Looking to snag a place in a local autonomous university? The figures are encouraging.

The six public universities took in 18,000 Singapore citizens and permanent residents in 2022. This translates to a 42 per cent cohort participation rate, which means more than four in 10 students from every cohort were given places in degree programmes funded by the Ministry of Education.

Recent statistics also show that four in five A-level and International Baccalaureate graduates enrol in the universities, while one in three polytechnic graduates matriculate at these institutions.

TL;DR spoke to the five polytechnics and six autonomous universities about what it takes to move from polytechnic to university.

Importantly, remember there’s no cap on the number of polytechnic students who can move on to the autonomous universities.

What proportion of students in the autonomous universities come from the polytechnics?

Nanyang Technological University (NTU): “Polytechnic graduates make up about a third of NTU’s yearly admission applications.” It did not give enrolment numbers.

National University of Singapore (NUS): It “welcomes applicants from diverse educational backgrounds”. It did not give enrolment numbers.

Singapore Management University (SMU): It “enrols many students from all five local polytechnics every year”. It did not give enrolment numbers.

Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT): Currently, nine in 10 students in its yearly intake come from the polytechnics.

Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS): About 80 per cent of the more than 1,000 full-time undergraduates in Academic Year 2024 are fresh polytechnic graduates. Separately, the university also takes in part-time undergraduates who are working adults.

Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD): “Polytechnic applications have increased significantly and currently make up approximately 20 to 30 per cent of each cohort.” It said it admits between 500 and 550 students per cohort with “with very diverse backgrounds and qualifications”.

I’m a polytechnic student who wants to go to university. How can I plan ahead?

Other than having a good grade point average, you would do well to demonstrate “holistic” qualities and “aptitude”, among other strengths.

NUS said that the university has expanded its holistic admission process, including introducing a range of special aptitude-based admissions schemes. ...