Why DES?
- The only design diploma that offers specialisations in Architecture and Product Innovation
- Our top-notch curriculum with innovative Design Studio classes prepares you for creative careers in both design and non-design sectors
- Gain real-world experience through exciting internships at local/overseas start-ups or multinationals, industry projects, workshops, competitions and hackathons
- Fast-track to a degree through the Poly SUTD Scholars Programme and graduate a year ahead of your peers!
About DES
Designers play a key role in addressing today’s challenges across architecture, products, experiences, and processes. In the Diploma in Design (DES) – the only poly diploma with specialisations in Architecture and Product Innovation – you will be equipped for creative careers in diverse sectors.
Overview of Your DES Journey
Highlights
Inspiring Portfolio
SPECIALISED OVERSEAS IMMERSION PROGRAMME
28 DES students specialising in Architecture embarked on the first-ever Specialised Overseas Immersion Programme to Medan, Indonesia where they pitched design proposals to the popular Taman Simalem Resort!
For instance, third-year student Brandon Kuan’s resort concept promotes sustainable tourism by showcasing local culture and traditional businesses while allowing visitors to appreciate and engage with local communities.
CELEBRATING YOUNG DESIGNERS
Two of our School of Design & Environment students secured wins at the AYDA Awards in 2025 under the Interior Design Category. Edwin Choo clinched both Best Green Innovation and Bronze Awards while Vaness Tan secured Silver. The AYDA Awards is an international competition for young architectural and design students to showcase their talents.
ArchiFuture and AYDA Awards
Design graduate Syazwina Bte Rahman’s Architecture final year project was to reimagine the in-between spaces of HDB flats with seamless merge of old & new architecture through playing with elements of nature, connectivity and placemaking. Titled ‘Entwined’, her project won Gold (Interior Category) at the Asia Young Design Awards 2024 and ArchiFuture Design Challenge 2023 organised by SUTD.
Urban Promenade Award
“Living with the Rising Seas” Ideas Competition by PUB was launched for design ideas to protect the South-eastern coastline of Singapore in the face of rising sea levels while achieving liveability, flexibility, and sustainability. Our DES Team’s proposal Titled ‘REEFlection at Keppel Terminal’ (Team comprising of our Architecture students: Edwin Choo, Rajaveni and Nelson Renee) was the Winner for Typology A: Urban Promenade selected by a multi-disciplinary panel of judges comprising representatives from PUB, the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA), National Parks Board (NParks) and PUB’s consultant in 2023.
IMPROVING LIVES THROUGH DESIGN
Alya Tay, a DesignSingapore Associate and recipient of the DesignSingapore Scholarship in 2023, designed Buddy Bot (left) to make working from home a fun experience, and Naavi (top and bottom right) to help children navigate places independently.
Alya is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in User Experience Design at the University of the Arts London.
Innovative Knee Guard Design
Design graduate Yap Shu Min won the Gold Award in the Design category at the 2023 Assistive Rehabilitation Technologies Student Innovation Challenge for her innovative knee guard design, which uses electronic pulsations at specific acupuncture points for targeted pain relief. PAWA is the east-meeting-west is a smart knee guard that reduces knee aches targeted at the silver community. The design includes an app for guided therapy exercises and more.
Lim Cai Qian
Design graduate, Class of 2023
A recipient of the Lee Kuan Yew Award and Ngee Ann Polytechnic Outstanding Achievement Award, Cai Qian is pursuing a degree in Integrative Studies at SMU under the Global Impact Scholarship.
Further Studies
As a DES graduate, you can further your education in relevant degree courses at both local and overseas universities:
With our latest Board of Architects Singapore accreditation, graduates from the Architecture Specialisation may be granted up to two years advanced standing. You must still complete at least three years of full-time, on-campus architectural studies — including the final year of the Bachelor of Arts (Architecture) — to meet the Board’s requirements for registration.
