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Last Updated: 16 Dec 2024

Changes to Polytechnic Foundation Programme (PFP) starting from 2026 intake

Starting from the 2026 intake, students will be admitted to the PFP in 3 broad clusters instead of a specific diploma programme. Learn about the changes and how it impacts you.

About Polytechnic Foundation Programme (PFP)

The PFP is a 1-year diploma-specific programme that offers eligible N(A) students a practice-based preparatory pathway to a polytechnic education at one of the five polytechnics:

  • Nanyang Polytechnic (NYP)
  • Ngee Ann Polytechnic (NP)
  • Republic Polytechnic (RP)
  • Singapore Polytechnic (SP)
  • Temasek Polytechnic (TP)

The PFP will be restructured to a cluster-based programme from the Academic Year (AY) 2026 intake onwards.

Cluster-based programme

Instead of entering PFP for a specific diploma, you will gain admission to the PFP in 3 broad clusters:

  • Sciences
  • Humanities, Art, Media and Business
  • Design, Engineering and Technology
    NYP and TP offer as two sub-clusters: (i) Design and (ii) Engineering & Technology

Diploma-specific admission will continue for selected specialised courses.

View the list of clusters and courses offered by each polytechnic.

For students posted to a cluster or sub-cluster for the PFP, after passing the PFP year, you will be posted to a specific polytechnic Year 1 course within the cluster.

Posting will be based on merit and course choice. Your polytechnic will brief you on the posting process.

Diploma-specific admission will continue for selected specialised courses:

  • Nursing (NP and NYP)
  • Early Childhood Development & Education course (NP and TP)
  • Tamil Studies with Early Education course (NP)

Eligibility criteria to apply for the PFP

  1. Obtain a raw ELMAB3 (English, Mathematics, Best 3 subjects) score of 12 points or better, excluding CCA bonus points.
  2. Meet subject-specific minimum entry requirements:
Sciences Cluster
Subject Minimum required grade
English Language Syllabus A 3
Mathematics Syllabus A or Additional Mathematics 3

Any 1 relevant subject:

  • Design and Technology
  • Food and Nutrition/Nutrition and Food Science
  • Science (Chemistry, Biology)
  • Science (Physics, Biology)
  • Science (Physics, Chemistry)
 3
Any other 2 subjects (excluding CCA) 4
Humanities, Art, Media and Business Cluster
Subject Minimum required grade
English Language Syllabus A 3
Mathematics Syllabus A or Additional Mathematics 3

Any 1 relevant subject:

  • Art
  • Geography
  • History
  • Humanities (Social Studies, Geography)
  • Humanities (Social Studies, History)
  • Humanities (Social Studies, Literature in English)
  • Literature in English
  • Principles of Accounts
 3
Any other 2 subjects (excluding CCA) 4
Design, Engineering and Technology Cluster and Sub-clusters
Subject Minimum required grade
English Language Syllabus A 3
Mathematics Syllabus A or Additional Mathematics 3

Any 1 relevant subject:

  • Design and Technology
  • Food and Nutrition/Nutrition and Food Science
  • Science (Chemistry, Biology)
  • Science (Physics, Biology)
  • Science (Physics, Chemistry)
 3
Any other 2 subjects (excluding CCA) 4
Nursing (NP and NYP)
Subject Minimum required grade
English Language Syllabus A 3
Mathematics Syllabus A or Additional Mathematics 3

Any 1 relevant subject:

  • Design and Technology
  • Food and Nutrition/Nutrition and Food Science
  • Science (Chemistry, Biology)
  • Science (Physics, Biology)
  • Science (Physics, Chemistry)
 3
Any other 2 subjects (excluding CCA) 4
Early Childhood Development and Education (NP and TP)
Subject Minimum required grade
English Language Syllabus A 3
Mathematics Syllabus A or Additional Mathematics 3

Any 1 relevant subject:

  • Art
  • Geography
  • History
  • Humanities (Social Studies, Geography)
  • Humanities (Social Studies, History)
  • Humanities (Social Studies, Literature in English)
  • Literature in English
  • Principles of Accounts
 3
Any other 2 subjects (excluding CCA) 4
Tamil Studies with Early Education (NP)
Subject Minimum required grade
English Language Syllabus A 3
Mathematics Syllabus A or Additional Mathematics 3

Any 1 relevant subject:

  • Art
  • Geography
  • History
  • Humanities (Social Studies, Geography)
  • Humanities (Social Studies, History)
  • Humanities (Social Studies, Literature in English)
  • Literature in English
  • Principles of Accounts
 3
Any other 2 subjects (excluding CCA) 4

Students applying to the Tamil Studies with Early Education must also obtain one of the following scores:

  • Grade B4 for O-Level Higher Tamil Language
  • Grade B3 for O-Level Tamil Language
  • Grade 1 for N(A)-Level Tamil Language

Courses with additional requirements for polytechnic Year 1

There are additional grade, interview or test requirements to progress to selected courses within each cluster:

Course Additional requirement
Humanities, Arts, Media and Business Cluster

Diploma in Mass Communication (NP)

 At least Grade B for both modules during the PFP:
  • English Language & Communication 1
  • English Language & Communication 2
Diploma in Mass Communication (RP)
Diploma in Communications & Media Management (TP)
Diploma in Law & Management (TP)
Diploma in Chinese Studies (NP)

Obtained one of the following:

  • Grade B4 for O-Level Higher Chinese
  • Grade B3 for O-Level Chinese
  • Grade 1 for N(A)-Level Chinese
Diploma in Chinese Media & Communication (NP)
Diploma in Tamil Studies with Early Education (NP)

Obtained one of the following:

  • Grade B4 for O-Level Higher Tamil
  • Grade B3 for O-Level Tamil
  • Grade 1 for N(A)-Level Tamil
Sciences Cluster
Diploma in Oral Health Therapy (NYP)

Pass a manual dexterity test
Design, Engineering and Technology Cluster
Diploma in Nautical Studies (SP) Pass an interview and an eyesight test