Undecided on which mass comm deg? :)

[Vexed Spirit]

http://www.kaplan.com.sg/course/part-time-courses/bachelor/communication-and-media/bachelor-of-science-honours-in-communication-and-public-relations-827/

http://smf.edu.sg/en/bachelor-of-communication-journalism-2/

I posted a thread in May but decided to enroll in '14.

I'm interested in journalism+pr but my dilemma is an hons deg (former) vs a 2 majors deg (latter), is there a diff in terms of pay? After researching it seems that ppl are saying it depends/unless i get a 2.2 & above, a 3rd class won't reflect well.

Would like to ask if moe pays a 2.2/better private deg more vs a basic deg? And if a private deg regardless if it's basic/hons=dip (geo2) pay? It's not stated in the web.

To x2 check, the former has a writing mod so does it count as journalism tho it isn't the deg's name?

I appreciate your help & TIA!

 

[Vexed Spirit]

I read that it doesn't really matter what major i do as most mods are related, so I'm thinking why not go for hons (as this is a private deg so it'll be inferior to local degs)? The onus' on me to do well tho.

Another thing is Murdoch seems to be more well known (better advertised by Kaplan/SMF) than Northumbria?

 

[patryn33]

MOE? This is unclear???
Ministry of Education, Singapore: Teaching as a Career: Career Information: General Education Officer 1 Salary Scale

 

[Kyoji83]

As long as you did not study on campus degree, it is not recognized by MOE.

http://www.kaplan.com.sg/course/part-time-courses/bachelor/communication-and-media/bachelor-of-science-honours-in-communication-and-public-relations-827/

Degree in Journalism Awarded by Murdoch University. Double Major avail

I posted a thread in May but decided to enroll in '14.

I'm interested in journalism+pr but my dilemma is an hons deg (former) vs a 2 majors deg (latter), is there a diff in terms of pay? After researching it seems that ppl are saying it depends/unless i get a 2.2 & above, a 3rd class won't reflect well.

Would like to ask if moe pays a 2.2/better deg more vs a basic deg? And if a private deg regardless of hons=dip (geo2) pay? It's not stated in the web.

To x2 check, the former has a writing mod so does it count as journalism tho it isn't the deg's name?

I appreciate your help & TIA!

 

[Vexed Spirit]

MOE? This is unclear???
Ministry of Education, Singapore: Teaching as a Career: Career Information: General Education Officer 1 Salary Scale

It says most degs, didn't say how about private? Anyway someone answered me.

 

[Kvicez]

http://www.kaplan.com.sg/course/part-time-courses/bachelor/communication-and-media/bachelor-of-science-honours-in-communication-and-public-relations-827/

Degree in Journalism Awarded by Murdoch University. Double Major avail

I posted a thread in May but decided to enroll in '14.

I'm interested in journalism+pr but my dilemma is an hons deg (former) vs a 2 majors deg (latter), is there a diff in terms of pay? After researching it seems that ppl are saying it depends/unless i get a 2.2 & above, a 3rd class won't reflect well.

Would like to ask if moe pays a 2.2/better private deg more vs a basic deg? And if a private deg regardless if it's basic/hons=dip (geo2) pay? It's not stated in the web.

To x2 check, the former has a writing mod so does it count as journalism tho it isn't the deg's name?

I appreciate your help & TIA!

Hi,

First of all, Murdoch University does offer an Honours programme but it is not available to its distance learning programme. You are still eligible to transfer to the Perth campus and do an extra year for the Honours programme.

I am not familiar with Northumbria University but it seems to offer only 11 modules. Murdoch University requires you to complete 12 modules for a double major degree. To put it in simple terms, while it'll sound good to have a Honours in your degree, you are actually learning lesser.

In my personal opinion, private degrees are already learning not enough already. My peers in local universities study 5-6 modules each semester, while I'm doing only 3 at most. While the Australian education structure is different from Singapore's, I feel that there's more in-depth knowledge to learn that private degrees do not cover.

