O-LEVEL STUDENTS

The following are the post-secondary institutions that O-Level students can choose from:


  1. Junior College (JC) / Centralised Institute (CI)

  2. Polytechnic

  3. Institute of Technical Education (ITE)

  4. Arts Institutions


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.

1. Junior College (JC) / Centralised Institute (CI)

A) Direct School Admission for Junior Colleges (DSA – JC)

Eligibility to apply:

- Sec 3 End-Of-Year and Sec 4 Semester 1 results

- CCA / VIA / leadership records

- interview / aptitude test


When can I apply?

- May (before O-Levels)


Why should I apply for it?

- DSA provides students with the opportunity to seek admission to JCs based on a broader range of talents and achievements.

- You can apply based on your talent in sports, CCAs and specific academic areas that may not be demonstrated at the O-Level examinations.


Link: go.gov.sg/applyjcdsa


Below is the list of JC and their DSA application period.


  1. ACJC - https://acjc.moe.edu.sg/about-us/direct-school-admission-dsa [5 May - 4 Aug (Phase 1), close 30 Aug 2022 (Phase 2)]

  2. ACSI - https://www.acsindep.moe.edu.sg/admissions/dsa-year-5/ [5 May 11am - 24 Jun 2022 3pm]

  3. ASRJC - https://asrjc.moe.edu.sg/joining-asrjc/direct-school-admission [5 May - 15 July 2022]

  4. CJC - https://cjc.moe.edu.sg/eopenhouse/admission/dsa [5 May - 1 Jul 1pm (Phase 1), close 19 Aug 2022 (Phase 2)]

  5. DHS - https://dunmanhigh.moe.edu.sg/dsa-jc2022/ [4 May - 10 Jun 2022]

  6. EJC - https://eunoiajc.moe.edu.sg/admissions/dsa/ [5 May - 26 Jun 2022]

  7. HCI - https://www.hci.edu.sg/admissions/admissions-and-studies-college/admission-paths [ 5 May 12pm - 27 Jun 2022 12pm]

  8. JPJC - https://jpjc.moe.edu.sg/about-jpjc/direct-school-admission-2022 [5 May - 8 Jul 2359 (Phase 1), close 17 Aug 2359 (Phase 2)]

  9. NJC - https://nationaljc.moe.edu.sg/admissions/jc-dsa/ [5 May - 27 Jun 2022 5pm]

  10. NYJC - https://nanyangjc.moe.edu.sg/admissionsadmin/admissions/direct-school-admission-dsa/ [5 May - 2 Aug 2022 6pm]

  11. RI - http://www.ri.edu.sg/admissions/year-5-admissions/year-5-direct-school-admission [6 May 12pm - 27 Jun 2022 9am]

  12. RVHS - https://rivervalleyhigh.moe.edu.sg/information/direct-school-admission-junior-college [5 May - 30 Jun 2022]

  13. SOTA - https://www.sota.edu.sg/admissions/talent-academy/dsa-jc [8 Apr 12pm - 17 May 2022 5pm]

  14. SAJC - https://standrewsjc.moe.edu.sg/about-us/admission-information/direct-school-admission-dsa-2023-intake [5 May - 1 Jul 2022 (Phase 1) by 3pm, 5 Aug 2022 (Phase 2) by 3pm]

  15. SJI - https://www.sji.edu.sg/admission/dsa-at-sji/direct-school-admission-to-year-5-jc1-in-2023 [5 May - 27 Jun 2022 12pm]

  16. TMJC - https://tmjc.moe.edu.sg/admissions/direct-school-admission [close 18 Jul (Phase 1), 12 Aug 2022 (Phase 2)]

  17. TJC - https://www.temasekjc.moe.edu.sg/admissions/jc-year-1-dsa-jc [5 May - 1 Jul 2022 5pm]

  18. VJC - https://victoriajc.moe.edu.sg/admissions/direct-school-admissions/direct-school-admissions-applications/ [5 May - 3 Jul 2022]

  19. YIJC - https://yijc.moe.edu.sg/admissions/direct-school-admission [Phase 1 by 5pm, 8 July 2022 and Phase 2 by 5pm, 5 August 2022]


B) Joint Admissions Exercise (JAE)

Eligibility to apply:

- JC: L1R5 not more than 20

- CI: L1R4 not more than 20

- meet grade requirements for specific subjects

- offer will be based on merits


When can I apply?

