Upon completing their ‘N’ or ‘O’ Level, students must choose between Junior College (JC) and Polytechnic (Poly) in order to pursue their future career goals. While Poly education focuses primarily on applied learning and work skills, JC provides an extra two years in which students can explore more varied academic topics and delve deeper into their chosen subject combination.
If you are deciding between JC vs Poly in Singapore, this blog will provide some insight into both routes. We will also discuss how Math Academia can help you prepare for exams to get into your desired school.
Comparing JC vs Poly
There are a couple of key differences between JC and Poly schools in Singapore. We'll go over the essential ones to help you decide which path is most suitable for you.
1. Which One Are You Qualified For?
The first thing to consider when choosing between JC or Poly is which one you’re qualified to get accepted into. If you want to get into JC, you’ll need to finish ‘O’ level with the required grade points. It is important to note that ‘N’ level students must also complete the ‘O’ level to qualify for JC. Poly has its own pathway for entry. If you’ve finished ‘N’ level, you may consider Poly and do an additional year under the Polytechnic Foundation Programme (PFP).
2. How Long Will You Study?
One of the main differences between JC and Poly is the amount of time it takes to finish your studies. For JC, it takes about two years to complete before you can graduate. Taking on a Diploma course in Poly, on the other hand, requires a total of three years. However, if you’ve applied for the PFP programme, do note that you’ll have an additional year to complete it.
3. Are You Aiming For University or Immediate Work?
This is one of the questions that secondary school students must ask themselves. JC is typically more academic-focused where the primary goal is to be ready for university. As such, the learning environment of JC courses can be more demanding and focus on academic subjects like Maths and subject combinations such as PCME or BCME. Its curriculum is broadly tailored to the requirements of entering tertiary study, with graduation students often pursuing degrees at leading universities at home or abroad.
On the other hand, Diploma courses in Polytechnics are designed to provide students with the necessary skills and knowledge to be workforce ready. Poly courses focus on providing students with practical knowledge through vocational training that they can leverage in the real world. As the focus of those programmes is on skills rather than academics, graduates of these courses often leave with more tangible employable skills which can give them an edge when they enter the job market. However, that's not to say that Poly students cannot apply to universities! Poly students can apply to any university so long as they have studied courses relevant to the degree and their Grade Point Average (GPA) meets the admission requirements.
Be Exam Ready With Math Academia
Overall, take into account both your personal preferences and career aspirations to make an informed decision on which educational route best suits you. Looking at some of the most in-demand jobs in Singapore can be another starting point in planning what to apply for next. At the same time, you can also prepare yourself for your major exams by enrolling in Math Academia. We are one of the best private maths tuition in Singapore with a pristine track record of student achievers. Our specialised classes taught by our excellent maths tutors can help you ace your exams with confidence.
For more information, feel free to contact us to find out more about our tuition classes.
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