Initial Teacher Preparation Programmes

Initial Teacher Preparation (ITP) programmes in NIE prepare you for a career as a teacher. The programme develops student teachers’ knowledge and skills require of teachers to competently meet the demands and challenges of a dynamic teaching career.

University Admission Exercise (UAE) 2010 Applicants: Information on Bachelor of Arts (Education) and Bachelor of Science (Education)

1. The National Institute of Education (NIE) offers:

(a) a 1-year Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) teaching programme for graduate degree holders; and

(b) a 4-year Undergraduate teaching degree programme – BA/BSc (Education) for ‘A’-level and Polytechnic school leavers.

2. The two programmes prepare student teachers to be competent teachers with the necessary skills and knowledge.  The programmes are suitable for those who have the passion to teach, the interest to engage children in their learning, and the qualities of a good role model for our children.

3. As part of the selection process, all applicants are required to attend interviews and in some cases, participate in a teaching stint in our schools to establish their aptitude to teach.

4. The majority of NIE student teachers are graduate degree holders enrolled in the PGDE.  For the July 2009 NIE intake, 1,165 (74%) were admitted to the PGDE, while 403 (26%) were admitted to the BA/BSc (Education). 

Profile of PGDE Student Teachers

5. The details of the course of study and degree classification of the 1,165 PGDE students admitted in July 2009 are in Table 1 as follows. 

Table 1: University Courses and Degree Classification of Student Teachers with undergraduate degrees admitted into PGDE in July 09

Course of Study
Percentage of PGDE Recruits who graduated with
No. of July 09 PGDE Recruits
1st Class Honours / 2nd Upper Honours
2nd Lower Honours / 3rd Class Honours
Pass Degree / Pass with Merit
Arts & Social Sciences 23.2% 24.3% 52.5% 457
Science 26.3% 22.5% 51.3% 316
Engineering 18.5% 48.6% 32.8% 259
Business 9.2% 19.4% 71.4% 98
Others 17.1% 22.9% 60.0% 35
Grand Total 1,165

Profile of BA/BSc (Education) Student Teachers

6. The indicative grade profiles1 of the 403 BA/BSc (Education) students admitted to NIE in July 2009 are in Table 2 as follows.

Table 2: Indicative Grade Profiles of the 10th and 90th percentiles of ‘A’-Level and Polytechnic Applicants offered places at NIE for the BA/BSc (Education ) in UAE 09

NIE Courses
Indicative A-level Grade Profile
(3H2/1H1)
No. of July 09 BA/BSc Recruits
10th percentile
90th percentile
Arts (Education) CCC/C2 BCC/B 152
Science (Education) CCC/C2 BBC/B 175
Grand Total 327
NIE Courses
Indicative Polytechnic GPA3
No. of July 09 BA/BSc Recruits
10th percentile
90th percentile
Arts (Education) 3.12 3.68 39
Science (Education) 3.17 3.82 37
Grand Total 76

 

APPLICATION FOR THE BA/BSc (EDUCATION) IS NOW OPEN FOR A-LEVEL AND POLYTECHNIC DIPLOMA HOLDERS AS PART OF UNIVERSITY ADMISSION EXERCISE (UAE) 2009. Please apply via the NTU Admissions Website at http://admissions.ntu.edu.sg/Pages/default.aspx.


1 Meeting the minimum grade profile does not guarantee admission into the BA/BSc (Education) programme. All students must also be assessed by MOE interview panels for suitability to teach.

2 CCC/C is the minimum A-level grade profile for admission into the BA/BSc (Education) programme. However, students who do not meet the minimum A-level grade profile can still be considered if they demonstrate other compensating qualities, such as a strong aptitude and passion to teach.

3 The polytechnic GPA forms 80% of the University Admission Score (UAS) for polytechnic diploma holders. The remaining 20% is placed on applicant's O-level results.