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Overview of post secondary pathways
Overview of post secondary pathways
For students taking the O-Level Course
ADMISSION CRITERIA
1) JOINT ADMISSION EXERCISE (JAE) for JC/ MI/ Poly / ITE
OVERVIEW
The Joint Admissions Exercise (JAE) for JC / MI / Polytechnic is conducted in January after the release of GCE O-Level results.
You are NOT eligible for the JAE if you have a confirmed place in an institution through one of the following direct or early admission exercises.
Direct School Admission for Junior Colleges (DSA-JC)
Polytechnic Early Admissions Exercise (Poly EAE)
Institute of Technical Education Early Admissions Exercise (ITE EAE)
For more information, visit https://www.moe.gov.sg/post-secondary/admissions/jae.
ELIGIBILITY
Junior College/Millenia Institute
O-Level students who have obtained L1R5 of 20* or better, excluding bonus points.
* L1R4 of 20 or better for MI
Polytechnic
O-Level students who have obtained ELR2B2 of 26* or better, excluding bonus points.
* ELB2R2-C of 28 or better for the Diploma in Nursing
ITE
To be eligible for admission to a 2-year Higher Nitec course at the Institute of Technical Education (ITE), you must meet these 2 criteria:
You must have sat for at least 5 O-Level subjects over a maximum of 2 years.
Meet the minimum entry requirements (MER) of the course that you are applying for.
Application Process
Application Process
The JAE is conducted in January after the release of the GCE O-Level results. You can apply online through the JAE Internet System (JAE-IS). Please click on the link to find out more on JAe application process.
www.moe.gov.sg/post-secondary/admissions/jae/how-to-apply/submit-application
Minimum Entry requirements for JC/MI
COMPUTATION OF L1R5 and L1R4
First language (L1) + Relevant subjects (R1 to R5)
Subject Specific Requirements
In addition to obtaining an L1R5 of 20* or better, the following subject-specific requirements need to be met.
* Bonus points are not included in calculation of raw aggregate score (20), but will be used in calculation of net aggregate score for school posting.
Grade requirements for specific subjects
Bonus Points for Admission
The bonus points are subtracted from your gross aggregate score to obtain the net aggregate score for school posting.
You can get a maximum of 4 bonus points from a combination of any of these types:
You can get an additional 2 bonus points if you are selected for Chinese, Malay or Tamil Language Elective Programme in selected JCs.
Excluded from Aggregate Computation
Grades for Higher Mother Tongue Language and Mother Tongue Language cannot be used in the same aggregate computation.
“Merit” and “Pass” grades for the Mother Tongue ‘B’ Syllabus for aggregate computation.
Net L1R5 Range for 2025 JAE (JC)
Net L1R5 = Gross L1R5- Bonus Points
Click on the link below for courses offered in JAE
www.moe.gov.sg/-/media/files/post-secondary/2026-jae/2026-jae-courses.pdf
Net L1R4 Range for 2025
Net L1R4 = Gross L1R4- Bonus Points
Minimum Entry requirements for Poly
COMPUTATION OF ELR2B2
English language (L1) + 2 Relevant subjects (R2) + 2 Best subjects (B2)
Each polytechnic course uses one of these net aggregate score types to assess course eligibility.
Refer to the course offerings to identify which type is required for the course of your choice and find out more about additional minimum entry requirements.
Click on the link below for courses offered in JAE
www.moe.gov.sg/-/media/files/post-secondary/2026-jae/2026-jae-courses.pdf
Bonus Points for Admission
The bonus points are subtracted from your gross aggregate score to respective net aggregate scores to assess course eligibility and for posting.
You can get a maximum of 2 bonus points from CCA grade achievement:
Excluded from Aggregate Computation
Grades for Higher Mother Tongue Language and Mother Tongue Language cannot be used in the same aggregate computation.
“Merit” and “Pass” grades for the Mother Tongue ‘B’ Syllabus for aggregate computation.
Minimum Entry Requirements for 2 year Higher Nitec course in ITE
To be eligible for admission to a 2-year Higher Nitec course at the Institute of Technical Education (ITE), you must meet these 2 criteria:
You must have sat for at least 5 O-Level subjects over a maximum of 2 years.
Meet the minimum entry requirements (MER) of the course that you are applying for. Find out the MER of specific courses on CourseFinder or refer to the consolidated MER of all courses.
