Studying at two unis

[Kindergarten]

Hi,

Does anyone know if it would be posible to study at two unis concurrently?

Here is what i want to do

Y1: uni A 2 units Uni B 6 units
Y2: uni A 2 units Uni B 6 units
Y3: uni A 2 units Uni B 6 units
Y4: uni A 4 units Uni B 4 units
Y5: uni A 8 units Uni B 0 units
Y6: uni A 6 units Uni B 0 units

The reason behind this is I want to study two unrelated fields (and there aren't any double degrees which would allow me to do so) I am extreamly passionate about these areas of study and feel this'd be the most logical way to study (so i don't get behind in either area) and also the most enjoyable way to study. I know logistically it'll be hard but I really want to try.
I also feel like it may be possible to get some units to credit to the other degree or something but i'm unsure.

anyway hopfully someone has some sort of similar experience, any help would be appreciated.

[AngelWings]

1. Kindergarten, what are these fields if you don't mind me asking? Maybe there's another option.
2. I have a friend who studied 6 units at uni A (i.e. 3 per semester at uni A) and 2 units at uni B (i.e. 1 unit per semester at uni B) for a year. This was discussed with the student enquiries at uni A (their main uni). I suggest you do similarly and ask around at both uni A and B.
3. This would also depend on both unis, their requirements and their course lengths. Unfortunately without that information, I'm afraid not that many people will be able to help much. (If you want to make this private, PM's good with me. I understand.)

[Aaron]

My thoughts

I think the whole idea of studying at two universities is a big mistake, unless one of them is via distance/online learning. The logistics of it is just far too complicated - the amount of maneuvering required just isn't worth it. I would wonder (if this is even allowed) what would happen if you have two exams scheduled on the same day/time (one exam from both universities). Would they reschedule in this case? Who knows.

My suggestion to you is to do one field via your bachelor degree, and then seek a postgraduate option in another (check requirements of the latter first)

I get that you think you will be able to handle it - but university is a totally different environment. If you really want to go down this path, perhaps trial out 1 degree first for a semester to see if you can handle it.. because let's face it, no-one will know whether you can handle it, apart from you.

[Kindergarten]

1. Kindergarten, what are these fields if you don't mind me asking? Maybe there's another option.

Politics preferably with units covering domestic and International relations (currently thinking B ART at melbourne)
Computer Science with some game design  (currently thinking Compsci/Design swinburne )

2. I have a friend who studied 6 units at uni A (i.e. 3 per semester at uni A) and 2 units at uni B (i.e. 1 unit per semester at uni B) for a year. This was discussed with the student enquiries at uni A (their main uni). I suggest you do similarly and ask around at both uni A and B.

May i ask how this worked for them were they succesful? why'd they do it? did they have a large comute between the Unis?

3. This would also depend on both unis, their requirements and their course lengths. Unfortunately without that information, I'm afraid not that many people will be able to help much. (If you want to make this private, PM's good with me. I understand.)

judging by the information i'm looking at I'd graduate from the first degree in plenty of time and the second degree two years before the deadline. So logistically it'd be possible to be enrolled in both during the same time frame I think...

I think the whole idea of studying at two universities is a big mistake, unless one of them is via distance/online learning. The logistics of it is just far too complicated - the amount of maneuvering required just isn't worth it. I would wonder (if this is even allowed) what would happen if you have two exams scheduled on the same day/time (one exam from both universities). Would they reschedule in this case? Who knows.

True it does sound complicated and but if worked right it should just be like doing a unit at a different campus, and perhaps i can come to an arrangment with the unis or even with one of them which i imagine would be enough to make it work.

My suggestion to you is to do one field via your bachelor degree, and then seek a postgraduate option in another (check requirements of the latter first)

I have and that is an option i am considering but i feel like it'll be even harder to do this because i'll be jumping from undergradute in one field to post graduate in an entirly unrelated field. I won't know the meta langauge and won't have written an essay in that style since high school. This is why i'd perfer to ease my way into it by doing a unit of politics alongside my computer science degree.

I get that you think you will be able to handle it - but university is a totally different environment. If you really want to go down this path, perhaps trial out 1 degree first for a semester to see if you can handle it.. because let's face it, no-one will know whether you can handle it, apart from you.

I understand this and I may completely reevaluate everything after the first week for all I know. But from what i know at the moment and i'm not in a bubble, i know many people doing undergrad and postgrad degrees. I know that success in VCE doesn't seem to correlate to success in unviersty (I've seen people who got 95+ fail and >50 succeed) So it does seem like a different ball game. I just think that this would be the best option for me (if logistically possible lol)



Anyway I can't predict the future so I have no idea what i'm doing obviously, I'm just interested in seeing if I could get this to work

[Alter]

I agree with the above users. Doing this would be a logistical nightmare and would bring up more problems than it would solve. I won't bother adding to the list of hypotheticals, but I instead want to make it clear that what you want is still entirely possible through simply attending one uni.

