ip target image
You are currently browsing our site with content tailored to students in your country

Singapore Polytechnic

Singapore Singapore

6 Reviews

15260 Views

Overview

Overview

Singapore Polytechnic (SP) is the oldest polytechnic in the country, established in 1954. Famous for its engineering programmes and award-winning lecturers, this university in the centre of Singapore is perfect for international students. Any student who wants to enjoy a modern campus and live in a beautiful, clean city (while getting an excellent education) will find what they’re looking for in SP.

 

Around 15,000 undergraduate and postgraduate students are currently enrolled on a range of different programmes and courses, and 1,500 of them are international. This means that 10 per cent of the students on campus are overseas students and every student learns in a diverse environment, welcoming to people from any and all backgrounds.

 

The teaching at this university is one of the biggest reasons why its alumni are so successful. There are three award-winning tutors currently working at SP, and the university follows frameworks to give students unique, personalised and high-quality teaching. Every student enrolled can learn from an academic staff that really cares about their future and their academic journey.

 

The SP campus is 94 acres (or 38 hectares) and filled with lots of different facilities that help students learn, study, socialise and enjoy recreation time. Students can make memories for life at SP, and there’s a club at the institution for almost any interest or group of people.

 

Beyond the personalised learning and the care from academic staff, everyone enrolled at SP is looked after by student support programmes and services, offered multiple scholarship opportunities and funding assistance routes, and given access to the university’s very helpful career services. It’s hard to feel invisible at SP, and it’s rare for a student to leave feeling uncertain about their future.

 

Discover more about studying at SP:

 

Teaching quality

Entry requirements

Scholarships & funding

University structure

Facilities

Student support

Graduate outcomes

 

Teaching Quality

The standard at SP is high-quality teaching, and the standard is kept up through two main frameworks: The Learning Framework and The Creative Teaching Framework. Every tutor at the university uses these frameworks to deliver great teaching quality to every student, creating effective, unique learning experiences that students will remember.

 

Lecturers at SP have been recognised and awarded for their quality teaching abilities. In 2017, 2018 and 2020, academic staff were honoured with the President’s Award for Teachers (PAT). Since 2017, Singapore Polytechnic has become the institution with the highest number of award recipients on staff in the country. At SP, students aren’t just given an education, they’re taught how to lead, how to achieve great things and how to be fully prepared for the working world when they graduate.

 

SP is often called the top polytechnic in the country, and once an applicant understands the teaching standards, it’s easy to see why. Students at this university are lucky to get a lot of attention and care from passionate, dedicated teachers.

 

There are some exciting research projects currently happening at SP across a range of programmes and fields of interest. In the Architecture and the Built Environment Department alone, for example, these are the current research efforts:

 

  • Recycle and Reuse Sewage Sludge
  • Hydrocarbon (Benzene, Toluene) Removal using Green Urban Wastes
  • Green Asphalts for Flexible Road Pavements
  • Integrated Unit of Urinal and Hand Wash Basin
  • Nanomaterial-Based Photocatalytic Wastewater Treatment System

 

Entry Requirements

To enrol at Singapore Polytechnic, applicants must meet certain entry requirements. Some requirements will apply to specific courses, but there will also be some general university entry requirements that apply to every applicant.

 

For undergraduate applications, a person will need to have completed their higher secondary education with the equivalent of a high school diploma. This would be a Year 12 High School Diploma in the USA or a Year 12 Higher Secondary School Certificate in India. Postgraduate applicants will need previous university qualifications, usually at least a bachelor’s degree.

 

SP university requirements also ask for minimum grades, and the specifics depend on an applicant’s home country. For example, students from the Philippines must have achieved 85 per cent in mathematics, English, the subject relevant to their chosen programme, and two other subjects, while students from Thailand will need 70 per cent in all the subjects just listed. Students can research entry requirements by home country on the SP website using a simple drop-down menu.

 

English Score Required

International students must have a certain level of English language understanding to be eligible for enrolment at SP. Overseas applicants who haven’t spent their most recent four consecutive years learning in an English-speaking institution will usually need to get a minimum English score in a test format approved by Singapore Polytechnic.

