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Straits Times
10-06-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
askST: Do degrees from private schools result in jobs and how can I pick a quality one?
Once a graduate is in a job, it is the performance that matters. PHOTO ILLUSTRATION: PIXABAY askST: Do degrees from private schools result in jobs and how can I pick a quality one? It is the time of the year when university applicants who did not get a place in the local universities are considering the private school route. Senior education correspondent Sandra Davie answers their questions on picking the right school that delivers in terms of finding jobs. Q: My polytechnic graduate son did not get a place in the local universities, but he is keen on studying for a business degree. So, he has started applying for a place in a private school. But we are worried after reading the news that less than half of fresh graduates from private institutions found full-time jobs in 2024. My husband and I do not have the means to send him abroad for studies. Can you give us some advice? A: First, I hope your son has also considered other options, such as work-study programmes that lead to specialist diplomas and perhaps even going out to work for a year or two to get some work experience before trying again for university. Having work experience, especially in a related field, may give him the edge when applying for a place in the autonomous universities (AUs). But if he has set his mind on obtaining a degree through a private education institution (PEI), then it is important to consider job outcomes. The latest Private Education Institution Graduate Employment Survey released by SkillsFuture Singapore has indeed raised some concerns. Among the 2,300 fresh PEI graduates surveyed in the labour force – those who are working, or not working but actively looking and available for jobs – 74.8 per cent reported they had found permanent, freelance or part-time jobs within six months of graduating. This is a notable drop from the 83.2 per cent in 2023. What is also concerning is that only 46.4 per cent of them found full-time permanent jobs within six months of graduation – a significant decline from 58.7 per cent in 2023. At the same time, more PEI graduates turned to part-time or temporary roles – 24.2 per cent, up from 18.9 per cent in 2023 – while those engaging in freelance work saw a slight drop – 4.2 per cent, down from 5.7 per cent. The findings underscore a growing employment gap between graduates of private institutions and those from publicly funded AUs, such as the Singapore Management University, Nanyang Technological University and the National University of Singapore. About 79.5 per cent of AU graduates secured full-time permanent roles within six months of graduation, with 6 per cent doing part-time or temporary work, and 1.6 per cent working freelance, according to the joint employment survey for the 2024 cohort of these graduates. Fresh AU graduates started with a median monthly salary of $4,500. In contrast, PEI graduates in full-time roles earned a median monthly salary of $3,500, a modest increase from $3,400 in 2023. Those from the Parkway College of Nursing and Allied Health and ERC Institute, which offers degree courses in business and technology, among other things, took home the highest pay at $4,000, followed by graduates from the Singapore Institute of Management (SIM) who earned $3,600. So what accounts for the gap in employment rate and salaries? To understand the differences in salaries between the graduates of AUs and those from private schools, you should consider the fact that PEI graduates may hold degrees in different disciplines, and many PEIs do not offer degrees in fields such as medicine or law, where graduates earn higher salaries. Also, the reality is that employers do discriminate against PEI graduates, just as they discriminate against graduates who come from less reputable universities. However, take heart – once a graduate is in a job, it is the performance that matters. In 2019, SIM released a survey in which it tracked the career progression of its class of 2013. It found that five years on, their employment rate and salaries had improved considerably. Also, the big PEIs with thousands of students, such as Kaplan and SIM, have over the years launched numerous programmes to boost the job prospects of their students and provided career counselling, career talks and visits to companies. Kaplan's students benefit from industry experts through initiatives such as workshops and coaching sessions. It also offers networking opportunities, career fairs, recruitment talks and a job-matching service. Kaplan is advised by industry advisory boards on the latest trends and receives input to ensure its course curricula remain relevant and current, so that it can prepare its students for the real world. SIM has a dedicated in-house learner advisory and career centre which offers comprehensive career guidance and support for its students and alumni . This includes Project Protege, a four-month mentorship programme that connects students with alumni and industry mentors, for guided learning and career exploration. SIM also holds career and internship fairs twice a year. Its most recent career fair held in February saw close to 60 participating companies across sectors such as accounting, business, finance, healthcare, public service and social services. The school has also recently launched the CareerSense app, an AI-powered all-in-one career navigator, designed to guide learners and alumni towards meaningful careers. Q: I am an A-level holder looking to take the private school route as I failed to get into the local universities. How do I choose the right school and degree course, and ensure that the curriculum is rigorous? Also, I am interested in emerging areas, such as artificial intelligence (AI). Do private schools offer courses in these areas? A: Every year, students and parents ask about the quality of education that private institutions provide. It is a legitimate concern as the private education sector