Belgium Campus - Technology learning institute

[OomD]

Hope this thread is in the right forum. I'm considering sending my son to Belgium Campus (www.belgiumcampus.co.za) for a diploma or BSc. He passed their entry test (sort of an aptitude test) with ease and they, in turn, offered a whopping discount on his first year fees. I spoke to the people there, browsed their website, etc. Everything looks all kosher 'n stuff, but I somehow can't chake the feeling that something is not quite in order.

I have never heard of them before, have never met anyone that studied there (to get some feedback), but it is apparently a (call themselves) ITversity that offers SAQA listed/approved diploma and BSc. Including that they will find employment for the final year internship, as well as employment after the studies. Also offer 100% bursaries for 2nd year onwards provided marks are good.

All this sounds too good to be true, they are located in PTA north (Akasia or thereabouts).

I would greatly appreciate it if any forum members who have heard of this place, or studied there, or know anything provide some feedback on this forum regarding them.

Thanks in advance

 

[Nod]

If they are SAQA accredited they should be fine. You could call SAQA to make sure about their status though.

 

[ponder]

http://www.belgiumcampus.co.za/BC4/index.php

The Bachelors Degree is registered with the Department of Education, listed with SAQA on the NQF 6 and accredited with the Council on Higher Education.

Is that not a bit low for a 4yr B.Sc degree?

Edit: Just saw it's a 3yr studies + 1yr work training.

Something feels dodge here especially after looking at the course content. Courses do not seem to follow other university courses but then again I did not do a B.Sc.

 

[Gnome]

Just out of curiosity how much does it cost per year? I've noticed that UP is cheaper than most of these other institutions (or private schools for that matter). May be simpler to just enroll there unless they provide a degree not offered there.

 

[OomD]

It costs approximately R30K per year. I'll look into the UP offerings, but was curious about Belgium Campus, thanks.

 

[McSack]

3 of the big 4 banks along with a few large IT corporates recently selected Belgium Campus as their provider of choice for an IT learnership program, which should give you some comfort in this regard

PM me for more specific info OOM

 

[OomD]

3 of the big 4 banks along with a few large IT corporates recently selected Belgium Campus as their provider of choice for an IT learnership program, which should give you some comfort in this regard

PM me for more specific info OOM

Are references available for this statement?

Don't get me wrong, I appreciate the feedback. Just not always easily convinced

 

[McSack]

Are references available for this statement?

Don't get me wrong, I appreciate the feedback. Just not always easily convinced

Like I said ... Private Message (PM) me.

 

[OomD]

Like I said ... Private Message (PM) me.

McSack are you still around? I have PMed you 3 times already...

 

[McSack]

been a bit on the busy side ... you have pm.

 

[Bongiwe Adoro]

well m currently doing my second year here, n i know quiet a lot about what's going on. they do help you find internship in Belgium only if you were on scholarship, and yes, i believe it is recognized due too the fact that FNB, NEDBANK, STANDARD BANK, IBM and many other largely recignized IT companies have students currently enrolled here for a IT learnership program also regarding the fact that at this moment i know some students who are still to graduate here and are currently busy with their internships in South African companies. We all had our doubts at first but sometimes its just all about strategic marketing. Y dont you check with SAQA to ease your concience?

 

[andres]

Hi OomD, Firstly i wouldnt blame you for the feeling that you have, well i was in your shoes 4 years ago, and now i have a story to share. Firstly, the only reason you might have never heard of BC (as it is known to the students) is that BC only specialises in IT, so as compared to other institutions there definately will be less "word of mouth" spreading of the name of the campus. and for those serious about IT, then look no further than BC. I say this because i am a proud graduate of the campus, and need i say, the degree is underwritten (meaning it is endosed and recognised) by KHLIM university in belgium. meaning if you would want to work abroad, you have a head start, your degree is as good as european (dont get me wrong, a south african degree is as good, but trust me, for employers, it is a head start).

Secondly, i would like to point out that i was fortunate enough to be a bursary student and that comes with an internship in europe. and to tell you the truth, you can never experience this level of technology elsewhere. Also, the entire management are former (and some still active) IT professionals, so they have seen it all. And my advice is, its up to you to decide, but if you think your son is up to the task then i definately recommend the Belgium Campus, and again this is one place you need to be serious with your studying because once you graduate from the campus, you are definately assured of a job in the field that you enjoy.

One last thing, BC is always in contact with the companies in the industry and when a new technology emerges, you are sure to find it at BC. if you have any specific questions, please dont hesitate to post. as i mentioned, i am proud to have graduated from BC and without any doubt would recommend it to you.

