To avoid making the wrong choice, one needs to think ahead and understand one’s strengths and interests. Some students prefer a more academic route that prepares them for university, while others may be attracted to institutions that specialise in a particular field, providing internships that allow them to gather industry experience. Students today can choose from 22 junior colleges and centralised institutes and 5 polytechnics. In addition, there is also the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) and private schools offering other alternative postsecondary qualifications.

Junior Colleges and the Millenia Institute

The junior colleges in Singapore can be categorised as follows:

Government (Special Assistance Plan and Autonomous Schools)

Government-aided Independent (Special Assistance Plan)

Junior college education typically takes 2 years to complete, characterised by academic rigour in preparation for university admission. All junior colleges also provide students with a wide range of co-curricular activities, so that students would have a more balanced environment. Some junior colleges with hostels also enable students to learn independence as they stay away from home.

 Angela Chan, a second-year JC student, agrees:

“Although a lot of attention has to be placed on my studies and I have to be very

disciplined in my revision, I enjoy the time I spend with friends in school and CCA helps me to destress."

Upon meeting the respective admission criteria, students can then progress to one of the 3 autonomous universities in Singapore:

National University of Singapore (NUS)

Nanyang Technological University (NTU)

Singapore Management University

(SMU)

Millennia Institute (MI) is the nation’s only Centralised Institute offering 3 years of preuniversity education. Established in 2004, it was formed following a merger of Outram Institute and Jurong Institute and has nearly 1500 students. Entry into MI is based on an aggregate score of 20 points or less for GCE ‘O’ Levels based on 5 subjects including the English language (L1R4).

This is an alternative to junior colleges that assess students based on their aggregate score for 6 subjects including the English language (L1R5). The admission criteria for some junior colleges can also be very strict. For example, the top 5 junior colleges require an aggregate of 10 points and below. Raffles Junior College and Victoria Junior College require an aggregate of 4 and 5 points respectively.

The JC way of learning is definitely easier to adapt to in the transition from Secondary to tertiary education. Moreover, being more diversified, the JC path opens up doors to a variety of courses for us to specialise in when we continue our education in Universities. The all-rounded education also allows us to have a better and clearer vision of our future.

- Chua Tze Lin, Jurong Junior College

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Polytechnics

There are 5 polytechnics in Singapore that students can choose from:

Singapore Polytechnic

Ngee Ann Polytechnic

Temasek Polytechnic

Nanyang Polytechnic

Republic Polytechnic

Polytechnic education typically takes 3 years to complete and provides a practice-oriented learning environment that prepares students for work upon graduation. This is a platform where students are exposed to industrial knowledge and experience through attachment programmes.

Established in 1954, Singapore Polytechnic (SP) is the first polytechnic in Singapore. Offering 78 diploma and post-diploma courses, SP now has about 15,000 full-time and part-time students. Out of the 78 courses, there are 45 full-time diploma courses for ‘O’ level holders.

Ngee Ann Polytechnic (NP) was formerly known as Ngee Ann College, which offered degree courses in language, commerce and technology. In 1982, the college’s name was changed and the courses it offered were also revised. In 1999, NP became the first polytechnic to offer

Situated in the east, Temasek Polytechnic (TP) is the only polytechnic to have a separate school dedicated to tourism and hospitality studies. Working in partnership with Sentosa Leisure Group, TP’s The Tourism Academy @ Sentosa has many teaching methods aimed at preparing students for the demands of the industry. The facilities allow lecturers to incorporate real-life situations into their teaching.

Priding itself on its innovation and industry collaboration, Nanyang Polytechnic (NYP) helps students to gain exposure and experience through international exchange and attachment programmes. To date, NYP has produced numerous professionals who have contributed significantly to the local healthcare industry. Singapore’s youngest and fifth polytechnic, Republic Polytechnic (RP), was established in August 2002. Since its formation, RP has adopted problem-based learning as its primary teaching method; presenting students with case studies so that they learn through problemsolving.

