Students at GEMS World Academy (Singapore) can now receive university credits to advance careers in the creative arts. We spoke with Deputy Principal JONATHAN COX to learn more.
Why did you decide to offer creative career university classes?
We were very keen to launch the IB Career-related Programme. When we looked at our student body, we recognised a very strong representation in the arts. SCAD was the obvious choice. Without exception, it’s an inspiring and exciting university. The tag line is “The University for Creative Careers”, and the Hong Kong campus has a graduate employment rate of 100 percent, with the US campuses only a couple of points behind. That means that every single student who walks the graduation stage in Hong Kong already has a job. Majors in User Experience (UX) are graduating into six-figure salaries. The days of artists starving in garrets – albeit terribly romantic – are well and truly over.
How does the programme work?
Students in Grades 11 and 12 in our Career-related Programme can take bachelor-degree level classes in any of SCAD’s nine pathways, which include Liberal Arts, Digital Media, Advertising & Branding and Photography, among others. Each track comprises five units, from entry courses to advanced options like “Advanced Survey of Computer Art Applications” and “Digital Design Aesthetics”. The tracks provide the prerequisites for an amazing array of degree options, such as UX, advertising, animation, fine art, film production, graphic design, interior design, art history, museum curation, game design, creative writing and fashion design.
How many tracks can a student take?
Students will generally take three or four tracks, giving them 15 to 20 university credits by the end of Grade 12. If they choose to attend one of the Rising Star Programmes in the summer, they can accrue even more credits.
Where are SCAD’s physical campuses located?
The university has campuses in Georgia (US), Hong Kong and Lacoste (France). For CP students who go to seek degrees at SCAD, the opportunity to spread their four years across these campuses is certainly an attractive option. These students will be two years ahead of their peers. Entry to most SCAD degrees, and those of other Art and Design colleges, are largely based on a student’s portfolio. The expectation is that CP portfolios will be so far beyond other high school graduates that they will be at the head of the field for all university applications.
Who are the instructors?
The courses are taught online by SCAD faculty, who are some of the very best university professors and lecturers in their fields. Bryan Bentley, whose personal credits include work on the films Pacific Rim, Hulk and Rango, teaches Visual Effects, and Gianluca Cinquepalmi, known for her work with AC Milan, Ducati, Nespresso and Sony Music, is the Associate Chair of Graphic Design. This leaves little doubt as to the quality of teaching.
Can students who aren’t in the Career-related Programme take these courses?
Yes, our IB Diploma students can sign up for courses with SCAD to improve their portfolios.
For more information, email j.cox@gwa.edu.sg.
GEMS (Singapore) is located at 2 Yishun Street
42. 6808 7300 | gwa.edu.sg
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This article first appeared in the March 2019 edition of Expat Living. You can purchase a copy or subscribe so you never miss an issue!
