Is IGSE helpful for studying abroad?
Pervin Malhotra
Q.Could you please tell if the IGCSE programme is helpful for studying abroad? Can a student avail of this programme after doing CBSE ? Please guide about the prospects of pursuing IGCSE from International Schools. — Gauri Nandkishore
A.The International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) is an international curriculum and qualification for secondary school students. The IGCSE was developed by University of Cambridge International Examinations. This is distinct from the International Baccalaureate or IB programme offered in several international schools.
The IGCSE is the equivalent of Class X in India, or "O" levels in the UK. Upon completing the IGCSE you can either continue with next level in the Cambridge International curriculum (A levels) or even switch over to the IB Diploma programme.
As with other "international" study programmes, the IGCSE too offers students flexibility in choosing subjects in keeping with their interests and abilities. Typical “core” curricula for IGCSE candidates includes a first language, second language, mathematics and sciences. IGCSE candidates have the option choose a number of additional courses ranging from social sciences to creative arts.
You can also take up the IGCSE curriculum as a private candidate. The syllabus and exam pattern is available on www.cie.org.uk and exams can be given at British Council and Edexcel centres across India.
An International curriculum such as IGCSE (followed by A Levels) is particularly helpful if you are certain you will be going abroad, particularly UK, for your undergraduate study. IGCSE will certainly prepare you well for the academic system in the UK and US. A good score will not only help in getting admission into good universities and colleges in the US & UK, it will also earn you credits that will exempt you from entry level courses —thereby saving you both time and money in completing your graduation.
If, however, you intend to do your bachelor’s level studies in India itself, then the grading system used by IGCSE may prove to be a bit of a glitch as college admissions here (particularly those based on merit) often hinge on differences of a little as a quarter of a percentage. Also, you'll need to check if the IGCSE curriculum is in tune with the syllabus of competitive entrance exams for admission to engineering and medical courses etc.
One-year MBA course suited for mid career professionals
Q.I am considering an MBA from abroad. When I look at US B-schools their programmes are of two years' duration, while those offered in the UK and Europe are one-year programmes. Are both programmes similar? How should I go about choosing?
— Ishaan Ghelot
A.An MBA from a foreign B-school will undoubtedly provide you unparalleled exposure, networking opportunities with an international students body and an excellent springboard from which to launch your career. Choosing between a one-year and two-year programme will depend on several factors.
Regardless of which you opt for, the admission procedures and requirements are quite similar. Both will base their admission decision on a combination of your application package (essays, statement of purpose, career objectives and recommendations), GMAT scores, academic merit, and work experience.
Both programmes will essentially cover similar topics in the classroom, and placements too would be similar. The costs too are fairly similar.
So, how does one decide?
The choice between the two formats will actually depend on the profile of the individual applying.
A one-year MBA course is better suited for mid-career professionals, preferably with five and more years of experience. The shorter duration also means a lesser time away from your job, and thus a lesser opportunity cost, an important consideration for 28-30 year old mid-career professional. A one-year programme is aimed at making you a better "general" manager rather than greatly enhancing your skills in a specific area. A one-year MBA course is designed keeping in mind the assumption that someone who has worked for five plus years already has sufficient experience and has chosen their area of specialisation. The one-year MBA, therefore, is to fine-tune their managerial skills in order to give them a career jump i.e., boost their career prospects in the same industry and/or specialisation.
A two-year programme is better suited for freshers and those with less than four years of work experience. The structure of the two-year programme will provide a better grounding of the fundamentals of management, and then depending on your personal interests and preferences you will choose a specialisation in the second year. Most two-year courses also have a training or internship period included in the structure.
A two-year programme may still make sense for someone with 5+ years of work experience if they are considering a career shift — changing your line of work. Do also keep in mind that one-year programmes are usually more intensive than two-year programmes as the course content is compressed into a shorter duration (though still not as in-depth as a two-year course).
Career course after BArch
Q.I’ll be giving the NATA exam shortly. If I pursue BArch at the bachelor's level, what further specialisations will I be able to pursue at the master's level - should I wish to study further? — Apurva Jadav
A.At the post graduate level (MArch), the following specialisations are available to graduates in architecture, civil engineering and planning:
Landscape Design & Architecture, Architectural Conservation, Interior Design, Industrial Design, Urban Design, Building Engineering and Management, Town & Urban
Planning, Transport Planning etc. Courses in Town & Urban Planning are open to graduates in geography, sociology, economics, statistics, and operations research.
The boom in real estate and construction in recent times has also fuelled the demand for trained professionals in the area of Construction Management and Project Management.
You could even look at specific courses in Product Design or Furniture Design if your interest takes you in that direction.
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