Earning a bachelor’s degree used to take around four years. But after the implementation of intensive curriculums, three-year courses became available. Soon after, top-up degrees were introduced. And now, students with a diploma can earn a relevant bachelor’s degree in just one year.

The issue of a traditional degree and a top-up degree has been highly debated. Are students gaining enough practical experience when they study for three years? And are top-up degree students educated enough to join the workforce?

Here, we will discuss the pros and cons of a regular degree and a top-up degree.

Regular Bachelor’s Degrees

These degree programs span an average of three years or more. Diploma holders from relevant fields are usually eligible. You can also apply for these programs after achieving certain scores on your GCE “A” levels or academic qualifications of equivalent value.

Most bachelor’s degree courses will have both theory and practical modules in varying ratios. It is rare to find courses that are 100% theory-based. In many cases, project work from these programs can give you field exposure.

To increase your employ-ability, pick a school that gives you opportunities to build a strong portfolio and industry contacts. Consider a dual education degree for a 50-50 exposure to formal theory and experience industry standards through company attachments.

Pros:
– Maximum time to plot your career course carefully.
– Plenty of practice to fine-tune your theory and/or practical skills before joining the workforce.
– Learn a broader range of subjects for a clear understanding of future options.

Cons:
– Take longer to graduate. This makes you more dependent on others for financial support.
– Expensive tuition fees. You will take longer to repay your tuition loan.

Top-up Degrees

These degrees are widely common in the design and business field. Professionals with diplomas find this a popular option to further their studies. A top-up degree usually spans a year or two. And is ideal for those who want to spend minimal time in school, yet achieve maximum enhancement for their existing skills.

Some curriculum rely heavily on exemptions to cut the amount of time required to graduate. Exemptions allow students who have taken similar subjects to be excused from those modules.

If you have a clear idea of what you want for your future career, consider signing up for a top-up degree after you graduate with your diploma.

Pros:
– Less spent on tuition fee.
– Intensive curriculum allows you to learn skills in a shorter time.
– Students graduate faster and can hunt for jobs while their peers are still schooling.

Cons:
– Learn lesser modules in comparison to a fuller curriculum. This will make you rely more on your portfolio and experience rather than academic transcript when applying for jobs.
– Might not be as recognized when competing with other candidates for jobs in top companies.

Regular Bachelor’s Degree vs Top-up Degrees

Choosing the right type of degree depends on the economic conditions of your country. If the economy is looking good with plenty of job opportunities, a top-up degree will be the best option. With less time spent in school, you can put more effort into landing your dream job.

However, if the economy is down, taking a bachelor’s degree with more modules will have two benefits. First off, it increases your market value. Second, it reduces the effect of a bad economy on you. Chances are that when you graduate, the economy would have improved. And finding a job will be easier.

In either case, choose a good school. And make sure that you will have enough opportunity to build a strong portfolio and also, industry contacts.

Is the economy in your country down? Consider studying abroad to increase your future career opportunities. Raffles Education Corporation operates 38 colleges specializing in Design, Business and Science in 14 countries; Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia, Singapore, Sydney in Australia, Auckland in New Zealand, India (Mumbai, New Delhi, Bangalore), Colombo in Sri Lanka, Dhaka in Bangladesh, Hong Kong, China (Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou), Vietnam, Bangkok in Thailand, Indonesia and Cambodia.

Author Bio: Donald Pang, is an Admissions Director at the Raffles International Colleges offering fashion design schools with presence in 35 cities across 14 countries namely Singapore, Malaysia, Mongolia, Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, Philippines, Bangladesh, India, China, Sri Lanka, Vietnam and Cambodia.

Category: Education
Keywords: bachelor degrees,top up degrees,tips,study abroad,fashion design schools