS. What is the diploma course you wish to pursue ?

Hi all,

I have been struggling to decide if the route for Kaplan is worth it and would like to hear some advices from here. The stigma of private dip/degree is not as recognise as a local one is very common in Singapore.

I am planning to further my degree after my diploma and realise that no local uni will accept Kaplan Diploma. Hence if i were to go on my Kaplan dip, i will end up studying Kaplan degree as well.

The reason i consider Kaplan is because of the shorter time frame to achieve the certificate. Since the cert is more of just a stepping stone in the working society. Will it be worth it? Besides how expensive Kaplan is and how cheaper can a local polytechnic gets, are there any pros and cons in terms of after i get my cert and will the cert be worth?

Hope to get some good advices. :) Thank you!
 

Farannarior

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The school fees don’t validate the recognition of the certificate if that’s what you are asking. Joining a local diploma or an institution that specialises in an industry is better and the right choice to make.
A lot of my friends who went to SIM ( not SUSS) after their local diploma, could not land into the same field they studied. And moved on to work in administration side. Something to ponder about too.
My school friends on the other hand, who went to secure SIM courses after their Alevels, end up doing something different too.

The school you go to is so important in Singapore.

Kaplan diplomas are not bad and is still preferred compared to other private schools !

Hi all,

I have been struggling to decide if the route for Kaplan is worth it and would like to hear some advices from here. The stigma of private dip/degree is not as recognise as a local one is very common in Singapore.

I am planning to further my degree after my diploma and realise that no local uni will accept Kaplan Diploma. Hence if i were to go on my Kaplan dip, i will end up studying Kaplan degree as well.

The reason i consider Kaplan is because of the shorter time frame to achieve the certificate. Since the cert is more of just a stepping stone in the working society. Will it be worth it? Besides how expensive Kaplan is and how cheaper can a local polytechnic gets, are there any pros and cons in terms of after i get my cert and will the cert be worth?

Hope to get some good advices. :) Thank you!
 

DestinyDreamer

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It varies widely, and it is also highly dependent on the type of industry. For example, in software engineering, you can easily land a good job if you had a good portfolio, useful mobile application used by tons of people, built professional websites etc. The same goes for art and films.

Pros of Local diploma and degree:
  • Subsidized tuition fees.
  • Better recognition and branding(Easier for you to land your first job in the industry)
  • Stuff learned in school was somewhat relevant (but it won't help you much at work)
Cons of Local diploma and degree:
  • Rigorous programme
  • Requires a lot of hard work and effort, takes a longer duration.
Pros of Private diploma and degree:
  • Short duration, less demanding.
Cons of Private diploma and degree:
  • Programme is not comprehensive
  • Requires a lot of hard work and effort to prove yourself(In order to land your first job with good pay/position)
  • Stigma and discrimination against private graduates will always be present (especially if it's outside of SMEs)
  • Expensive tuition fees
  • Obsolete content with even lesser relevance to the current industry.
In short, get a private diploma or degree if you have already proven yourself at work and just need paper qualifications to get promoted. The other way round will never work, never use your private dip/deg to prove your competencies instead use your leadership skills/experience/actions/portfolio. Local diploma and degree would actually open up more opportunities and options for you.

PS: If you are great at networking with people, and just need the paper qualification it may also work. But the first step is usually the hardest.
 

DataScience

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Generally, try to get a local degree if you can. Unfortunately, there will always be a stigma with private degree, and hence you have to work many times harder than counterparts with local degree to get recognised. Sometimes, you don't even get a chance to prove yourself.
 
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