Which
University?
For four years now,
students have been able to apply to all three local universities,
and choose where to go once acceptances come in. So the
universities strive to be different - in their programmes,
admission criteria and fees. The Straits Times Education
Correspondent Sandra Davie takes a look at the choices offered by
the universities
Degrees
THERE are the local single
degrees, of course. A few years ago, double degrees were all the
rage. Now it is the global degree route. These are proving popular
as more companies look out for employees with a global outlook.
NUS: It offers the widest
range of degrees among the three universities. Its exclusive
courses are medicine, architecture, dentistry, music, pharmacy,
nursing, and project and facilities management.
Global
degrees:
Bachelor of Arts (Honours)
with the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Bachelor of Computing
(Communications & Media) and Master in Entertainment Technology
with Carnegie Mellon University.
Bachelor of Engineering
(Civil Engineering) with the University of Melbourne.
NTU: It has expanded its
range of courses in recent years to include social sciences and
fine arts. Its exclusive offerings include art, design and media,
aerospace engineering, communication studies, maritime studies and
education (conducted by the National Institute of Education).
Global
degrees:
Double degree in Biomedical
Sciences and Medicine (Traditional Chinese Medicine) with Beijing
University of Chinese Medicine.
Double MBA degree programme
in Management of Technology with Japan’s Waseda University.
Bachelor of Engineering
(Computer Science) from NTU and Master of Science (Computer
Science) from Georgia Institute of Technology
SMU: Positioning itself as
a boutique business university, it offers four-year, full-time
programmes in accountancy, business, economics, information systems
management and social science. It has introduced a new one, law,
which will take in 90 students in its pioneer batch.
Global
degrees:
Bachelor of Science
(Information Systems Management) degree from SMU and master’s
degree from Carnegie Mellon University.
Fees
THE three universities
announced in January that they will not raise tuition fees this
year in view of the upcoming increase in goods and services tax
(GST).
SMU, anyway, has a lock-in
system for its fees, which will not be raised over the duration of
one’s course even if fees are increased for later intakes.
Some parents and students
prefer this lock-in scheme, because it allows them to plan ahead
and set aside a specific amount of money.
Both NUS and NTU have said
they are considering a similar scheme.
NUS ANNUAL
FEES
Dentistry and medicine:
$17,520
Music: $7,570
Nursing: $7,000
All other courses:
$6,110
NTU ANNUAL FEES
$6,110
SMU ANNUAL
FEES $7,500 (except law which is $9,000).
Example
If you are planning to send your child to
University.
Gender: Female Age: 4 next birthday
For Singapore, using SMU annual fees of, $ 7,500.00
Age of entry to university 18 (Females)
This amount is needed for Years 4
Total amount needed for Local Course fees $
30,000.00
Shortfall will be needed in Years 15
Education cost, I feel will increase annually by about
6%
Education Costs 15 years later $ 71,896.75 (after
inflation)
SHORTFALL to Fund
Education
Lump Sum in today dollars needed to meet the shortfall
$ 53,420.34
OR Monthly savings per month for 15 years $ 342.26
Have you done your children’s education planning?
Will you have enough savings when the times comes for
your children’s education?
Give your children a head start with an education
policy!
