1

How is the new modular Part-Time Diploma different from the present Part-Time Diplomas?

This new modular part-time Diploma is revised to better meet the needs of adult learners through:

• Reduced course duration
• Modular structure
• Increased mobility between academic and competency-based systems
• Learning platforms that are adult learner centric

The Diploma aims to encourage more working adults to upgrade themselves, so as to provide more value-addedness to their jobs and hence raise the productivity of Singapore’s workforce.

2

What is meant by a modular structure?

·         The new part-time Diploma comprises five separate 180 hour modular certificates, where the completion of each will result in an award of a Certificate.

·         Hence the attainment of a Certificate on its own is an acknowledgment that the participant has achieved a set of expertise in that will enable him/her to perform at a higher level in a certain job function. Upon completion of five Certificates within a validity period of 5 years, the participant will be conferred a Diploma qualification in the respective major.

3

Were inputs sought from stakeholders in the structuring of the new Part-Time Diploma?

·         Feedback was sought from different focus groups comprising of present part-time polytechnic students, ex-part-time students who had withdrawn from their courses, companies who sponsor their employees to part-time diploma courses, trade associations and autonomous universities.  

·         The inputs from the discussions with the focus groups have helped to shape the structure of the new part-time Diploma courses to make them more accessible to working adults and lead to greater completion rates while strengthening its rigor in the key domain areas.

4

Can the existing Diploma in Technology students opt to transit over to the new Part-Time Diploma course?

·         As the modules in the new part-time Diploma programmes are different from those in the Diploma in Technology programmes, students who wish to withdraw from their existing courses may not enjoy exemptions when they enroll in the new programmes.

·         Furthermore, Singaporean/PR students may no longer enjoy funding subsidy if they have already enjoyed their portion of the subsidy in the earlier programme.

5

What are the minimum entry requirements?

·         Please refer to the entry requirements for the individual part-time Diplomas on our website at : http://www.np.edu.sg/cet/courses/pages/course.aspx

6

What if I do not meet the minimum entry requirements? Can I still try to apply for the course?

·         Applicants who have the relevant qualifications and do not meet the pre-requisite subject grades but are assessed by Ngee Ann Polytechnic as potentially suitable candidates may, at the discretion of the Polytechnic, be considered for entrance tests. You will be notified by CET Academy if you are selected to sit for the entrance tests.

7

What is the revised duration of the new modular Part-Time Diploma? 

·         The duration of the new modular part-time Diploma is about 850 – 900 hours including both contact and non-contact (self-learning) hours. This will translate into 2.5 years of part-time studies assuming no deferment or repetition of subjects.

8

How can the course duration be shorter without affecting the quality of the programmes?

The reduction in curriculum hours of the new part-time Diploma compared to the present part-time Diplomas is due to:

• Removal of components that are less relevant to adult learners such as academic modules that are primarily for progression to university and embedding only the essential portions of these modules into the main modules.
• Trimming away of electives which may make up 10% to 25% of the total curriculum hours in the existing part-Time Diploma courses. 
• More self-learning hours e.g. in the form of mobile e-Learning, that offset the reduction in contact hours.

9

When must I pay the course fees?

·         Fees will be payable on a semester (Modular Certificate) basis.

10

Will I enjoy course fee subsidy?

·         For Singaporeans, the fees payable is subsidized at 70% of published full fees. A CET Qualification Award of $1,000 will issued to first-time Diploma graduates upon attaining full qualifications.

·         For Singapore Permanent Residents, the fees payable is subsidized at 60% of published full fees.

·         There is no subsidy for foreigners.  

For actual course fees, please refer to the course brochure or go to this website: http://www.np.edu.sg/cet/courses/pages/course.aspx

11

Is this new course under any incentive funding scheme?

·         The new Diploma will continue to enjoy funding subsidy by MOE at prevailing rates that may be revised by MOE from time to time.

·         MOE will provide funding subsidy for each modular certificate. 

For more information regarding 1I2S Funding Scheme please visit our website at: http://www.np.edu.sg/cet/funding/Pages/1I2S.aspx

12

Can I progress to degree programmes after I graduate with a Diploma qualification?

·         Those who wish to progress to degree programmes after the diploma may do so. They may need to complete a bridging programme to strengthen the academic foundation in specific areas required by universities. Additional information on bridging programmes will be released when available.

13

How many intakes are there per year?

·         Two intakes per year are planned – in April and October.

