Are Private Universities worth it?

What Are Private Universities?

What many Singaporeans define as private universities are actually officially called Private Educational Institutions (PEIs).

Some popular examples of PEIs include Kaplan, PSB Academy and SIM.

These PEIs in turn offer Bachelor's degree, Master's degree and diploma program from partner universities.

Some of the notable PEIs are as follows:

For simplicity sake, we will call PEIs as Private Universities for this blog post.

 

Comparing Public vs Private University

Below is a comparison of some key differences between Public Universities and Private Universities in Singapore.

Private universities in Singapore are operated by private businesses rather than the government.

This allows them more freedom to decide their course offerings, enabling them to provide specialised courses that might not be available in public universities.

Much of this flexibility is due to collaborations with foreign universities such as those in the UK, the US, and Australia. As such, graduates from private universities in Singapore might receive their degree from one of these international partner universities

Regarding admissions, private universities often have several intakes throughout the year, offering prospective students more flexibility on when to commence their studies.

The admission requirements tend to be less stringent, leading to higher acceptance rates compared to public universities.

For context, private universities like James Cook University (JCU) Singapore and Kaplan have acceptance rates between 70-80%, while public institutions like the National University of Singapore (NUS) and Nanyang Technological University (NTU) have rates of 5-7% and 25-30% respectively.

In 2020, approximately 121,000 students enrolled in a private education institutions while 76,082 enrolled in public universities. This figure shows the increasing recognition of private universities as an alternative pathway in higher education.

 

Advantages of Private Universities

Shorter duration

Most courses offered by private universities can be completed in a much shorter duration than public universities.

And the difference is not minor.

For instance, a psychology degree offered by private universities usually take 1.5 to 3 years, while public universities like SUSS and NUS will take 4 years.

Diverse Course Offerings

One of the most significant advantages of private universities is the diversity of its course offerings. For example, JCU offers early childhood education. Kaplan offers digital media, cyber forensics, and information security management. MDIS offer fashion degree courses. On the other hand, PSB Academy offers molecular biology and pharmaceutical science.  

The diversity of courses offered are often not found in public universities.

Smaller Class Sizes

Compared to public universities, class sizes in private universities are usually smaller. Given this lower student-to-teacher ratio, students can have more personalised attention from instructors.

Lower Entry Requirements

In Singapore, a notable advantage of private universities over public ones is their lower entry requirements, offering a viable pathway for a broader range of students.

While public universities, like NUS and NTU, emphasize high academic achievements and test scores, private institutions tend to have more flexible admissions, considering factors like work experience and extracurricular activities alongside academic performance.

Also, since private universities have multiple intakes each year, this allows prospective students the flexibility to pursuit higher education at any time of the year.

 

Disadvantages of Private Universities

While studying at a private university in Singapore can offer numerous benefits, it's also important to consider some downsides.

Potentially Higher Tuition Fees

Unlike public universities in Singapore, private universities are not subsidised by the government. As such, its fees are generally higher than similar courses offered by public universities like Singapore University of Social Science (SUSS).

Yet, as competition gets intensive for higher education, many private universities are now offering courses at competitive rates matching those of public universities.

That said, it is important to note that while private universities may be more expensive, you are still gaining international degrees at a cheaper price.

For example, a business and economics degree from SIM GE costs S$35,000 yet the degree is awarded by the University of London (UOL).

Tuition fees will increase to more than S$80,000 if you take the same degree at the UOL campus in the UK.

Less Recognition

Some employers may still have a preference for graduates from public universities due to their more established reputation.

However, this perspective is gradually changing as private universities tend to offer industry-relevant programmes. For example, since there is a demand for qualified preschool teachers, JCU Singapore started offering Early Childhood Education as one of their programmes.

 

Are Degrees/Diploma from Private Universities generally recognised?

For context, there is no clear gauge to measure how 'recognised' a university is.

Whether a private university is recognised or not depends entirely on your employer or potential employer.

That said, there are several things you could look out for when determining if a private university is recognised:

Local Registration and Accreditation

Private universities in Singapore are considered  as private education institutions (PEIs). As of 2023, there are currently 311 PEIs registered in Singapore.

To ensure that you'll get quality education, make sure that the PEI you've selected have at least a EduTrust certification awarded by the Singapore Government.

There are different levels to EduTrust certifications and the bare minimal is the EduTrust Provisional certification.

It is generally better to find a private university that at least has the 2nd level, EduTrust certification. 

Out of the 311 PEIs registered, 124 of those have an EduTrust certification of varying levels.

Examples of private universities that have this certification include Amity Global Institute, Dimensions International College, EAIM, JCU, Kaplan, and the London School of Business & Finance (LSBF).

International Accreditation

You could also look at the international accreditations the private university or their partners have achieved. For example, Dimensions International College is accredited by the Accreditation Service for International Schools, Colleges and Universities (ASIC), UK while JCU Singapore is accredited by the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA), Australia.

Program-Specific Affiliation, Accreditation, and Certification

Other certifications, accreditations, and affiliations you should consider are program-specific accreditations.

Since private universities usually offer courses from overseas universities, you should check if those specific universities have affiliation, accreditation from reputable local organisations.

Examples of these accreditations can include:

Business:

• Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), USA
• European Quality Improvement System (EQUIS)

Real estate, construction, and infrastructure

• Royal Institutions of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), UK
• Building and Construction Agency (BCA), Singapore

Finance

• Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Institute Affiliation, USA
• Association of Chartered Certified Accountants

Healthcare

• Joint Commission International (JCI), Singapore

Note: The list above is definitely not comprehensive, and contains just a small sample of some accreditations in selected fields. 