Since private degrees are already disadvantaged, why not learn more and apply what you've learnt rather than have a nice name to it? After all, private degrees are usually seen as a stepping stone, opening doors for higher level jobs. It doesn't really matter where you get it from, as long as it's not too shabby. What's more important is that you're able to prove yourself in your work and apply what you've learnt.

I am also not very familiar with the public service but I've heard that they generally do not accept private degrees. Even if they do, you're assigned to a lower pay scale as compared to the local degrees. The difference in pay according to type of honours is usually awarded to local degrees. I don't think private degrees enjoy the same privilege, but don't take my word for it.

All in all, it's more important to understand what you're going to study. Find out the modules that both universities teach. Go speak to current students or students who have graduated and find out how relevant are the stuff taught, as well as whether are they covered in-depth or just touching the surface.

Just my 2 cents!

 

[Havok_ex]

Have to agree with Kvicez. Try to go for something that is more in depth instead of just getting the degree for degree sake. 11 modules is around what local uni peers do in one year out of their four years of study.

 

[Vexed Spirit]

After reading about the mods part you said, idk if i should go for SP's comm. Should have chose rightly but well, passions change. I also agree that poly dip+private deg>both private. If i go SP I'll be 2y slower than my peers & if i don't do well, I still end w private deg. I'm unsure if i can go to NTU amidst the competition, that's my dilemma. Idw to regret later as this' my last chance.

I'm doing comm as I've no passion in other fields. MOE is my backup if i can't handle long hrs+unpaid OT in the comm field as ppl said. I read that this field isn't promising as NTU grads in SPH are underpaid for working hard & its HR has many ppl to choose from. Thus, NTU grads are already facing probs not to mention private deg grads. Please take it lightly as they're from Brightsparks.

I'll think carefully, THANKS all for the useful help. Really helped lots!

 

[Arbalest]

journalism huh

I don't think they give a fug abt honours no honours or what the hell u did to get it

The most impt thing (at least for mainstream print media) = exp + portfolio + WRITING TEST

u can have quadruple honours but if u fug up ur writing test, don't need to think anymore

when studying, try to do as much part time or freelance writing work as possible even if its for small mags, online publication, etc

 

[Vexed Spirit]

journalism huh

I don't think they give a fug abt honours no honours or what the hell u did to get it

The most impt thing (at least for mainstream print media) = exp + portfolio + WRITING TEST

u can have quadruple honours but if u fug up ur writing test, don't need to think anymore

when studying, try to do as much part time or freelance writing work as possible even if its for small mags, online publication, etc

Haha thanks for helping! A thread i saw:

forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/degree-programs-courses-70/discussion-ntu-communication-studies-programme-3485001.html

 

[CarlFTC]

another private you can consider is the UWA one from PSB, more reputable and Go8 uni. its part time though, which i think its ok, you can find part time work, freelance or even start full time in a coy to build up your experience, portfolio and learn as much as possible. wk exp will help you in your degree studies too.
Bachelor of Arts (Communication Studies) | PSB Academy

or maybe consider unisim comm if you wanna work in public sector. i cant confirm that its recognised by public sector now but i wld think you stand better chances than with private degrees. but of cos if you can, go for ntu. its not tt hard to enter, not to say its easy.
Bachelor of Communication

for media field and especially journalism (if thats where you wanna go), exp+portfolio+language/comm abilities definitely triumphs above your cert. having said tt, its impt to choose a course that will give you good groundings and exposure.