in Singapore is of uneven quality. It is good to look at the more established institutions . The bigger PEIs such as SIM, Kaplan and PSB Academy also offer more degree programmes, including degrees in new as well as in-demand areas such as AI, cyber security, finance and allied health. SIM currently has 16,000 part-time and full-time students, the majority of whom are Singaporeans. It works with 12 university partners from Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, France and America. Together they offer over 140 academic programmes ranging from diplomas to undergraduate degrees to postgraduate degrees. In emerging fields, SIM runs computer science degree programmes with the University of London, with specialisations in machine learning and AI, the internet of things and virtual reality. Kaplan Singapore has about 20,000 full-time and part-time students, almost 65 per cent of whom are Singaporeans and permanent residents. The courses it offers with its nine university partners include degrees with double majors from Murdoch University combining psychology and marketing; banking and criminology; and finance and politics. Once you have decided on a PEI, you should check if it offers the specific course and specialisation you are interested in, such as business studies with a specialisation in AI or finance. It is also good to check on the partner university that is offering the degree. Most of the PEIs here, especially the bigger ones, have a range of partners from Britain, Australia and the US. Research the reputation of the university by referring to the international rankings by Quacquarelli Symonds and Times Higher Education. This will give a general idea of the standing of the universities. There are many 'in-country rankings' as well, such as the US News and World ranking for institutions in the country. The different disciplines are also considered in international rankings. These can be a lot more useful in choosing universities. While some universities may not do well in overall rankings, they may be ranked higher in a specific discipline, be it business or engineering. It is also important to check how involved the partner universities are in running the academic programme provided by the PEI in Singapore. Murdoch University from Western Australia, one of Kaplan's partner universities, has a pro vice-chancellor in charge of transnational education based in Singapore to oversee the academic aspects of the programmes. Check on the lecturers teaching the courses here. Some universities have their academic staff from the home campus fly here to teach the courses. Others use academics from the home campus but supplement them with lecturers based here. All the institutions hold open houses and encourage campus tours. Open houses will be held in June and July, including on June 14 for SIM-University of Buffalo. You should attend them to have a first-hand look. Many of the partner universities will have their lecturers and deans there. Seize the opportunity to speak to them about the courses you are interested in. While attending the open houses, check out the facilities provided by the PEIs to ensure they provide more than just classes. In this age of AI, employers are also looking at soft skills, such as adaptability, innovative thinking and public speaking. It is essential for students to involve themselves in sports and activities which help to nurture these soft skills. Again, the bigger PEIs stand out in offering facilities for co-curricular activities. Kaplan, which opened a new campus in North Bridge Road in January, has a total of 14 clubs catering to students keen on a variety of sports and other activities, including community service, music or dance. SIM stands out from the other PEIs because of its sprawling campus along Clementi Road. It has nearly 80 student clubs covering the arts, sports, hip-hop dance, community service and social entrepreneurship. SIM is also the only PEI with sports teams competing at the national level under the Singapore University Sports Council. SIM business graduate Kevin Ong, 33, who has risen to a mid-level managerial position in a business advisory firm after six years of working, said he was surprised at the full range of facilities on the school campus, which got him participating in a range of sports. 'I was surprised as I did not expect a private school to place so much importance on student activities and to provide the facilities and resources. 'The sports and activities there helped me build more people skills and become a more outgoing person. That has helped put me in good stead in terms of advancement in my career in business development.' Get the ST Smart Parenting newsletter for expert advice. Visit the microsite for more
AsiaOne
30-05-2025
- Automotive
- AsiaOne
Daily roundup: Fewer private university grads find full-time jobs in 2024, compared to 2023 — and other top stories today, Singapore News
Stay in the know with a recap of our top stories today. 1. Fewer private university grads find full-time jobs in 2024, compared to 2023 Fewer private university graduates found full-time jobs within six months of graduating in 2024 than in the previous year. According to the 2024 Private Education Institution Graduate Employment Survey... » READ MORE 2. Made in Singapore: First locally-made Kia, the EV5, officially launched Kia has launched its first locally-made model, the EV5 electric SUV, which will be assembled at the Hyundai Motor Group Innovation Centre Singapore (HMGICS) in Jurong... » READ MORE 3. 'A project out of love': Dad-daughter duo sets up assisted living community to honour late grandma When the Covid-19 pandemic reached Singapore five years ago and triggered a lockdown here, the Kok family had no choice but to halt the frequent social activities their dementia-stricken grandmother enjoyed... » READ MORE 4. Zheng Geping gets surprise birthday celebration on drama set He thought it was time to film, only to be surprised with a chorus. Local actor Zheng Geping turned 61 on May 27, and his family as well as the crew and cast members on the set of their drama The Cellphone Swap threw him a surprise celebration... » READ MORE editor@
