Overview of Post-Secondary Education Institutions (PSEI)

What is it

Education in a junior college or Millennia Institute (MI) prepares students for the A-Level examinations or the International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma at the end of the 2-year JC or 3-year MI course.

Admissions

Students can apply to a JC through:

• Direct Schools Admissions (DSA-JC)
• Joint Admissions Exercise (JAE)

Students can apply to MI through the JAE.

Financial matters

You can refer to our section on fees, assistance, awards and scholarships for more information on financial matters.

Certification offered

JC and MI graduates will receive an A-Level certificate. Graduates from Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) and St. Joseph's Institution will receive the IB Diploma.

Next educational level

After completing the GCE A-Level examination, depending on your interests, strengths and learning goals, you can attend:

• A university
• A polytechnic
• An art institute

What is it

Singapore Sports School (SSP) and School of the Arts (SOTA) are specialised independent schools that offer specialised education for students who have talent and strong interests in sports and arts.

Admissions

Students can apply to SSP through:

• Direct Schools Admissions (DSA-JC)
• Early Admissions Exercise (EAE)

Students can apply to SOTA through:

• Direct Schools Admissions (DSA-JC)
• Direct admissions

Financial matters

SSP and SOTA have their own school fees structure and financial assistance schemes. Refer to their websites for more information.

Certification offered

SSP graduates will receive either the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma, the Diploma in Business Studies or the Diploma in Business. 

SOTA graduates on the IB Diploma Programme will receive the IB Diploma.

What is it

Polytechnics provide hands-on, practice-based learning experience within a dynamic and progressive learning environment. Work attachments with industry partners, which ranges from 6 weeks to 6 months, are also offered as part of the curriculum. 

Polytechnic graduates who wish to further their studies may be considered for admission to universities based on their diploma qualifications.

The polytechnics also provide programmes at diploma and post-diploma levels, including Work-Study Post-Diplomas, for adult learners who want to deepen their skills across a range of disciplines and industries.

There are currently 5 polytechnics in Singapore:

• Nanyang Polytechnic (NYP)
• Ngee Ann Polytechnic (NP)
• Republic Polytechnic (RP)
• Singapore Polytechnic (SP)
• Temasek Polytechnic (TP)

Admissions exercises and programmes

Students can apply to a polytechnic through the following ways:

• Early Admissions Exercise (EAE)
• Joint Admissions Exercise (JAE)
• Polytechnic Foundation Programme (PFP) Admissions Exercise
• Joint Polytechnic Admissions Exercise (JPAE)
• Direct Admissions Exercise (DAE)

You can also enter a polytechnic through the Direct-Entry-Scheme to Polytechnic Programme (DPP), if you meet the minimum score requirement at the end of the programme.

Certification offered

Polytechnic graduates will receive a diploma in their area of specialisation.

Next phase

After graduating with a diploma, depending on your interests, strengths and learning goals, you can:

• Attend a university
• Attend an art institute
• Head into the workforce

What is it

The Institute of Technical Education (ITE) provides technical and vocational education for students through full-time Nitec, Higher Nitec courses, or traineeship programmes conducted in partnership with employers.

They typically admit N-Level holders into Nitec courses, and O-Level holders into Higher Nitec courses. Eligible Secondary 4 Normal (Academic) students can also apply for entry to selected Higher Nitec courses through the Direct-Entry-Scheme to Polytechnic Programme, which prepares students for progression into polytechnic diploma courses.

ITE graduates who wish to further their studies can also be considered for admission to the polytechnics, ITE's Work-Study Diploma and Technical Diploma programmes, based on their Nitec or Higher Nitec qualifications.

Admissions exercises and programmes

Students can apply to ITE through the following ways:

• Early Admissions Exercise (EAE)
• Joint Admissions Exercise (JAE)
• Joint Intake Exercise (JIE) for 2 to 3-year Nitec courses or Higher Nitec courses through the Direct-Entry-Scheme to Polytechnic Programme (DPP)

Certification offered

ITE graduates will receive a Higher Nitec or Nitec certificate.

Next educational level

After graduating with Higher Nitec certificate, depending on your interests, strengths and learning goals, you can:

• Attend a polytechnic
• Head into the workforce

After graduating with Nitec certificate, depending on your interests, strengths and learning goals, you can:

• Continue to Higher Nitec
• Head into the workforce

LASALLE College of the Arts, Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts

LASALLE College of the Arts (LASALLE) and Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA) are Singapore’s pioneering arts institutions that offer a range of publicly funded degree and diploma programmes in the visual and performing arts, such as music, theatre, dance, interior design and fashion design.

LASALLE and NAFA will be constituent members of the new private University of the Arts Singapore, which will accept its first intake of students in Academic Year 2024. Until then, LASALLE and NAFA will continue to offer existing diploma and degree programmes in the creative arts. 

Admissions exercises and programmes

Refer to the schools’ websites for more information on their admissions exercises and programmes offered:

• LASALLE, whose admissions is generally held between October and May.
• NAFA, whose admissions is generally held between January and April.

Eligible Normal (Academic) students can also apply for the NAFA Foundation Programme, a 35-week programme which prepares students for enrolment into NAFA's diploma programmes.

Financial matters

LASALLE and NAFA have their respective school fees structures and financial assistance schemes. Visit their websites for more information.

Certification offered

Graduates will receive either a bachelor’s degree or diploma depending on their course of study.

University of the Arts Singapore

Singapore’s first Government-supported private university for the arts, University of the Arts Singapore (UAS) is formed by an alliance between LASALLE and NAFA, and a new central entity, UAS Ltd.

When it opens in 2024, UAS will offer an expanded range of programme offerings in fine arts, design, media arts, performing arts and arts management, as well as in new and upcoming areas in the applied arts.

Admissions exercises and programmes

UAS’s course offerings will be announced in 2023. Applications will open in the third quarter of 2023 for the first cohort of students who will start the academic year in August 2024.

Industry-specific diploma, degree and graduate certificate programmes are offered by educational institutions affiliated with other government agencies. These educational institutions include:

BCA Academy

The education and research arm of the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) which offers full-time diploma programmes, as well as other courses, seminars and workshops, in construction, design and engineering.

Singapore Aviation Academy (SAA)

The training arm of the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) which offers short courses, diploma, degree and executive programmes relevant to the aviation industry.

IP Academy

The education and training arm of the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS) which offers executive programmes, corporate training, and undergraduate and postgraduate courses, in intellectual property and innovation.

Admissions exercises and programmes

These educational institutions and their programmes are not funded or regulated by us. Refer to the institutions’ websites for more information on their admissions exercises and programmes.

What is it

Our local autonomous universities aim to prepare students for the new jobs and challenges of the future economy.

Learn more about it.