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Education System of Singapore
INSTITUTION TYPES & CREDENTIALS Types of higher education institutions: University Polytechnic Institute of Technical Education School leaving and higher education credentials: Singapore-Cambridge General Certificate of Education Normal Level Singapore-Cambridge General Certificate of Education Ordinary Level Singapore-Cambridge General Certificate of Education Advanced Level Certificate Diploma Advanced Diploma Specialist Diploma Diploma in Education Bachelor's Degree Bachelor Honours Postgraduate Diploma in Education Master's Degree Doctor's Degree STRUCTURE OF EDUCATION SYSTEM Pre-higher education: Duration of compulsory education: Age of entry: 6 Age of exit: 12 Structure of school system: Primary Type of school providing this education: Primary School (Grades I-VI) Length of program in years: 6 Age level from: 6 to: 12 Certificate/diploma awarded: Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE) Secondary Type of school providing this education: Secondary School (Grades VII-X) Length of program in years: 4 Age level from: 12 to: 16 Certificate/diploma awarded: Singapore-Cambridge General Certificate of Education Normal Level (GCE N-Level); Singapore-Cambridge General Certificate of Education Ordinary Level (GCE O-Level) Pre-university Type of school providing this education: Junior College/Centralised Institute (Grades XI-XII) Length of program in years: 3 Age level from: 16 to: 19 Certificate/diploma awarded: Singapore-Cambridge General Certificate of Education Advanced Level (GCE A-Level) School education: Primary education lasts for six years and is compulsory. It consists of a four-year foundation stage (Grades I-IV) and a two-year orientation stage (Grades V and VI). Secondary school pupils are placed in the Special, Express, Normal (Academic) or Normal (Technical) course according to how they performed at the Primary School-leaving Examination (PSLE). The Special and the Express courses are four-year programmes (Grades VII-X) leading to the Singapore-Cambridge GCE O-Level examination. The Normal course offers a four-year programme leading to the Singapore-Cambridge GCE N-level examination. Students who complete secondary education may proceed to pre-university education at the Junior Colleges/Centralised Institutes or pursue studies at the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) or the Polytechnics. Pre-university education prepares students for the GCE A-Level examination at the end of the two-year Junior College or three-year Centralised Institute course. Higher education: Post-secondary education is provided by three kinds of institutions: universities, polytechnics, and the ITE. There are three publicly-funded universities: National University of Singapore, Nanyang Technological University and Singapore Management University. There are five polytechnics: Singapore Polytechnic, Ngee Ann Polytechnic, Temasek Polytehcnic, Nanyang Polytecnic and Republic Polytechnic. Main laws/decrees governing higher education: Decree: Education Act (1957) revised in 1985 Academic year: Classes from: Jul to: Apr Long vacation from: Apr to: Jul Languages of instruction: English Stages of studies: Non-university level post-secondary studies (technical/vocational type): Non-university level: The Institute of Technical Education (ITE) provides full-time institutional training for school leavers and offers part-time Continuing Education and Training (CET) programmes for working adults. The training available includes one or two-year full-time courses leading to the National ITE Certificate (NITEC) and Higher NITEC respectively. Five Polytechnics provide training in a wide range of Certificate, Diploma, Advanced Diploma and Specialist Diploma courses in various fields of study. The main courses available are three-year Diplomas and two-year part-time Advanced Diplomas for holders of a Polytechnic Diploma and relevant work experience. University level studies: University level first stage: Bachelor's Degree: Admission to first degree courses is on the basis of Singapore-Cambridge GCE A-Level, Polytechnic results or other examinations of equivalent standing. Bachelor (Pass or Pass with Merit or Honours) Degrees are normally obtained after 3 to 5 years, depending on the subject. Bachelor degrees in Dentistry, Law, Engineering, Building, Real Estate, Architecture and Music require four years, while Medicine requires five. University level second stage: Master's Degree: The Master's degree is obtained after one to three years of postgraduate study. Candidates for a Master's by research must hold a good Honours degree and submit a thesis. The minimum entry qualification for a Master's by course work and dissertation is a Bachelor's degree or its equivalent, although requirements vary from course to course. University level third stage: Doctor's Degree: The Doctor's degree is awarded after a minimum of two further years following upon a Master's degree. Candidates are required to submit a thesis. The Doctorate in Business requires a combination of course work and dissertation. The Doctor of Letters, Doctor of Laws and Doctor of Science are conferred on the basis of published work. Teacher education: Training of pre-primary and primary/basic school teachers The National Institute of Education (an autonomous institute under the Nanyang Technological University) is the only tertiary level institution providing both pre- and in-service teacher education at all levels of teacher education. Pre-service courses include a two-year Diploma in Education or Physical Education or a four-year Bachelor of Arts (Education) or Bachelor of Science (Education) degree for non-graduates. There is also a one-year Postgraduate Diploma in Education (primary and secondary), or a two-year Postgraduate Diploma in Physical Education for graduates. Further training is provided for practising teachers. A Master's degree in Education and a PhD are also provided for those who are interested in educational research. Training of secondary school teachers See: Training of pre-primary and primary/basic school teachers NATIONAL BODIES Administration & co-ordination: Responsible authorities: Ministry of Education Head: Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Minister of Education Administrative officer: Lim Chuan Poh, Permanent Secretary 1 North