- January (after results release)


Why should I apply for it?

- JAE enables GCE O-Level holders to apply for admission to courses offered by JC, MI, Polytechnics and ITE Higher Nitec courses.


Link: go.gov.sg/applyjae

2. Polytechnic

NEW Diploma Courses for AY2023

Nanyang Polytechnic


Ngee Ann Polytechnic


Singapore Polytechnic


Temasek Polytechnic


A) Polytechnic Early Admissions Exercise (Poly EAE)

Eligibility to apply:

- demonstrated interest and aptitude for the courses that you are applying to

- portfolio / interview / aptitude test

- meet Minimum Entry Requirements (MERs) of the courses offered


When can I apply?

- June (before O-Levels)


Why should I apply for it?

- Poly EAE is an aptitude-based admissions exercise that allows students to apply for and receive conditional offers for admission to polytechnics prior to receiving their final grades.

- 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/polyeae

B) Joint Admissions Exercise (JAE)

Eligibility to apply:

- ELR2B2 not more than 26

- ELR2B2 not more than 28 (for Nursing)

- meet MERs of the course you are applying for

- offer will be based on merits


When can I apply?

- January (after results release)


Why should I apply for it?

- JAE enables GCE O-Level holders to apply for admission to courses offered by JC, MI, Polytechnics and ITE Higher Nitec courses.


Link: go.gov.sg/applyjae

3. Institute of Technical Education (ITE)

A) ITE Early Admissions Exercise (ITE EAE) - Nitec / 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 O-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 O-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 'O' (JIE ‘O’) - Nitec

Eligibility to apply:

- aptitude for hands-on learning

- meet MERs of the course you are applying for


When can I apply?

- January (after results release)


Why should I apply for it?

- The JIE ‘O’ is conducted to enable GCE O-Level holders to apply for the Two-Year Nitec courses conducted by ITE.


Link: go.gov.sg/applyjie

C) Joint Admissions Exercise (JAE) - Higher Nitec

Eligibility to apply:

- sat for at least 5 O-Level subjects over a maximum of 2 years

- meet MERs of the course you are applying for


When can I apply?

- January (after results release)


Why should I apply for it?

- JAE enables GCE O-Level holders to apply for admission to courses offered by JC, MI, Polytechnics and ITE Higher Nitec courses.


Link: go.gov.sg/applyjae

Here are some important points to note when deciding to enter ITE:


ITE Traineeship

  • There are 25 different earn-as-you-learn traineeship programmes.

  • You will be offered a traineeship with a hosting company while given time to study.

  • It is available for certain Nitec and Higher Nitec courses.


3-year Higher Nitec Courses

4. Arts Institutions

A) LASALLE College of the Arts (LASALLE)

Eligibility to apply:

- interest and aptitude in the arts

- portfolio / audition / entrance test


When can I apply?

- October / November (before O-Levels)


Why should I apply for it?

- GCE O-Level holders with the aptitude and interest to pursue the creative arts at the tertiary level may apply for diploma programmes at LASALLE.

- LASALLE runs its own admissions exercise, and interested students should apply directly to the institution.


Link: www.lasalle.edu.sg

B) Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA)

Eligibility to apply:

- interest and aptitude in the arts

- portfolio / audition / entrance test


When can I apply?

- January (after results release)


Why should I apply for it?

- GCE O-Level holders with the aptitude and interest to pursue the creative arts at the tertiary level may apply for diploma programmes at NAFA.

- NAFA runs its own admissions exercise, and interested students should apply directly to the institution.


Link: www.nafa.edu.sg