Singapore Institute of Technology launches six new degree programmes

21 January 2011

The Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT) will launch six new degree programmes for its August 2011 intake. SIT will also double its intake of students to 1,000 for Academic Year (AY) 2011, up from the intake of 500 in AY2010.

The new programmes bring the total number of programmes offered by SIT to 16. Apart from expanding the number of programmes with existing overseas university partner University of Newcastle upon Tyne, SIT has entered into a partnership with two new overseas universities - The University of Manchester and the University of Glasgow. The new degree programmes offered are listed in the table below:

With these new degree programmes, polytechnic graduates will have more upgrading opportunities at SIT to obtain industry-focused degrees in identified key growth sectors of the economy. The degree programmes and overseas university partners have been selected in consultation with government agencies and industry partners for their strong reputation and high academic standing.

On the new collaborations, SIT President Professor Tan Chin Tiong said, “SIT is committed to expand our programme offerings and partner reputable overseas universities which are leaders in their fields of specialisation. Coupled with our unique education model, this commitment underscores our dedication to ensure that our graduates are relevant, prepared and an integral part of Singapore’s growth.”

SIT has partnered The University of Manchester (UOM), a Russell Group University, to offer a high quality nursing degree programme in Singapore in consultation with the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Health. UOM was placed top in nursing and midwifery research in the 2008 UK Research Assessment Exercise and was the first school in England to offer a nursing degree and appoint a Professor of Nursing. With a rapidly ageing population, the demand for degree-level nurses has increased significantly to meet the growing healthcare needs. The UOM nursing programme will complement students’ training in the current polytechnics’ nursing diploma courses and enable the graduates to progress in management, clinical or education career paths.

SIT also seeks to bring unique programmes to enrich the education landscape in Singapore. The Mechanical Design Engineering programme with the University of Glasgow will feature a novel curriculum in collaboration with Glasgow School of the Art (GSA), which includes studies in mechanical design and computer-aided design with studio work planned by GSA. The Mechatronics degree conducted by University of Glasgow will focus on electronic and mechanical engineering and will offer Mechatronics diploma holders in Singapore an additional upgrading pathway.

SIT Admission Exercise

SIT’s admission exercise will open on 1 February 2011. Interested students can apply via the SIT website at www.SingaporeTech.edu.sg. SIT takes a holistic approach in assessing applicants, taking into consideration academic results, extra-curricular interests and the candidate’s passion and personal qualities. Relevant work experience will also be considered and all shortlisted applicants will be assessed through interviews. For specific programmes, students may also have to submit portfolios or essays.

SIT welcomes applications from polytechnic diploma holders who are in the workforce, as their experience and industry knowledge will bring valuable insights into the classroom and add value to the strong industry relevance of SIT’s degree offerings.

About Singapore Institute of Technology

SIT was established by the Ministry of Education in 2009 to provide upgrading opportunities primarily for polytechnic graduates. It does this by partnering reputable overseas universities and the five local polytechnics to offer industry-focused degree programmes targeted at growth sectors of the economy.

Students are conferred the same degree as their counterparts at the home universities. All SIT students are also required to go on an overseas immersion programme (3 to 6 weeks) at their respective overseas universities’ home campus.

SIT’s unique ‘distributed campus’ model where the programmes are conducted at SIT facilities within the polytechnics allows it to harness synergies for greater efficiency.