post secondary education meaning in singapore

Post-secondary Education in Singapore

• First Online: 07 April 2022

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• Trivina Kang 21  

Part of the book series: Education in the Asia-Pacific Region: Issues, Concerns and Prospects ((EDAP,volume 66))

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This chapter discusses Singapore’s current post-secondary education landscape in the context of shifts over time. The development of Junior Colleges, Polytechnics and the Institute of Technical Education in Singapore reflect dynamic institutional responses to evolving socio-political and economic concerns. This chapter highlights salient shifts that have shaped, and continue to shape, technical, vocational and academically oriented post-secondary education in Singapore. Current transformations in these institutions are bold attempts to seize unique opportunities to ensure student success in, and for, economy and society. However, the chapter suggests that there are challenges and instituitions will need to constantly adapt and balance competing demands as they seek to navigate post-secondary students into the future.

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Kang, T. (2022). Post-secondary Education in Singapore. In: Lee, YJ. (eds) Education in Singapore. Education in the Asia-Pacific Region: Issues, Concerns and Prospects, vol 66. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-9982-5_5

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What Are the Routes Available after Taking Your GCE ‘O’ Levels?

The ‘O’ Levels are a national annual examination taken by students in secondary school as well as private candidates, and constitute a significant milestone in each student’s academic journey. Over the past few decades, the Ministry of Education has placed increasing emphasis on providing different pathways for students of all ability levels, and students have many options to choose from today once they have completed their GCE O Levels. 

For this reason, it is essential to understand all the post-secondary education options available as your choice will shape your future plans in the next five to ten years. While all students move to secondary school after the PSLE, they have a number of distinctively different pathways - called post-secondary education institutions (PSEIs) by the Ministry of Education - to choose from after completing their ‘O’ Levels.

In this article, The Learning Lab highlights the different options available in Singapore for secondary school students after achieving the GCE ‘O’ level certificate to help you better chart the next step in your education.

1. The Junior College Route

One of the two routes that come automatically to most people’s minds when thinking about post-secondary options, junior college remains a popular choice among many students. This route involves two years of education before taking the GCE ‘A’ Levels, with the exception of students enrolled at the Millennia Institute who take 3 years to complete the same syllabus. Students are required to select between the science and arts streams in junior college. The former includes subjects such as Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, and Computing, while the latter includes Art, Economics, Literature, Geography, History, Music, Theatre Studies, and Drama. 

Students in the science stream take predominantly science subjects, and vice versa for the arts stream, but some junior colleges do offer greater flexibility in subject combinations. To qualify for the junior college route, students’ L1R5 for their ‘O’ Levels must be 20 points and below, and they must also hit the grade requirements for specific subjects they wish to study. The top 5 junior colleges, in no particular order, are: Raffles Institution, Hwa Chong Institution, Anglo-Chinese School (Independent), Nanyang JC and Victoria JC, all of which require an L1R5 score of less than 10.

2.  International Baccalaureate

The International Baccalaureate route typically starts after primary school, with students completing a six-year programme. However, the IB also allows students on the ‘O’ Level track to enrol in a shorter two-year option, with three local institutions offering this route: Anglo-Chinese School (International), Hwa Chong International School and SJI International School (SJII). The IB curriculum differs from the ‘A’ Level curriculum in its more integrated approach, where students study a broader range of subjects within the international context.  It centres around a certain set of skills and core competencies with less focus on specific subjects. When choosing between the junior college ‘A’ Level route and the IB route, students should consider their tertiary education plans (local or overseas) and their preferred style of education.

 3. The Polytechnic Route

The second of the universally recognised post-secondary options in Singapore, the polytechnic route has become a preferred choice of many students who know what career they wish to pursue and the specific skills they wish to acquire. Polytechnic students complete 3 years of education before receiving a diploma certificate, which can be used to further studies at a university or seek employment for many entry-level positions. Course offerings in polytechnics are much more diverse than in junior college, with diplomas awarded in areas ranging from engineering and business, to nursing and hospitality. 