14

Will exemptions be given for modules that I have previously taken somewhere else?

·         The request for exemption of modules must be raised to CET Academy when you are offered a place in the course. The exemption will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

15

I have tried to apply for 2 part-time Diploma courses online but was not allowed to do so. Why is that so?

·         As we wish to help all applicants maximise their chance of success and not deprive anyone of a chance to apply, we strongly encourage applicants to apply for the course that best meets their upgrading needs. We therefore do not allow concurrent application for 2 part-time courses.

16

I have previously applied for a part-time Diploma in Engineering (Mechanical) and would like to change my course to Diploma in Engineering (Mechatronics). I tried to change it online but was unable to do so. What should I do next?

·         Applicants are only allowed to change their choice of course during the online application period. You may send your request via email at enquiryCET@np.edu.sg

·         Once the online application period closes, we will start our evaluation immediately and will not be able to accede to the change request.

17

How will I be informed of the status of my course application?

·         Application evaluation period will take about 2 months. Thereafter, applicants may check their application status at this link: https://npalstudent.np.edu.sg/npstudent/user/CampNet/A_cn_frameset_public.asp,

·         Course application status release date is also posted on the course catalogue.

·         Successful applicants will receive an email confirmation from CET Academy, followed by a letter of offer by post

·         Please provide a valid email in your online application so that we can communicate with you promptly.

18

I have noticed that the registration for the course I wanted to attend is now closed. How do I get more information on the next run of the course? 

·         Interested applicants may register course interest with us at: https://www1.np.edu.sg/cet/crm/Interested.aspx

·         Once the course is open for online application, applicants will be alerted via email. Please provide a valid email address so that we can inform you accordingly.

·         Please note that registering your interest does not equate to application or acceptance into the course. This is an alert service to notify interested applicants to apply online during the application period.

19

I have submitted my application online. What do I do next?

·         Applicants who have successfully applied for the course online are required to visit the respective course catalogue and print out the checklist of documents to be submitted from the course catalogue.

·         Please complete all required fields on the checklist and together with it, submit the relevant documents and application fee to us. Application with incomplete documents will not be evaluated.

20

I was overseas and submitted my documents only after the deadline. Will I still be considered?

·         A complete application, which includes the application form, identification documents, supporting documents and application fee, must be submitted to CET Academy by the application closing date, failing which your application will be deemed incomplete and will be cancelled.

·         The evaluation of the applications will start immediately after the online application period closes. All late submissions will not be considered and evaluated even though the application fee has been paid.

21

I exited the webpage before I could make the online application of $7. How else can I pay?

·         Payment can be made via NETS or Cheque.

·         NETS payment can be made over the CET Academy counter during our operation hours.

·         Cheques payable to "Ngee Ann Polytechnic" can be mailed to CET Academy or submitted over the counter. Please indicate you name, Applicant ID and Title of Course on the reverse side of the cheque.

22

I was an ex- part-time Diploma student with Ngee Ann Polytechnic. Why am I not selected for the course though I clearly meet the minimum entry requirements of the course?

·         All applicants who have submitted complete documents will be evaluated and given due consideration. Competition is highly keen for a place in the courses and selection is based on merit and relevant work experience, and subject to limited vacancies available.

·         Very often, we receive overwhelming response to the courses and many applicants have qualifications/results that far exceed the minimum entry requirements.

23

I was an ex- part-time Diploma student with Ngee Ann Polytechnic and I was told that I have some unpaid fee. What is this about and what should I do?

·         Applicants who are ex-NP students (be it full-time or part-time) will need to pay all unpaid fee the amount owed to the Polytechnic. For clarifications, you may email us at enquiryCET@np.edu.sg. Please provide us your full name and NRIC No. to facilitate our check with the relevant departments.

·         Meantime, applicants with unpaid fee may still apply for the course of their interest. However, when the applicant is accepted into the course, the outstanding amount will have to be paid before he/she can be formally matriculated into the course.

·         If payment for the outstanding amount together with the course fees (of the new course) is not received by the stipulated deadline, the offer for a place in the course will lapse and the vacancy will be offered to an applicant on the waiting list.

24

I believe I am one of the first few applicants who have applied for the course when the registration is open, but why am I not in the list of evaluated candidates?

·         Applicants are evaluated based on merit and relevant work experience and not based on the order of application to the course.

·         Applicants may have outstanding documents that were not submitted or application fee is unpaid. The evaluation committee will not be able to evaluate the eligibility of the applicants if there are omissions of any documents.

