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Teacher Training Schemes for ‘A’ Level / IP / IB and Diploma Holders

Graduate with a Bachelor of Arts (Education) or Bachelor of Science (Education), and possess professional qualifications upon graduation in just 4 years! The BA/BSc programme extends over a period of 4 years with the possibility of Honors being awarded based on excellent overall performance.

On top of that, outstanding BA/BSc graduands may be considered for Masters Sponsorship immediately after completing their degree.

Universal language of nurturing

Sharon Eng always felt that children were the keys to our future and should be nurtured and taught well from a young age.

“If you think you have the passion to stay focused and excited about the differences you can make to the young leaders of our future—sign up!”

Entry Requirements

Applicants must have:

For GCE ‘A’ Level holders, at least 2 ‘A’ Level passes and 2 ‘AO’ Level passes including a pass in General Paper (GP), OR at least 2 H2 and 2 H1 passes including a pass in GP, OR at least 2 H2 passes and a pass in Knowledge Enquiry (KI).

For IB Diploma Holders, a good overall IB Diploma score.

Polytechnic Diploma holders may also apply to NIE.

Other Special Requirements

  1. For admission to the course leading to BSc (Education), GCE ‘A’ Level holders who are intending to read Biology, Mathematics, or Physics with Chemistry must have an ‘A’ Level pass in at least 1 of the following subjects:

    • Mathematics (Syllabus C)
    • Further Mathematics
    • Biology
    • Chemistry
    • Physics or Physical Science

    Those intending to read Physical Education and Sports Science must pass the Physical Proficiency Test conducted by NIE.

  2. Applicants should also have a minimum grade of:

    • ‘D7’ or ‘S’ in either in Malay / Chinese / Tamil or a pass in Mother Tongue Language ‘B’ taken at the GCE ‘A’ Level Examination or a minimum grade of ‘D7’ in Higher Malay / Higher Chinese / Higher Tamil taken in the GCE ‘O’ Level Examination.

    Those who do not meet this requirement will be admitted on a provisional basis. During the course of study in the University, they will be required to meet the requisite minimum language requirements before they are allowed to graduate.

  3. Some applicants may need to sit for the English Entrance Proficiency Test if they do not meet the exemption criteria stipulated.

Procedure for Application

Candidates can apply only when application opens in Feb / Mar of each year as the BA / BSc (Edun) recruitment exercise is carried out in conjunction with NTU’s University Admissions Exercise which is conducted on a yearly basis.

Candidates must:

  1. Complete the online NTU University admission application form. At least one of the choice of courses in your university admission application form should be Arts (Education) or Science (Education). Details about the university admission application can be found at the NTU website and
  2. After submitting your university admission application, it is important that you proceed to complete the application form for Arts (Education) and Science (Education) at the MOE Teach Online Application. Only shortlisted applicants will be notified by MOE to attend an interview.

NIE / NTU will notify you of the outcome of your BA / BSc (Edun) application, together with your NTU university admission application, around end May. Shortlisted and selected candidates will also be notified by MOE.

All successful candidates must clear their Entrance Proficiency Test (EPT) before their admission to NIE for the BA / BSc (Edun) course in July, if they do not meet the exemption criteria. Under the BA / BSc (Edun) course, candidates specialising in Mother Tongue Language (MTL), must also clear their English EPT if they do not meet the English exemption criteria.

Structure of the Course

The BA / BSc (Edun) courses comprise 7 areas of study:

  1. Academic Subjects

    This area of study covers the content knowledge of 1/2 subject(s) and its fundamental concept and principles. Students must choose 1/2 Academic Subject(s) to study throughout the course.

    An Arts student must choose 1/2 Arts Academic Subject(s). Similarly, a Science student must choose 1/2 Science subject(s).

    The list of subjects are shown below:

    Arts Subjects

    • Art
    • Chinese Language
    • Chinese Literature
    • Drama
    • English Language
    • English Literature
    • Geography
    • History
    • Malay Language
    • Malay Literature
    • Music

    Science Subjects

    • Biology
    • Chemistry
    • Physics
    • Mathematics
    • Family and Consumer Sciences
    • Physical Education and Sports Science

  2. Educational Studies

    In this area, students will learn key concepts and principles of education that are necessary for effective teaching and reflective practice in schools. They will also have the opportunity for in-depth study of some key aspects of education.

  3. Curriculum Studies

    These are designed to give students the skills to teach the subjects that they will eventually be teaching in Singapore schools.

  4. Curriculum Content

    These modules help to reinforce subject content mastery for primary/secondary school teaching.

  5. Essential Modules

    The modules in this category are part of the core curriculum and provide a broader perspective of education.

  6. Practicum

    Students will be attached to schools to develop their teaching competency in a variety of context and at different levels. During the Practicum, students will be closely supervised by NIE lecturers and learn from experienced teachers in the schools about the schooling process. Students will use the knowledge and skills acquired from the Education Studies and Curriculum Studies components to integrate theory with practice.

  7. General Electives

    In addition to the core modules and the required number of prescribed electives, trainee teachers must offer general electives which can be chosen from subjects offered by the University, whether within or outside the Institute. Depending on the area of specialisation, trainee teachers on the Primary course are required to offer different types of general electives within the area of specialisation.

The degree that hit the right note

“If you know teaching is for you, don’t waste your time doing another degree first, come straight into the BA/BSc programme!” exclaims music teacher Ben Lim.

Special Subject Requirements

These are prerequisites for reading the following academic subjects:

Biology

Chemistry

Physics

Mathematiics

Students from the Polytechnics will have to pass a Mathematics Qualifying Test conducted by NIE.

Family and Consumer Sciences

Physical Education and Sports Science

Art

Applicants are required to attend an Art Focused interview.

Chinese Language and Chinese Literature

Drama

No academic prerequisites. Applicants are required to pass an interview.

English Language

English Literature

Malay Language and Malay Literature

Music

Applicants are required to attend an interview and an audition.

Geography and History

There are no prerequisites for Geography and History.

Appointments to the Education Service

Those who are successful in their application for admission will be appointed by the Ministry of Education as General Education Officers. The Ministry will pay the tuition fees for the normal duration of the course. Students will also receive a salary for the first 2 years of study. In years 3 and 4, they will be on no-pay leave from the Education Service, but those who perform well in the course may be given a stipend of $5,000 annually during this time. On successful completion, students will serve a bond of 4 years.

It all adds up!

It’s hard to imagine that Mahabir Gupta was once on the verge of quitting school. He now teaches not just one but SIX subjects at Zhonghua Primary! “It was a teacher who made a difference in my life, and now I want to do the same for other pupils”—he says.

Enquiries

For more information, please refer to the NIE website.