AsiaOne
28-05-2025
- Business
- AsiaOne
Fewer private university grads find full-time jobs in 2024, compared to 2023, Singapore News
Fewer private university graduates found full-time jobs within six months of graduating in 2024 than in the previous year. According to the 2024 Private Education Institution Graduate Employment Survey, 74.8 per cent of 2,300 fresh graduates from private education institutions (PEIs) in the labour force found permanent, freelance or part-time jobs within six months of graduating, a decrease from 83.2 per cent in 2023. Less than half or 46.4 per cent of them found full-time work within six months in 2024 as compared to 58.7 per cent in 2023. The survey results, which were released by SkillsFuture Singapore on Tuesday (May 26), also showed that more PEI graduates were in part-time or temporary jobs (24.2 per cent, up from 18.9 per cent in 2023), while fewer took on freelance work (4.2 per cent, down from 5.7 per cent in 2023) within the same period. A total of 3,500 graduates across 27 PEIs took part in the survey. The statistics appear to signal a weaker overall hiring demand than previous years amid slowing economic growth. However, the median gross monthly salaries of those in full-time work were found to have risen to $3,500 in 2024, from $3,400 in 2023. Graduates from the Parkway College of Nursing and Allied Health as well as ERC Institute, which offers degree courses in business and technology among others, took home the highest pay with a median gross monthly salary of $4,000, followed by graduates from the Singapore Institute of Management who earned a median salary of $3,600. A graduating student from Curtin University, who wished to be known as Heng, told AsiaOne that she was able to secure a job in February, within a month of finishing her classes. "I do feel glad I managed to secure my job that soon, but I realise it is more important to source for jobs which are aligned with my goals and needs as well," she said. Heng stated that her starting pay was around the median salary of $3,281 for graduates from her university, but declined to reveal the exact number. The 23-year-old, who studied Accounting and Finance, eventually left her first full-time job as an accountant at a local firm after two months, as she felt it was not aligned with her learning and development goals. She then pivoted to working as a financial advisor at the insurance arm of a bank. The private education survey, conducted between November 2024 and March 2025, recorded responses from about 3,500 fresh graduates of full-time bachelor's degree programmes across 27 private institutions, including James Cook University, PSB Academy and Management Development Institute of Singapore. The poll findings focused on employment outcomes of those who graduated between May 2023 and April 2024 from full-time bachelor's-level external degree programmes. The survey also found that those from information and digital technologies commanded the highest median gross monthly salary at $4,080, followed by humanities and social sciences at $3,500. Graduates from engineering courses in private institutions had the highest proportion in full-time permanent jobs at 55.3 per cent, followed closely by those in the sciences, at 51.8 per cent. Out of the survey respondents, 28.3 per cent were either unemployed and looking for jobs, or in involuntary part-time or temporary employment. [[nid:714878]]
Business Times
26-05-2025
- Business
- Business Times
Daily Debrief: What Happened Today (May 26)
Stories you might have missed Asean must strengthen external ties in new growth areas, even as integration continues: PM Wong [KUALA LUMPUR] Asean must deepen and expand its external partnerships, especially in new growth areas, even as it steps up its own internal integration, said Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on Monday (May 26). Asia's rich trim US exposure, head to Europe amid tariff turmoil [SINGAPORE] Asian private banking clients sprang into action over the past month, refusing to sit idle when faced with the whiplash in global financial markets caused by the tariff turmoil. Individuals have been rebalancing their portfolios, according to some senior private bankers, whose clients each have at least S$2 million in investible assets. Front-loading drives Singapore's factory output growth, which slows to 5.9% in April but far exceeds estimates BT in your inbox Start and end each day with the latest news stories and analyses delivered straight to your inbox. Sign Up Sign Up [SINGAPORE] Front-loading activity amid uncertainty over US President Donald Trump's tariffs supported Singapore's industrial production growth in April, economists said after the latest prints were released on Monday (May 26). Malaysia's Anwar writes Trump seeking summit with South-east Asia [KUALA LUMPUR] Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said he has written a letter to United States President Donald Trump to request a meeting between the US and the Association of South-east Asian Nations over Washington's trade policies. Less than 75% of fresh graduates from private institutions secure jobs within 6 months [SINGAPORE] Fewer than three in four fresh graduates from private education institutions found employment within six months of graduation, based on the Private Education Institution Graduate Employment Survey 2023/2024 released by SkillsFuture Singapore on Monday. Park Hotel Management and Allen Law's legal battle results in landmark High Court judgment for insolvency law [SINGAPORE] Former Park Hotel Management director Allen Law, who is being sued by liquidators of the company, has failed to reduce his potential liabilities by S$6.8 million after the High Court rejected his application to amend his defence and introduce a counterclaim. Hillcrest Arcadia's S$920 million en bloc tender closes with no bids [SINGAPORE] The collective sale of Bukit Timah condominium Hillcrest Arcadia has moved into private treaty talks, after a tender closed on Thursday with no bids.
