Options after ITE
Your ITE qualification is a powerful start. Define your next step by exploring the dedicated options after ITE that accelerate your career with Kaplan.
What's Next After ITE?
The completion of your Institute of Technical Education (ITE) programme is your entry point to greater specialisation and reward. Planning what to do after ITE is important, as further education is key to progressing to the next level of your career. Continuing your studies equips you with advanced skills, significantly enhancing your job mobility, opening diverse employment opportunities, and setting you on the path to achieving your fullest potential. With so many rewarding options ahead, let's explore the choices available to you.
Foundation Diploma
A Foundation Diploma is an option for Nitec or Higher Nitec graduates who require a specialised bridging course before advancing to a Diploma. This pathway is deliberately designed to solidify your academic foundation, ensuring a confident transition into higher-level studies.
At Kaplan, our six-month Foundation Diploma1 paves the way to an eight-month Diploma2 programme. This private Diploma is highly flexible, offering full-time, part-time, or 100% online study modes and spanning disciplines such as Accounting, Communication & Media, and Information Technology. It also provides a clear, supported route for options after your Diploma, helping you advance your education and progress directly to a Bachelor's Degree.
Polytechnic Diploma
The Polytechnic Diploma is a route towards advanced practical skills for both Nitec and Higher Nitec graduates. You can apply via the Early Admissions Exercise (EAE), Joint Polytechnic Admissions Exercise (JPAE), and Direct Admissions Exercise (DAE). Admission requires meeting minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) marks (typically 3.5 for Nitec or 2.0 for Higher Nitec), though specific course requirements may differ.
This route offers an advantage for progression: Higher Nitec graduates often receive advanced placement, such as direct entry to Year 2. Ultimately, a Polytechnic Diploma provides a strong foundation for a Bachelor's Degree at a university after completing your ITE.
ITE Work-Study Diploma
The ITE Work-Study Diploma combines immediate employment with structured training. This 30-month (2.5-year) apprenticeship-based programme allows ITE graduates to earn a salary while working in a relevant industry and pursuing a Diploma simultaneously.
With a curriculum jointly developed by ITE and industry partners, 70% to 80% of your time is dedicated to crucial on-the-job training at the company. This ensures your skills remain current and immediately applicable, strengthening your professional network right after ITE.
ITE Technical Diploma
The ITE Technical Diploma is offered by ITE in collaboration with foreign institutions, providing specialised skills in high-demand technical fields like Engineering, Health Sciences, Hospitality, and Information Technology (IT).
This full-time 24 to 30-month course is highly relevant for top-performing ITE graduates seeking deeper technical mastery and international recognition. The curriculum is co-designed with overseas education partners, and graduates receive a qualification jointly certified by ITE and the partner institution, with opportunities for overseas learning.
Still Unsure Of Where To Go After ITE?
Your journey is one-of-a-kind, and it’s completely fine to be unsure. If you're wondering where to go after ITE, our dedicated programme consultants are ready to provide personalised guidance to help you find a suitable programme that aligns with your aspirations.
Frequently Asked Questions About After ITE Options
Is the ITE certificate equivalent to a Diploma?
An ITE certificate is not equivalent to a Polytechnic Diploma, but it is a recognised qualification that equips students with practical, hands-on, industry-relevant skills and can serve as a strong foundation for further studies.
At Kaplan (Singapore), students from diverse academic backgrounds, including those who have just completed ITE, can explore progression pathways through our Diploma and Degree programmes, depending on their qualifications and experience. Beyond academic programmes, Kaplan also supports students with skills-based workshops, career talks, career fairs, and personalised advisory and planning services, helping them build both employability and long-term career-readiness alongside their studies.
Are there part-time study options after ITE?
Yes, absolutely. Part-time study is a popular and practical option for ITE graduates, especially for those who wish to work while upgrading their qualifications.
At Kaplan (Singapore), we offer a range of part-time Diploma programmes, including Double Specialisation Diplomas, designed to support working adults and career switchers.
Students benefit from flexible study schedules, with options for evening face-to-face classes and 100% online classes, depending on the programme. We also offer blended learning options, combining online and in-person lessons to help students better balance work, study and personal commitments.
This flexible approach allows students to gain work experience, earn income, and upgrade their qualifications simultaneously, making it a strategic pathway for long-term career progression.
Are there scholarships or sponsorships available for ITE graduates?
Yes. While scholarships are typically limited and competitive, ITE graduates can still explore a range of financial support options to make studying more manageable.
Kaplan (Singapore) offers support to help make further education more affordable. These include course fee rebates/education grants of up to S$5,450, flexible 0% interest in-house instalment payment plans, company sponsorships for working adults, and scholarships or bursaries (subject to eligibility). Eligible local students enrolling in Kaplan Diploma or Degree programmes may also access 0% interest credit card instalments of up to 24 months, and education loans with repayment tenures of up to eight years (with monthly repayments as low as S$30). NTUC members may also qualify for UTAP funding. In addition, referral incentives of up to S$500 are available to help offset study costs.
Our friendly education consultants work closely with students to explore the most realistic and suitable financial options, ensuring that costs do not become a barrier to upgrading qualifications and career progression.
Can I study for a Degree after completing ITE?
Yes, it is possible to progress to a Degree after completing ITE, and many students have successfully taken this pathway with Kaplan (Singapore).
At Kaplan, ITE graduates can follow a clear and structured academic progression pathway, typically:
ITE → Foundation Diploma → Kaplan Diploma → Degree (Kaplan partner universities)
Kaplan partners with globally recognised universities from Australia, Ireland, and the UK, giving students the opportunity to earn an internationally recognised Degree in Singapore. Depending on the programme and entry pathway, students may also complete their private Degree within a condensed time frame compared to traditional routes.
What matters most is commitment, consistency, and choosing the right pathway. Kaplan's role is to provide the structure, support, and flexibility to help students progress confidently from ITE to a Degree.
Why should I consider taking Kaplan Diploma instead?
A traditional Polytechnic pathway typically takes around three years to complete, and progression to a local university often requires a high GPA (approximately 3.4–4.0), which can be quite challenging and competitive. As a result, many Polytechnic graduates eventually choose to pursue their Bachelor's Degree through programmes offered by Kaplan after completing their Diploma, such as those from Murdoch University, Northumbria University, and University College Dublin.
In comparison, the Kaplan Foundation Diploma + Diploma pathway can be completed in approximately 14 months, after which students may progress directly into Year 2 of the same Bachelor's Degree programmes offered by Kaplan's partner universities. This allows students to potentially complete their Degree up to two years earlier, while still earning a globally recognised qualification.
Life Beyond Classrooms
Experience Kaplan’s supportive learning environment inside and out.
A Supportive Environment
At Kaplan, our conducive environment helps stimulate minds, encourage exploration and achieve excellence. Find out how this helped our student Jordan Sukaimi become a World Dance Champion! Check out the video here.
Learn more about the Kaplan way:
Culture of Support
Future Ready
Student Engagement
Career Readiness
CONTACT US NOW
Please do not hesitate to get in touch with our dedicated consultant for this programme for more information.
Kevin Chow
1Subject to programme and meeting entry requirements.
2The full-time Diploma programme duration is 11 months with possible completion in 8 months. Subject to programme and meeting entry requirements.