Buona Vista Drive Tel: +65 6872 2220 Fax: +65 6775 5826 EMail: contact@moe.edu.sg WWW: http://www.moe.gov.sg ADMISSIONS TO HIGHER EDUCATION Admission to non university higher education studies Name of secondary school credential required: Singapore-Cambridge General Certificate of Education Ordinary Level Minimum score/requirement: Passes in English, Mathematics and relevant subjects For entry to: Polytechnics Admission to university-level studies Name of secondary school credential required: Singapore-Cambridge General Certificate of Education Advanced Level Minimum score/requirement: Passes in at least two Advanced Level subjects and an attempt at General paper in one sitting. For entry to: Universities and Polytechnics Alternatives to credentials: Relevant Polytechnic Diploma or any other equivalent qualifications such as the International Baccalaureate. Foreign students admission Admission requirements: To enter the National University of Singapore, Nanyang Technological University and Singapore Management University, students must have good passes in the Singapore-Cambridge GCE A-Level examinations or other examinations deemed suitable by the universities for admission into undergraduate programmes. Some students may be required to take an entrance examination. To enter the Singapore Polytechnic, Ngee Ann Polytechnic, Temasek Polytecnic, Nanyang Polytechnic and Republic Polytechnic, students must hold the Singapore-Cambridge GCE O-Level or equivalent with passes in English, Mathematics and relevant subjects. Entry regulations: Foreign students need to obtain Student Passes from the Immigration Checkpoints Authority (ICA), 10 Kallang Road, Singapore 208 718 (http://www.ica.gov.sg). Language requirements: Students must have a good knowledge of English. Recognition of studies & qualifications: Studies pursued in home country (System of recognition/accreditation): From 2004, all applications for registration of private schools are carried out online through the Online Business Licensing Service. Singapore does not have a central authority that accords recognition to qualifications and courses of study. References to further information on foreign student admissions and recognition of studies Title: Handbook on Diplomas, Degrees and other Certificates in Higher Education in Asia and the Pacific Publisher: UNESCO PROAP Year of publication: 1998 STUDENT LIFE Main student services at national level Ministry of Education 1 North Buona Vista
Drive Tel: +65 6872 2220 Fax: +65 6775 5826 EMail: contact@moe.gov.sg WWW: http://www.moe.gov.sg Category of services provided: Academic and career counselling services Student expenses and financial aid Student costs: Home students tuition fees: Minimum: 5930 (Singaporean Dollar) Maximum: 17010 (Singaporean Dollar) Foreign students tuition fees: Minimum: 6520 (Singaporean Dollar) Maximum: 18710 (Singaporean Dollar) Type of financial aid available: Scholarships/grants/fellowships: First Degree studies: Home: Yes Advanced/doctoral studies: Home: Yes Foreign: Yes Loans: Advanced/doctoral studies: Home: Yes Foreign: Yes Bodies providing information on student financial aid: Ministry of Education 1 North Buona Vista
Drive Tel: 065 6872 2220 Fax: +65 6775 5826 EMail: contact@moe.edu.sg WWW: http://www.moe.gov.sg/corporate/students_scholarships.htm Deals with: Grants Publications on student services and financial aid: Title: Awards for Postgraduate Study at Commonwealth Universities Publisher: Association of Commonwealth Universities Year of publication: 1997 Title: Study Abroad 2004-2005, 32nd Edition Publisher: UNESCO Publishing Year of publication: 2003 INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION & EXCHANGES Principal national bodies responsible for dealing with international cooperation and exchanges in higher education: Ministry of Education 1 North Buona Vista
Drive Tel: +65 6872 2220 Fax: +65 6775 5826 EMail: contact@moe.edu.sg WWW: http://www.moe.edu.sg Nanyang Technological University Head: Guaning Su, President International relations: Sonny Lim, Director, International Relations Office Nanyang
Avenue Tel: +65 6791 1744 Fax: +65 6792 6911 EMail: iro@ntu.edu.sg WWW: http://www.ntu.edu.sg National University of Singapore Head: Choon Fong Shih, President International relations: Ah Choy Liew, Director, International Relations Office 21 Lower
Kent Ridge Road Tel: +65 6775 6666 EMail: irohead@nus.edu.sg WWW: http://www.nus.edu.sg GRADING SYSTEM Usual grading system in secondary school Full Description: The Singapore-Cambridge GCE-N-Level examinations are graded 1;2;3;4; 5; U (Ungraded -not recorded in certificate); The Singapore-Cambridge GCE O-Level examinations are graded: A1; A2; B3; B4; C5; C6; D7; E8; F9; The Singapore-Cambridge GCE A-Level: A,B,C,D,E,U (Ungraded). Main grading system used by higher education institutions Full Description: Honours degrees: I; II (upper); II (lower); III (Bachelors of Dentistry and Medicine are unclassified) Other main grading systems For Polytechnics: Distinction: for the top 5%; A: excellent: 80-100%; B: credit: 70-79%; C: good: 60-69%; D: pass: 50-59%; E: subsidiary pass; For ITE: A: excellent: 80-100%, B: very good: 70-79%, C: good:60-69%, D: pass: 50-59%, E: subsidiary pass. NOTES ON HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM Data for academic year: 2005-2006 Source: Singapore Ministry of Education, 2005
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