Success Stories

Tan Chin Long
Senior Officer, SMFL Mirai Partners (Singapore)
Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Accountancy and Financial Management
University of Portsmouth 2026 Graduate
(Source: 2026) 

Having graduated from a Kaplan Diploma in Commerce (Finance and Banking)¹ and spent seven years in the Accounting field, I had become comfortable in my role. However, I realised that staying within my comfort zone would eventually limit my growth. I wanted to challenge myself, deepen my expertise, and prepare for greater opportunities.  

I chose Kaplan because of its strong reputation for delivering programmes that are both academically rigorous and highly practical for working professionals. The partnership with the University of Portsmouth gave me full confidence in the quality and international recognition of the Degree, while the flexible structure allowed me to balance my full-time job and studies effectively.  

One of the most valuable outcomes of this programme is the direct support it has provided for my long-term professional development. It helped me secure exemptions for five foundation papers² on the pathway to becoming a Chartered Accountant (Singapore), accelerating my progress and boosting my confidence in pursuing higher-level career goals.  

I would strongly recommend this programme to other working professionals. It offers a good balance between theoretical knowledge and practical application, making it highly relevant for those who wish to advance their careers while continuing to work full-time.  

This journey has been more than just earning a Degree. It has transformed my mindset and reinforced my belief that growth comes from taking action, even when the timing is difficult.  

¹This programme has been succeeded by the Diploma in Finance and Banking (Double Specialisation).
²Exemptions granted will be subject to accrediting professional bodies’ sole discretion at any time. 

Kang Jia Sheng  
Information Security Engineer, Multinational Technology Company
Bachelor of Science (Honours) Cyber Security and Forensic Computing (Top-up)
University of Portsmouth First Class Honours Graduate (2023) 

I believe continuous learning is a long-term investment that provides me with a sense of accomplishment. Degrees and certifications can qualify me for a higher-level position while staying competitive in the industry. As such, I decided to pursue a Bachelor’s Degree with University of Portsmouth (UOP) at Kaplan in Singapore.  

The programme gave me a comprehensive understanding of the latest Cyber Security best practices as well as mitigation strategies against malicious attacks. I also discovered various tools used for analysing security logs and penetration testing. This has significantly improved my ability to detect and respond to security incidents. In addition, the hands-on learning approach and practical simulations have equipped me with technical skills, such as Ethical Hacking, Digital Forensics and Vulnerability Management, which are beneficial in developing my knowledge. Overall, it has been an invaluable academic journey that helped me build a strong foundation for protecting against cyber threats.

Upon completing my studies, I was privileged to be offered a position as an Information Security Engineer. This has allowed me to gain more valuable experience by taking on additional responsibilities to progress further in my career. As I continuously look for opportunities to grow, I am confident that my education will prepare me well for the future. In summary, Cyber Security is a rapidly evolving field that requires professionals to stay current with the latest technologies, making it an exciting and interesting area of study.