5 Reasons for You to Switch Universities

Choosing and enrolling in a university may be the most exciting thing in your life. However, the thrill of starting a new chapter, coupled with societal pressure and overwhelming feelings, may cause you to make poor choices.

It is common for students to be drawn towards a particular course or institution because of their peers or parents. If you are lucky, your choice could turn out to be just fine and you would enjoy a great uni life. However, things may turn sour for a few once they realise the course or uni they enrolled in isn’t what they expected.

The course you choose may not meet industry demands, or you may not have many job opportunities upon completing your studies, or the university you enrol in lacks certain elements that can be beneficial to your higher education journey.

If the following few red flags pop up during your course of study, you should consider switching to a different uni for the sake of your future.

1. Current course does not meet industry demands

There is no point in studying a course that does not benefit you career-wise after graduation. According to the 2018 Graduate Tracer Study by the Education Ministry, university graduates make up 55% of the unemployed. This could be because students enrol in whatever course seems interesting to them without considering its long-term consequences.

Consider your current university. Does it have industry connections? Does it help you develop work-relevant soft skills? Does it offer courses updated for the Fourth Industrial Revolution and the cyber age we find ourselves in? If the answer to every question above is “no”, it’s time to switch unis.

2. No financial aid or scholarships

The amount of scholarships and financial aid offered by universities mostly depend on the funding and budget allocated by the school board. Therefore, some unis may have more financial aid opportunities as opposed to others.

The National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) awards loans, but what if you’re not eligible? While it may not seem like much, having a scholarship or receiving financial aid can add up to a huge difference in how much you have to pay.

For example, if your course costs RM6,000 a semester but you receive a 25% fee waiver per semester, you will pay RM36,000 for an eight-semester, four-year degree as opposed to RM48,000. That’s RM12,000 you can save!

Therefore, if you are unable to get scholarships or financial aid at your current uni, maybe it is best to transfer to another uni that offers myriad financial aid options that can help you study more affordably.

3. Lack of career opportunities upon completion of study

A niche degree may be attractive, but what matters more is how the university facilitates networking opportunities between you and the industry. Does the uni hold roundtable discussions? Are seminars and talks held for you to have a clearer idea of the industry you’ll be working in? Will you be given guidance and assistance in applying for jobs in the industry?

If not, it may be time to look at switching unis. Even if you aren’t pursuing a niche degree, studying for a conventional job at a uni that has little to no industry connections could be detrimental to your future.

As the usage of automation and robots become more prevalent in the wake of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, many jobs are expected to become obsolete and irrelevant. It does not matter if your dream job as an accountant is highly sought after right now. In a decade or two, this job may be non-existent because of the substitution of automation.

However, this does not mean you cannot study to be an accountant. Knowing that the information technology field is here to stay, look for a course that features elements of accounting in addition to special modules in e-commerce, accounting information systems and business communication. Hence, it is important to look for a course that is flexible and adaptable enough that still contains elements of the subject you’re interested in, which will let you find a job now and continue finding jobs long into the future.

4. Less experienced faculty

Good teachers breed good students. If you feel your lecturers are not experienced enough to provide you with the information and growth you need, don’t hesitate in switching to a different uni that has better-trained professors and lecturers. Your ability to self-study is important, but receiving proper guidance and advice can be monumental, especially during such a crucial period.

A university education does not stop mattering after you graduate. It can be the key to your success in your future career. Therefore, never stop the pursuit of knowledge, even if it means switching universities to get better teachers for your profession.

5. Insufficient facilities and amenities

What is a university without the fun and games? Or worse, without the basic necessities to support your study needs? Student life can make or break your education; studying without proper facilities can only cause more stress and wasted time in your already busy student life.

Besides that, the National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association reported in 2014 that student recreation centres do not just improve students’ overall mental and physical wellbeing, but 64% of students stated that increased participation in campus recreation has provided them with skills and abilities that will be used after college.

Choose an Institution that Fulfil Your Needs

Thus, now that you have determined if you need to switch universities, where are you supposed to find your ideal course? At UNITAR International University, of course! With a graduate employability of 91% and 118 industry partners, you can trust UNITAR to help you take the first step in your career.

UNITAR ensures that all its courses align with current industry demands. To do so, it holds regular industry roundtables with its many industry partners to ensure courses are always up to date with real-world issues. The uni’s C.A.R.E. principles are also embedded in every subject, training students to be Collaborative, Adaptive, Reflective, and Entrepreneurial. To view the full list of foundation, diploma and degree programmes, CLICK HERE.

A University that Supports and Motivates Students to Encourage Self-Development

UNITAR is an institution that works hard in helping its students take initiative towards their own development. Many UNITAR students now successfully go through life in a healthy, considerate manner, and can work together with their peers as well as lecturers and family members. The following are a few UNITAR students who have express their utmost satisfaction with the guidance they have received from the university.

Marinah (20), Bachelor of Business Administration student, says, “Everyone, no matter peer or lecturer, always greets me when we see each other. This is because UNITAR provides discussion and meeting spaces for students from all faculties to collaborate and share ideas so we can help each other. These facilities allow us to get to know each other and form better relationships.”

Rafi (24) from Bangladesh, Bachelor of Business Administration student, says, “I came to Malaysia through an agency and did not know what to expect as an international student or whether I would fit in. But to my surprise at the time and my greatest honour till today, UNITAR allowed me to become the media representative for international students. With its support, I am able to help many students with their daily issues and guide them when they feel lost and homesick.”

Sabahan student Hanah (20), Diploma in Tourism Management student, says, “Joining the choir has exposed me to many things. As a student from Sabah, I really appreciate the help and guidance from UNITAR. I know that even though I’m away from my family, I now have a family here with whom I can share the hardships and problems I face.”

Flexible Entry and Comprehensive Facilities

Take advantage of APEL (Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning) to switch to UNITAR. Under the APEL (C) programme, you can transfer credit hours you earned at your previous institution for exemption from studying the same subjects when you switch to UNITAR. This frees up your time to pursue other subjects or the myriad self-improvement activities UNITAR offers.

Besides that, UNITAR collaborates with a long list of foundations and organisations to provide scholarships and financial aid that can go up to 100% tuition fees for leadership, talent and athletics. Depending on the programme you choose, you could be eligible for 100% PTPTN coverage.

UNITAR helps Muslim Asnaf registered with Lembaga Zakat Selangor (LZS) to receive zakat aid. They are eligible for 100% coverage, while eligible students who are not registered with LZS still qualify for zakat aid.

Working adults planning to further studies can fund their education through the Employees Provident Fund Withdrawal Scheme for Education. To view the full list of financial aid options available, CLICK HERE.

Finally, UNITAR provides an array of facilities to not just support a student’s academic studies, but also enhance their lifestyle for a well-rounded student experience. From a comprehensive library to an auditorium, student lounge, cafe and language, computer and early childhood education laboratories, the list goes on and on.

Students at the main campus at Kelana Jaya are well provided for with two high-end student residences, especially for those from other states. To see the full list of facilities and accommodation provided by UNITAR’s 11 campuses, CLICK HERE.