Ever wondered what the best Polytechnics in Singapore will be in 2024?
Singapore has been a place of interest for many educational enthusiasts. The system of education in the country is rated among the best globally. Many students abroad usually prefer pursuing further education in Singapore due to the nation’s prestige in education.
If you plan to attend a polytechnic in Singapore to further your education to a tertiary level, then you should read this. This article will include the list of the Singapore Polytechnic ranking, their academic schools, programs, and how to begin your application as soon as possible.
The Singapore Polytechnic system is very simple. Every course or program in the polytechnics lasts a maximum of 3 years. After graduation, the students will obtain a Diploma that is widely recognized. Graduates can use this Diploma in Singapore and other countries like the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, and China, to mention a few.
The Best Polytechnics in Singapore
As I mentioned, just 5 Polytechnics in Singapore are all funded by the Singapore Government. They include;
- Singapore Polytechnic
- Nanyang Polytechnic
- Ngee Ann Polytechnic
- Republic Polytechnic; and
- Temasek Polytechnic.
Being called polytechnics does not make them or keep them at an interior level compared to internationally renowned universities regarding teaching quality or campus facilities. Everything needed to aid quality education is provided for the students and management.
The 5 Polytechnics took decades to develop to the level and standard they are today and have become the world’s top high-end vocational and technical institutions to export talents. So what makes these polytechnics in Singapore so unique? Well, we will find out now.
1. Singapore Polytechnic
Singapore Polytechnic is the most popular polytechnic in Singapore. It was established on October 27, 1954, by the Singapore Ministry of Education. To date, it is still under the purview of the ministry. It is the first and the oldest polytechnic in Singapore.
Another thing to know about this Polytechnic is that it offers full-time diploma courses and a range of continuing education programs. The Polytechnic is made up of 11 Academic schools, including;
- School of Architecture and the Built Environment (ABE)
- SP Business School (SB)
- School of Chemical and Life Sciences (CLS)
- School of Computing (SoC)
- School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering (EEE)
- School of Life Skills and Communication (LSC)
- School of Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering (MAE)
- School of Mathematics and Science (MS)
- Professional & Adult Continuing Education (PACE) Academy
- Media, Arts, and Design School (MAD)
- Singapore Maritime Academy (SMA)
Please note that the Professional & Adult Continuing Education Academy, or PACE Academy, a school at Singapore Polytechnic, is a multidisciplinary Continuing Education and Training (CET) Academy offering CET programs for adults, which are organized both online and in classrooms.
The Polytechnic boasts over 15,900 students on its 38 ha (94 acres) campus.
Notable Alumni
- Tanya Chua – Singaporean singer
- Taufik Batisah – Singaporean singer, Singapore Idol winner
- Kelly Poon – Singaporean singer
- Shih Choon Fong – Singaporean college administrator
- Chai Keong Toh – Singaporean computer scientist, engineer, and professor
- Cedric Foo – Singaporean politician
- Liang Eng Hwa – Singaporean politician
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2. Ngee Ann Polytechnic
Boasting over 14,800 students, Ngee Ann Polytechnic is among the Best Polytechnics in Singapore. The post-secondary education institution created by the Ministry of Education in 1963 is a world-class comprehensive public higher institution.
Ngee Ann Polytechnic specializes in Science, Engineering, film, and television media. Many students at home and abroad have seen Ngee Ann Polytechnic as a significant source of attraction.
The Polytechnic has a strong faculty and strict school spirit, making it a choice for many. Ngee Ann has only eight academic schools, namely;
- School of Business & Accountancy
- School of Engineering
- School of Health Science
- School of Infocomm Technology
- School of Design & Environment
- School of Humanities & Social Sciences
- School of Film & Media Studies
- School of Life Sciences & Chemical Technology
The Polytechnic offers up to 42 full-time diploma courses for students through the eight academic schools; Accountancy, Banking & Finance, Business Studies, International Trade & Business, Design, Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Arts Business Management, etc.
There are also part-time programs for adult learners through the CET Academy. Just like Singapore Polytechnic, Ngee Ann Polytechnic also offers these programs. The CET Academy was established in 1985 and now trains over 10,000 adults and conducts over 200 courses yearly.
Ngee Ann Polytechnic is among the most-awarded polytechnics in Singapore. It was conferred the Singapore Quality Class Star Award for demonstrating business excellence. In 2014, the Polytechnic was also awarded the President’s Award for the Environment.
Notable Alumni
- Alan Tam – Hong Kong singer and actor
- Alaric Tay – Singaporean actor
- Andie Chen – Singaporean actor
- Anthony Chen – Singaporean film producer
- Boo Junfeng – Singaporean film producer
- Cruz Teng – Singaporean television presenter
- Don Wee – Singaporean politician
- Derrick Hoh – Singaporean singer
- Gerald Koh – Singaporean radio DJ
- Hazlina Abdul Halim – Singaporean television presenter
3. Temasek Polytechnic
Temasek Polytechnic is the third of the top Polytechnics in Singapore. It is also one of the most comprehensive colleges in the country. The Polytechnic is known to lead in teaching methods, teaching facilities, and teaching management.
Temasek Polytechnic was established on 6 April 1990 on a 30-hectare plot near the Bedok Reservoir in the Eastern part of Singapore. Temasek Polytechnic offered diploma programs in specialized areas like Law & Management upon completing three years of academic studies and a compulsory industry internship.