 

[Vexed Spirit]

For ppl who are interested, quoted from:

NTU mass comm vs. NUS FASS - Page 6 - BrightSparks Singapore Scholarship & Higher Education Forum

I graduated with a Mass Comm degree myself, and even though I'm gainfully employed now, I wouldn't take the course again if I was given a chance to turn back time. It's mainly because of how there's a great disparity between how difficult it is to get into a Mass Comm course and how sought after you are by employers when you're about to graduate. In fact, the Mass Comm degree offered by NTU is one of the most difficult courses to get into, after others like Medicine and Law by NUS. However, many Mass Comm undergrads who are in their final year find themselves panicking as they observe their peers in Accounting and Engineering being offered jobs before graduation. Mass Comm students who major in journalism will mostly hope to work in newspapers and magazines by SPH, but positions are limited, and it doesn't help that such jobs are also sought after by graduates from other disciplines. Oh and SPH now has a hiring freeze and a salary cut across the board somemore. Those who major in production will try to get into MediaCorp, which obviously isn't doing well at the moment. So some end up in small production houses, only to find themselves being overworked and underpaid. It's generally said that Mass Comm graduates who major in research get the highest starting salary working for companies like TNS and AC Nielson. But not many Mass Comm students like or excel in research work, which can be quite tedious. Many of my batchmates eventually ended up in PR companies, drawing low starting salaries of below $2.5k, or in Corp Comms departments of organisations like stat boards, where the pay is higher, but the work duller.

 

[Vexed Spirit]

Thanks CarlFTC!

I'm unsure if a GO8 uni is better recognised/still inferior to local but the $ is too ex.

If i go private, I'll have 2y exp more than my peers assuming I'm employed asap but idk if 2y makes a diff.

 

[Vexed Spirit]

Useful link, click for more info:

NTU mass comm vs. NUS FASS - Page 10 - BrightSparks Singapore Scholarship & Higher Education Forum

Am a student from wkw. Competition is stiff and you're facing muggers who score an average of 4 for gpa. I was from poly (mass comm diploma) and honestly, I feel like being in this school is a waste of time. Unlike poly, their modules are heavily theory-based. It's like JC but worst. Your english have to be good cos ur facing students from top-notch JCs. I would recommend choosing another course of study.

I feel that wkw is extremely lacking in teaching students the practical skills needed to survive in the industry... And when I went for the interview with an advertising agency (sorry, can't disclose which), the boss, who was a graduate from wkw too, told me that I am wasting my time in uni... Because ultimately, I feel that in the media industry, it is the experience that matters. The degree only gives you a good starting pay. If I had a choice, I wouldn't even go to uni at all.

 

[Arbalest]

yah that's a general sentiment, esp in adv agency where they need specialists .. ESP in adv agency, portfolio is of paramount importance

 

[ftft58]

i think locally, ngee ann poly still the best for teaching mass comm.

 

[bugmenot45]

ts: I guess you've already got a diploma in a different field? may I ask which?

another private you can consider is the UWA one from PSB, more reputable and Go8 uni. its part time though, which i think its ok, you can find part time work, freelance or even start full time in a coy to build up your experience, portfolio and learn as much as possible. wk exp will help you in your degree studies too.

agree with this. the PSB-UWA course is the only one that I would recommend. otherwise, just do a general business degree at SIM-UOL. lots of people in the advertising/media industry are business school grads anyway.

and yes, get a part-time job. or an internshp. if you graduate with no work experience, it is going to be very, very difficult to get a job.

I'm unsure if a GO8 uni is better recognised/still inferior to local but the $ is too ex.

you'll be carrying the cert for life. it's a good investment imho.

 

[Vexed Spirit]

I just quit poly as i felt it isn't for me, i only have O lv.

 

[Vexed Spirit]

No harm intended: EDMWers have a general consensus that the name of private degs don't matter much as it's still inferior to locals', I'm so easily put down. I know that portfolio+exp count too but the fact that HR may not count private degs (depends what sector) makes me really.. Ah I'm screwing myself by thinking so much, should take a step at a time!

Please don't bash me, I'm just being as honest as possible. Wait ah I'm apprehensive about it, i sincerely apologise if i offended you.

Thanks bugmenot, I'll consider it seriously!

 

[Vexed Spirit]

Tbh I'm ok if ppl look down on me, I'm not into uni prestige. Just wanna follow my passion.