 

There are a few different options, including the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) and the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Applicants will need an IELTS overall band score of at least 6 (and applicants from China must get at least 6 on the reading and speaking sections, too). Or, they’ll need a paper-based TOEFL score of at least 550. Or, they’ll need an online TOEFL score of at least 78.

 

There’s also an English entrance test that students can take after they’ve been shortlisted for admission to SP. All of the English proficiency requirements at SP are explained in full on the website, in the Notes section following the overview for international students.

 

 

Admission

SP makes the university admission process as simple as it can be so that students from any background can apply easily to the course they’d like to study. The university even offers a step-by-step admission guide for people to follow, keeping everything very straightforward.

 

SP prefers people to apply online, but they can still apply by hand or mail if they want to. If they do apply online, students will need to access the Singapore Polytechnic Course Application Service and Enquiry (SP CASE). Here, they’ll put in their personal details and choose their desired programmes. Every student should select four courses, ranked from their first choice to their fourth choice, in case availability is limited.

 

After this phase, students will add their qualifications, grades and any employment history. Then, they’ll fill out a quick questionnaire and choose whether they’d like to apply for the MOE Tuition Grant Scheme or not. After confirming all the information they’ve given is correct, a student can submit their application.

 

After applying, supporting documents must be shared with SP. Standard requirements include a passport copy for non-Singaporean residents, educational certificates and transcripts. These documents can be attached as PDFs on the Online Applicant Document Upload Page. Student admission decisions are then up to SP, but applicants can check their status on the SP CASE website for updates or issues.

 

Mentioned earlier, the MOE Tuition Grant Scheme can be really useful for students who think they might struggle to cover their tuition fees. It’s usually around SGD 11,000 for international applicants, one of a few financial aid options available at SP.

 

Scholarships & Funding

SP strongly believes that every qualified student should be given an education, no matter what their background or financial situation is. Awards and university scholarships at SP aim to give every person a chance at a great educational experience, as well as reward and recognise students who work hard to achieve academic excellence. Here are examples of some of the best scholarships available to international students:

 

  • The Lasalle Future Leader Scholarship, an undergraduate award offered to students in arts and creative studies with a value up to SGD 24,990.
  • The Ritchie-Jennings Memorial Scholarship Programme, an undergraduate award for students studying accounting, business administration, finance or criminal justice with a value ranging from SGD 1,000 to 10,000.

 

Students can explore the SP website to see more scholarships offered and find one that suits them. Also available to view on the website are a range of other financial support schemes offered to help students who may need support with their living costs and tuition fees. Bursaries, loans and funds are in place to help students in financial need, and applicants are encouraged to research what’s offered if they feel they may need help.

 

To give students an example of what they will be covering each academic year, international student tuition costs at SP are usually around SGD 11,400 (this number includes an entrance fee, a statutory licence fee, insurance and more).

 

University Structure

SP offers students a wide range of full-time courses. There are over 30 to choose from in total, and every class and programme is managed by one of 11 academic schools. The Singapore Polytechnic academic schools/academies are:

 

  • The School of Architecture and the Built Environment
  • The School of Business
  • The School of Chemical & Life Sciences (CLS)
  • The School of Computing (SoC)
  • The School of Electrical & Electronic Engineering (EEE)
  • The School of Life Skills & Communication (LSC)
  • The Media, Arts & Design School (MAD)
  • The School of Mechanical & Aeronautical Engineering (MAE)
  • The School of Mathematics & Science (MS)
  • The Professional & Adult Continuing Education (PACE) Academy
  • The Singapore Maritime Academy (SMA)

 

This university is well-known and well-respected for its engineering expertise, with courses like mechanical engineering, computer engineering and mechatronics providing students with new passions and skills to take them a long way in their field, in their time at SP and beyond.

