South Africa Temp Residence Permit
Dec 4th 2008, 11:51 am
#16
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 4
Re: South Africa Temp Residence Permit
Hi Pablo - Having already been through the University system here, I am probably as disillusioned with it as a SA national would be with their own!
The practical reasons for me going to Cape Town are that it will cost me half the price and the course starts in Feb whereas I would have to wait until next October to start it over here. Most of all the PGCE course is oversubscribed here and very hard to get on. I bumped into an old friend the other day and despite having a 1st class degree in Childhood studies she was refused a place at the local faux University.
Obviously I am viewing all this with optimism and a probable degree of naivety but I get the impression SA Universities are primarily a place where people go to get an education, whereas over here that seems to take a back to having a 'student experience'!
The practical reasons for me going to Cape Town are that it will cost me half the price and the course starts in Feb whereas I would have to wait until next October to start it over here. Most of all the PGCE course is oversubscribed here and very hard to get on. I bumped into an old friend the other day and despite having a 1st class degree in Childhood studies she was refused a place at the local faux University.
Obviously I am viewing all this with optimism and a probable degree of naivety but I get the impression SA Universities are primarily a place where people go to get an education, whereas over here that seems to take a back to having a 'student experience'!
Dec 4th 2008, 12:05 pm
#17
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,881
Re: South Africa Temp Residence Permit
Hi Pablo - Having already been through the University system here, I am probably as disillusioned with it as a SA national would be with their own!
The practical reasons for me going to Cape Town are that it will cost me half the price and the course starts in Feb whereas I would have to wait until next October to start it over here. Most of all the PGCE course is oversubscribed here and very hard to get on. I bumped into an old friend the other day and despite having a 1st class degree in Childhood studies she was refused a place at the local faux University.
Obviously I am viewing all this with optimism and a probable degree of naivety but I get the impression SA Universities are primarily a place where people go to get an education, whereas over here that seems to take a back to having a 'student experience'!
The practical reasons for me going to Cape Town are that it will cost me half the price and the course starts in Feb whereas I would have to wait until next October to start it over here. Most of all the PGCE course is oversubscribed here and very hard to get on. I bumped into an old friend the other day and despite having a 1st class degree in Childhood studies she was refused a place at the local faux University.
Obviously I am viewing all this with optimism and a probable degree of naivety but I get the impression SA Universities are primarily a place where people go to get an education, whereas over here that seems to take a back to having a 'student experience'!
I am afraid, in general terms, South African higher education is subject to the same politically correct pressures as the UK, only more so, in that it is not politically expedient to fail en masse the 'previously disadvantaged' (to use the cant term that is in vogue) even if they don't make the grade. The 'softer' the subject, the easier it is to subvert it. So arts, social sciences are, as usual, the prime victims.
Dec 4th 2008, 12:27 pm
#18
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 4
Re: South Africa Temp Residence Permit
From what I have read the PGCE is pretty much a commonwealth recognised qualification. For example, I could start teaching staright away in the UK with one gained from UCT, though I would have to pass a QTS (Qualified Teacher Status) exam within 4 years of graduating.
The grand plan is eventually to get to Canada/Australia/US or possibly English speaking schools in Switzerland/Spain. Although this maybe a foolish assumption, I would have thought having a qualification from UCT would look a little more prestigious than if I attended somewhere like Bolton (no offence Boltonites!).
I totally agree with what you say about the humanities subjects and their pass/fail policies. Unfortunately it appears nowadays that as long as you have enough money to attend then you are guaranteed a degree. They may as well just ask for a cheque for £15k on your first day, give you your certificate and save you 3 years!
The grand plan is eventually to get to Canada/Australia/US or possibly English speaking schools in Switzerland/Spain. Although this maybe a foolish assumption, I would have thought having a qualification from UCT would look a little more prestigious than if I attended somewhere like Bolton (no offence Boltonites!).
I totally agree with what you say about the humanities subjects and their pass/fail policies. Unfortunately it appears nowadays that as long as you have enough money to attend then you are guaranteed a degree. They may as well just ask for a cheque for £15k on your first day, give you your certificate and save you 3 years!
Dec 4th 2008, 12:32 pm
#19
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,881
Re: South Africa Temp Residence Permit
From what I have read the PGCE is pretty much a commonwealth recognised qualification. For example, I could start teaching staright away in the UK with one gained from UCT, though I would have to pass a QTS (Qualified Teacher Status) exam within 4 years of graduating.
The grand plan is eventually to get to Canada/Australia/US or possibly English speaking schools in Switzerland/Spain. Although this maybe a foolish assumption, I would have thought having a qualification from UCT would look a little more prestigious than if I attended somewhere like Bolton (no offence Boltonites!).
I totally agree with what you say about the humanities subjects and their pass/fail policies. Unfortunately it appears nowadays that as long as you have enough money to attend then you are guaranteed a degree. They may as well just ask for a cheque for £15k on your first day, give you your certificate and save you 3 years!
The grand plan is eventually to get to Canada/Australia/US or possibly English speaking schools in Switzerland/Spain. Although this maybe a foolish assumption, I would have thought having a qualification from UCT would look a little more prestigious than if I attended somewhere like Bolton (no offence Boltonites!).
I totally agree with what you say about the humanities subjects and their pass/fail policies. Unfortunately it appears nowadays that as long as you have enough money to attend then you are guaranteed a degree. They may as well just ask for a cheque for £15k on your first day, give you your certificate and save you 3 years!
