Greater Flexibility in Polytechnic Admissions

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22 September 2005

Greater Flexibility in Polytechnic Admissions

1. To allow the polytechnics to consider student candidates based on a broader measure of merits beyond performance in the GCE O-level results, a Joint Polytechnic Special Admissions Exercise (JPSAE) will be introduced from 2006. Under the JPSAE, polytechnics will initially be able to admit up to 5 per cent[1] of their annual intake of students based on their special talents and aptitude. The JPSAE complements the existing Joint Admissions Exercise (JAE), which considers student candidates on O-level results, and other smaller admission exercises such as the Special Admissions Exercise (SAE).

2. Since 2004, the universities have been allowed to admit up to 10% of their intake based on their own, independent criteria. The universities can decide on the profile of students who will benefit most from the education they provide.

3. Allowing our polytechnics greater flexibility in admitting students with diverse talents and passions will better meet the learning needs, interests and aspirations of such students. The JPSAE is especially relevant to polytechnic-bound students whose talents in an applied and practice-oriented learning environment may warrant different admission considerations.

4. Currently, the SAE admits students into specific courses with special course requirements[2] (see Annex A for examples of such courses). The introduction of JPSAE extends the special admission to all courses offered by the polytechnics and allows for a more diverse range of talents to be considered.

5. Under the JPSAE, the polytechnics will have the flexibility to consider students who demonstrate a strong passion or aptitude through work attachments, sustained involvement in projects, and outstanding performance in competitions like the Maths/Science Olympiads. The polytechnics will also consider candidates who possess exceptional talents in areas such as leadership, community service, entrepreneurship, sports and arts.

6. Each polytechnic will have the discretion to determine its modes of assessing students’ talents and achievements, including portfolios and interviews, among others. The polytechnics will set their own respective selection criteria to ensure that only students who are able to cope with the rigours of a diploma education are admitted.

7. The JPSAE was announced by Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Minister for Education, at the MOE Work Plan Seminar 2005 on 22 Sep 2005.

Admissions Process For The JPSAE

8. Upon receiving their O-level results, students can apply concurrently to both the JAE and JPSAE. Under the JPSAE, applicants can apply for a maximum of three courses. These applications can be submitted via the JPSAE online portal.

9. Successful applicants will receive one posting under the JAE and another offer under the JPSAE. They will have to accept one course offered either by the JAE or JPSAE during a common enrolment period set by the polytechnics. Once the common enrolment period ends, all unaccepted offers will lapse and the places freed up will be offered to applicants on the polytechnics’ waiting lists.

10. For details on the JPSAE application process, please refer to Annex B.

11. More details on the JPSAE will be released on the polytechnics’ websites at a later date.

ANNEX A

List of Courses with Specific Course Requirements*

Singapore Polytechnic (SP)

Diploma in Architecture

Diploma in Interior Design

Diploma in Landscape Architecture

Diploma in Creative Media Design

Diploma in Music & Audio Technology

Ngee Ann Polytechnic (NP)

Diploma in Film, Sound & Video

Diploma in Mass Communication

Diploma in Chinese Studies

Diploma in Early Childhood Education

Temasek Polytechnic (TP)

Diploma in Hospitality & Tourism Management

Diploma in Communications & Media Management

Diploma in Retail Management

Diploma in Apparel Design & Merchandising

Diploma in Interior Architecture & Design

Diploma in Interactive Media Design

Diploma in Product & Industrial Design

Diploma in Visual Communication

Diploma in Moving Images

Nanyang Polytechnic (NYP)

Diploma in Digital Media Design

Diploma in Digital Entertainment Technology

Diploma in Industrial Design

Diploma in Sport & Wellness

Diploma in Media Studies & Management

Republic Polytechnic (RP)

None

*Based on the courses offered in 2005

ANNEX B

Details on JPSAE Application Process

JOINT ADMISSIONS EXERCISE (JAE)

JOINT POLYTECHNIC SPECIAL ADMISSIONS EXERCISE (JPSAE)

Announcement of GCE O-level Results

Press Release of GCE O-level results and JAE Applications open

Press Release of GCE O-results and JPSAE Applications open.

Details:

· Using a common online portal*, applicants can apply for:

- all courses with their special talents; and/or

- specific courses with special course-related requirements[3]

· Applicants are allowed to choose up to a maximum of 3 courses.

· Applicants are to furnish details of their special talent and

achievements.

*The URL will be furnished by the polytechnics at a later date

Close of JAE and JPSAE applications

Processing of JAE applications

Processing, shortlisting and conducting of interviews.

Details:

Applicants short-listed by the Polytechnics may be required to attend selection interviews/auditions/trials. They will be required to present their portfolios of awards, achievements and/or recommendations from their school principals or relevant organisations.

JAE Result Posting (By MOE)

Release of JPSAE offers (By Polytechnics)

Details:

Successful applicants will be notified by the respective Polytechnics. They will also be able to retrieve their posting results from the JPSAE website.

Unsuccessful students will submit appeals to polytechnics of choice directly (indicating desired course of study).

Common Enrolment Week

Successful applicants will have to accept the course offered by JAE or JPSAE during this period. All unaccepted offers will lapse after this period and the places freed up will be offered to applicants on the Polytechnics’ waiting list.

Allocation of “Freed up” places to Applicants on Waiting List

Enrolment of Successful (waiting list) Applicants

Start of 2006/07 Academic Session

[1] This will be reviewed after the polytechnics have built up enough experience with the JPSAE.

[2] For added convenience, all fresh O-level applicants applying for courses with specific requirements will now apply to these courses via JPSAE. Students selected under these specific courses with special course-related requirements will not be counted towards the 5% JPSAE cap.

[3] Students selected under specific courses with special course-related requirements will not be counted towards the 5% JPSAE cap.