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
Singapore 138675
Singapore
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
Singapore 138 675
Singapore
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
Singapore 138 675
Singapore
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
Singapore 138 675
Singapore
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
Singapore 639 798
Singapore
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
Singapore 119 077
Singapore
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