 

SP also contributes to several fields of research, with centres specialising in food innovation, advanced manufacturing, environmental sustainability and more. This research is carried out by SP’s industry sector, which maintains partnerships and collaborations with a variety of specialists and researchers. There are over 40 specialist research and teaching spaces at SP:

 

  • The A320 Flight Simulator, the Engine Room Simulator and the Navigation Simulator
  • The Aero Hub
  • The Accounting Collaboration Studio
  • The Applied Chemistry Laboratory Suites
  • The Architectural Design Studio
  • The Black Box, the Agency, the Writers’ Room and the Design Studio
  • The Bioengineering Lab
  • The CNC Workshop
  • The Computer Networking Labs
  • The Cyber Wargame Centre
  • The Dough and Roll Studio
  • The Energy and Chemicals Training Centre
  • The Environmental, Geomatic and Geotechnical Lab
  • The Electrical Installation Lab
  • Engineering Studios and Labs (x3)
  • The FabLab
  • The Facilities Management Lab
  • The Financial Informatics Lifelong Learning Space
  • The Game Development Centre
  • The Green Mobility Lab
  • The Hospitality Studio
  • The Human Resource Learning Studio
  • The Industrial Automation Lab
  • The Integrated Simulation Centre
  • The Landscape Design Studio
  • The Life Science Laboratories
  • The Machine Development Centre
  • The M.A.D. Studios
  • The Maritime Business Centre
  • The Med Tech Suite (Basic Microbiology Lab)
  • The Motion Capture Studio
  • The Music Technology Centre
  • The Nano Fabrication Lab
  • The Optometry Centre
  • The Perfumery and Cosmetic Science Centre
  • The Physics Learning Lab
  • The Poly Marina
  • The Rapid Prototyping Workshop
  • Recording Studios (x4)
  • The Social Media Listening Centre
  • The ThinkCubator2 (Retail Studio)
  • The Visual Effects Studio
  • The Wireless InnOvaTion Lab

 

Facilities

Singapore Polytechnic takes pride in its wide range of facilities available on campus. There are different areas dedicated to retail, dining, sport, and learning, and they all provide chances to get a great education and make some important friendships with peers.

 

The dining options are great. There are six food courts (one of which has a KFC, a Starbucks and a Subway, all in one place), two cafés and a mobile food van. SP students are never too far away from somewhere to grab a convenient bite to eat between classes.

 

Any student searching for a student activity centre to exercise and keep fit in will be happy to learn that SP has lots of physical activity facilities, including three outdoor basketball courts, a swimming pool and four tennis courts. There’s also a gym. This student recreation centre is filled with activity and strength and cardio equipment.

 

Students at SP have some great modern, well-designed study rooms, classrooms, studios and workshops. There are also some great lecture theatres for larger class learning. The campus ticks every box and provides for students studying a range of different subjects across a range of different learning types and class sizes.

 

There are thousands of books and online resources in SP’s library and FabLab, as well as study materials and bookable study spaces. The library is a different kind of student life centre on campus, where hard-working academics come together to get their work done, new ideas are created, and existing projects grow.

 

Accommodation

SP doesn’t usually provide university accommodation on its campus, and students will have to find nearby accommodation that suits them. This gives SP students the opportunity to live in the exciting streets of central Singapore, fully enjoying the lifestyle and culture of the country.

 

Singapore Polytechnic does give prospective students an estimate for their living expenses in a student house or apartment, though, as the university wants to prepare students as well as it can for what they should expect.

 

For a two-person room, SP students can expect a monthly rental cost of around SGD 500 per person, with utility costs (water, electricity, gas, Wi-Fi, telecommunications) adding up to another SGD 200.

 

International students studying full-time at SP without any family in the country can access on-campus student accommodation, but places are limited, and nothing is 100 per cent guaranteed. The university recommends that international students apply for accommodation early and be prepared to find their own rental if they can’t be placed on campus.

 

Student Support

At SP, the physical and emotional wellbeing of every student is the university’s top priority. It provides a lot of student support services to protect the comfort, happiness, and success of every person enrolled.

 

An example of these student services is the counselling service. This mental health student support programme is in place to give every student somebody to talk to, somewhere to turn to when they have any kind of personal issue or just need to be heard. There are one-to-one and group counselling options, and friendly, experienced staff who take everything seriously and care a lot about the students they speak to.