There are five polytechnics in Singapore: Singapore Polytechnic, Ngee Ann Polytechnic, Temask Polytechnic, Republic Polytechnic, Nanyang Polytechnic. Each offers a different variety of courses and specialises in different areas. To qualify for the polytechnic route, students’ L1R5 for their ‘O’ Levels must be at 26 points and below, but do note that the points threshold for specific courses at different polytechnics will differ. In particular, polytechnic offers more hands-on, application-based learning, with the chance to gain work experience during internships or an attachment for a semester.

4. The Arts Institution route

There are also specialised tertiary institutions for students who wish to pursue the arts, and which offer diplomas or International Baccalaureate (IB) certificates. For example, a student looking to specialise in design, fashion, or film can pursue the Diploma in Fine Art at the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA) or LASALLE College of the Arts, before going onto a degree course at a university. This route typically involves three years of education before receiving a diploma certificate. To qualify for the arts institution route, students’ L1R5 for their ‘O’ Levels has to be 25 points or better for four subjects excluding English, plus a pass in English.

Another alternative is to pick up an IB certificate at the School of the Arts (SOTA), where the school integrates arts with traditional academic subjects in the curriculum through the IB Diploma Programme (IBDP) and IB Career-related Programme (IBCP). While requirements for entry may seem relatively easy based on O-level points alone, students should prepare a creative portfolio for their entry tests or interviews.

5. The Higher NITEC route

The Higher NITEC route is offered to students who did not hit the cut-off points for junior college or polytechnic but wish to further their studies. Offered by the Institute of Technical Education (ITE), students who take this route will graduate within two or three years with a Higher NITEC certificate which they can use to apply for related diploma courses in polytechnics. The required L1R5 scores range from 11 to 39, depending on the chosen course. A wide variety of courses are available, from Science to Business to Design and Info-Comm. For ‘O’ Level students, the Higher NITEC route is for two years only, with students joining the rest of the cohort who have enrolled a year earlier.

Opening Up New Pathways for Our Students

Choosing a post-secondary route is an important choice, and students should consider their future plans and learning styles carefully before making a decision.

At The Learning Lab, we offer our students a rigorous and proven methodology to excel in their examinations while also nurturing critical life skills that will serve them well in the years ahead. Find out more about our comprehensive ‘O’ Level preparation programme here . 

The Learning Lab is now at 9 locations . Find a location that suits your needs. If you have any questions about our programmes, please email us at [email protected] or call us at 6733 8711 and we will be happy to assist you. 

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5 Reasons Why You Should Consider Post-Secondary Education

As a student in Singapore, the options available to you when you finish secondary school at 16 can be overwhelming.  You may feel that the pathway currently open to you isn’t right for your interests and ambitions, or you might want to investigate other routes that better match your aspirations.  Perhaps you are frustrated that…

Posted: 14th March 2023

As a student in Singapore, the options available to you when you finish secondary school at 16 can be overwhelming. 

You may feel that the pathway currently open to you isn’t right for your interests and ambitions, or you might want to investigate other routes that better match your aspirations. 

Perhaps you are frustrated that your school grades don’t reflect your true academic potential, and you want support to improve your academic profile ahead of going to university.

It’s important to take time to research and consider your next steps, as your decisions now will impact on your future, including university and your career.

Of course, there will be pros and cons to any decision you make, so weighing up all the information carefully and succinctly is paramount in coming to the best decision for you.

What are post-secondary education options in Singapore?

Firstly, what do we mean by “post-secondary education” in Singapore? It’s a term you’ve probably heard used a lot, so let’s delve deeper into exactly how it’s defined.

Post-secondary education refers to the education that students receive after completing their secondary education (so, after N Levels and O Levels, which are typically completed at age 16). Post-secondary education further refines students’ academic skills before they enter the workforce or pursue studies at tertiary level.

In Singapore, post-secondary education is divided into two main categories:

1.) pre-university education and 

2.) vocational education and training.

