SIM UB vs SIM UOW

[KylieeeRauhl]

Hi! I know this is pretty long, but I hope to get some advice! I'm currently deciding between studying Psychology in UB (University of Buffalo, New York) and in UOW (University of Wollongong, Australia).

I just received my acceptance letter into UOW where school will commence on the 15th of july 2013. However, UB only starts in late August, and hence the acceptance letter will only arrive probably like mid july; and by then, school for UOW would have already started. :/ But that aside, the deadline for accepting the offer is 20th june, about 1 week, but I cant decide if I should go for UB or UOW Psychology Degree Also, I am currently waiting for my appeal outcome for NTU.

One major difference is that, UB offers a Bachelor of Arts(Psych), while UOW offers Bachelor of Science(Psych). Any advice on which school (UB or UOW) is better for Psychology? I lean more towards artsy subjects though. But price wise, UOW is at least $15000 cheaper.

I welcome all advice! Thanks

 

[Havok_ex]

I think I've explained this more than once in this forum but I'll just say it again. Bsc is more on the biological causes that affects human behaviour. Eg. Study on the brain and hormones etc. Science stuff. BA concentrates more on the external human factors such as interactions between people and the cause and effect of family relations etc.

However, most reputable psych courses will naturally touch on both due to their overlapping nature. Furthermore, it doesn't really matter per se if you take the BA or Bsc. Because a psych degree is pretty redundant at the degree level. You're only impt enough once you've attained a masters or PhD. At degree level, most you can be is a social worker or work in hr. That's it. So its not very crucial at the degree level IMO.

 

[Havok_ex]

As for the UB vs UOW argument, hirers would still view them as the same tier la. A notch below local uni. So there's no major difference in the working world imo. So I'd go for the cheaper one if I were you.

 

[CarlFTC]

if im you i would prob go for the UOW one. both offered by SIM are 'on the same level' to me, so why pay so much more for the UB prog?

 

[patryn33]

If u don't want to go for a higher degree opt for the cheaper program. Plan to study higher degree outside oz I would do UB degree.

 

[KylieeeRauhl]

If u don't want to go for a higher degree opt for the cheaper program. Plan to study higher degree outside oz I would do UB degree.

I would wanna obtain a Masters in the future because I want to become a psychologist. But thats beside the point because thats in the future and I wouldnt know if I am able to pursue it, because of money(it is very expensive to pursue a Masters overseas) unless I get a scholarship :/

I am also more interested in the modules offered by UB though because I prefer the arts. But its the fees thats causing my dilemma between accepting UOW or wait for UB

 

[KylieeeRauhl]

if im you i would prob go for the UOW one. both offered by SIM are 'on the same level' to me, so why pay so much more for the UB prog?

Yeah the different universities in SIM are deemed to be on the ''same level''..But comparing them relatively in SIM excluding the 3 local unis, UB is more prestigious and more known right?

And honestly, I would prefer a degree awarded by an American University rather than an Australian Uni haha. Comparing them on world rankings, UB is way higher up than UOW. But like what Havok said in his post below, doesnt matter UB or UOW degreee because employers regard them as the same, is causing another dilemma :'(

 

[KylieeeRauhl]

As for the UB vs UOW argument, hirers would still view them as the same tier la. A notch below local uni. So there's no major difference in the working world imo. So I'd go for the cheaper one if I were you.

Should I follow my interest or take into majority account the money, specifically about $15000 more for 3 years, hence paying 5k more each year?

 

[FrostWurm]

And honestly, I would prefer a degree awarded by an American University rather than an Australian Uni haha. Comparing them on world rankings, UB is way higher up than UOW. But like what Havok said in his post below, doesnt matter UB or UOW degreee because employers regard them as the same, is causing another dilemma :'(

If you intend to further your studies(Master's/Phd), I guess the university reputation/prestige counts as well.

 

[KylieeeRauhl]

If you intend to further your studies(Master's/Phd), I guess the university reputation/prestige counts as well.

But i dont know if i would be able to further my studies because idk if SIM provides scholarships to pursue Masters at the main campus of UB in the USA. And thats assuming i am able to get a scholarship :/ And if i dont, I doubt i would be able to further my studies abroad because it is rly expensive

 

[CarlFTC]

Yeah the different universities in SIM are deemed to be on the ''same level''..But comparing them relatively in SIM excluding the 3 local unis, UB is more prestigious and more known right?

And honestly, I would prefer a degree awarded by an American University rather than an Australian Uni haha. Comparing them on world rankings, UB is way higher up than UOW. But like what Havok said in his post below, doesnt matter UB or UOW degreee because employers regard them as the same, is causing another dilemma :'(

UB is okay for their management school (biz progs) back in US but i dunno for psychology. to be honest, local employers know UOL and RMIT best when it comes to SIM cos their progs have been established very long in sg already. i cant say the same for UB (maybe others can correct me if im wrong). if u are talking about 'prestigious', unis in SIM like manchester, birmingham, warwick, sheffield, southampton and sydney are definitely more 'prestigious' than UB.
SIM Global Education - Partner Universities

if u care about ranking and cost, u can strive to do well in UOW and apply for masters in a go8 uni in australia. i think UB progs in SIM are way too expensive. but hey, if you say that you are more inclined to UB and their modules, then im sure you have your own reasons so ultimately go with the one you are more interested in and your heart tells you, cos you will be more 'motivated' to do your degree as well.

 

[Kyoji83]

If you want to become a psychologist in Sg, go for local Uni or else both UB (University of Buffalo, New York) and in UOW (University of Wollongong, Australia) are the same to me. In that case, it will be better to go for the cheaper course for ROI which is UOW. I don't feel that it is worth to pay so much for UB D/L degree.

