Exemptions for Polytechnic graduates

The decisions made on the group of Computing courses to be granted Advanced Placement Credits (APCs) with regards to a diploma are final. The decisions are made based on assessing relevant information from various sources, provided by the respective polytechnics.

Additional exemption from programme requirements will only be granted to accredited diplomas.  Diplomas that are not listed below are either not accredited or not eligible for additional exemption. As such, any appeal for exemption will not be entertained.

Polytechnic graduates who are admitted to NUS Computing Courses may receive up to 40 Units of course exemptions from the following lists:

1. Up to 20 Units from Unrestricted Electives (UE).
2. Specific exemptions of up to 20 Units from programme requirements comprising of one or more courses as determined by the School on a case-by-case basis. Details are indicated in the tables below:

Table A: Diplomas from Nanyang Polytechnic
Table B: Diplomas from Ngee Ann Polytechnic
Table C: Diplomas from Republic Polytechnic
Table D: Diplomas from Singapore Polytechnic
Table E: Diplomas from Temasek Polytechnic

NOTES :

1. With effect from AY 2011-12, for diploma holders to be granted the relevant APCs for Programme Requirements, the diploma must have been completed within the last 5 years prior to the year of admission to the University.
2. The granting of 20 units of APCs for UEM are automatic. It is equivalent to one semester of advance standing and will be awarded to all diploma holders of approved programmes from Polytechnics in Singapore, in recognition of the overall knowledge gained from a Polytechnic education.
3. APC will be updated into students’ record by Week 2 of Semester 1. Student will be able to verify the exemptions in EduRec, under Academic>Academic Records>View Transfer Credit Report.
4. Freshmen receiving APC for computing course(s) (refer tables below for details) may request to opt-out from the course(s) exemption in their first semester of study by submitting an online request by early to mid-July 2025. Further details will be provided closer to the date. Once approved, the decision will be irrevocable. 
   
5. Placement Test for CS1010 (Programming Methodology) : With effect from AY 2013-14, freshmen with diplomas from Nanyang, Ngee Ann, Republic, Singapore and Temasek Polytechnics, and who are not exempted from CS1010, may apply to sit for the CS1010 placement test.  Applicants need to have at least a B grade in a programming course or prior experience in C programming.  Students who pass the test will be exempted from CS1010 and will be able to read courses carrying CS1010 as pre-requisite.  The maximum units that can be exempted remain capped at 20 Units for Programme requirements.  For details on the application process, please refer here.
6. Self-Diagnostic Assessment (Programming Methodology) : In conjunction the previous point, a self-diagnostic assessment has been created to mock up the experience of the actual Placement Test for CS1010.  This assessment is purely optional, self-timed and administered.  Participation and marking on the test is anonymous and does not count for or against any placement, it is provided to help prospective students assess the level of difficulty in CS1010. Answers are provided at the end of the assessment. The assessment is available here.  
7. The Bachelor of Engineering (Computer Engineering) Programme’s exemptions are determined by a joint faculty committee, and listed on the page for exemption details for the Bachelor of Engineering (Computer Engineering) Programme.dis