Pre-university education is typically for students who intend to pursue further studies at the tertiary level. This includes the GCE Advanced Level (A-Level) programme, which is a two-year programme that prepares students for university studies, as well as the International Baccalaureate (IB) programme, which is a globally recognised programme that provides students with a well-rounded education.

Vocational education and training, on the other hand, is designed to prepare students for specific careers or industries. This includes courses offered by the Institute of Technical Education (ITE), such as the National ITE Certificate (Nitec) and Higher Nitec programmes, as well as diploma programmes offered by polytechnics.

5 reasons you should consider post-secondary education

We’ve put together 5 top reasons you should consider post-secondary education in Singapore. 

They are designed to help students who are at a crossroads in their educational journey, providing essential information for them to decide on the best next steps to suit their personal needs and ambitions.

1. Improved University & Career Opportunities

Post-secondary education can open up new career paths and opportunities, including getting into university. With more specialised knowledge and skills, a student can enter into a field that they are passionate about and can excel in.

You may be an N-level student unsure about next steps. Perhaps you feel that polytechnic is not the right place for you and you want another chance to improve your grades and get into a leading university. 

If this is the case, take time to research other academic pathways, including A-Levels and the IB. If you want to pursue the academic route, there is no reason you cannot boost your grades now to get into a top university.

2. Better Earning Potential

A post-secondary education can lead to better earning potential. Graduates with higher levels of education tend to earn more over their lifetime than those without. This can provide a better standard of living and financial security. 

According to the Singapore Government’s Manpower Research & Statistics Department , workers with post-secondary education earn almost double what people with lower degrees earn: the median monthly wage was only S$1,747 for non-degreed workers versus S$3,028 for workers with post-secondary qualifications.

Whether you’re looking to study A Levels, the IB Diploma or another academic programme, it’s advisable to select your subjects based on your future university of career ambitions. Students who study STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Maths) subjects in post-secondary education and then at university are in demand by employers, with STEM jobs growing at 2x the rate of other occupations. 

3. Personal Growth

Post-secondary education provides an opportunity for personal growth and development. It can help students develop critical thinking skills, improve communication, and learn new ways of looking at the world.

The International Baccalaureate (IB) programme is definitely worth a look if you are hoping to develop key skills and competencies that make you an all-round student, in addition to the academic prestige of the IB. 

IB Diploma students study a rich “Inner Core” alongside their 6 main subjects, which consists of three core elements: Theory of Knowledge (ToK), the Extended Essay (EE), and Creativity, Activity & Service (CAS). All three elements are highly prized by university admissions teams as giving students “the edge” over their competitors by nurturing advanced personal skills including creativity, resilience and problem-solving. 

The great thing about the IB is that you can choose to study subjects that actually interest you – so if you never excelled in humanities in school, you can pick more STEM-focused options for your IB Diploma.

4. Networking Opportunities

Choosing the right institution to complete your post-secondary education in Singapore is vital if you’re to achieve your future goals. There are many post-secondary providers, but what’s important is to find a school or college where you can see yourself being happy, and that offers all the study options, facilities and support you are looking for.

Look for colleges that don’t just offer standard teaching. A number of post-secondary colleges in Singapore offer impressive super-curricular programmes to supplement academic study, including personal development and careers support to make you more attractive to university admissions tutors and future employers. 

The best colleges will also provide opportunities for students to network with professionals in their chosen field of study, including exchange trips and industry workshops. These connections can lead to internships, job opportunities and valuable mentorship.

5. Flexibility

Post-secondary education offers the opportunity for flexibility in terms of course selection and learning style. With the IB, for example, students select their subjects from a much wider pool than at A Level, and can choose to study specialist topics in greater depth. Post-secondary education gives you more control over the subjects you study, so there’s a much better chance you’ll feel more engaged and stimulated by the course.

When thinking about your next steps in post-secondary education, or what route to take after N-levels, remember that this is your pathway and your future. Be sure to choose a college or provider that offers the flexibility to allow you to tailor your education to best suit you, where you can choose the subjects that interest you, and where you’ll get the support you need to make the best choices from here.

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