Upgrading and upskilling to future-proof your career
With the rapid changes in skills and job scope, many working professionals are actively exploring upskilling and upgrading opportunities. With so many choices available, which course you ultimately choose becomes an essential factor. Once you have taken into account the requirements necessary to pursue part-time studies, the next step is undoubtedly the most intimidating yet: choosing the right programme for you.
At Aventis, we strongly believe in lifelong learning and the pursuit of skill mastery. As a registered education partner with SkillsFuture Singapore, we are committed to helping Singaporeans and PRs with a more innovative way to find suitable courses based on their skills, aspirations, and passion.
5 Key steps to determining your programme
Given that enrolling in any part-time studies or graduate school involves a hefty investment in time and money, it is only logical to make it count by choosing the right part-time degree or graduate programme to help you achieve your career goals. If you are determined to pursue a part-time course or graduate degree soon, it would be best to take note of the information compiled in this essential guide.
Step 1: Bachelor’s Degree, Graduate Diploma, or Masters’s Degree?
For many adult learners, the first step is determining which programme level is most suited according to their career needs and personal growth. Let us take a look at the different courses one can consider when choosing a fitting program that would benefit them career-wise.
Bachelor’s degree programmes are suitable for fresh polytechnic diploma holders with less than 3 years of working experience. The mode of assessment is mainly examinations, with a focus on fundamental frameworks and concepts. When it comes to a bachelor’s degree, the typical course duration is between 18 and 24 months, and the usual investment is between $25,000 and $45,000.
On the other hand, graduate diploma courses are designed for diploma or degree holders with more than 5 years of working experience. The coursework and industry are primarily focused on graduate diploma programmes. Assessments are based on case studies, and those with a graduate diploma certification are normally allowed direct progression into the MBA and specialised master’s degree. The typical duration of a graduate diploma course is between 6 to 9 months, with an investment of between $8,000 and $5,000. Due to their affordability and relatively short duration, graduate diploma programmes are highly popular amongst working professionals exploring a career switch or progression.
The MBA and specialised master’s degrees are tailored for a degree or diploma holders with a minimum of 10 years of working experience. They are excellent for growing and expanding your professional network. These programmes are case study focused. The average course lasts 12 to 18 months and costs between $20,000 and $35,000.
Step 2: Be familiar with the field you wish to enter
Since you will be committed to a particular type of study or discipline, it would be best to ensure that you are enrolling in the best course for it. One way of achieving this is by consulting with the programme advisors and doing due research on a given programme’s learning outcomes and career opportunities before applying. According to a SkillsFuture Singapore 2021 report, popular fields include counselling, mental wellness, and psychology courses under the CARE industry, and business sustainability and digital transformation skills such as AI, Data Science, Cyber Security, and Data Analytics.
Step 3: Ask about the completion or success rate of their graduates
It is essential to find a graduate programme that can provide you with the support necessary to accomplish your research or land you a job that would ultimately ensure you can successfully complete the programme. Entry into the programme does not equate to success. Some programmes have a high failure rate or dropout rate due to the assessment mode or delivery method. Therefore, it is wise to look into the experiences of past graduates and how they succeeded in the job market after achieving their degrees. There are many resources available to help you in your search, both external and internal. For instance, most universities and departments are willing to provide such information about their graduates. Additionally, you can ask individual professors and graduate directors if you need further assistance.
Step 4: Seek professional consultation with Programme Advisors
Once you have shortlisted your choice, the next step is to contact the school to secure professional guidance from the education advisors about your desired programme. Ensure that you have all the necessary information in place before making a decision, such as course details, application procedure, deadlines, course recognition, career opportunities, and progression pathway. In addition, it is also well worth the effort to reach out to recent or current students taking the program. They can provide plenty of insights about their daily lives as well as the information you seek.
Step 5: Working with the Programme Advisor to finance your part-time studies
Investing in yourself is the best investment one could ever make. There are many ways to finance your studies, including securing a financial or educational loan to meet the different needs of adult learners. Make sure you speak with your programme advisor to get the most reliable advice on financing your education, including which financial institutions offer the best interest loans to support your studies.
Conclusion
Thinking about pursuing an MBA or part-time studies can be an intimidating task, given how one has to make a significant decision for their career path. However, the proper support and help from professionally trained programme advisors make it easier to decide on the decision that suits you best.

While on the topic of programmes, Aventis Graduate School provides a comprehensive range of graduate diplomas for relevant fields in demand in today’s job market, such as business, frontier technology, and human sciences. In addition, this established graduate school with over 15 years of success also offers executive MBA courses in Singapore praised and recognized with many accolades over the years. All in all, Aventis is the right choice for working professionals determined to align their goals with Aventis’ motto–aspire to new ambitions, achieve career success, and accomplish meaningful goals.