From poly to Cambridge: More S'pore diploma graduates head to top overseas universities

Straits Times

08-05-2025

There is a growing number of polytechnic students in Singapore seeking overseas university experiences, driven by greater access to information and a desire for broader exposure. PHOTO: COURTESY OF GABRIEL LEE
From poly to Cambridge: More S'pore diploma graduates head to top overseas universities
SINGAPORE - I n 2021, while serving national service, Mr Nicolas Chew received news that would have once been unimaginable – an offer to study human, social and political sciences at the prestigious University of Cambridge in Britain.
Coming from a less-affluent background, he had always received help to pay for school fees in primary and secondary school. In his polytechnic days, he worked part-time as a customer service agent at Changi Airport to cover other essential costs like transport .
It was not until the Covid-19 pandemic hit that he began considering studying overseas.
Mr Chew is one of a growing number of polytechnic students in Singapore seeking overseas university experiences – mainly in Britain and Europe – driven by greater access to information and a desire for broader exposure.
This comes as more students are choosing the polytechnic route despite qualifying for junior college, and local university enrolment for poly students has risen, with one-third of poly graduates matriculating at local universities.
Mr Chew, 26, a communications and media management graduate from Temasek Polytechnic, had juggled studies and work, topping his cohort with a grade point average of 3.97 out of 4.
He was given a place to study at Cambridge and a scholarship from Changi Airport Group that covered his undergraduate studies.
He is now pursuing a postgraduate degree in Digital Media: Critical Studies at University College London, which is also covered by the scholarship.
In response to queries, Temasek Polytechnic said more of its alumni are qualifying for admission to top universities overseas, without giving exact figures.
Similarly, a Ngee Ann Polytechnic spokesperson said there has been an 'almost threefold increase' in graduates going to such universities in the last decade, compared with the decade before.
The other three polytechnics – Nanyang, Singapore and Republic – did not answer specific queries on whether more of their graduates are going abroad for further studies.
All five polytechnics highlighted ways they support students who want to study overseas. These include workshops, overseas exchange programmes, and in-house education and career coaches.
Ngee Ann Polytechnic organises virtual seminars with overseas university representatives. Republic Polytechnic holds workshops on portfolio development, interview skills and personal statement writing.
Singapore Polytechnic said its students can consult education and career coaches for guidance on overseas university applications and writing personal statements.
Stepping into the unknown
As he reaches his fourth year living in Britain, Mr Chew said studying overseas has broadened his horizons.
It has given him a more 'holistic, open-minded view of the world', on politics and sociology or on social and digital media, he said.
'This has given me a more critical, nuanced view and understanding of the world we live in, one that accounts for both Singaporean and external contexts and challenges,' said Mr Chew, whose mother is an early childhood educator and father works part-time in the food and beverage industry.
Making friends from all over the world has also expanded his world view, he added, exposing him to other cultures and ways of life.
Some diploma holders, like Ms Chiyo Tan, 22, decided to pursue courses overseas because there were few local options that suited their interests and specialisations.
Ms Tan, a biotechnology graduate from Singapore Polytechnic, is now a third-year undergraduate studying veterinary medicine and surgery at Britain's University of Edinburgh.
Some diploma holders, like Ms Chiyo Tan, 22, decided to pursue courses overseas because there were few local options that suited their interests and specialisations.
PHOTO: COURTESY OF CHIYO TAN
She had wanted to pursue a veterinary career, but there are no veterinary schools in Singapore. She chose Britain as it was more affordable compared with elsewhere, such as Australia. Her current annual tuition fees are £34,200 (S$60,000).
Her polytechnic helped her with her personal statement. She also hired a consultant, TheRightU, to help with the administrative details of applying to a university overseas.
Ms Joanne Gao, a regional manager at admissions consultancy Crimson Education, said: 'Poly students are driven by the need for specialised education that aligns with their career goals. They've already gained key skills through their polytechnic courses and see university as an opportunity to deepen their expertise.'
She said that while A-level graduates typically apply for fields such as medicine and law, diploma holders gravitate towards Stem courses such as computer science and engineering.
'Global universities are recognising the value of a polytechnic education and actively seeking students with practical skills and real-world experiences,' Ms Gao added.
Singapore Polytechnic graduate Gabriel Lee, 23, who studied electrical and electronic engineering, is now waiting to embark on his undergraduate studies in the same discipline at the University of Edinburgh.
Initially, he was not interested in studying overseas as he found the application process troublesome and already had a placement at a local university.
But with encouragement from friends and family, and after receiving a scholarship from the Defence Science and Technology Agency which covered the full cost of overseas studies, he changed his mind.
Singapore Polytechnic graduate Gabriel Lee, 23, is waiting to embark on his undergraduate studies in electrical and electronic engineering at the University of Edinburgh.
PHOTO: COURTESY OF GABRIEL LEE
Mr Lee said there is now more information about the application process for polytechnic students, adding that many universities, especially in Britain, also clearly indicate qualification requirements, like a minimum grade point average, for those with diploma certifications.
That said, he still thinks that junior college students stand a better chance of entering the top institutions abroad because universities are more familiar with the A-level qualifications.
Another poly grad, Ms Lois Pang, 21, is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts with a North America Minor at Sciences Po, France. She has a diploma in international trade and business from Ngee Ann Polytechnic.
Studying overseas had been her dream since she was a teenager, but she seriously considered it only in her final year of polytechnic studies.
Ms Lois Pang, 21, is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts at Sciences Po, France.
PHOTO: COURTESY OF LOIS PANG
Ms Pang's two main considerations were cost and experience. She knew studying abroad would be expensive, but discovered options like Sciences Po, which are less costly. Her annual tuition fees are currently €14,720 (S$22,000).
She had also wanted to challenge herself to try something new: 'Did I want to stay in the comfort and familiarity of Singapore? Or did I want to go into the unknown, exploring another part of the world and their culture?'
In poly, she had also taken a Minor in Foreign Languages, specialising in French, adding to her interest in studying at Sciences Po.
She, too, believes pursuing a university degree abroad is a goal that is within the reach of more poly graduates today.
Her class adviser had encouraged her and her peers to explore overseas options after graduation, and these days, many diploma holders are open to studying in more unconventional locations such as Japan, Korea or Hong Kong, she said.
As she finishes her first year in Sciences Po, Ms Pang said: 'A major difference (between Singapore and France) would be the diversity, not just in terms of people and backgrounds, but of opinions.
'Meeting people from all over the world, it is fascinating to observe how our life experiences shape our perception of a single issue.'
Having seen student-organised demonstrations, protests and petitions in France, she said she thinks youth there are 'more open about their diverse political views and opinions on world issues'.
'They express their thoughts freely and will not hesitate to advocate for what they believe in.'
Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.