Temasek Polytechnic features 37 full-time and 40 part-time diploma courses spread over seven academic schools. Currently, Temasek Polytechnic has approximately 14,000 full-time students and more than 1,200 academic staff. The seven academic schools at Temasek Polytechnic are;
- School of Applied Science
- School of Business
- School of Design
- School of Engineering
- School of Humanities & Social Science
- School of Informatics & IT
- Temasek Tourism Academy
Temasek Polytechnic offers 37 full-time diploma courses in applied sciences, business, design, engineering, humanities & social sciences, and informatics & IT.
Notable Alumni
- Priscelia Chan – Singaporean actress
- Sylvia Ratonel – Singaporean singer, Singapore Idol finalist
- Ferlyn Wong – Singaporean singer
- Faris Ramli – Singaporean footballer
- Hady Mirza – Singaporean singer, Singapore Idol, and Asian Idol winner
- Teo Ser Luck – Singaporean politician
- Xu Bin – Chinese actor
- Dasmond Koh – Singaporean television host and founder of Noontalk Media
- Hong Ling – a Singaporean actress
- Hany Soh – Singaporean politician
- Wan Rizal Wan Zakariah – Singaporean politician
4. Nanyang Polytechnic
Nanyang Polytechnic is also a post-secondary education institution in Singapore. Just like Singapore Polytechnic, it was also established and managed under the purview of the Ministry of Education in Singapore. Nanyang Polytechnic was established in 1992.
The polytechnic is, however, a science and engineering-based higher education institution. It is just like a more specific establishment from the Singapore Polytechnic. It is the second of the best poly in Singapore created by the Singapore government. Its establishment aimed to meet the country’s rapid economic growth and increasing demand for talent.
Nanyang Polytechnic has advanced teaching facilities and a beautiful teaching environment. It is one of the best institutions to provide students with quality education and training courses to prepare them for future life and employment. Nanyang Polytechnic has seven schools. They include;
- School of Business Management
- School of Chemical & Life Sciences
- School of Design
- School of Engineering
- School of Health and Social Sciences
- School of Information Technology
- School of Interactive & Digital Media
Notable Alumni
- Hariss Harun – Singaporean footballer
- Romeo Tan – Singaporean actor
- Carrie Wong – Singaporean actress
- Lionel Lewis – a Singaporean footballer
- Vanessa Peh – Miss Singapore World 2018
- Anupama Aura Gurung – Miss Nepal Earth 2011
- Hossan Leong – Singaporean actor
- Helena Wong – Singaporean weightlifter
5. Republic Polytechnic
Republic Polytechnic is the 5th best National Polytechnic fully funded by Singapore’s Ministry of Education. It was established in 2002 and is the first and only polytechnic in Singapore to use problem-based learning (PBL) pedagogy for all its diploma programs. So, how many diploma programs are offered by Republic Polytechnic?
Republic Polytechnics offers up to 37 full-time diploma programs to students while having seven academic schools and one academic center, including; the School of Management and Communication, School of Applied Science, School of Engineering, School of Sports, Health and Leisure, School of Hospitality, School of Infocomm, School of Technology for the Arts.
The Republic Polytechnic’s project team began its operation on the premises of the Data Storage Institute at the National University of Singapore in 2002. It later moved into the Tanglin campus formerly occupied by the Ministry of Education, Singapore, in July 2002.
The polytechnic had its first intake of students in 2003 before moving to the current Woodlands campus at Woodlands Avenue 9 in 2007. Having over 13,000 students, Each diploma awarded by Republic Polytechnic is recognized for articulation into a bachelor’s degree at a university in Singapore or a top university worldwide.
Notable Alumni
- Yip Pin Xiu – Singaporean swimmer, five-time Paralympics Gold medallist
- Benjamin Kheng – Singaporean singer
- Tosh Zhang – Singaporean actor
- Shanti Pereira – Singaporean track and field athlete
- Gabriel Quak – Singaporean footballer
- Ian Fang – a Chinese actor
- Valen Low – Singaporean arm wrestler
- Loh Kean Yew – Singaporean badminton player
How to apply to Polytechnics in Singapore in 2024
Now that you know the Singapore Polytechnic ranking, I believe the next thing to do is to apply to whichever one you are comfortable with. Before you can study at any Polytechnic in Singapore, you must apply first and gain admission.
This is what I will show you how to do now. Many wish to apply but do not know how to go about it. Follow this procedure to apply to Polytechnics in Singapore;
- From the list above, pick a Polytechnic that you are comfortable with.
- Next, choose a diploma course that suits you and your qualifications.
- Go ahead to check the admission requirements for the course you have picked. If you meet the requirements, you can go ahead with the application.
- Prepare the application materials, such as the application form, a valid passport, and its copy, a high school transcript, proof of funds, etc.
- After this, you should submit your application to the chosen Polytechnic and await their reply.
Conclusion
Unlike Polytechnics in the United States of America and the United Kingdom, Polytechnics in Singapore takes in students after they complete their secondary school education, which is after at least ten years of formal education.
Diplomas at these polytechnics are usually in specialized areas of study, such as Law, Biomedical Sciences, Accountancy, etc.
Students who graduate from these polytechnics are sought after for entry-level professional positions or are well-prepared to complete university degrees.
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