QUOTE(teh tarik satu @ Apr 14 2010, 11:26 AM)
I had a look at the brochure and I realised that the alternative to pursuing the degree for BSc in Psychology (Hons) is the Sunway Foundation in Arts. Why is a science degree requiring an arts foundation instead of a science foundation? Do kindly explain.
Also, I'm a little concerned with the quote above. While the degree is essentially the same, I disagree with what you mentioned about the (Hons). An honours course generally offers additions to a degree programme in the form of having the opportunity of taking more electives, and allows the student to graduate with first, second or third class honours, all of which are
more prestigious than a plain degree. It's not so much as how the degree is named, but what goes into it to make it an honours degree. Entry to most UK and US postgrad courses in respectable unis require at LEAST a lower second class honours degree, and for direct entry to a PhD/DocPhil/DPsy, you need at least an upper second honours. It's rather ridiculous for the title of 'honours' to be conferred to a degree just because it's granted by a UK uni. The reason why it was named (hons) is probably because that's the only degree offered by Lancaster Uni, meaning to say they don't have non-honours psychology degrees. Also, the 'hons' is not an exclusively UK system. It's an international system to denote a more prestigious degree. If it's in collaboration, some elements have to be given by Sunway itself. A collaborative/joint degree is not the same as an offshore degree. An offshore degree is one that isn't as you put it, "in bred".
1) The Arts Foundation contains three semesters in English and Maths which is a requirement for our degree. The BSc degree connotes an in-depth study of Psychology and not necessarily includes Chemistry, Biology, Physics subjects.
2) The honours courses differ from country to country. While in the USA, you do take extra classes for honours, in the UK, it is dependant on grades. As part of Lancaster's validation, we follow this system. You can check with UK universities about their system of grading and conferring honours.
3) We have never promoted our degrees as an offshore/twinning degree. Our programmes are in collaboration with Lancaster to add value to our programmes and to denote quality. That is why our graduates get two certificates upon graduation. One from us and the other from Lancaster.
If you'd like to know more about our programmes, you are welcomed to give us a call at 03-7491 8622 to understand how our programmes work.