Hey redjackal,
i was from SAE and graduated like 1 year back and currently has been serving NS for 15 months.
what i can tell you is that they teach things in a more specialised scope than polytechnics.
A year of diploma course specialised on AUDIO pretty much touch on things like how sound works, microphones and its function etc. Throughout the course, you'll be meeting musically inclined classmate, or even the industry ppl upgrading themselves in the course. Advantage in such a way that you'll know more ppl hence increase more opportunity in working in this industry. Most of the exams are project based like producing a demo for a particular artiste or band, hence giving you a hands-on experience. Don't worry, studios are free as they are already included in your school fees. Even though diploma course was pretty technically in-depth, there are side course along with the course you are major in. Such as photoshop courses, basic filming and other media related which you might arrowed to do when you are still a small fry in a media company. Free and easy for booking of studio, but there are certain restriction ie 4 hours of booking per week unless rushing for project. So you can book anytime for practicing, may it be recording or mixing. Well, audio engineering is pretty much of self exploration and experience.
To me, the 1 year (in fact, i spent 1 and a half years completing that course) degree course changed some of my perspective in how i look at things. The degree course touches more on philosophy of whatever you want to look-into, in-depth study and analysis, appreciation and alittle bit of history i would say. Basically for this course is more of theoretical. Learning how the others perceive your work by doing primary research and stuff like that.
Apart from all the "almost compliment", cons of the school was during my time, the management and some of the lecturers were pretty screwed up. but when i was graduating, they moved and revamped the whole system which I think improved alot from where i started.
Relating to your questions, i strongly believe that prospect of audio engineers you have to create it yourself. Create your own opportunity and make yourself apart from the norm.
Other than SAE, Lasalle-sia also has a music technology course, Singapore Poly's Music technology and business and a slightly related Ngee ann poly's Film sound video.
Cheers.
