Institute of Technology - Singapore

Singapore

Singapore retains a system similar but not the same as in the United Kingdom from 1970–1992, distinguishing between polytechnics and universities, but also including a third component, the Institute of Technical Education (ITE). Unlike the British Polytechnic (United Kingdom) system Singapore Polytechnics do not offer bachelors, masters or PhD degrees. Under this system, most Singaporean students sit for their O-Level examinations after a four or five years of education in secondary school, and apply for a place at either ITE, a polytechnic or a pre-university centre (a junior college or the Millennia Institute, a centralized institute). Polytechnic graduates may be granted transfer credits when they apply to local and overseas universities, depending on the overall performance in their grades, as well as the university's policies on transfer credits. A few secondary schools are now offering six-year program which leads directly to university entrance.

Polytechnics offer three year diploma courses in fields such as information technology, engineering subjects and other vocational fields, like psychology and nursing. There are 5 polytechnics in Singapore. They are namely:

• Singapore Polytechnic
• Ngee Ann Polytechnic
• Temasek Polytechnic
• Nanyang Polytechnic
• Republic Polytechnic

ITE offers shorter programmes up to 2 year certificates in a wide variety of fields, ranging from beauty therapy to nursing, electronics, business and information technology. There are currently three colleges within ITE. One of them is a recently opened large campus while the other two are each composed of five smaller campuses which will be replaced in the coming years by a large campus for each college. The three colleges are:

• ITE College East
• ITE College West
• ITE College Central

Nanyang Technological University (public research university) offers up PhD degree level engineering education. Another comprehensive university known as National University of Singapore (public research university) also provides up to PhD level engineering education.

A new public university (Singapore Institute of Technology) for polytechnic diploma holders, was announced in 2010. It is scheduled to be opened in 2011.

Another new public university known as Singapore University of Technology and Design would be opened in 2011.