GCE O-Level

What To Do After O-Levels?

Your next step after O-Levels often comes down to your aggregate score. Junior College and Millennia Institute admission is based on your L1R5 aggregate — your first language (English or Higher Mother Tongue) plus your five best relevant subjects. Polytechnic admission instead uses your ELR2B2 aggregate — English Language, two subjects relevant to your chosen course, and two other best subjects.

If you've accepted a conditional offer through the Polytechnic Early Admissions Exercise (EAE), your place is typically confirmed once you achieve a net ELR2B2 of 26 points or lower and meet your course's specific entry requirements. If your results don't meet your preferred JC or Polytechnic cut-off, certificate programmes at private institutions like PSB Academy offer an alternative route that isn't tied to these aggregate scores.

Education Options To Explore After O-Levels

After completing your O-Levels, you have four main pathways to choose from in Singapore:

• Junior Colleges (JC): Students can opt for a two-year pre-university programme in JCs to obtain the GCE A-Level certificate, which is a prerequisite for local university admissions.
• Polytechnics: O-Level graduates can apply for diploma programmes in polytechnics, which offer a more hands-on, practice-oriented curriculum across multiple disciplines, such as engineering, business, and media.
• International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme: Students can enrol in the IB programme, a two-year pre-university course that provides an internationally recognised qualification for university entrance.
• Private Education Institutions (PEI): Students can also consider pursuing certificate programmes at private education institutions like PSB Academy, which open up progression pathways to diploma programmes and eventually degree programmes offered by their partnering universities, subject to meeting the university's entry requirements for the chosen courses.

*Subject to university's approval 

Enrol in Certificate Courses at PSB Academy

At PSB Academy, we offer a step-by-step progression beginning with our certificate courses. These programmes provide a focused and specialised education in specific fields, preparing students to further their education with our comprehensive diploma programmes in their chosen fields.

 Our certificate programmes include:

• Certificate in Business Management
• Certificate in Business Studies (E-learning)
• Certificate in Engineering and Information Technology
• Certificate in Engineering Foundation (E-learning)
• Certificate in InfoComm Technology (E-learning)
• Certificate in Media and Communications
• Certificate in Sport and Exercise Sciences
• Certificate in Sport and Exercise Sciences (E-learning)

Progress to Diploma Programmes at PSB Academy

PSB Academy offers diploma programmes in 13 different disciplines, designed to ensure our students are well-equipped to excel in their chosen industries:

• Accounting and Finance
• Analytics
• Business Administration
• Cyber Security
• Engineering
• Hospitality and Tourism Management
• Human Resources
• IT & Computer Science
• Life Sciences
• Logistics & Supply Chain Management
• Marketing
• Media & Communications
• Sports & Exercise Sciences

Only our Foundation Diploma in Life Sciences can be directly pursued after O-Levels, equipping students with the core knowledge and skills required in these burgeoning fields.

Studying at PSB Academy offers numerous benefits, including flexible full-time, part-time or e-learning study options, a conducive learning environment at the City Campus, and progression opportunities to degree programmes awarded by renowned university partners.*

Frequently Asked Questions About Options After O-Levels

My O-Level results weren't good enough for JC or my preferred Poly course — what are my options?
You still have several paths forward. You can apply for other polytechnic courses with higher cut-offs through JAE, retake O-Levels as a private candidate, or pursue a certificate programme at a private institution like PSB Academy, which doesn't require meeting L1R5 or ELR2B2 cut-offs and leads to diploma and degree progression.

Can I retake my O-Levels in Singapore?
Yes. Students can retake O-Levels either through their secondary school or by registering as a private candidate with SEAB. Retaking is best suited to students who narrowly missed their target cut-off, since it requires significant additional study time.

What's the difference between L1R5 and ELR2B2?
L1R5 is used for JC and Millennia Institute admission, combining your first language with your five best relevant subjects. ELR2B2 is used for polytechnic admission, combining English, two relevant subjects, and two other best subjects. For both, a lower aggregate score is more competitive.

Where can I go after O-Levels in Singapore?
Students in Singapore can choose from Junior Colleges, Polytechnics, the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme, or certificate programmes at Private Education Institutions (PEIs) such as PSB Academy.

Is a certificate from a private institution like PSB Academy recognised?
PSB Academy's certificate and diploma programmes are designed to progress students toward degrees awarded by accredited university partners from Australia, New Zealand, and United Kingdom, subject to meeting each university's entry requirements.