Firstly, I am an
SMU student.
I have observed that most of the bickering centralises around these three topics:
1) Is an SIM degree a degree?
2) Is UOL-
LSE comparable to
LSE?
3) Do top SIM students gain places at top UK universities?
4) Recommendations for all private degree students
1) Is an SIM degree a degree?
A degree from Stanford > a degree from
LSE > a degree from
SMU/STUD/
NTU/
NUS > a degree from SIM > other private degrees
When employers say that they want a "degree holder", it goes without saying that they do not mean any programme that churns out a certificate with the 6 letter word "degree" printed on it.
Obviously, they want a certain standard of degree. Different employers have different cut-offs! Certain jobs or programmes, such as an MA programme at a local bank, state that they require at least a 2nd upper degree. It would be silly to take "2nd upper degree" literally. Does it mean any 2nd upper degree? No! They generally mean a 2nd upper degree from
SMU/STUD/
NTU/
NUS. Does it mean that you must have a 2.1 or 1.1 printed on your degree? No. If you are a 2nd lower from Stanford, they will probably consider you too. This is because Stanford is considered to be much higher tier than the local unis. It is perceived that a 2nd lower Stanford student who goes to
SMU/STUD/
NTU/
NUS will get a 1st class.
Is an SIM degree is a degree? Taken literally, it is.
Is it is wrong if you tell other people that you are a degree holder? No it is not wrong. You are a degree holder.
However, understand that certain employers(esp govt) when they state "degree programme", they mean
SMU/STUD/
NTU/
NUS tier degree and above. Certain overseas degrees won't be considered sufficient even if you studied at their campus. An SIM degree might not be considered to be of a comparable tier.
On the bright side, SIM is probably the most recognised private degree in Singapore. Hence, SIM degree holders have an advantage over other private degree holders.
2) Is UOL-
LSE comparable to
LSE?
No. The truth is harsh.
LSE only gives the UOL-
LSE distant learning programme direction, just like how Wharton gives
SMU direction when it started and how MIT gives SUTD direction.
SMU doesn't even bother mentioning about Wharton anymore since it is now well established. Is the
NUS-Yale programme a Yale degree? It is not.
NUS-Yale students recognise that and will never complain about employers preferring Yale students over them. Unfortunately, there seems to be some disillusion that plaques certain UOL-
LSE students into thinking that their degree is an
LSE degree. A UOL-
LSE degree is a UOL degree, just like how an
NUS-Yale degree is an
NUS degree.
The most common myth I hear is that UOL-
LSE students are COMPETING against students at
LSE. When you score an A for a UOL-
LSE exam, you did better than students at
LSE.
Well, are you taking your exams after midnight? If you're not, how can you be sitting for the same paper? Do you think the
LSE students are taking their exams at odd hours to synchronise with the DL programmes?
The truth is, the exam is set by
LSE, but you are not competing with
LSE students! If you think that you are receiving an
LSE standard of education, you are not. Bluntly put,
LSE cannot put UOL-
LSE DL students through the same academic rigour because they are not as smart as their students. Just like how
NUS-Yale programme students are not as smart as Yale students, obviously they are not studying the same content.
3) Do top SIM students gain places at top UK universities?
Yes they do. There is news about this lying all around.
4) Recommendations for all private degree students
Your degree is generally perceived as a lower tier than other degrees. Besides getting a first class for your degree, what can you do to step up your game?
a) Do internships. Use work experience to close the gap. Internships also give you an opportunity to prove that you are better than the ordinary private degree student (that is, if you are).
b) Network. Join networking events.
c) Gain external accreditation. Such as CFA, ACCA, etc. Learn something that will set you apart, like a foreign language. If you are really good, follow the route of top SIM students and take a masters at a top UK university.
d) If government organisations don't recognise your degree, then screw them. Go private. Choose an area which you can excel. Some organisations are flatter than others.
TLDR:
1) Is an SIM degree a degree?
Yes.
2) Is UOL-
LSE comparable to
LSE?
No.
3) Do top SIM students gain places at top UK universities?
Yes.
4) Recommendations for all private degree students
Do other stuff to compensate your weaker degree and avoid govt institutions.