 

[KylieeeRauhl]

UB is okay for their management school (biz progs) back in US but i dunno for psychology. to be honest, local employers know UOL and RMIT best when it comes to SIM cos their progs have been established very long in sg already. i cant say the same for UB (maybe others can correct me if im wrong). if u are talking about 'prestigious', unis in SIM like manchester, birmingham, warwick, sheffield, southampton and sydney are definitely more 'prestigious' than UB.
SIM Global Education - Partner Universities

if u care about ranking and cost, u can strive to do well in UOW and apply for masters in a go8 uni in australia. i think UB progs in SIM are way too expensive. but hey, if you say that you are more inclined to UB and their modules, then im sure you have your own reasons so ultimately go with the one you are more interested in and your heart tells you, cos you will be more 'motivated' to do your degree as well.

Hmm, but im not interested in UOL/RMIT because i dont intend to pursue biz/econs degrees cuz its too common making it very competitive, plus my interest lies in psychology, which leaves me with UOW or UB.

Seems like alot of people are telling me to go for the cheaper one which in this case is UOW, but something tells me UB would be better oh and for UB, i have my Alevel cert so the fees would be wavered because im allowed to abstain from certain modules such as basic algebra and english, and the lady told me i would be paying about $50k instead of the standard $66k fees for 3 years. As for UOW, its $35k.

If its averaged out, i'll be paying $15k more for 3 years, meaning an extra $5k for each year if i choose UB over UOW. Do u think its worth it for an arts degree and something im more interested in? :/

 

[KylieeeRauhl]

If you want to become a psychologist in Sg, go for local Uni or else both UB (University of Buffalo, New York) and in UOW (University of Wollongong, Australia) are the same to me. In that case, it will be better to go for the cheaper course for ROI which is UOW. I don't feel that it is worth to pay so much for UB D/L degree.

I would very much want to pursue a psych degree in a local uni hahaha but i didnt do well enough to enter NUS FASS/NTU HSS/SMU SOSS, basically the faculties of humanities and social sciences. My grades could get me into engineering courses though, which i have zero interest in

If u refer down to my post below where i talked about the fees for UB and UOW, and assuming i pick UB over UOW, is it worth it to pay 5k more each year for something im more interested in, for an arts degree, and that UB is actually more known than UOW in terms of world rankings and presitigiousness?

 

[Havok_ex]

Well. What makes you think psych is not common? Psych is very common and the job market for psych grads is even smaller. IMO the fees are still cheap if you compare to going to overseas uni itself.

 

[patryn33]

I would wanna obtain a Masters in the future because I want to become a psychologist. But thats beside the point because thats in the future and I wouldnt know if I am able to pursue it, because of money(it is very expensive to pursue a Masters overseas) unless I get a scholarship :/

I am also more interested in the modules offered by UB though because I prefer the arts. But its the fees thats causing my dilemma between accepting UOW or wait for UB

Masters degree full scholarship in psychology they don't exist.
In states masters degree cannot become psychologist only phd.
Phd easier to secure scholarship or assistantship.

In fact the better uni in USA do not offer terminal masters degree.
Ie
http://www.wcas.northwestern.edu/psych/graduate_studies/
http://psych.umn.edu/grad/stats.html
http://www.psych.ufl.edu/index.php/pg-overview
http://psychology.arizona.edu/node/555

 

[CarlFTC]

and that UB is actually more known than UOW in terms of world rankings and presitigiousness?

based on QS world university rankings 2012/2013, UOW is ranked 264th whereas UB is ranked 313th.
QS World University Rankings - 2012 | Top Universities

having said that, you should just take rankings with a pinch of salt.

 

[patryn33]

There are few other list out there, here UB is above UOW
State University of New York at Buffalo
University of Wollongong

 

[Kyoji83]

1) What the big deal with UOW & UB ranking when your D/L degree cannot help you to become a psychologist in Sg?

2) Hard true but without a local degree, chances with a D/L degree that you will not end up as a psychologist in Sg because market is small & employer choice the 'best' with is local degree & never D/L degree in this industry.

3) It seem like you choice UB over UOW, so why still ask us? Any way, i recommend psych degree is for your interest & for not for a career in Sg which is the reason why I ask you to chose the cheapest.

I would very much want to pursue a psych degree in a local uni hahaha but i didnt do well enough to enter NUS FASS/NTU HSS/SMU SOSS, basically the faculties of humanities and social sciences. My grades could get me into engineering courses though, which i have zero interest in

If u refer down to my post below where i talked about the fees for UB and UOW, and assuming i pick UB over UOW, is it worth it to pay 5k more each year for something im more interested in, for an arts degree, and that UB is actually more known than UOW in terms of world rankings and presitigiousness?

 

[KylieeeRauhl]

1) What the big deal with UOW & UB ranking when your D/L degree cannot help you to become a psychologist in Sg?

2) Hard true but without a local degree, chances with a D/L degree that you will not end up as a psychologist in Sg because market is small & employer choice the 'best' with is local degree & never D/L degree in this industry.

3) It seem like you choice UB over UOW, so why still ask us? Any way, i recommend psych degree is for your interest & for not for a career in Sg which is the reason why I ask you to chose the cheapest.

Yeah i understand. Haha i wanted to ask just for opinions and different point of views.
I still cant decide actually haha. and i have to reply UOW by 20th june, and im still currently waiting for my reply from NTU. If NTU doesnt reply me by 20th june, then i have no choice but to take UB assuming NTU rejects me.
thanks anyway