Singapore
- Nanyang Technological University (NTU)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts
- National University of Singapore (NUS)
- Bachelor of Arts in Architecture
- Bachelor of Arts in Industrial Design
- Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD)
- Bachelor of Science (Architecture and Sustainable Design)
- Bachelor of Science in Design and Artificial Intelligence
- LASALLE College of the Arts
- Bachelor of Arts (Design Communication)
- Bachelor of Arts (Interior Design)
- Bachelor of Arts (Product Design)
- Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts
- Bachelor of Arts (Hons) Design Practice
Australia
- The University of Melbourne
- Bachelor of Design (Architecture Major)
- Bachelor of Design (User Experience Design Major)
- RMIT University
- Bachelor of Architectural Design
- University of Canberra
- Bachelor of Design (Industrial Design)
- Swinburne University of Technology
- Bachelor of Design (Interior Architecture) (Honours)
- Bachelor of Design (Industrial Design) (Honours)
Ng Chi Yuen
Class of 2024
The recipient of the Lien Ying Chow Scholarship is pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art, Design and Media at NTU
Ang Kai Jun
Class of 2023
The recipient of the DCA Architects Prize and Asia Young Designer Award 2022 for Best Green Innovation is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts (Architecture)(Honours) at NUS
Muhd Zikri bin Hajhari
Class of 2023
The recipient of the Keppel Land Silver Medal Award and Most Outstanding student in academic performance (Architecture) is pursuing a Bachelor of Science (Architecture and Sustainable Design) degree at SUTD under the Global Distinguished Scholarship
Lim Cai Qian
Class of 2023
The recipient of the Lee Kuan Yew Award is pursuing a Bachelor of Integrative Studies (Human-Centred Futures Design) at SMU under the Global Impact Scholarship
Careers
With design-related career opportunities set to grow in the future, DES graduates can look forward to exciting roles in both design and non-design sectors.
Architecture
- Architectural Associate/Drafter/Executive
- Architecture Technical Officer
- BIM Modeller
- Exhibition Designer/Spatial Designer
- Interior Architecture Designer
- Planning Executive
- Project Management Executive
- Retail Designer
- Technical Sales Executive
- Visual Merchandising Designer
Product Innovation
- Design Consultant
- Design Entrepreneur
- Exhibition Designer/Spatial Designer
- Engineering/Innovation Designer
- Furniture Designer
- Product/Industrial Designer
- Packaging Designer
- Service Designer
- UI/UX Designer
- Visual Communication Designer
Ryan Quah
Sustainable Urban Design & Engineering (SDE)* graduate,
Class of 2017
Ryan graduated top of the cohort with a Master of Architecture from NUS. The Lee Kuan Yew Gold Medal awardee and BCA iBuildSG scholar is currently an Architectural Associate at DP Architects.
*Renamed the Diploma in Design
Gavin Low
Sustainable Urban Design & Engineering (SDE)* graduate, Class of 2012
Gavin graduated top of the cohort with a Master of Architecture from NUS. The recipient of the Lee Kuan Yew Gold Medal and AUA President’s Award is currently an Architectural Associate at Forum Architects.
*Renamed the Diploma in Design
Russell Chew
Product & Design (PDI)* Innovation graduate, Class of 2011
The NUS Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Industrial Design graduate is currently a Design Lead at Monetary Authority of Singapore.
*Renamed the Diploma in Design
Entry Requirements
AGGREGATE TYPE ELR2B2-D
To be eligible for consideration, candidates must have the following GCE ‘O’ Level examination (or equivalent) results.
| Subject | 'O' Level Grade |
|---|---|
| English Language | 1-7 |
| Additional Mathematics/Mathematics | 1-7 |
| Any one of the 2nd group of Relevant Subjects for the ELR2B2-D Aggregate Type | 1-6 |
Applicants must also fulfil the aggregate computation requirements for the ELR2B2-D Aggregate Type ( English Language, 2 relevant subjects and 2 other best subjects) listed at www.np.edu.sg/docs/ELR2B2.pdf.
For students with other qualifications, please refer to the NP website for the entry requirements and admissions exercise period.
Candidates with severe vision deficiency may encounter difficulties meeting the course requirements and expectations.