Here's something from the UTS forum to show why UTS is better than UNSW Co-op . .
Here are some simple facts . . .
1. UNSW Accounting Co-op program typically recruits more academically talented students than the UTS program. It is no secret that UNSW has a UAI cutoff of 96, well ahead of the 85 at which UTS sets its cutoff. The reason UNSW has such a relatively high cut off is to preserve the academic integrity of the UNSW Accounting Co-op degree.
2. Sponsor companies value UNSW Co-op program higher, paying UNSW Co-ops $60,000 compared to the $39,000 they are prepared to commit to the UTS BAcc program. Even when you take into account the work requirements of the two programs, UNSW Co-op pays $833 p.w. and UTS pays $795 p.w.
3. UTS BAcc Co-op prgram boasts of an average graduate starting salary of close to $50,000 (
http://www.business.uts.edu.au/bofacc/benefits/prospect.html). UNSW Co-op grads don't wake up out of bed for that sort of money.
In the current year of graduates, the average graduate starting salary is around $80,000. I know that UTS BAcc uses the argument that they get to work an extra year compared to UNSW Co-ops. I'm sure even after allowing for an extra year of UTS income, its would still not match what UNSW Co-ops will earn.
4. UNSW's reputation in Commerce/ Business is second to none in the Asia Pacific region and the University consistently outranks its peers in Australia. For example, in 2006 UNSW's School of Accounting was ranked the leading School for Accounting research in the Asia Pacific region (
http://www2.accounting.unsw.edu.au/nps/servlet/portalservice?GI_ID=System.LoggedOutInheritableArea&maxWnd=_News_Archives_UNSWRankedFirst)
The thing about UNSW is that Co-op or no Co-op, you are still enjoying the priveledge of attending one of the most prestigious universities in the region. A top-tier university by any measure. This typically compares favourabily to somone who gets their degree from a glorified TAFE . . . and yes that polytechnic is nothing more than a glorified TAFE!
5. UNSW Co-ops gain an extra six months experience on their program, giving them a broader skill set and a better knowlegde of how businesses operate in a variety of industries. UNSW Co-op students rotate in various industries (financial services, FMCG, etc.) as well as in various types of organisations (chartered firms, government agencies, etc). This is why UNSW are so much more employable than other degree programs.
6. UNSW Co-op prgrams have a 100% enmployment rate, however that goes without saying. Even Commerce students at UNSW who complete a Commerce degree without the Co-op prgram have an employment rate of around 95%.
UTS BAcc emphasises its employment rate, given the fact that UTS Business graduates would otherwise not be so sought after.
Since some of you in BAcc will be on Industry Training right now, take the time out to ask them how easy it is to recruit BAccs compared to UNSW Co-ops. Supply and demand. One program is just in so much more demand than the other.
7. And to quote that senior manager at a big 4 chartered firm describing a unsw coop intern student "these co-ops are very smart, but they are as boring as bat sh1t" . . . I don't know what to say. I have never heard that one before, its a new one in the BAcc bag of tricks and I thought it was said in reference to a UTS BAcc . . . could somone confirm?
8. UNSW being an Asian dominated place. Yes it is. I don't deny that. UNSW recruits its students based on their academic merits, and if that means that there are plenty of Asians (and selective school Asians) then so be it. I have found the students at UNSW to be very intelligent and very fiendly in my three and a bit years there.
Over the holidays, I interned at an investment bank. In their entire investment banking team, there were only two "ethnic" people. But the place was great, the people were very intelligent and very friendly and I got on well with everybody.
So clearly its not whether you've got too many Asians, non-Asians, blacks whites, etc. that determines the quality of an institution or an organisation. That's not a very intelligent view of the world . . . but if that is something that affects your decision making, then by all means UTS welcomes you with open arms.
At least that's one thing they can claim to genuinely "beat" UNSW on!
Those arguments are actually quite solid and serious (lolz internetz, that would have taken an age to type up)