 

In terms of academic student support, the Personal Tutorship Network (PTN) is a scheme that assigns each student enrolled a personal tutor. This tutor can be the perfect student guide, helping with any worries or problems connected to a person’s studies, especially as they are adjusting to student life at SP and settling in.

 

Another service that gives every student support throughout their time at SP is the One Stop Centre (OSC). This conveniently placed centre is there to help students out with administration and financial queries.

 

At SP, every person is given the right level of attention, support and focus. The university understands that attending a higher education institution isn’t just about learning, it’s also about being a part of a community and developing as a human being.

 

Graduate Outcomes

Graduates from SP have great job prospects. The 2021 Polytechnic Graduate Employment Survey determined that over 90 per cent of SP graduates had landed themselves jobs within six months of graduating.

 

Graduate employment outcomes are strong at SP because the students are supported every step of the way. In the classroom, they’re taught to be leaders and role models. Outside the classroom, they’re offered a full range of career services to help them boost their employability and fully prepare for the world of work.

 

The Education and Career Guidance (ECG) department, for example, provides students with the best employment services they could ask for. These services include career planning, exploring career options, CV writing, job interview preparation and much more. ECG counsellors at the university are there to work with students, creating an action plan for their future.

 

There are also job advisory services to help students find the right path. These services include one-on-one exploration sessions with a career guide and advisor, workshops and Job Opportunity Briefings (JOBs).

 

SP isn’t a university that’s only focused on getting good results on paper. It’s also a place where every student feels welcome, and every student is encouraged to achieve their goals, learn and grow. By graduation, all SP students are prepared to enter the world. For international students who want to start a new and exciting academic journey in a supportive environment, SP is the perfect choice of institution.

 

ADD TO MY FAVOURITES

*There may be different IELTS requirements depending on your chosen course.

See what you can study

Search for a course

Choose study level*

Key facts and figures at Singapore Polytechnic

Student life in numbers

COSTS PER YEAR
LIVING COSTS

SG$18,350

CAMPUS ACCOMMODATION

SG$6,000

AVERAGE TUITION FEE PER YEAR

VOCATIONAL

SG$9,120

Student reviews

Overall experience

100% of reviewers recommend Singapore Polytechnic

Admission process

Funding/Scholarships

Study experience

Life experience

Job prospects

Write a review

If you are studying right now or you have completed your studies, then help future students by sharing your experiences.

All reviews

(6 reviews)

1 STAR

0

2 STARS

0

3 STARS

0

4 STARS

66.7%
4

5 STARS

33.3%
2
image Anonymous, Singapore

Great lecturers, excellent school

First thing you will learn about SP is that it is probably the most accessible Tertiary Institution in the country other than NUS. The national train network is connected to the school via a bridge.

Most building are ageing (5/10 condition) but many new ones are constantly being built and I expect them read full review

First thing you will learn about SP is that it is probably the most accessible Tertiary Institution in the country other than NUS. The national train network is connected to the school via a bridge. Most building are ageing (5/10 condition) but many new ones are constantly being built and I expect them to replace the older building in the very near future. Lecturers at SP are vastly knowledgeable and are usually industry veterans with years of experience working on the subjects they teach. They are friendly and approachable even going so far as to provide their personal contact information so it shouldn't be a problem contacting them during working hours. Majority of students are friendly and proactive in their learning as well as their CCAs. It is not uncommon for cliques to be seen late in the evening gathering for projects or enjoying the media and sporting facilities. Most importantly, food is affordable; on-par with the usual high standards of local Singaporean food though crowds during mealtimes are unavoidable. show less

image khairul, Singapore

fun time

I am having a lot of fun here with my friends as it is a very big place and you can engage yourself in a lot of activities and clubs. I would advice the students to come here and be a part of a fun team here at Singapore Polytechnic.

I am having a lot of fun here with my friends as it is a very big place and you can engage yourself in a lot of activities and clubs. I would advice the students to come here and be a part of a fun team here at Singapore Polytechnic.

Get in touch