Although all 5 polytechnics have their own specialisations in terms of course offerings, below are some of the common disciplines that  are available in all polytechnics:

Business

Engineering

Information Technology

Applied Science / Life Sciences

During my nursing studies at Nanyang Polytechnic, the school provided me with a fair amount of attachments to the  hospital every semester and this familiarised me with the workflow. I was more preparedon what to expect when I started work.

- Amanda Koh, 26, Senior Staff Nurse

Here’s someone who has gone through both the JC and poly route:

Wanting to go to a University plus still considering whether to enter the hospitality and tourism industry, I decided to go to a JC after ‘O’ Levels. Upon graduating from JC, I decided to head into the hospitality and tourism industry. I joined Temasek polytechnic so as to get a better grasp of the industry before furthering my studies in Switzerland, the birthplace of tourism. Though I seem to have gone one big round, in fact I have a better grasp of the industry due to the knowledge I got from both JC and the Academy at Sentosa. This allowed me to work better when I did my internship at an events management company, where we had to be “on our toes”.

Joanne Ho, Temasek Polytechnic

Institute of Technical Education (ITE)

Set up in 1992, the ITE provides opportunities for secondary school leavers to acquire skills and knowledge for future employment. The various ITE campuses offer a wide range of courses that includes several skill-based courses like Beauty Therapy, Hair Fashion and Design, and Pastry and Baking. More courses are continually added to their list, in keeping with the demands of various industries.

The ITE also offers an alternative route to a polytechnic education. Although a student may take more time to obtain a diploma by going to ITE before enrolling in a polytechnic, this allows him to develop a strong foundation, which would make it easier for him to excel in his polytechnic studies. In recent years, ITE graduates have been gaining greater recognition and accolades from discerning employers, and more organisations are sending their employees for upgrading courses at ITE. Over 90% of employers acknowledge the value of ITE graduates and 93% of ITE graduates find jobs within three months upon graduation.

Private Institutes

There are many private institutes that offer various diploma and certificate courses, with some leading to a degree conferred by an overseas university. A diploma from a private institute may not be the first choice for some,

partly due to fears of mismanaged programmes and unaccredited qualifications. However, with adequate background checks and proper screening, this option may be a quicker route to diploma qualification as a number of diploma

courses offered by private institutes are shorter than those offered by polytechnics. Their graduates would join the workforce earlier than their peers, giving them an earlier start in acquiring work experience.

 

Jensen Siaw, Consultant Trainer and founder of Speak For Life, says: “The flexible course structure (of private institutes) caters to one’s commitments and students are able to gain more exposure through interaction with other students who may already be working.” Jensen enrolled in a private institute for a Diploma course and subsequently graduated with a basic degree, before going on to do his Master’s degree at NTU.

Which Is For Me?

With the various options, students need to know what they are looking for and if their choice is best suited for their strengths.

If your target is university…

Junior college education is a preparatory route for students who want to obtain a degree before they join the workforce. With hard work accepted in universities locally and overseas. However, a JC education is academically rigorous

and requires good time management skills.

If you are more practice-oriented and want broader options…

Taking the poly route is one way of acquiring market-ready skills and qualifications after three years, while keeping open the option to pursue further studies at university. This route also enables students to gain experience by working first before pursuing a degree. With hands-on experience, it may be easier for an individual to understand the theories that theyare presented with in their studies. The same is true for students choosing to go to ITE. In addition, ITE is also suitable for those who want to learn a skill. In the current service economy, there are many specialised skills that are very much sought after by employers.

If you seek flexibility…

By choosing to pursue a private diploma, students can accomplish two things at one time. As classes may be conducted during the day as well as night-time, students have the option of gaining industrial experience by looking for a part-time job during their studies. However, it is important to do a thorough background check on the private institute and the accreditation of the organisation conferring the diploma or certificate. Prospective students should try to speak to those already in the programme and check with prospective employers who would be seeking out individuals with the type of qualifications they plan to undertake.

Today’s government schools are not theonly viable options. With so many routes to excellence for every student, all that one needs is an open mind and a willingness to let interest and inclination choose the right path, even if itis one that is less trodden.