Aggregate computation for 2-year Higher Nitec courses
Aggregate computation for 2-year Higher Nitec courses
Each 2-year Higher Nitec course uses one of these aggregate types to assess course eligibility. Explore the courses under each aggregate type, their net aggregate scores and fields of study:
Please visit the following link to find out more. www.moe.gov.sg/post-secondary/admissions/jae/institute-of-technical-education
ADMISSION CRITERIA
2) JOINT INTAKE EXERCISE (JIE 'O')
Overview
The 3-year Higher Nitec programme aims to equip students with the technical skills and knowledge to meet the workforce needs of various industry sectors.
Students may opt for either:
Full-time education (i.e. taking courses at ITE), OR
ITE Traineeship Programme* (1 - 2 years, depending on course)
* The ITE Traineeship Programme provides students with the opportunity to be guided and trained by supervisors in an actual work environment to enable students to become competent professionals in their chosen field. For more information, visit https://www.ite.edu.sg/courses/traineeship-courses.
Eligibility
Students who have completed the O-Level examinations.
Application Process
Higher Nitec: Application window opens on the day of GCE O-Level results release during the Joint Intake Exercise (JIE).
ITE Traineeship Programme: Application window opens in January 2026.
Overview of post secondary pathways
Overview of post secondary pathways
For students taking the N-Level Course
ADMISSION CRITERIA
1) JOINT INTAKE EXERCISE (JIE 'N')
Overview
The 3-year Higher Nitec programme aims to equip students with the technical skills and knowledge to meet the workforce needs of various industry sectors.
Students may opt for either:
Full-time education (i.e. taking courses at ITE), OR
ITE Traineeship Programme* (1 - 2 years, depending on course)
* The ITE Traineeship Programme provides students with the opportunity to be guided and trained by supervisors in an actual work environment to enable students to become competent professionals in their chosen field. For more information, visit https://www.ite.edu.sg/courses/traineeship-courses.
Eligibility
Students who have completed the N-Level examinations.
Application Process
Nitec / Higher Nitec: Application window opens on the day of GCE N-Level results release during the Joint Intake Exercise (JIE).
ITE Traineeship Programme: Application window opens in January 2026. You should still apply during the JIE first to secure your spot in ITE.
3-Year Higher Nitec
ITE has introduced a new 3-year Higher Nitec full-time programme from Academic Year 2022. Streamlining the current Nitec and Higher Nitec curricula, this new option allows students to attain a Higher Nitec qualification directly, in only three years instead of the current four years.
Normal (Academic) and Normal (Technical) students can apply for this new 3-year Higher Nitec programme using the existing Nitec entry requirements.
For more information, visit
https://isomer-user-content.by.gov.sg/145/49ab6a2a-fbd3-490b-8171-c12f9d3a1fec/ITE%20Course%20Booklet%202026%201.pdf
2) POLYTECHNIC FOUNDATION PROGRAMME
Overview
The Polytechnic Foundation Programme (PFP) is a 1-year programme that offers a practice-oriented curriculum taught by polytechnic lecturers, to better prepare polytechnic-bound N(A) students for entry into the relevant 3-year Polytechnic Diploma courses.
PFP students are given provisional places in diploma programmes, subject to them passing all modules in the one-year PFP. The requirement to pass all modules ensures that students continue to work hard during their PFP year and are well prepared for polytechnic studies. Students who apply effort should have no difficulties in meeting the requirement.
For more information, visit https://pfp.polytechnic.edu.sg/PFP/index.html.
Eligibility
N-Level students who have obtained ELMAB3 of 12* or better, excluding bonus points.
* subject-specific requirements listed in the following section
Application Process
Progress to Sec 5 after receiving your GCE N-Level results.
If you are eligible for PFP, you will receive a letter inviting you to apply when GCE O-Level results are released.
If you are successful in your application (end Jan), apply to withdraw from Sec 5. Your course will commence in April.
Subject Specific Requirements
In addition to obtaining ELMAB3 of 12* or better, the following subject-specific requirements need to be met. For a list of courses in Group 1 and 2, refer to https://pfp.polytechnic.edu.sg/PFP/pfp_courses.html
* Bonus points not included in calculation of raw aggregate score (12), but will be used in calculation of net aggregate score for course posting within the PFP.
