These are the subjects you will take depending on your cluster. Every cluster will have 2 types of modules, Core Modules and Cluster Modules
Polytechnic Foundation Programme
Course Overview
The Polytechnic Foundation Programme (PFP@TP) is a one-year programme provided by the Centre for Foundation Studies to provide a head start for the top Secondary 4 Normal (Academic) students at the Singapore-Cambridge GCE N(A) Level Examinations in Temasek Polytechnic. Instead of taking the GCE O-Level Examinations in Secondary 5, eligible students can join PFP@TP before admission to their pre-selected diploma courses.
Following TP’s academic calendar which runs in two semesters, the PFP curriculum is delivered in an engaging manner through small groups that foster personalised attention and collaborative learning. This conducive classroom environment allows for meaningful interaction with lecturers and peers, ensuring you receive the support needed to excel academically while building lasting friendships within your TPFam community.
Starting in AY2026/2027, students can choose a cluster and select their preferred diploma at the end of the PFP year through the Cluster-based Admission.
Choose from the following clusters at PFP@TP:
Apply directly to the following course:
Download the brochure for more information Cluster-based Admission brochure
Course Listings by PFP Clusters
* Conducted by the National Institute of Early Childhood Development (NIEC), in collaboration with TP at the NIEC (TP) campus. For more information on NIEC, visit www.niec.edu.sg
Entry Requirements
Secondary 4 N(A) students who are eligible for the PFP will be invited to apply through the Polytechnic Foundation Programme Admission Exercise (PFPAE) in January.
You should first progress to Secondary 5 before the commencement of the application process.
Eligible N(A) students who have done well for Singapore-Cambridge GCE N(A) Level examination can choose a cluster or sub-cluster for PFP. After passing the PFP year, you will be posted to a specific polytechnic Year 1 course within the cluster. Posting will be based on merit and course choice.
To be eligible to apply for the PFP, N(A) students must:
- Obtain ELMAB3 (English Language, Mathematics, Best 3 subjects) raw aggregate score of 12 points or better (excluding CCA bonus point) at the GCE N(A) Level examination; and
- Meet the following subject-specific requirements:
Sciences Cluster
|
Humanities, Arts, Media & Business Cluster |
||
|---|---|---|---|
Subject |
Minimum Required Grade |
Subject |
Minimum Required Grade |
English Language Syllabus A
|
3 |
English Language Syllabus A |
3 |
Mathematics (Syllabus A / Additional)
|
3 |
Mathematics (Syllabus A / Additional) |
3 |
One of the following relevant subjects:
|
3 |
One of the following relevant subjects:
|
3 |
Any two other subjects, excluding CCA
|
4 |
Any two other subjects, excluding CCA |
4 |
- Sciences
- Engineering & Technology
- Design
- Humanities, Arts, Media & Business and Early Childhood Development & Education
| Subject Code | Subject | Credit Units | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GPS1022 | Introduction to Special Needs Education
This subject provides you with an introduction to the range of special needs and types of disabilities encountered in the special needs education sector. It equips you with foundational understanding necessary to build towards higher-order skillsets in the areas of classroom management and the development of interventions for people with special needs. |
4 | ||
| GPS2007 | Developmental Psychology
This subject examines theories and methodologies covered in developmental psychology. You will explore and gain a deeper understanding of how people change at each developmental phase as a result of interaction between innate factors and external experiences. |
4 | ||
| GPS1001 | Foundation Psychology
This subject provides you with an overall perspective and understanding of psychology as a scientific study of mental processes and human behaviour. Fundamental concepts, theories and methodology in the study of psychology will be explored to enhance your understanding of the biological, cognitive and social bases of behaviour. |
4 | ||
| GPS1021 | Introduction to Research Methods & Statistics
This subject aims to provide you with an overview of research methodology and statistical tools in the social sciences. This will include an introduction to the enterprise of scientific research, research ethics, and also rudimentary research methods and statistical concepts, in order to prepare students for more advanced research methods subjects. |
4 | ||
| GPS1020 | Introduction to Social Services
This subject provides a broad introduction to the social services sector in Singapore, including the special needs education sector. You will be introduced to the social services landscape including the key agencies in the sector, as well as the issues and challenges faced within this sector. |
4 | ||
| GPS2021 | Counselling Psychology
This subject aims to provide an introduction to the field of counselling psychology. You will learn about the fundamentals of counselling and discuss the theoretical perspectives that guide the work of counselling psychologists. You will also explore contemporary issues that influence the counselling profession, including ethics, assessment and working with diversity, and to learn about special approaches and settings for counsellors. |
4 | ||
| GPS1007 | Survey & Qualitative Research Methods
This subject builds upon your foundational understanding of statistical concepts and data analysis methods. It equips you with the knowledge, skills and techniques, as well as hands-on experience in the conduct of empirical and qualitative research in psychology and the social sciences. |
4 |
Students conduct two research projects, one involving survey design and the other an experimental design. Students are expected to review academic literature, design the research study, collect data from research participants, conduct data analysis and report their findings.
