Singapore offers many opportunities for polytechnic graduates to progress to university degrees. There are clear pathways through which students can obtain higher-level qualifications by combining their polytechnic diploma studies with subsequent university degree programs. These progression pathways allow polytechnic graduates to upgrade their skills and pursue degrees while gaining credit for their prior diploma qualifications.
The two main progression pathways are:
Direct Entry Scheme (DES) – This scheme allows eligible polytechnic graduates to enter the second or third year of a selected degree program at the local autonomous universities (NUS, NTU, SMU) or the private universities. Students typically get credits or exemptions for 1-2 years of study, shortening the duration of their university degree. The entry requirements vary by university but generally include having completed a relevant diploma from a polytechnic with good academic results, usually a GPA of 3.5 and above. Some universities may have additional criteria such as interview assessment. Students under the DES enroll in specialized “top-up” degree programs tailored for polytechnic graduates.
Polytechnic-University Credit Transfer System (PCTS) – This system facilitates credit transfers between polytechnics and universities based on similarity and comparability between modules covered in the diploma and university degree programs. Students must meet the entry and credit transfer requirements set by the respective university they wish to enter. More credits can potentially be transferred if students pursue a degree closely related to their prior diploma specialization. PCTS students typically takes 2 to 3 years to complete a full university degree program. The minimum number of credits required to be earned at the university level is determined by each university.
Both the DES and PCTS pathways allow polytechnic graduates to proceed to full, accredited university degree programs at a higher starting point compared to new undergraduates. The conditions for progression vary between universities and diploma-degree combinations. While DES admissions are competitive with quotas, PCTS provides more flexibility for students.
Students will need to carefully consider factors like their diploma and academic performance, choice of university and degree, individual university requirements and policies, cost implications of shortening or extending degree duration when choosing between the DES and PCTS options. Guidance from polytechnics and universities is available to help students select suitable pathways and courses.
Besides the two main progression systems, some other alternative pathways also exist:
Some polytechnics have signed Memorandums of Understanding with selected overseas or local private universities to provide progression pathways for their diploma graduates to specific degree programs, often involving credit transfers as well.
Students who do not meet the entry criteria for the main DES/PCTS schemes can consider applying through alternative university admission routes like early admissions, transfer admissions or mature student admissions if they have accumulated relevant work or other experience.
It is also possible for exceptional students to progress directly from polytechnic diplomas to postgraduate studies, bypassing an undergraduate degree, through certain scholarship programmes or by excelling in work and gaining sufficient relevant experience and qualifications.
In addition to academic qualifications, polytechnic-university students need to fulfill other standard university admission requirements such as meeting subject pre-requisites, minimum entrance exam scores and English language proficiency levels. International students may face additional criteria depending on their nationality and student pass categories.
Progression from polytechnic to university studies allows students to maximize their prior educational credits and investments, acquire specialized skills through top-up degrees, and achieve higher academic certificates that open up more opportunities. Major benefits include shortened time spent, lower costs versus fresh undergraduates and recognition of polytechnic teaching received. Students must ensure they meet eligibility and credit transfer requirements between their diploma and intended degree to make full use of the flexible progression pathways available in Singapore.