 

[ToxicBunny]

Ok, just so that I can counter the rather crap advertising that BC are obviously trying to punt here...

KHLIM is also known as Limburg Catholic University College, this is an institution that doesn't make it into the Top 500 list of Universities worldwide (because I doubt they're a recognised University), whereas a few SA universities do make the list. So to say employers will pay more attention to your "european" endorsed qualification is nonsense.

Any "educational" institution that assures you will get a job in the field after you finish is talking bullschit from start to finish.

 

[Palimino]

Are references available for this statement?

Don't get me wrong, I appreciate the feedback. Just not always easily convinced

Very sensible. Something smells fishy. Investigate exhaustively, ignoring the advertising hype. It’s not just money, it’s your sons future and major effort on his part. There are many education ‘scams’ in SA. Caveat emptor.

ToxicBunny

Ok, just so that I can counter the rather crap advertising that BC are obviously trying to punt here...

KHLIM is also known as Limburg Catholic University College, this is an institution that doesn't make it into the Top 500 list of Universities worldwide (because I doubt they're a recognised University), whereas a few SA universities do make the list. So to say employers will pay more attention to your "european" endorsed qualification is nonsense.

Any "educational" institution that assures you will get a job in the field after you finish is talking bullschit from start to finish.

I would go with this.

 

[Palimino]

Look at traditional universities again. They don’t have a great reputation but the laws of nature are immutable (like the tides) so PC meddling and dumbing-down of the curriculum would be minimised. A technology curriculum cannot be blamed on the ‘legacy of apartheid’, ‘colonialism’ or ‘previously disadvantaged’. It is not an easy ride either, so I would imagine the classes are small without cretinous ‘liberation before education’ types. It’s also cheaper and with the skills drought in SA, virtually guarantees a job – irrespective of colour.

 

[UnUnOctium]

NQF 6 is right for a BSc, 7 being hons and masters, 8 being doctorate BUT make sure to ask them if it's the new or old rating system, since with the new one the scores are bumped up by 2 (i.e. an NQF level 6 is not a baccalaureate anymore). But these guys sound dodgy. Rather send your son to a proper, well known university (which will also be cheaper than 30k a year). http://www.saqa.org.za/docs/misc/phei/lphei.pdf <- they are there, just also keep in mind no one knows what a "Bachelor of Computing" is, everyone knows Bachelor of Science.

 

[Spacerat]

Anyone with further experience on this?
Looking at possibly sending my daughter there...
I am not happy with the institution she is at currently.

Stellies Uni not an option wrt CompSci as her Maths marks were just below entry requirements

 

[ForceFate]

http://www.belgiumcampus.co.za/BC4/index.php


Is that not a bit low for a 4yr B.Sc degree?

Edit: Just saw it's a 3yr studies + 1yr work training.

Something feels dodge here especially after looking at the course content. Courses do not seem to follow other university courses but then again I did not do a B.Sc.

It says NQF 8 on their website. The NQF 6 is their diploma.

 

[cguy]

Anyone with further experience on this?
Looking at possibly sending my daughter there...
I am not happy with the institution she is at currently.

Stellies Uni not an option wrt CompSci as her Maths marks were just below entry requirements

I’ve looked at it a bit due to other people asking about it before on this forum. The short version is to run like the wind in the other direction. The curriculum is not great, but admittedly better than I last looked at it. The strange thing is that most of the staff were just ex-students at the time. Looking today, there are almost no staff listed on LinkedIn, which is pretty weird. It’s mostly just students who for some reason have put their education under ”Employer” on LinkedIn.

 

[Spacerat]

I’ve looked at it a bit due to other people asking about it before on this forum. The short version is to run like the wind in the other direction. The curriculum is not great, but admittedly better than I last looked at it. The strange thing is that most of the staff were just ex-students at the time. Looking today, there are almost no staff listed on LinkedIn, which is pretty weird. It’s mostly just students who for some reason have put their education under ”Employer” on LinkedIn.

Thanks for the reply. The frustrating thing is that apart from the universities there don't seem to be great options to study IT related directions. My daughter almost made the grade to study CompSci at Stellies (was just too low in Maths). She is now at CTU 1st year but I must say I am not really impressed. The course is only a Diploma and the class setup and management very slapgat. So I am looking for alternatives. Yes there are other unis but due to some personal challenges she is in the process of overcoming, being far from home is currently not a good idea.