| Subject Code | Subject | Credit Units | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GPS1022 | Introduction to Special Needs Education
This subject provides you with an introduction to the range of special needs and types of disabilities encountered in the special needs education sector. It equips you with foundational understanding necessary to build towards higher-order skillsets in the areas of classroom management and the development of interventions for people with special needs. |
4 | ||
| GPS2007 | Developmental Psychology
This subject examines theories and methodologies covered in developmental psychology. You will explore and gain a deeper understanding of how people change at each developmental phase as a result of interaction between innate factors and external experiences. |
4 | ||
| GPS1001 | Foundation Psychology
This subject provides you with an overall perspective and understanding of psychology as a scientific study of mental processes and human behaviour. Fundamental concepts, theories and methodology in the study of psychology will be explored to enhance your understanding of the biological, cognitive and social bases of behaviour. |
4 | ||
| GPS1021 | Introduction to Research Methods & Statistics
This subject aims to provide you with an overview of research methodology and statistical tools in the social sciences. This will include an introduction to the enterprise of scientific research, research ethics, and also rudimentary research methods and statistical concepts, in order to prepare students for more advanced research methods subjects. |
4 | ||
| GPS1020 | Introduction to Social Services
This subject provides a broad introduction to the social services sector in Singapore, including the special needs education sector. You will be introduced to the social services landscape including the key agencies in the sector, as well as the issues and challenges faced within this sector. |
4 | ||
| GPS2021 | Counselling Psychology
This subject aims to provide an introduction to the field of counselling psychology. You will learn about the fundamentals of counselling and discuss the theoretical perspectives that guide the work of counselling psychologists. You will also explore contemporary issues that influence the counselling profession, including ethics, assessment and working with diversity, and to learn about special approaches and settings for counsellors. |
4 | ||
| GPS1007 | Survey & Qualitative Research Methods
This subject builds upon your foundational understanding of statistical concepts and data analysis methods. It equips you with the knowledge, skills and techniques, as well as hands-on experience in the conduct of empirical and qualitative research in psychology and the social sciences. |
4 |
Applied subjects occupy students’ final year of study. Students will engage in community-based projects in the social service sector, understand the applications of Psychology in the workplace and commence their final year project. The diploma ends with a 16-week internship.
| Subject Code | Subject | Credit Units | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GPS1022 | Introduction to Special Needs Education
This subject provides you with an introduction to the range of special needs and types of disabilities encountered in the special needs education sector. It equips you with foundational understanding necessary to build towards higher-order skillsets in the areas of classroom management and the development of interventions for people with special needs. |
4 | ||
| GPS2007 | Developmental Psychology
This subject examines theories and methodologies covered in developmental psychology. You will explore and gain a deeper understanding of how people change at each developmental phase as a result of interaction between innate factors and external experiences. |
4 | ||
| GPS1001 | Foundation Psychology
This subject provides you with an overall perspective and understanding of psychology as a scientific study of mental processes and human behaviour. Fundamental concepts, theories and methodology in the study of psychology will be explored to enhance your understanding of the biological, cognitive and social bases of behaviour. |
4 | ||
| GPS1021 | Introduction to Research Methods & Statistics
This subject aims to provide you with an overview of research methodology and statistical tools in the social sciences. This will include an introduction to the enterprise of scientific research, research ethics, and also rudimentary research methods and statistical concepts, in order to prepare students for more advanced research methods subjects. |
4 | ||
| GPS1020 | Introduction to Social Services
This subject provides a broad introduction to the social services sector in Singapore, including the special needs education sector. You will be introduced to the social services landscape including the key agencies in the sector, as well as the issues and challenges faced within this sector. |
4 | ||
| GPS2021 | Counselling Psychology
This subject aims to provide an introduction to the field of counselling psychology. You will learn about the fundamentals of counselling and discuss the theoretical perspectives that guide the work of counselling psychologists. You will also explore contemporary issues that influence the counselling profession, including ethics, assessment and working with diversity, and to learn about special approaches and settings for counsellors. |
4 | ||
| GPS1007 | Survey & Qualitative Research Methods
This subject builds upon your foundational understanding of statistical concepts and data analysis methods. It equips you with the knowledge, skills and techniques, as well as hands-on experience in the conduct of empirical and qualitative research in psychology and the social sciences. |
4 |
You will also take this set of subjects that equips you with the crucial 21st-century life skills you need to navigate the modern world as an agile, forward-thinking individual and team player.
