Oversea studies

[evildoctor]

Looking to study in the Uk. Interested to study IT or Engineering related degrees. Any recommended university to go?

 

[really_noob]

I studied in the UK, graduated 3 years ago. Nowadays, I tell my juniors to try for the US unis instead.
Australia is attractive too because it's closer to SG and exchange rates are now almost 1:1.

It depends on which UK uni you go to but I can tell you attracting non-EU students to UK unis is a big business there. Even the high ranking ones like LSE, after a while, you'll realise that the uni wants your money more than anything else. And the UK is getting less popular given their immigration policies and Brexit isn't helping either.
Besides considering the cost, ranking of uni, country etc., people tend to look at the prospect of staying in the country to work after graduation and in the UK, unless you're very good, they don't issue a lot of visas for you to work there. The job application process is a nightmare because most companies will tell you they don't sponsor visas (in other words, don't bother applying to us because you're wasting your time).

On a positive note, I enjoy the European culture and travelling around Europe. Depending on your experience, you might enjoy living and studying in a country like Austria or France too. Many of these European unis conduct their courses in English, so it's just learning the language to get by the day to day communication at supermarkets etc.

 

[nyvrem]

perhaps consider Germany over UK

they've got degree programs taught in english, that means you don't need prior german to start off.

it's low cost, like 500 EU per term ? some places even lower.

they let you get a 20 month visa once you graduate, to stay on and find a job

 

[patryn33]

Looking to study in the Uk. Interested to study IT or Engineering related degrees. Any recommended university to go?

IT is information management system or computer sci?
Engineering related is what electrical or mechanical or civil?
Can’t really recommend as uni strong in comp sci may not be strong in civil.

What’s your budget?
Must it be UK? Some ppl must go UK as there is football and the scotch.
Immigration intend? Or just want to study and return?

 

[patryn33]

perhaps consider Germany over UK

they've got degree programs taught in english, that means you don't need prior german to start off.

it's low cost, like 500 EU per term ? some places even lower.

they let you get a 20 month visa once you graduate, to stay on and find a job

Is that 20 mth? I thought it’s 18 mth, varies sources also 18. New laws? Can share source?
https://www.daad.de/medien/deutschland/stipendien/formulare/immigration_and_residence_january_2017.pdf
https://www.international.hu-berlin.de/en/studierende/aus-dem-ausland/wegweiser/10/10_01_02

 

[evildoctor]

Information management system and mechanical/civil.

Planning to study and return.

IT is information management system or computer sci?
Engineering related is what electrical or mechanical or civil?
Can’t really recommend as uni strong in comp sci may not be strong in civil.

What’s your budget?
Must it be UK? Some ppl must go UK as there is football and the scotch.
Immigration intend? Or just want to study and return?

 

[evildoctor]

Thanks! Considering Australia too. I’m looking out for a Uni with a good learning environment. I’m not really a fast learner.

I studied in the UK, graduated 3 years ago. Nowadays, I tell my juniors to try for the US unis instead.
Australia is attractive too because it's closer to SG and exchange rates are now almost 1:1.

It depends on which UK uni you go to but I can tell you attracting non-EU students to UK unis is a big business there. Even the high ranking ones like LSE, after a while, you'll realise that the uni wants your money more than anything else. And the UK is getting less popular given their immigration policies and Brexit isn't helping either.
Besides considering the cost, ranking of uni, country etc., people tend to look at the prospect of staying in the country to work after graduation and in the UK, unless you're very good, they don't issue a lot of visas for you to work there. The job application process is a nightmare because most companies will tell you they don't sponsor visas (in other words, don't bother applying to us because you're wasting your time).

On a positive note, I enjoy the European culture and travelling around Europe. Depending on your experience, you might enjoy living and studying in a country like Austria or France too. Many of these European unis conduct their courses in English, so it's just learning the language to get by the day to day communication at supermarkets etc.

 

[patryn33]

Information management system and mechanical/civil.

Planning to study and return.

Budget? Looks like any major will do.
Background? A or dip?

Mechanical or civil ; please look for PEB accreditiion
https://www.peb.gov.sg/html/pe_approved.html

Thanks! Considering Australia too. I’m looking out for a Uni with a good learning environment. I’m not really a fast learner.

Define good learning environment? Not fast learner do u expect uni to do what for u?

 

[really_noob]

Thanks! Considering Australia too. I’m looking out for a Uni with a good learning environment. I’m not really a fast learner.

My experience in the UK is that most of your studies will be self-led. There are still lectures, tutorials, support systems. They are there but whether you want to use it or not is up to you. I studied Business, lots of time to self-study and to read up about things not related to my modules but still within the discipline and of my interest. So the overseas system is not like what we have experienced for 10+ years in SG, where people study for the sake of exams.
Most UK unis operate on absolute grade, not so much on a bell curve system like in SG or US unis. So how you perform in the exam doesn't affect others and vice versa. It's less stressful in that way.

You'll have a lot more freedom since you don't have parents to bother you. Learn how to do your own chores like cooking, laundry and budgeting especially if your parents are not in the money printing business. Of course, do enjoy yourself, travel, see the world, make friends. Keep an open mind, don't expect everything and everywhere to run like in Singapore.

Life in London can still be fast, like in Singapore but you might want to study at a UK uni outside of London for a different experience.

I've friends in German unis. There is a stronger emphasis on performance in exams and results than in the UK. I tend to see Germany as a more livable place in terms of culture, friendliness and cost of living than the UK.

The overseas life isn't perfect. Singapore is better in some areas than the UK (and other countries) and the UK is better than Singapore in others. Just go with the flow of life and you'll realise the world is actually damn big out there and Singapore is really small.