For instance, you could do a Bachelor of Arts, studying whichever politics/international relations subjects you want to. Simultaneously, you could use your free electives to do one programming or computing subject a semester. It would be possible through the Melbourne model to finish your BA with the pre-reqs for a Master in Information Technology solely by doing computing subjects in your breadth slot. If Melbourne isn't your cup of tea, basically every uni has slots for electives which don't have to be in your faculty--especially for the areas that you want.

Failing that, you could technically do a double degree in Bachelor of Arts/Science (Monash comes to mind, but there may be other unis if you check it out). I feel like you're trapping yourself inside the idea of going to two unis, when it's not necessary at all. It may seem insignificant now, but the challenge of studying one degree can already be messy enough with all the admin stuff in the background (e.g. how do you receive 2 offers from VTAC and accept both, then enrol in both?). Moreover, if you're interested in two entirely different fields with the desire to study both, it seems like you lack direction in terms of what kind of career you actually want to pursue. If I were you, I'd answer these questions before I locked myself into a convoluted plan.

Have a nice day.

[Kindergarten]

I agree with the above users. Doing this would be a logistical nightmare and would bring up more problems than it would solve. I won't bother adding to the list of hypotheticals, but I instead want to make it clear that what you want is still entirely possible through simply attending one uni.

Unfortunantly it's sounding more and more like you may be correct.

For instance, you could do a Bachelor of Arts, studying whichever politics/international relations subjects you want to. Simultaneously, you could use your free electives to do one programming or computing subject a semester. It would be possible through the Melbourne model to finish your BA with the pre-reqs for a Master in Information Technology solely by doing computing subjects in your breadth slot. If Melbourne isn't your cup of tea, basically every uni has slots for electives which don't have to be in your faculty--especially for the areas that you want.

I might do the B/A MIT thing if i can somehow manage the prereqs it's just I was also hopging to study a compent on game design such as game programing and such which isn't avaialbe at Melbourne (I have quite a bit of experience with this (through tafes) that i'd like to impove upon)

Failing that, you could technically do a double degree in Bachelor of Arts/Science (Monash comes to mind, but there may be other unis if you check it out). I feel like you're trapping yourself inside the idea of going to two unis, when it's not necessary at all. It may seem insignificant now, but the challenge of studying one degree can already be messy enough with all the admin stuff in the background (e.g. how do you receive 2 offers from VTAC and accept both, then enrol in both?). Moreover, if you're interested in two entirely different fields with the desire to study both, it seems like you lack direction in terms of what kind of career you actually want to pursue. If I were you, I'd answer these questions before I locked myself into a convoluted plan.

You see the thing is I didn't so methods due to some pretty poor career councilng (was told general maths 1/2 went to methods 3/4 this was very incorrect (I proberbly should have done my own research but being in year 9 i trusted the teacher)). }
So monash isn't a possibility for Computer science this is why I want to study at swinburne (maths is still required but they ease you into it).

Have a nice day.

You too.

[appleandbee]

There is also a Diploma of Informatics at Melbourne Uni that you can do alongside a BA (you'll need to fufill maths pre-reqs under your breath component). If you want to pursue  games design, you could look at short courses run by TAFEs or online learning platforms such as https://www.edx.org/ or https://www.coursera.org/.

[Aaron]

If you're into game design/CS, the MIT option probably isn't the way to go. Game design is usually featured in Computer Science only (unless there is specific leeway in regards to elective/free unit options). Speaking from experience here.

You need to be extremely careful with terminology in regards to this area - Informatics/Information Technology is not necessarily the same as Computer Science (sure there's some overlap but there are differences between the two). Make sure you review your options in detail and seek out the professional help from course/career advisors before making this choice.

From the other suggestions, I like Alter's suggestion of the double degree with the BA/BSc. This would get you your Computer Science and Politics combo, without having to go to two unis.

[Kindergarten]

If you're into game design/CS, the MIT option probably isn't the way to go. Game design is usually featured in Computer Science only (unless there is specific leeway in regards to elective/free unit options). Speaking from experience here.

I know this is why i'm looking at studying at two unis but if push comes to shove this may be my only option

You need to be extremely careful with terminology in regards to this area - Informatics/Information Technology is not necessarily the same as Computer Science (sure there's some overlap but there are differences between the two). Make sure you review your options in detail and seek out the professional help from course/career advisors before making this choice.

My school councilor thinks that IT is a singular field so they aren't exactly helpful.

From the other suggestions, I like Alter's suggestion of the double degree with the BA/BSc. This would get you your Computer Science and Politics combo, without having to go to two unis.

