Despite efforts to reduce the emphasis on academic qualifications in Singapore, a university degree is still widely seen as the key to many job opportunities. At the same time, earning it comes with its number of costs. The tuition costs for a degree are not cheap, besides putting in the requisite effort to prepare for exams and complete your coursework. Additionally, there’s always the opportunity cost you must consider not working. It is not a decision that you can take lightly to obtain a degree, whether full-time or part-time, in Singapore, locally, or overseas. Here are three factors you must consider before making your decision.
#1 Duration
Compared to full-time students who can devote themselves completely to their studies, working adults have to juggle various obligations such as their job, family, and research. If you’re talking about obtaining a part-time degree, you should weigh the time it takes to finish it and whether or not you can stick to it. If a degree takes three years, you must correct the duration. For example, pursuing your degree simultaneously can be unlikely if you’re planning to get married, have children, or get an overseas posting during this timeframe.
#2 Structure of Lessons
It’s neither practical nor fair to expect a part-time student to follow a course planned for full-time students. With full-time jobs to care for and their own families, part-time students would need a course program built around them. If you take a part-time degree, make sure that the course layout is structured to suit your schedule and work and family responsibilities. This may mean holding lessons on weekday evenings that allow students to concentrate on one module at a time rather than several modules simultaneously taken and completed. This may mean having classes on weekday evenings that will enable students to focus on one module at a time rather than several simultaneously taken and constructed modules.
#3 Campus Location
If you seek a full-time degree, you do not appreciate your campus location as much as you would expect that 1) you will have enough time each day to drive to school, and 2) you might also have the option of living on campus if necessary. Place matters, though, as a part-time student. Imagine if you work in the East and your campus is on the other end of the island. It’s not only going to be difficult to take a 1.5-hour one-way commute via public transport but also unsustainable. You’ll be more likely to be out or late for classes and project meetings than not.
A school campus in Singapore’s central region will likely be even more convenient for part-time students who work inside the CBD. Many engineering schools have campuses in major cities and convenient locations. To find out more about part-time degrees, visit https://www.auston.edu.sg/part-time-degrees-in-singapore/