O-Level Subjects
If you sat for any O-Level subjects, you may convert the O-Level grades to compute your ELMAB3 aggregate score.
The following conversion will be used:
A Grade 9 at O-Level would not count towards your ELMAB3 aggregate score. If you have taken the same subject at both the N-Level and O-Level examinations, the better grade will be used to compute your ELMAB3 aggregate score to determine eligibility.
3) JIE 'H': DIRECT- ENTRY-SCHEME TO POLYTECHNIC PROGRAMME
Overview
The Direct-Entry-Scheme to Polytechnic Programme (DPP) allows Secondary 4 N(A) students to be admitted directly into a 2-year Higher Nitec programme at the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) without having to sit for the O-Level examinations or undergo a Nitec programme.
Students will first undergo a 10-week preparatory course before starting on the Higher Nitec programme.
Upon completion of the Higher Nitec course with the minimum required Grade Point Average (GPA), you are guaranteed a place in a polytechnic diploma course mapped to your Higher Nitec course.
For more information, visit https://www.ite.edu.sg/admissions/full-time-courses/higher-nitec-dpp.
Eligibility
N-Level students who have obtained ELMAB3 of 19* or better, excluding bonus points.
* course-specific requirements listed in the following section
Application Process
The DPP admission is conducted in December after the release of the GCE N-Level results. You can apply online through the ITE website.
Course Specific Requirements
In addition to obtaining ELMAB3 of 19* or better, the following course-specific requirements need to be met.
* Bonus points not included in calculation of raw aggregate score (19), but will be used in calculation of net aggregate score for course posting within the DPP.
Applied Sciences, Engineering or Info-Communications Technology Course
English Language (Syllabus A): A grade of 1 to 4.
Mathematics (Syllabus A or Additional): A grade of 1 to 4.
3 other best subjects, excluding CCA: A grade of 1 to 5 for each subject.
Business & Services
English Language (Syllabus A): A grade of 1 to 3.
Mathematics (Syllabus A or Additional): A grade of 1 to 4.
3 other best subjects, excluding CCA: A grade of 1 to 5 for each subject.
O-Level Subjects
If you sat for any O-Level subjects, you may convert the O-Level grades to compute your ELMAB3 aggregate score.
The following conversion will be used:
A Grade 9 at O-Level would not count towards your ELMAB3 aggregate score. If you have taken the same subject at both the N-Level and O-Level examinations, the better grade will be used to compute your ELMAB3 aggregate score to determine eligibility.
Qualifying Higher Nitec GPA for Progression to Polytechnics under DPP
Qualifying Higher Nitec GPA for Progression to Polytechnics under DPP
To be assured a place in the polytechnics, students must meet the qualifying 2-year Higher Nitec GPA as shown in the following table.
# For 2-year Higher Nitec courses in Applied Sciences, Engineering or Info-Communications Technology, in addition to meeting the qualifying GPAs, students are required to take up and pass a Mathematics elective at ITE to be eligible for articulation into polytechnic courses under DPP. GCE 'N' (Academic) holders with at least a grade C in GCE 'O' Level Mathematics will be exempted from this requirement.
^ CCA grades will be used for computing the students' net GPA at ITE for selection and posting to a Polytechnic Diploma course.
* DPP students who successfully complete the 2-year Higher Nitec courses and attain the required minimum qualifying 2-year Higher Nitec GPA are guaranteed a place in the 1st Year of relevant Polytechnic Diploma courses that are mapped to their 2-year Higher Nitec courses. Students who meet the minimum qualifying GPA for 2nd Year entry are not guaranteed admission into Year 2 of one of the mapped courses. Admission is based on merit, subject to vacancies in the courses.
Offers for Higher Nitec courses under DPP
Offers for Higher Nitec courses under DPP
For the list of Polytechnic Diploma courses you can apply for under the Direct Entry Scheme to Polytechnic Programme (DPP), refer to https://www.ite.edu.sg/courses/full-time-courses/higher-nitec-for-dpp.
For NA students applying JIE N (3yr H.nitec)
For students taking out of stream subjects
Students waiting for O level result can use their subject prelim grade to apply for DPP / JIE N
Find out ITE course mapping to Poly courses at
To visit on interactive story on pathways after secondary school, click the following link
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