Thing is I only did general maths in year 11 and dropped science in year 10... So I don't meet either of the Monash prereqs to do Science.
This is why i'm looking at the whole two uni thing, it's more desperation than anything

[Complex]

Thing is I only did general maths in year 11 and dropped science in year 10... So I don't meet either of the Monash prereqs to do Science.

You can do Degree BA at Monash, do 2 units of the prerequites and transfer into double degree. Just because you didnt do science in vce doesnt mean u cant ever study science at monash.

[Kindergarten]

You can do Degree BA at Monash, do 2 units of the prerequites and transfer into double degree. Just because you didnt do science in vce doesnt mean u cant ever study science at monash.

Yeah but i'd need to catch up on all of year 11 and 12 science and maths with 0 background in either (I feel like general 1/2 shoudln't count as anything it was a dreadful subject)

[Aaron]

I know this is why i'm looking at studying at two unis but if push comes to shove this may be my only option

The two areas you've chosen are completely different - which signals to me that you may be a bit confused about your future direction/career goals. What is it exactly that you want to do as a career? This might provide a bit more clarity into what areas should be prioritised.

My school councilor thinks that IT is a singular field so they aren't exactly helpful.

A common misconception, indeed.

Thing is I only did general maths in year 11 and dropped science in year 10... So I don't meet either of the Monash prereqs to do Science.
This is why i'm looking at the whole two uni thing, it's more desperation than anything

Okay - the whole 'maths' thing is a problem. Computer Science AND IT require a strong math foundation and you cannot avoid it, regardless of what uni you go to. I wonder whether it would be better for you to do a TAFE course in Game Design (specifically) first, THEN go and do your university degree in Politics (or you could go to the AIE - Academy of Interactive Entertainment, as another alternative).

Another option could be that you enter a BA on it's own (for the politics component) that has room for electives -  you could fill up these electives with Computer Science units that are relevant to game design (depending on the uni, of course).

[Kindergarten]

The two areas you've chosen are completely different - which signals to me that you may be a bit confused about your future direction/career goals. What is it exactly that you want to do as a career? This might provide a bit more clarity into what areas should be prioritised.

aye, you see I want to transition from IT to politics. Most people don't just go into politics fulltime they'll just be working around election times and such helping out at event and what not. So I want to work in IT because i've always enjoyed it as a stable career and just slowely transition to politics.

Okay - the whole 'maths' thing is a problem. Computer Science AND IT require a strong math foundation and you cannot avoid it, regardless of what uni you go to. I wonder whether it would be better for you to do a TAFE course in Game Design (specifically) first, THEN go and do your university degree in Politics (or you could go to the AIE - Academy of Interactive Entertainment, as another alternative).

I know maths is a problem but that's why I feel going to Swinburne would be better, Because if they have lower maths requirements I assume they'd start from a more basic mathamatical level and build you up.

Another option could be that you enter a BA on it's own (for the politics component) that has room for electives -  you could fill up these electives with Computer Science units that are relevant to game design (depending on the uni, of course).

Yeah, I guess I could I just haven't seen a uni that quite has the parts i'd like by itself.

Thank you for your help

[s33667]

I know maths is a problem but that's why I feel going to Swinburne would be better, Because if they have lower maths requirements I assume they'd start from a more basic mathamatical level and build you up.
Yeah, I guess I could I just haven't seen a uni that quite has the parts i'd like by itself.

With Swinburne if you haven't completed Further Maths Unit 3 / 4 (you have to have completed 1/2) consider their Mathslink Bridging Program (Further).   I'm doing a double at Swinburne and the engineering students only needed at 25 in methods to gain entry.   Like you I assumed they'd have to 'build them up' ... they do, but essentially the entire VCE course plus more is covered at the start of a lecture and then the concepts are built on from week 1-7.   Week 8 onwards it gets tricky.   I got 36 for methods and a lot of students in my lectures and tutes were really struggling - tbh I don't know how they managed to pull it off for the exam.

I know you're looking at a different course but I guess the point I'm making is don't make the assumption that because Swinburne is perceived to be '2nd tier' it's going to be easier - I'm not sure that it is.   Gaining entry is one thing but being able to do the work is completely different and university moves at a very fast pace and the onus is on you to self-learn.   

My other concern for you would be clashes with exams.  University is not like school, administration is a nightmare, no one cares about solving problems for you and when it comes to exams there are rules and regulations.  .   I don't think you can just postpone an exam because you have one at a different institution - http://www.swinburne.edu.au/student-administration/examination/special.html

Good luck

[s33667]

http://www.swinburne.edu.au/study/options/find/units/

As an afterthought, perhaps you could try doing a single unit of study first to see how it all went ?

Note:  I don't understand all this 'application for permission for cross-institutional study' stuff in the above link and I wonder if this  would cause you a problem with your plans at both the unis ?