10 July 2020

Singapore’s six government-funded universities are offering around 2,000 more places to prospective students this year.

Some of the offers will go to Singaporeans whose overseas study plans have to be put on hold because of the global human malware situation. Local universities held a second admissions exercise in May to cater to this group of students.

Other spots have also been allocated to polytechnic diploma holders who had previously intended to join the workforce but are now opting to further their studies because of the weak job market.

Because of the additional effort made their year to increase the number of university places, the Ministry of Education said it expects the cohort participation rate (CPR) to increase slightly this year, by up to 2 percentage points, from the originally planned 40 per cent.

The MOE said that Singaporean students who are midway through their degree studies overseas, but who now wish to switch to studying locally, can write directly to the autonomous universities. Their applications will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. This includes a review of whether credit transfers can be granted.

Some students have indicated that they are planning to defer their studies by three to six months. They can sign up for continuing education and training modular courses offered by the universities during this period.

26 May 2020

Schools participating in the Direct School Admission exercise this year will do all interviews and selection for shortlisted candidates via electronic modes (e-modes). This policy has raised concerns whether the exercise will remain fair.

Schools will strive to select students with potential, “exemplary character and desirable personal qualities, such as the ability to thrive amidst adversity”, even without competition placements, said a Ministry of Education spokesman.

A total of 146 secondary schools and 20 junior colleges are taking part in this year’s exercise, which started on May 12.

To ensure fairness in the selection process, the e-modes will be conducted at the applicants’ schools. School staff will also be present to provide technical support where necessary.

All schools look at a range of skills and attributes when shortlisting students. Schools will continue to reach out to students from less advantaged backgrounds, including those with little or no prior training or formal certification, to ensure that they are aware of the support available, and encourage those with talent and potential to apply for suitable DSA schools.

13 December 2019

Students applying to study at the National University of Singapore have had greater success at winning a place in their top choice course.

This is a result of NUS’s move to award bonus admission points for first-choice courses.

Figures provided by NUS show that 1,050 applicants landed a place in a course they listed as their top choice this year because of the bonus point scheme.

The bonus points apply only to courses where entry is based purely on converting a student’s grades into points, and not to courses such as medicine and law, where students are assessed on their aptitude and interests through interviews.

The university’s initiative is in line with the Ministry of Education’s move to expand aptitude-based admission into post-secondary institutions and universities.