Kaplan - UniSA part-time degree programmes

[Kaplan Consultant]

UniSA - Uni of South Australia
> a top 200 University in Engrg & Technology (QS world university ranking 2011)
> all engineering degrees are accredited by Engineers Australia
> more than 10 years of partnership with Kaplan
> direct entry into 3rd year for relevant polytechnic holders

List of Engineering/Arts bachelor degrees:
- Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical) EL
- Bachelor of Engineering (Electronics) EE
- Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical) ML
- Bachelor of Engineering (Telecommunications) TL
- Bachelor of Arts (Communication & Media Management) BA

Upcoming intakes in Mar (ML) & May (EE/EL/TL/BA). Sign up now and receive an exclusive Kaplan thumbdrive (while stocks last).

 

[paper-weights]

what's the difference between the engineering courses offered by kaplan and mdis? deciding between the 2... not sure which one to go for.

 

[Kaplan Consultant]

Hi paper-weights,

1) Firstly, UniSA BEng programs with Kaplan Singapore, are all accredited by Engineers Australia. MDIS programs with the University of Bradford in Singapore, are not accredited by any professional accreditation board.

2) Secondly, UniSA BEng program has established itself for more than 10 years in Singapore, with many graduates from this program. MDIS University of Bradford program kicked off its first intake last year (no graduates as of now)

3) UniSA programs are 100% faculty taught, whereas MDIS programs are 100% taught by local lecturers.

These are some of the main differences between Kaplan and MDIS' engineering courses. Hope you find the information above useful.

 

[Kyoji83]

Correction. MDIS-University of Bradford is accredited by Professional accreditation.

Eg: BEng(Mech) is accredited by Institution of Mechanical Engineers.


University of Bradford Professional accreditation

• Institute of Engineering and Technology
• Institution of Mechanical Engineers
• The Institution of Structural Engineers
• Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation
• Institution of Civil Engineers
• Institute of Highway Engineers

1) Firstly, UniSA BEng programs with Kaplan Singapore, are all accredited by Engineers Australia. MDIS programs with the University of Bradford in Singapore, are not accredited by any professional accreditation board.

 

[sdh1234]

if there is a mistake on accreditation info, I hope that this Kaplan consultant will amend his/her earlier post on that. Otherwise, its quite misleading to readers or interested students in this forum.

Hi paper-weights,

1) Firstly, UniSA BEng programs with Kaplan Singapore, are all accredited by Engineers Australia. MDIS programs with the University of Bradford in Singapore, are not accredited by any professional accreditation board.

2) Secondly, UniSA BEng program has established itself for more than 10 years in Singapore, with many graduates from this program. MDIS University of Bradford program kicked off its first intake last year (no graduates as of now)

3) UniSA programs are 100% faculty taught, whereas MDIS programs are 100% taught by local lecturers.

These are some of the main differences between Kaplan and MDIS' engineering courses. Hope you find the information above useful.

 

[Kaplan Consultant]

Hi sdh1234,

Just a clarification on our part:

The on-campus University of Bradford Bachelor of Engineering programs are accredited by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.

However, for University of South Australia's Bachelor of Engineering programs, both the on-campus and Kaplan Singapore's pathways have been professionally accredited.

 

[Rvfians]

Do you mean that off campus course for Uni of Bradford is not accredited by Institution of Mechanical Engineers?

Hi sdh1234,

Just a clarification on our part:

The on-campus University of Bradford Bachelor of Engineering programs are accredited by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.

However, for University of South Australia's Bachelor of Engineering programs, both the on-campus and Kaplan Singapore's pathways have been professionally accredited.

 

[Rvfians]

As such, all engineering graduates from UniSA irregardless of the pathways can qualify to become PE?

Hi sdh1234,

Just a clarification on our part:

The on-campus University of Bradford Bachelor of Engineering programs are accredited by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.

However, for University of South Australia's Bachelor of Engineering programs, both the on-campus and Kaplan Singapore's pathways have been professionally accredited.

 

[Kaplan Consultant]

Hi Rvfians,

Engineering graduates from UniSA Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical/ Electrical/ Electronics/Telecomm) program, will be registered as a PE with Engineers Australia, regardless if they studied in Australia or in Singapore.

The UniSA Bachelor of Engineering program, has established itself in Singapore for more than 10 years with high number of students and graduates across its cohorts. Should you be interested to find out more about this program, do feel free to register for our upcoming preview session!

 

[Kyoji83]

In short, Kaplan-UniSA BEng cannot become a PE with Professional Engineers Board Singapore.

Hi Rvfians,

Engineering graduates from UniSA Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical/ Electrical/ Electronics/Telecomm) program, will be registered as a PE with Engineers Australia, regardless if they studied in Australia or in Singapore.

The UniSA Bachelor of Engineering program, has established itself in Singapore for more than 10 years with high number of students and graduates across its cohorts. Should you be interested to find out more about this program, do feel free to register for our upcoming preview session!

 

[Kyoji83]

Kaplan-UniSA BEng cannot become a PE with Professional Engineers Board Singapore.

However, it is simple to check with MDIS, University of Bradford or Institution of Mechanical Engineers if their D/L BEng (Mech) is accredited by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.

To add on, my understanding for D/L BEng is mostly accredited to become a PE in their own country. Only PEB Sg have the problem of not recognizing D/L BEng for PE application & Exams.

Hi sdh1234,

Just a clarification on our part:

The on-campus University of Bradford Bachelor of Engineering programs are accredited by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.

However, for University of South Australia's Bachelor of Engineering programs, both the on-campus and Kaplan Singapore's pathways have been professionally accredited.

 

[Rvfians]

Hi Kaplan Consultant,

Perhapes you can advise on this matter.

In short, Kaplan-UniSA BEng cannot become a PE with Professional Engineers Board Singapore.