Straits Times
26-05-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
Less than half of private uni grads find full-time jobs, despite slight increase in salaries
The median gross monthly salaries of those in full-time work in 2024 crept up to $3,500, compared with $3,400 in 2023. PHOTO: ST FILE Less than half of private uni grads find full-time jobs, despite slight increase in salaries SINGAPORE - Less than half of fresh graduates from private education institutions found full-time jobs in 2024, amid slowing economic growth and lower hiring demand. The latest Private Education Institution Graduate Employment Survey, released by SkillsFuture Singapore on April 26, showed that 46.4 per cent of fresh graduates found full-time work, compared with 58.7 per cent in 2023. More of these graduates found part-time or temporary work ( 24.2 per cent, up from 18.9 per cent in 2023), while fewer were doing freelance work ( 4.2 per cent, down from 5.7 per cent in 2023). Overall, of the 2,300 fresh graduates in the labour force – those who are working, or not working but actively looking and available for jobs – surveyed, 74.8 per cent found permanent, freelance or part-time jobs within six months of graduating, a drop from the 83.2 per cent in 2023. The median gross monthly salaries of those in full-time work in 2024 crept up to $3,500 , compared with $3,400 in 2023. Those from Parkway College of Nursing and Allied Health and ERC Institute, which offers degree courses in business and technology among others, took home the most pay at $4,000 , followed by graduates from the Singapore Institute of Management earned $3,600 . Fresh graduates from autonomous universities, such as Nanyang Technological University and the National University of Singapore, started with a median monthly salary of $4,500 , according to the joint employment survey for the 2024 cohort of these graduates. Results of the survey were released on Feb 24. About 79.5 per cent of graduates from autonomous universities secured full-time permanent roles within six months of graduation , with 6 per cen t doing part-time or temporary work, an d 1.6 per cent working freelance. Post-national service (post-NS) polytechnic graduates, meanwhile, started with a median monthly salary of $3,000 , up from $2,963 in 2023. The latest survey, conducted between November 2024 and March 2025, took responses from about 3,500 fresh graduates of full-time bachelor's degree-level graduates across 27 private institutions , including James Cook University, PSB Academy and Management Development Institute of Singapore. Out of this figure, about 2,300 graduates were in the labour force. The poll findings f ocused on employment outcomes of those who graduated between May 2023 and April 2024 from full-time bachelor's-level external degree programmes. Among 2024's graduates from private institutions, 28.3 per cent were either unemployed and looking for jobs, or in involuntary part-time or temporary employment. The figure was 10.7 per cent for graduates of autonomous universities, and 7.2 per cent for post-NS polytechnic graduates. Graduates from engineering courses in private institutions had the highest proportion in full-time permanent jobs at 55.3 per cent, followed closely by those in the sciences, at 51.8 per cent. Those from information and digital technologies commanded the highest median gross monthly salary at $4,080, followed by humanities and social sciences at $3,500. Salaries for engineering and arts-related graduates were not published due to small sample sizes. Gabrielle Chan is a journalist at The Straits Times, and covers everything related to education in Singapore. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
