School of Business & Accountancy
The School
Ngee Ann Polytechnic’s (NP) School of Business & Accountancy is widely recognised as the premier provider of business and accountancy education at the polytechnic level in Singapore.
Its rigorous curricula, excellent student development programmes, internships with prestigious organisations, up-to-date facilities and dedicated lecturers with a wealth of industry experience have nurtured thousands of dynamic professionals for the economy.
In a nutshell, the School offers a broad-based, practical-oriented education coupled with a conducive environment to nurture an entrepreneurial spirit and global mindset.
The Courses
The School offers the following programmes:
Full-Time Courses
• Diploma in Accountancy (ACC)
• Diploma in Banking & Financial Services (BFS)
• Diploma in Business Information Technology (BIT)
• Diploma in Business Studies (BS)
(with final-year specialisation options in Entrepreneurship, Human Resource Management, International Business, Marketing,
Marketing Communication, Psychology, and Service Management)
• Diploma in International Business (IBZ)
• Diploma in International Logistics & Supply Chain Management (ILSCM)
• Diploma in Tourism & Resort Management (TRM)
Part-Time Courses
• Advanced Diploma in International Business (ADIB)
• Specialist Diploma in Franchise & Enterprise Management (SDFEM)
in collaboration with Franchising & Licensing Association
Nurturing Spirit of Entrepreneurship
The School has a number of flagship programmes which promote innovation and entrepreneurship.
For instance, it was the first local business school at the polytechnic level to launch an Entrepreneurship specialisation option for its Business Studies students. This specialisation caters to those with entrepreneurial aspirations.
Entrepreneurship students learn the practical challenges of starting real business ventures under an Experiential Training for Entrepreneurship Development (EXTEND) programme. Under EXTEND, final-year Entrepreneurship students act as mentors to advise and guide secondary school students on the many aspects of starting new businesses.
The School also offers a module on Enterprise Creation & Development in all its business diplomas to enable students to acquire skills in starting a business. Students can also work full-time on their start-ups in the last six months of their courses.
The School also drives Entrepreneurs-Connect@NP (EC@NP), a unit that offers product and market studies, business planning and development guidance, as well as seed funding. It also develops students’ entrepreneurial skills though activities such as networking sessions with notable business personalities, and organisations.
Real Exposure
The School has a Realistic, Experiential & Applied Learning (REAL) programme where Business Studies (Marketing) students set up collaborative ventures and consult with real business and brand experts in companies and organisations such as Andersons of Denmark, Singapore Post, Starhub, MobileOne, Nivea, and Lam Soon Singapore. Besides planning, securing approval from sponsors and implementing marketing strategies, the students also take responsibility for their ventures’ bottom lines.
Another initiative is Thumbs UP! (Training human resources for better skills – a Unique Programme) whereby Business Studies (Human Resource Management) students learn to manage a simulated organisation. Students also get the opportunity to plan and conduct training activities with secondary schools and businesses.
Collaborations
The School has forged close ties with industry partners and government bodies to provide its students with excellent opportunities for internships, exchange programmes and study trips.
For example, Accountancy final-year students go on a six-month internship with the “Big Four” international accounting firms, government-related agencies and other commercial organisations.
Another partnership has been forged with online auction site eBay. In this case, Business Information Technology students get to develop and implement creative business-IT solutions under the mentorship of both their lecturers and eBay staff.
The School is also the only Singapore educational institution to collaborate with the Singapore Exchange Limited (SGX) on a pioneering project to develop a new financial reporting platform using eXtensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL).
In November 2008, the School launched a Centre of Excellence in Business Tourism. The centre provides consultancy services in business tourism, including business travel, meetings, incentive travel, conventions and exhibitions (BTMice), a platform for dialogue on relevant issues, and collaborates with industry on business tourism projects and research.
Overseas Exposure
To broaden students’ perspectives and enrich the learning journey, the School has established strong partnerships with several organisations and tertiary institutions abroad for overseas internships and immersions. For example, overseas exchange programmes are conducted with Zhejiang University City College (ZUCC) in China to allow students to attend classes there.
International Business students will get solid overseas exposure to gain a deeper understanding of the international environment, and better appreciate the local cultural, social and business practices. They will have the opportunity to enhance their global and entrepreneurial mindset through overseas trips every year.
The School will also be setting up Overseas Satellite Centres in key commercial hubs such as Shanghai. These centres will lend a physical presence in the host countries for the polytechnic to network with local enterprises and institutions, thus facilitating the students’ overseas learning programmes.