Career Colleges and Vocational Schools in Singapore

In Singapore, career and technical education after secondary school is delivered mainly by public institutions under the Ministry of Education: the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) and five polytechnics. Private education institutions also offer career-oriented courses.

Foreign students can study at these institutions on a Student's Pass if they are accepted for a full-time course. Private schools are an option only if they are certified to take foreign students.

How it works

ITE was established in 1992 as a post-secondary institution under the Ministry of Education. It offers pre-employment training for young people after secondary school, continuing education for adults, and work-study programmes with employers. It has three colleges: ITE College Central, ITE College East and ITE College West.

• Nitec and Higher Nitec: ITE's main full-time qualifications; full-time Higher Nitec courses of 3 or 4 years cover business and services, design and media, electronics and info-comm technology, engineering, health sciences and hospitality
• ITE Diplomas: designed for Nitec and Higher Nitec graduates who want to advance their careers and continue to Singapore universities
• Direct-Entry-Scheme to Polytechnic Programme (DPP): a route from ITE to a polytechnic diploma
• Course structure: sector foundation, specialisation and life skills modules, electives and an internship

Polytechnics award full-time diplomas. Singapore has five: Nanyang Polytechnic, Ngee Ann Polytechnic, Republic Polytechnic, Singapore Polytechnic and Temasek Polytechnic. Singapore Polytechnic, for example, offers 30 full-time diploma courses and 4 common entry programmes, and states that more than 90% of its graduates go on to local or overseas universities.

Private education institutions must register with the Skills and Workforce Development Agency (SWDA). Only those with EduTrust certification can offer places to foreign students. Our directory lists one example in this category, First Media Design School, a private design school in Singapore.

Admission

Places at ITE and the polytechnics are filled through admissions exercises, such as Singapore Polytechnic's Direct Admissions Exercise, which it lists for international students. Foreign students apply to the institution first and then for a Student's Pass from the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA):

• Who needs it: any foreigner accepted for full-time study, unless they hold a valid Dependant's Pass, Long-Term Visit Pass or Immigration Exemption Order
• Only full-time courses qualify: part-time courses and courses held in the evening or at weekends are not eligible
• When: online, between three and two months before the course begins
• ITE only: the applicant needs a local sponsor who is a Singapore citizen or permanent resident aged 21 or older; companies cannot be sponsors
• Processing: within one week for ITE and the polytechnics; for a private institution, within one month, or two weeks if it is EduTrust-certified

Documents in other languages must come with official translations, for example from the embassy of the issuing country or a notary public.

Costs and funding

Polytechnics and ITE set their own fees, which are published on their websites; private institutions also set their own. International students can apply for the Ministry of Education's Tuition Grant for selected full-time diploma courses at the polytechnics and ITE. In return, they must serve a 3-year bond after graduation. The Student's Pass application has a non-refundable processing fee of S$45.

How to choose

• Level: ITE certificates (Nitec, Higher Nitec) or a polytechnic diploma
• Field: compare course lists; polytechnics cover areas such as engineering, business, computing, design and maritime studies
• Next step: check whether the course leads to a polytechnic or university place if further study is the goal
• Private schools: confirm EduTrust certification before paying, since other private institutions cannot take foreign students
• Bond: the Tuition Grant lowers fees but comes with a 3-year bond after graduation

Frequently asked questions

Can foreign students study at ITE or a polytechnic in Singapore?

Yes. A foreigner offered a full-time place needs a Student's Pass, unless they already hold a Dependant's Pass, Long-Term Visit Pass or Immigration Exemption Order. ITE applicants also need a local sponsor who is a Singapore citizen or permanent resident.

How many polytechnics are there in Singapore?

Five: Nanyang, Ngee Ann, Republic, Singapore and Temasek polytechnics. They award full-time diplomas.

Can I study at a private school in Singapore on a Student's Pass?

Only if the school is a private education institution with EduTrust certification. Institutions without it cannot offer places to foreign students.

What is the Tuition Grant?

A Ministry of Education grant that lowers the cost of selected full-time diploma and degree courses. International students who receive it must serve a 3-year bond after graduation.