A Diploma is Not Enough
A Polytechnic Diploma is a degree received from one of the five polytechnics, while a Bachelor’s Degree is a degree earned from a four-year institution of higher learning locally or overseas. The difference is not limited to just the time spent at the institution, but can also include the salary differences and the level of a job position. This is not to say that Bachelor’s Degree graduates will earn more than Polytechnic Diploma graduates but, in the job scene, a Bachelor’s Degree is usually more valued than a Polytechnic Diploma Certificate. A candidate with a Bachelor’s Degree has a better chance of earning more money.
Technically, Polytechnic Diplomas and Bachelor’s Degrees represent two different levels of education. A Diploma focuses on the specific skills of a student. A Diploma is mainly subject-centric. A Bachelor’s Degree covers a broader area, and includes subjects like science, mathematics, humanities and history. A Diploma is usually awarded for vocational and professional courses like pharmacy, designing, journalism, art and engineering. A Bachelor’s Degree is awarded for many fields, like the arts, science, humanities, medicine and engineering.
Study Options for Polytechnic Graduates
You’ve worked hard for three years and graduated with a Polytechnic Diploma. But you still feel a hunger for knowledge and you wish to top up your Diploma to a Bachelor’s Degree. Now you’ll find many doors open up to you, including those of renowned universities in Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States of America.
Get a Bachelor’s Degree in 2 Years with Advanced Standings
When applying to a Bachelor’s Degree (Undergraduate Program), graduates with a Singapore Polytechnic Diploma could be granted advanced standing (credit exemptions) on a case-by-case basis. With UK universities, you can often obtain one to two year exemptions if the accumulated GPA is above 3 and your Diploma major matches the proposed Bachelor’s Degree Program; with Australian universities, usually one to two year exemptions are granted if the accumulated GPA is above 2.7. You are strongly encouraged to contact our consultant for more information about advanced standings.
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Many modern universities in the UK offer final year top up degree which enables polytechnic graduates to get a Bachelor’s Degree in one year. You can then continue to study your Master’s Degree. In 2 years, you could get a Bachelor Degree as well as a Master’s Degree:
A Master’s Degree in 1.5 years with Pre-masters
The Pre-Master’s, or Graduate Diploma, is a program of academic subjects, study skills and English language training. It is designed specifically for international students and qualifies you to meet the entry requirements of a taught Master’s at the university.
Joining the Pre-Master’s Program guarantees you a conditional offer of a place on one of the Master’s Degree tracks at the university. Once you have successfully completed the course, you will proceed directly to your preferred Master’s Program. There are a few options:
My Grades are not high enough but I want Top Uni – what to do?
Your polytechnic diploma grades are not high enough (GPA < 2.7) but you want to study with top universities such as University of Bristol, University of Exeter, University of Manchester and Newcastle University. We have options for you as well!
Please contact us for an appointment.
Which Subject? – Guide to Study Abroad by Subject Areas
Selecting major is very important and difficult. If you are not sure what you should study in the University, please read our Guide to Study Abroad by Subject Areas
What’s Hot
Bachelor in Law (LLB) is hot among polytechnic graduates! Private practice and large corporate lawyers can easily garner a six-figure salary. Experienced judges, magistrate judges and magistrates can also command that type of salary. You could be able to complete a law degree within 3 years with top universities overseas
The legal profession is a rewarding one, and that is why many students choose to study law. Perhaps you have a passion to protect society from the criminals who threaten it; perhaps you want to defend the rights of the criminals. Maybe the environment is your passion, or human rights, civil rights, animal rights.
These universities are able to accept polytechnic graduates for their 3-year LLB program:
- University of Exeter
- University of Leicester
- University of Southampton
- University of Sheffield
- University of Tasmania (4 years but diploma student could be considered for 2nd year entry)
- University of Auckland (4 years)
If you studied an Engineering Diploma with GPA3.5 above, you may be accepted by University of Southampton or University of Sheffield to complete a Bachelor of Engineering with Honors in 2 years.
University of Southampton constantly ranked No. 1 in the UK for Electronics, Electrical and Mechanical Engineering. The University ranked top 100 in the World.
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University of Sheffield constantly ranked Top 5 in the UK for Electronics, Chemical and Civil Engineering. The University ranked top 100 in the World.
Scholarships are available!
For more about studying Engineering degree with Southampton & Sheffield, please contact us for advice.
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