If you're not sure why accreditation is important, here it is in simple terms:

1. It means the school meets certain standards, so you know you're getting a good education.
2. Having a degree from an accredited school can help you get a job because employers value these degrees more.
3. If you want to switch schools or get more education later, it’ll be easier because accredited schools' credits are usually accepted by other schools.

Industry Partners

Another way to evaluate the 'recognisability' of a degree program is through the private universities' industry partners.

Since programmes available at private universities are industry-relevant, it is important that they have strong ties with various industries. These partnership will bolster their students' and graduates' employability and career prospects.

For instance, SIM GE has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with SGTech—the leading trade association for Singapore's tech industry. With this MOU, SIM GE students and graduates can gain internships and job opportunities with SGTech's more than 700 member companies in the technology sector. 

Furthermore, if you wish to pursue a more research-oriented route, JCU Singapore benefits well from the Singapore-Australia Free Trade Agreement (SAFTA) which bolsters the institution's research capabilities in fields like marine science and aquaculture, tropical medicine, and allied and public health.

For example, PSB Academy has strong ties with industry partners like Bloomberg, StarHub, and National Computer Systems (NCS) group to allow their students to interact with industry professionals.

 

Importance of University Partners

Apart from accreditations, private universities set themselves apart through their university partners. Here are a few reasons why that is so:

• Niche/Specialised Degrees

With the help of their overseas university partners, private universities in Singapore are able to offer specialised or niche degree programmes.

For example, MDIS, in conjunction with the University of Sunderland, UK is able to offer a degree in media, culture, and communication while PSB Academy is able to offer degrees in applied chemistry and molecular biology given its partnership with La Trobe University, Australia.

• Overseas Education Opportunities

Some private universities, like SIM GE, have the same tests and standards as their partner universities abroad. This means students can switch to the main campus of the partner university in the middle of their studies if they want to.

Similarly, PSB Academy has a transnational campus program where students complete part of their course at the campuses of their international partners. This gives students the chance to experience new cultures, see the world, and think more globally.

• Global Prestige

While private universities themselves do not rank globally, some of their international partners do.

As such, through private universities, students gain access to prestigious universities and gain international degrees without even leaving Singapore.

For example, LSBF Singapore is partnered with the University of Greenwich (UoG). According to the Center for World University Rankings (CWUR), UoG is part of the top 8% of universities in the world.

Similarly, PSB Academy has teamed up with The University of Newcastle, Australia, which has a pretty good QS World Ranking of 173. Also, Kaplan is partnered with RMIT University, which is ranked as one of the top 15 universities for arts and design.

 

Financial Considerations

Here are some of the most popular private universities and their tuition fees:

Please note that the fees listed above only cover the rate of a bachelor's degree (regular, honours, or top-up) for a full-time, local student.

The rates for international students and double-major aspirants were not included and are generally higher than local students.

If you are curious about the degrees that fall in the upper range and lower range, here it is:

Funding Options

Given that the tuition fees are relatively high in private universities, you might be curious about funding options.

Private universities offer various scholarships or financial aid.

For example, SIM GE offers undergraduate scholarships not only for those who have demonstrated exceptional academic excellence and leadership skills but also for those who have shown excellent athletic skills or artistic talents.

In addition, they have various financial aid schemes that can assist students facing financial difficulties.

TMC Academy offers full scholarships and grants to outstanding students while JCU Singapore also offers merit-based scholarships but they range from 25% to 100% coverage and it only lasts for a year.

If you are an international student, some private universities also offer scholarships and grants for you.

For example, MDIS has a merit-based scholarship and grant that can cover a portion or the entirety of your tuition fee.

Employability/Career Prospects

Given the prestige of public universities, graduates from public universities tend to have a higher rate of employability compared to graduates from private universities.

In 2022, The Straits Times reported that only 47.4% of private university graduates found work six months after finishing school as compared to the 78.4% of graduates from the National University of Singapore (NUS), Nanyang Technological University (NTU) and Singapore Management University (SMU).

In addition, a CPE survey found that private school graduates earned median gross starting salaries of S$3,200 as compared to the S$4,200 of graduates of NUS, NTU, and SMU.

While it appears that private university graduates trail behind their public university peers, it is important to note that the industry-focused curriculums of private universities can help fill the rising demand for specialised skills and knowledge in the job market. This increases their job prospects!

That said, private universities also offer various forms of support to their students to enhance their career prospects and employability. Here are some of them: 

Career Assistance Services

Private universities provide employability services to increase the career prospects of their graduates. For example, Kaplan has a series of employability services which can range from resume writing to job matching.

Similarly, MDIS has a Career Assistance Unit (CAU) that can help provide students and graduates with job and internship placements. They also offer career workshops, corporate training seminars, and career fairs so students can gain employment soon after graduation.

Professional Qualification Courses

Some universities boost their graduates' employability by preparing them to be accredited in their field not just in Singapore but also in other countries.

For example, LSBF Singapore offers programmes to help pass the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) examinations, the Singapore Chartered Accountant (CA) qualification, and the US Certified Public Accountant (CPA) examinations.

Interestingly, some private universities such as Kaplan incorporate professional qualification courses within their degrees to ensure their graduates gain accreditation faster or graduate with both a degree and a professional qualification.

Conclusion

Picking a university to pursue your higher education is a monumental step that can shape your future career and personal development. Choose wisely and may your time in higher education be intellectually stimulating and enriching!