| Subject Code | Subject | Credit Units | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GPS1022 | Introduction to Special Needs Education
This subject provides you with an introduction to the range of special needs and types of disabilities encountered in the special needs education sector. It equips you with foundational understanding necessary to build towards higher-order skillsets in the areas of classroom management and the development of interventions for people with special needs. |
4 | ||
| GPS2007 | Developmental Psychology
This subject examines theories and methodologies covered in developmental psychology. You will explore and gain a deeper understanding of how people change at each developmental phase as a result of interaction between innate factors and external experiences. |
4 | ||
| GPS1001 | Foundation Psychology
This subject provides you with an overall perspective and understanding of psychology as a scientific study of mental processes and human behaviour. Fundamental concepts, theories and methodology in the study of psychology will be explored to enhance your understanding of the biological, cognitive and social bases of behaviour. |
4 | ||
| GPS1021 | Introduction to Research Methods & Statistics
This subject aims to provide you with an overview of research methodology and statistical tools in the social sciences. This will include an introduction to the enterprise of scientific research, research ethics, and also rudimentary research methods and statistical concepts, in order to prepare students for more advanced research methods subjects. |
4 | ||
| GPS1020 | Introduction to Social Services
This subject provides a broad introduction to the social services sector in Singapore, including the special needs education sector. You will be introduced to the social services landscape including the key agencies in the sector, as well as the issues and challenges faced within this sector. |
4 | ||
| GPS2021 | Counselling Psychology
This subject aims to provide an introduction to the field of counselling psychology. You will learn about the fundamentals of counselling and discuss the theoretical perspectives that guide the work of counselling psychologists. You will also explore contemporary issues that influence the counselling profession, including ethics, assessment and working with diversity, and to learn about special approaches and settings for counsellors. |
4 | ||
| GPS1007 | Survey & Qualitative Research Methods
This subject builds upon your foundational understanding of statistical concepts and data analysis methods. It equips you with the knowledge, skills and techniques, as well as hands-on experience in the conduct of empirical and qualitative research in psychology and the social sciences. |
4 |
You will take four Core Modules and two Cluster Modules each semester. These modules are meant to prepare you for your diploma years.
| Semester 1 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Core Modules | English Language & Communication 1 Foundation Mathematics 1 Essential Life Skills 1 Health & Fitness 1 |
|||
| Clusters | Sciences | Engineering & Technology | Design | Humanities, Arts, Media & Business and Early Childhood Development & Education |
| Cluster Modules | Cell Biology & Microbiology | Fundamentals of Innovation by Design | Fundamentals of Innovation by Design | Fundamentals of Business 1 |
| Principles of Chemistry | Physics in Daily Life | Design Fundamentals Studio | Fundamentals of Digital Skills | |
| Semester 2 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Core Modules | English Language & Communication 2 Foundation Mathematics 2 Essential Life Skills 2 Health & Fitness 2 |
|||
| Clusters | Sciences | Engineering & Technology | Design | *Humanities, Arts, Media & Business and Early Childhood Development & Education |
| Cluster Modules | Fundamentals of Digital Skills | Fundamentals of Digital Skills | Fundamentals of Digital Skills | Fundamentals of Business 2 |
| Biochemistry & Human Biology | Digital Logic & Programming | Digital Design Studio | Introduction to Media | |
| Basic Principles & Applications in Psychology | ||||
*These Clusters have 3 instead of 2 Cluster Modules, however, the overall curricula hours remain the same as other Clusters.
PFP Scholarships
For more information on course fees, please click here.
Course Fees
For more information on course fees, please click here.
Contact
Contact Details for Admission & Application Enquiries:
Tel: 67802000
Email: admissions@tp.edu.sg
- cfs@tp.edu.sg
- 67804220
- 8.30 am to 6.00 pm (Mon to Thu) 8.30 am to 5.30 pm (Fri) Closed on Sat, Sun & Public Holidays
- Website: https://www.tp.edu.sg/centre-for-foundation-studies
-
Centre for Foundation Studies
Temasek Polytechnic
Block 13, Level 3, Unit 81, (Near Lift Lobby E)
21 Tampines Ave 1
Singapore 529757
Temasek Polytechnic reserves the right to alter the course, modify the scale of fee, amend any other information or cancel course with low enrolment.
Please note that the information on this website is applicable to the programme for AY2025 and AY2026 admission years.