25

Upon checking my online status, it was reflected "Incomp submission of documents". Then why didn't CET Academy call and inform me so that I can submit the documents duly?

·         Due to the large number of applications received each semester, it is impossible for us to inform each individual applicant regarding incomplete documents.

·         Applicants should ensure that all required documents are submitted and the application fee duly paid.

26

My application to the course was unsuccessful and the online status shows "Did not meet entry requirements". What is it that I am lacking? Can CET share this with me so that I know how I can increase my chances in my next application?

·         Due to the large number of applications received each semester, it is impossible for us to explain to each individual applicant explaining the reasons why they did not meet the entry requirements.

·         Applicants should ensure that all required documents are submitted and the application fee duly paid.

27

How do I sign up for the entrance test?

·         Applicants who have the relevant qualifications and do not meet the pre-requisite subjects grades but are assessed by Ngee Ann Polytechnic as potentially suitable candidates may, at the discretion of the Polytechnic, be considered for entrance tests. You will be notified by CET Academy if you are selected to sit for the entrance tests.

28

How often is the entrance tests conducted? Is it held every semester as long as there is online application?

·         The entrance tests may not be conducted every semester. Depending on the number of eligible applicants selected, the entrance tests may or may not be conducted.

29

I failed my entrance test. Can I come down and apply for the entrance test again?

·         If an applicant fails the entrance tests in the semester, he/she, if keen, will have to re-apply to the course in the next semester.

·         The applicant may or may not be selected or be re-invited to take the entrance test.

30

When can I get the Entrance Test results?

·         Applicants will be informed of their entrance test results by post within 3 weeks from the entrance test date.

31

If I missed the entrance test, what is the next step?

·         If an applicant misses the entrance tests in the semester, he/she, if keen, will have to re-apply to the course in the next semester.

·         The applicant may or may not be selected or re-invited to take the entrance test.

32

I want to withdraw from my course. May I know what the procedure is?

·         You may log-in to CET's Students E-Services at the link: http://www.np.edu.sg/cet/student/Pages/default.aspx, and submit your request to withdraw from the course via the Student Online Form.

33

I have failed some modules under the Modular Certificate that I attempted, what is next for me?

·         Students who failed one or more modules under a particular Modular Certificate is required to repeat the failed modules in the immediate semester before they can move on to the next Modular Certificate.

·         Students who have failed the modules may not have fully grasped the concepts/skills taught and it would be recommended to repeat the module before proceeding on to the next Modular Certificate.

34

Does the Diploma in Engineering (Aerospace) provide a path to students who are keen to obtain their LAE or LAT certifications?

·         The Diploma in Engineering (Aerospace) is currently not SAR-147 accredited as the course does not provide OJT/practical experiences for our CET students.

·         Due to the highly specialised nature of aerospace engineering which required tight supervision of trainees intending to be licensed, having an OJY/practical experience embedded into the academic curriculum is not achievable in the part-time course.

·         Also, as our aerospace course is an academic programme, it will not provide a short-cut path to students intending to obtain the LAE or LAT certifications.

35

I have just completed my modular certificate. When will I get my certificate? Will CET Academy post the certificate to us or do we have to collect from CET Academy?

·         Students are expected to receive their modular certificate within 2 months upon completion of the modular certificate.

·         Once the modular certificates are ready, we will inform students accordingly.

Students may be required to either collect the modular certificate over our counter or the certificate may also be distributed in class.

36

As a CET student, am I eligible to use the library facilities?

·         Students who are enrolled into the part-time Diploma, Advanced Diploma, Specialist Diploma and Diploma (Conversion) will receive a student card, which they may use to borrow materials and enjoy facilities in the Library.

37

How do I apply to use the swimming pool in Ngee Ann Polytechnic?

·         All CET Diploma/ Specialist Diploma and Advanced Diploma students may apply to use the Swimming Pool. Please complete the application form and we will liaise with the Student Development and Alumni Relations Office to process your application.

·         You may download the form at this link: http://www.np.edu.sg/cet/application/Documents/swimpass.pdf   

38

Q: When I try to call CET Academy, I am always directed to the voicemail. Are there any other alternatives of contacting someone at CET?

·         Due to high call volume, our officers may not be able to answer your calls on time. We strive to provide comprehensive course information on our website. Do visit us at www.np.edu.sg/cet  or email us at 6460-6353