All About Overseas Education

[newbieks]

doodbug\" post_id=\"2110331\" time=\"1686027466\" user_id=\"13281:

you are heavily advantaged in top UK uni applications, if applying from a British school. The private schools in UK are all very transparent about their A/A* rates, as well as university destinations. For Oxbridge applications, for one, you are personally there to be interviewed by the Colleges you apply for. Also, the British private schools are far smaller in enrolment than Singapore schools (it is not uncommon for even top private schools to have a graduating cohort of say 200 or 300 plus). Even in the top Singapore schools, some teachers/schools can be selective in whom they feel realistically stand a chance and should be supported for top uni applications.

yes, that is the impression I got from my initial reading. But I think not easy to pass the entrance test for those top boarding schools? Read somewhere that in terms of students feeding into Oxbridge, internationally (including all UK schools), RI is placed No. 2 on the list. But the big difference is that the cohort of RI is much larger each year compared to 100-200 in the UK feeder schools.

[doodbug]

newbieks\" post_id=\"2110332\" time=\"1686027827\" user_id=\"178749:

yes, that is the impression I got from my initial reading. But I think not easy to pass the entrance test for those top boarding schools? Read somewhere that in terms of students feeding into Oxbridge, internationally (including all UK schools), RI is placed No. 2 on the list. But the big difference is that the cohort of RI is much larger each year compared to 100-200 in the UK feeder schools.

I am not sure about the entrance tests to top boarding schools. But getting into Concorde College or Cardiff Sixth Form doesn't seem to be terribly difficult for an average/above average IP student.

I would say that most Singaporean parents/students also value an opportunity to study at our local universities these days. If you are doing the UK A levels, I'm not sure how this is being regarded by local universities.

Also, if you are not gunning only for Oxbridge, I think the SIngapore A levels or IB read in Singapore, gives you a decent shot at the other Russell Group universities? Oxbridge is not for every top student.

[newbieks]

doodbug\" post_id=\"2110333\" time=\"1686028919\" user_id=\"13281:

I am not sure about the entrance tests to top boarding schools. But getting into Concorde College or Cardiff Sixth Form doesn't seem to be terribly difficult for an average/above average IP student.

I would say that most Singaporean parents/students also value an opportunity to study at our local universities these days. If you are doing the UK A levels, I'm not sure how this is being regarded by local universities.

Also, if you are not gunning only for Oxbridge, I think the SIngapore A levels or IB read in Singapore, gives you a decent shot at the other Russell Group universities? Oxbridge is not for every top student.

Singapore universities are great, but the competition to enter the better courses are getting inreasingly competitive as well. Not just on law/medicine, but even any course related to science (except for engineering) seems to need a string of As.

I think most who do UK A level will end up staying in UK to finish their uni course, even if it is not Oxbridge/Russell Group universities.

[doodbug]

newbieks\" post_id=\"2110336\" time=\"1686030160\" user_id=\"178749:

Singapore universities are great, but the competition to enter the better courses are getting inreasingly competitive as well. Not just on law/medicine, but even any course related to science (except for engineering) seems to need a string of As.

I think most who do UK A level will end up staying in UK to finish their uni course, even if it is not Oxbridge/Russell Group universities.

yes correct. If the plan is to stay in the UK for university, I do think UK A levels is a good pathway.

For local universities, if one is not fixated with NUS and is willing to consider other universities, I think the entry requirements are still quite alright for Science.

[newbieks]

doodbug\" post_id=\"2110337\" time=\"1686030413\" user_id=\"13281:

yes correct. If the plan is to stay in the UK for university, I do think UK A levels is a good pathway.

For local universities, if one is not fixated with NUS and is willing to consider other universities, I think the entry requirements are still quite alright for Science.

Perceived difference in the value of a degree from NUS/NTU vs the other local uni is still quite stark I feel. Also having to manage the UCAS applications/interview while having A levels exams in Singapore seem daunting as well, unless one is willing to take a gap year to review options.

[doodbug]

newbieks\" post_id=\"2110338\" time=\"1686031193\" user_id=\"178749:

Perceived difference in the value of a degree from NUS/NTU vs the other local uni is still quite stark I feel. Also having to manage the UCAS applications/interview while having A levels exams in Singapore seem daunting as well, unless one is willing to take a gap year to review options.

NTU Science entry is not too onerous.

If you are not applying for Oxbridge, or Medicine/Dentistry, then there is quite a lot of time to get it done after the A levels.

There are pathways and options

[newbieks]

doodbug\" post_id=\"2110339\" time=\"1686031355\" user_id=\"13281:

NTU Science entry is not too onerous.

If you are not applying for Oxbridge, or Medicine/Dentistry, then there is quite a lot of time to get it done after the A levels.

There are pathways and options

Thanks...Not so sure about the career prospects of a more general science degree these days (e.g. biological science) vs say a life science/food science degree these days. During my days, most who do general science degree end up in teaching/research?

Many kiddos would try Oxbridge etc, but of course, disappointment rate would also be very high, hahhaha,,, You are right, thanks for reminding that except for Oxbrodge, the deadline for other UK uni is actually in Jan, not Oct.

[doodbug]

newbieks\" post_id=\"2110341\" time=\"1686032857\" user_id=\"178749:

Thanks...Not so sure about the career prospects of a more general science degree these days (e.g. biological science) vs say a life science/food science degree these days. During my days, most who do general science degree end up in teaching/research?

Many kiddos would try Oxbridge etc, but of course, disappointment rate would also be very high, hahhaha,,, You are right, thanks for reminding that except for Oxbrodge, the deadline for other UK uni is actually in Jan, not Oct.

I am not sure how many kids would try for Oxbridge ....my impression is that the ones who tend to try are those with strong predicted grades (i.e. prelim results) or those who had done H3s. This already filters quite a large group of kids. Some are too busy studying and with other commitments, to want to deal with the Oxbridge deadline.

I believe in NUS, it's no longer called Biology/Biological Sciences - the degree offered by Department of Biological Sciences is called Life Sciences now.

[zac's mum]

Just chipping in as I used to be in that industry…life science bachelors degree has very poor prospects (pay is miserable & mostly contract basis tied to boss’ fixed-term research grant). Need to study till PhD level otherwise dun waste your time & money.

[newbieks]

doodbug\" post_id=\"2110342\" time=\"1686033836\" user_id=\"13281:

I am not sure how many kids would try for Oxbridge ....my impression is that the ones who tend to try are those with strong predicted grades (i.e. prelim results) or those who had done H3s. This already filters quite a large group of kids. Some are too busy studying and with other commitments, to want to deal with the Oxbridge deadline.

I believe in NUS, it's no longer called Biology/Biological Sciences - the degree offered by Department of Biological Sciences is called Life Sciences now.

Biological Science is at NTU. At NUS, no Biological Science or Life Sciences. Closest related courses are probably Food Science and Tech or Pharmaceutical Science/Pharmacy....all need AAA/A.

Why are engineering courses so not in demand these days? Compared to last time when chem engineering was the next hardest course to get in after Law/Medicine/Dentistry.