 

[Kaplan Consultant]

Hi Rvfians,

To find out more on the criteria to become a Professional Engineer (PE) in Singapore, you may want to refer to the Professional Engineers Board (PEB) website for more information.

 

[Kyoji83]

Aiya. I just give the answer since you cannot give a better answer. For those who wish to become a Prof Engr from PEB Sg by D/L BEng: Sorry, you cannot be one.

PEB - PE Registration Examinations

In general, the Board does not consider qualifications obtained from distance learning, twinning programs or programs that are not approved as meeting the prescribed requirements.

 

[Rvfians]

Kaplan consultant mentioned that the certificate obtained will be the same as on campus.

Aiya. I just give the answer since you cannot give a better answer. For those who wish to become a Prof Engr from PEB Sg by D/L BEng: Sorry, you cannot be one.

PEB - PE Registration Examinations

In general, the Board does not consider qualifications obtained from distance learning, twinning programs or programs that are not approved as meeting the prescribed requirements.

 

[Rvfians]

Even Govt is going to recognise external law degree. Hence,they should also look into engineering degree as well.

 

[Kyoji83]

1) Ask Kaplan consultant to give you an answer.

2) My explanation to you will be:

Kaplan, UniSA & PEB Sg is an Org by their own.

What Kaplan promise to their pre-students/students does not mean PEB Sg have to accept it by honours Kaplan promise to their pre-students/students unless PEB Sg & Kaplan have an agreement.

PEB Sg recognize on campus UniSA BEng but there is not agreement between PEB Sg & UniSA. So one day PEB Sg can just don't recognize UniSA BEng & UniSA cannot do anything about it.

This is like if one day, a company tell their HR/Hiring Manager/Recruiter that I do not wish to employ candidates from UniSA, no one can do anything.

This is not about discrimination cause it is not about age/gender/race/religion/etc. So really, it is all about business.

What Kaplan can do is to work with PEB Sg to recognize D/L BEng but it is all about $ & accountable to higher management which is Govt. So I don't think Kaplan give 'buy' recognize from PEB Sg & PEB Sg/Govt will not approve it anytime soon.

Kaplan consultant mentioned that the certificate obtained will be the same as on campus.

 

[Kyoji83]

They are at reviewing stage & not even planing or implementing stage yet. They may or may not be going to recognise external law degree. Link: Law Ministry to review criteria of lawyers qualifying to practice - Channel NewsAsia

Base on this quote from Law Minister ["I think to re-look not just at external law degrees but also at the needs of the smaller law firms. How we can get people who have the aspirations to become lawyers, but who can't afford to go overseas?], some even feel that our Minister of Law hinted that they are considering to expand the number of degrees recognised. Link: http://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/degree-programs-courses-70/queries-doing-law-uk-3633236.html

This mean that it can be recognizing law degree to be call to bar from neighbor countries such as Malaysia, India & etc. They can also allow UniSIM to have law course & expand the number of seats in local uni to read law. It is all about guessing cause the results is not out yet.

But one thing I know is supply & demand. If over supply of law graduates, employer (firms) may chose a better one such as on campus graduate over external or D/L graduates cause this is a Prof degree & not just a general degree like business.

Why? The reason is because in NUS, there are courses such as Negotiation where it is important as lawyers commonly engage in negotiation as part of their practice. But external UOL LLB do not have such course to equip the graduate to use the skill in bar. Link for NUS LLB course: NUS - Faculty of Law : Asia's Global Law School

Even Govt is going to recognise external law degree. Hence,they should also look into engineering degree as well.

 

[Kyoji83]

To add on, BEng is a Prof degree & not just a general degree like business. I agree that PEB Sg should recognize D/L degree to be allow to go for PE Exams. However maybe PEB Sg is looking a bigger pictures or debating points that needs to account to their higher management? Eg:

BEng is normally a 4 years course. After discount for 'foundation' year aka 1st year which you have learn in Dip course, you still left 3 years course which have so many theory & practical lessons.

However D/L degree mostly offer 1 to 2 years BEng course which you are shortchange 1 to 2 years of undergraduate course to apply the skill & knowledge to your job as Engineer.

We all know that our 4 years of working experiences as Engineer will never be able to cover all part of Engineering which we are major in.

So if I do not have working experiences or studies in my BEng course but I manage to pass PE Exams & become a Prof Engr, will other people who know about this call the PE Exam as crap & the person who set & approval the Exams are not professional at all?

Even Govt is going to recognise external law degree. Hence,they should also look into engineering degree as well.

 

[Rvfians]

I understand PEB will review their policies from time to time.Do you know when will be the next review?

By the way if you have an engineering dip background,you only need to study 2 years to grad with a BEng (Hons) if you go Oz or UK. End of the day, you can still enrol with PEB.Therefore,the duration like what you have mentioned should not be a key factor as long the duration is reasonable eg 2 years and above should be ok.

To add on, BEng is a Prof degree & not just a general degree like business. I agree that PEB Sg should recognize D/L degree to be allow to go for PE Exams. However maybe PEB Sg is looking a bigger pictures or debating points that needs to account to their higher management? Eg:

BEng is normally a 4 years course. After discount for 'foundation' year aka 1st year which you have learn in Dip course, you still left 3 years course which have so many theory & practical lessons.

However D/L degree mostly offer 1 to 2 years BEng course which you are shortchange 1 to 2 years of undergraduate course to apply the skill & knowledge to your job as Engineer.

We all know that our 4 years of working experiences as Engineer will never be able to cover all part of Engineering which we are major in.

So if I do not have working experiences or studies in my BEng course but I manage to pass PE Exams & become a Prof Engr, will other people who know about this call the PE Exam as crap & the person who set & approval the Exams are not professional at all?