The following are the post-secondary institutions that N(A)-Level students can choose from:
Polytechnic
Institute of Technical Education (ITE)
Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA)
Secondary 5
Click on the various post-secondary pathways below to learn about the entry requirements, when can you apply and why should you apply for it.
Grades Conversions for student who does O-levels subjects (since 2025)
A) Polytechnic Foundation Programme (PFP) - 1-year Foundation followed by 3-year Diploma
Eligibility to apply:
- ELMAB3 not more than 12 AND
- meet grade requirements for specific subjects
When can I apply?
- January
Why should I apply for it?
- PFP is a one-year programme that offers a practice-oriented curriculum taught by polytechnic lecturers to better prepare polytechnic-bound NA students for entry into relevant polytechnic diploma courses.
- PFP students are given provisional places in diploma programmes, subject to them passing all modules and other course requirements in the one-year PFP.
Link: go.gov.sg/pfp
Individual Polytechnics' PFP information
A) ITE Early Admissions Exercise (ITE EAE) - 3-Year Higher Nitec
Eligibility to apply:
- portfolio / interview / aptitude test
- achievements in sports, arts leadership, entrepreneurship and community service
- meet MERs of the course you are applying for
When can I apply?
- May (before N-Levels)
Why should I apply for it?
- ITE EAE is an aptitude-based admissions exercise that allows students to apply and receive conditional offers for admission to ITE based on their aptitude and interest, prior to receiving their final N-Level examination results.
- It allows students to demonstrate their aptitudes and interests apart from academic grades, thus allowing a wider range of talents to be recognised.
Link: go.gov.sg/iteeae
B) Joint Intake Exercise 'N' (JIE ‘N’) - 3-Year Higher Nitec
Eligibility to apply:
- aptitude for hands-on learning
- meet MERs of the course you are applying for
When can I apply?
- Dec (after results release)
Why should I apply for it?
- The JIE 'N' is for GCE N(T)-/N(A)-Level holders to apply for the two-year Nitec course.
Link: go.gov.sg/applyjie
C) Direct-Entry-Scheme to Polytechnic Programme (DPP) - 2-Year Higher Nitec
Eligibility to apply:
- ELMAB3 not more than 19
- meet grade requirements for specific subjects
When can I apply?
- December (after results release)
- January (2nd application window)
Why should I apply for it?
- DPP allows Secondary 4NA students to be admitted directly into a two-year Higher Nitec programme at ITE without having to sit for the O-Level examinations or undergo a Nitec programme.
- DPP students who successfully complete their Higher Nitec courses at ITE and attain the required qualifying Grade Point Average (GPA) scores are guaranteed a place in a polytechnic diploma course mapped to their Higher Nitec course.
Link: go.gov.sg/applydpp
Conversion Table for students taking O-level subjects
10 Weeks Preparatory with 2 Year Higher Nitec + 3 Year Diploma
Eligibility to apply:
- ELMAB3 not more than 15
- interest and aptitude in the arts
- portfolio / audition / admission test
When can I apply?
- December (after results release)
Why should I apply for it?
- NFP is a one-year practice-based programme that prepares N(A)-Level holders to pursue a diploma in the creative arts.
- NFP students who successfully complete the programme will be offered a place in their chosen diploma course.
Link: https://www.nafa.edu.sg/courses/foundation/nafa-foundation-programme
Eligibility to apply:
- ELMAB3 not more than 19
- at least a Grade 5 for all subjects used in the ELMAB3 computation
When can I apply?
- December (after results release)
Why should I apply for it?
- Eligible students may also progress to Year 5 to take Singapore-Cambridge Examination Certification(SEC) . Applications can be made via your secondary school.