5 facts you need to know about Kaplan-Murdoch programmes

-- PHOTO: KAPLAN
-- PHOTO: KAPLAN

Choosing the right educational institution to jumpstart your professional career can be a daunting task. You would need to consider a number of factors such as duration of your degree, course fees, campus location, and flexibility of your classes if you are taking it part-time. It is imperative that you make the right decision for this possibly life-changing step. So choose an institution that you can trust and one that caters to your needs.

Kaplan has established itself as a leading international provider of educational and career services with a number of accolades to its name. In 2012, the institution further strengthened its core when it partnered with Western Australia's Murdoch University. Through this collaboration with the prestigious university, Kaplan offers career-oriented academic programmes designed to provide students with the necessary skills to qualify them for employment in various fields.

The on-campus Murdoch University is located in Perth but if you're based in Singapore, you can choose to pursue your degree at Kaplan which has two centrally located campuses - Kaplan City Campus @ PoMo and Kaplan City Campus @ Wilkie Edge. Here's a lowdown on Murdoch University and Kaplan to help you through this difficult decision-making process.

5 facts you need to know about Murdoch University

1. In the Top 2% of the world's Higher Education Institutions

Overall, Murdoch University is ranked in the Top 2% in Times Higher Education World University Rankings for 2013/2014.

The Times Higher Education World University Rankings is the only global university performance table to judge research-led universities. Rankings are based on 13 calibrated performance indicators, which are grouped into five areas - teaching, research, citations, industry income, and international outlook.

2. World's Top 60 Universities under 50

Murdoch University is ranked among the Top 60 in Times Higher Education Top 100 Universities Under 50 years old (2014).

This list employs the same 13 separate indicators as the Times Higher Education World University Rankings, but the 100 Under 50 methodology has been carefully re-calibrated to reflect the special characteristics of younger universities, showcasing not those institutions with centuries of history, but the rising stars which show great potential.

Murdoch University scored 86.4% for International Outlook, a category that looks at diversity on campus and the extent that academics collaborate with international colleagues on research projects. Coming in second at 51.7% is Citations, which examines research influence by capturing the number of times the university's published work is cited by scholars globally. Murdoch University's third best at 49.9% is Industry Income, a category based on the university's ability to help industry with innovations, inventions and consultancy.

3. A*Star Scholars' choice

The Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) is the lead agency for fostering world-class scientific research and talent for a vibrant knowledge-based and innovation-driven Singapore.

Murdoch University is listed as one of A*Star Scholars' choice of University. It is in good company with world-renowned universities such as Yale, Brown, Princeton and Harvard University that are also part of the list.

4. It is acclaimed for supporting postgraduate students

It is the only University in Western Australia to be awarded the top five-star rating for supporting postgraduate students by the Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations (CAPA, 2010).

Murdoch University provides its postgraduate research students with resources that range from basics such as sole-use desks, chairs, and access to laboratory spaces, to funding of research costs and training and development opportunities.

5. It is well-connected with reputable associations

Murdoch University is awarded with professional accreditations and holds membership in the following:

1. CPA Australia (Associate membership & enrolment in the CPA Programme)
2. Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia (ICAA) (Enrolment in the CA Programme)
3. Institute of Public Accountants (Associate Membership)
4. Economics Society of Australia (Associate membership)
5. Australian Human Resources Institute (AHRI)
6. Council for Australasian University Tourism and Hospitality Education (CAUTHE) (Membership)
7. Australian Computer Society (ACS)(Professional membership)
8. Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC)
9. Australian Psychological Society (APS)

5 things you didn't know about pursuing Murdoch University degree at Kaplan

1. You can choose from over 40 double major degree programmes

Kaplan offers over 40 double major degree programmes with a variety of disciplines ranging from Accounting, Finance and Banking; Business and Management; Communication and Media; Hospitality and Tourism Management; Psychology, and Information Technology.

A standard 12-unit programme can be completed in a minimum of 16 months. You have the option of doing your degree full-time or part-time with course intakes starting in January, May and September each year.

2. Full transcript listing

It is one of the few universities that awards full transcript listing for all Year 1 to Year 3 units, giving you a competitive edge in the job market. Also, the degree from Singapore's campus will be the same as that awarded to on-campus students of the university.

3. Locally based Singapore Dean of Murdoch University

In an exclusive arrangement by Murdoch University, its Singapore Dean, Dr Peter Waring, is based here to maintain the high standards of academic delivery.

All classes are conducted by Murdoch University's approved lecturers. These lecturers possess credible academic qualifications and extensive corporate experience.

4. Kaplan's Murdoch University graduates come out on top

Year after year, Kaplan's graduates emerge in the Top 2% of the Murdoch graduate cohort.

5. Flexibility for students

Murdoch University students at Kaplan have the luxury of planning their own timetable to suit their busy schedules. You may also decide the number of units to take in a trimester as this depends very much on the amount of study load you are able to take.

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