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The Government
has accepted the recommendations proposed by the University Admission
Committee for a flexible and differentiated university admission system.
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Summary of
Key Recommendations
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The Committee
recommended that the National University of Singapore (NUS) and the Nanyang
Technological University (NTU) should take steps towards greater ownership of
their admission criteria, leading eventually to full autonomy in admissions.
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They should be
allowed to change their admission criteria so as to be more responsive to
their strategic objectives and changes to market demand, as well as to compete
for the best students. University
admission should, however, continue to be based on the principle of
meritocracy, so as to uphold the quality and standing of our universities.
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The
Committee’s recommendations, for implementation with effect from Academic
Year (AY) 2004, can be summarised as follows:
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a. Change in
admission process. Introduce
separate admission exercises by NUS and NTU, while they continue to share a
broad framework of admission criteria.
Separate processing of applications will allow students to receive competitive
offers for admission from both universities, unlike currently.
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b. Changes in
the criteria for selection within the revised broad university admission
framework. These are:
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A
2-tier system consisting of a University Score and a Faculty Score.
The University Score ensures a base of common criteria for selection
of applicants. The Faculty Score (which can be up to one-third of the
final Combined Score) allows faculties greater flexibility to select
applicants with attributes most suited to their courses. |
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Omission
of SAT I as a requirement for
admission to NUS and NTU, in view of the impending changes to SAT I and
the implementation of the new Singapore-Cambridge ‘A’-level
curriculum. In the
transitional period (AY2004 and AY2005), applicants can submit their SAT
I scores and be assessed by the universities based on the higher of the
two scores – one with SAT I and the other without SAT I. |
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Mother
Tongue Language (MTL) grades need not be included in
the University Score.
However, the universities will continue with the current practice of
requiring a minimum MTL grade as a condition for admission.
Applicants who have done well in MTL can include their MTL grades in the
University Score, which will be re-based. |
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Move
towards autonomy in the universities’ admission systems.
As a first step, each university can admit up to 10% of its intake from
AY 2004 based on its own, independent criteria. |
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The Committee
believes that NUS and NTU should eventually be given full autonomy in
admissions as part of the move towards a competitive, diversified and vibrant
university education landscape.
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Greater
Autonomy for universities
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Our university
landscape is becoming more variegated as we restructure our public
universities – NUS and NTU, and allow private universities to set up
campuses in Singapore. There
will be greater diversity and increased competition in the provision of
undergraduate education.
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The Ministry of
Education (MOE) is studying how the universities can be given more autonomy
over time, so as to respond to the opportunities and challenges that come with
a more diverse university sector.
More autonomy will give the universities the room to differentiate
themselves, offer greater choice to students and play on their own strengths.
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MOE regards the
Committee’s recommendations on university admission as an important step
towards greater autonomy for NUS and NTU.
The Ministry believes that the universities should be given greater latitude
to decide on the profile of students who will benefit most from the education
they provide. This will enable the universities to attract the best talents
and to develop peaks of excellence.
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Source:
Ministry of Education Press Release 28 Feb 2004
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SAT1 requirement to enter NUS or NTU omitted
