I am 17 years old, and I'm currently awaiting my GCE "O" Level results, which will be out in March. Now, I am posted to a Junior College (Science Stream).

What I am confused is, is architecture an art or a science subject? Should I go to JC Science or JC art? Or for that matter, since I already know what I want to be, should I be going to a JC at all? Should I go to a Polytechnic instead? There are courses in Polytechnic, which offer architecture diplomas.

Also, what good universities can I go to? I am prepared to go overseas if I can't stay in Singapore or if the courses here are not that good, but I need to know if I can use a diploma in architecture to get into these universities.

Do British Universities only accept "A" level results? If so, does that mean I have to go to JC?

Basically:
I must choose between:

- Course - Time - examples of subjects offered

-JC Science (2 years) - (Physics, F Maths, Biology, Chemistry, etc...)
-JC Art (2 years) - (Geography, Literature, History, Maths, Economics, etc...)
-Poly Architecture (3 years) - (Architecture Design Studio, Communication Skills, Environmental Science, etc...)

Thereafter...

Army (2.5 years)

After that, I wish to go to University to continue my studies (Preferably a Bachelor Degree in Architecture, or higher:D)

Any advice?

i guess you should ask your fellow singaporeans, you see we are not very familiar with the education system in singapore.

Follow Blunther's path.

I'll leave a trail of salt.

I must choose between:
-JC Science (2 years) - (Physics, F Maths, Biology, Chemistry, etc...)
-JC Art (2 years) - (Geography, Literature, History, Maths, Economics, etc...)
-Poly Architecture (3 years) - (Architecture Design Studio, Communication Skills, Environmental Science, etc...)

Cliff, I'd love to help you, but, as is the case with Sen, I have no idea about the Singapore education system. :(

Of the three choices you list, Option #3, Poly Architecture, would obviously be the most suitable for you to reach your professional goal as the courses seem to be the most suitable. Not that there's anything wrong with Math & Literature, of course! ;)

Knowing what a talented artist you are, I wish you well in the pursuit of your goals! :okay:

You can do architecture at university even if you're from the JC Science course. My friend did triple science in JC and went on to get an archi degree at Uni of Melbourne, and you need some pretty decent A-level results to get there anyway.

although if you're really passionate about archi i dont see how the poly course wont help, although its 3 years versus 2 years in JC.

Good luck with your choice! :)

I thought army is reduced to 2 years??

To be a certified architect, I think you need about a few years of work experience or something(after u obtain your degree)...........:yes:

I am 17 years old, and I'm currently awaiting my GCE "O" Level results, which will be out in March. Now, I am posted to a Junior College (Science Stream).

What I am confused is, is architecture an art or a science subject? Should I go to JC Science or JC art? Or for that matter, since I already know what I want to be, should I be going to a JC at all? Should I go to a Polytechnic instead? There are courses in Polytechnic, which offer architecture diplomas.

Also, what good universities can I go to? I am prepared to go overseas if I can't stay in Singapore or if the courses here are not that good, but I need to know if I can use a diploma in architecture to get into these universities.

Do British Universities only accept "A" level results? If so, does that mean I have to go to JC?

Basically:
I must choose between:

- Course - Time - examples of subjects offered

-JC Science (2 years) - (Physics, F Maths, Biology, Chemistry, etc...)
-JC Art (2 years) - (Geography, Literature, History, Maths, Economics, etc...)
-Poly Architecture (3 years) - (Architecture Design Studio, Communication Skills, Environmental Science, etc...)

Thereafter...

Army (2.5 years)

After that, I wish to go to University to continue my studies (Preferably a Bachelor Degree in Architecture, or higher:D)

Any advice?

I've always favoured a polytechnic education if you know what you want to do because poly education gives you a head start imparting knowledge in relevant fields which will help you greatly in uni. IMO, poly diplomas are more appreciated in overseas uni than in locals. You get advance standing anywhere from 6 months to 2 years, depending on where you go with a diploma. No "discounts" for 'A' levels holders. So having a diploma is actually an advantage if you've decided to go overseas. I've been accpeted into unis in Australia and England with a poly diploma, no problem. Local uni (actually only NUS) accepts only a handful of archi grads from poly.

At the moment, only SP offers a Diploma in Architecture course. Though its only running 2 classes, its easier to get into the course now.

So between Arts and Science, I would choose a Diploma in Architecture anytime.

I thought army is reduced to 2 years??

To be a certified architect, I think you need about a few years of work experience or something(after u obtain your degree)...........:yes:

Yes, with a degree, you will a minimum 2 years of working experience that is documented in a log book supervised by 2 professionals in the relevant field and a bit of luck.

archi degree at Uni of Melbourne, and you need some pretty decent A-level results to get there anyway.

IMO, poly diplomas are more appreciated in overseas uni than in locals.

So it means that Poly diplomas can also get me into such a uni right? Even though it only accepts good A level results.


although if you're really passionate about archi i dont see how the poly course wont help, although its 3 years versus 2 years in JC.

You get advance standing anywhere from 6 months to 2 years, depending on where you go with a diploma.


So does that mean that my degree course will be shorter? So overall the time taken if I go to JC-Uni and Poly-Uni is almost the same, since the extra year is "compensated in uni"?

So it means that Poly diplomas can also get me into such a uni right? Even though it only accepts good A level results.

So does that mean that my degree course will be shorter? So overall the time taken if I go to JC-Uni and Poly-Uni is almost the same, since the extra year is "compensated in uni"?

For overseas unis, its actually an advantage to have a diploma rather than A levels. For NUS, it will have to depend on your results and don't expect any advance standings.

With advance standing varying from 6 months to 2 years, your education path will be the same, if not shorter with a diploma.

I've got to stress that its not how long you spent doing your course but what you've gotten from it in the end. This is especially true for archi.

Another question that everyone talks about, what are my prospects after leaving uni? Will I find myself jobless in a pool of graduate hopefulls? They say there is nothing left to be built in Singapore, must I move to another country?

Also, is the Archi course in SP stable? Will it close down anytime?

Thanks alot!:)

Another question that everyone talks about, what are my prospects after leaving uni? Will I find myself jobless in a pool of graduate hopefulls? They say there is nothing left to be built in Singapore, must I move to another country?

Also, is the Archi course in SP stable? Will it close down anytime?

Thanks alot!:)

Archi is a long course, so nobody can tell you exactly how good your prospects are after you graduate. This is true for other courses as well. With NS and assuming you are doing a diploma course follow by a degree, it will be at least 8 years before you start looking for a job. Nothing will be at rock bottom forever, nothing will remain at the top forever as well. Depends on your luck but I think its still not that difficult to land yourself a job here yet. I went to 2 interviews and got a job within 4 days of sendng out my applications.

The Archi course is one of the first course available in SP. Its true that demand for this course had fallen over the past 5 years. During my time, odds are 10 applicants to 1 vacancy, now its almost 1 to 1 according to my boss and ex-lecturer who is still teaching there. Despite this, I would still think that this course serves as a good stepping stone for those who want to pursue a degree later on. The course has gone from 2 classes(during my time) to 3 and now back to 2 again. I do think you worry yourself too much unnecessarily. Even if they decide to close down, they would at least let current students to graduate first before they do so.

i'd say architecture is an art-based subject. they don't talk much about structures and they always like to say, if it looks right then you can probably build it and all the remaining calculations are left to the engineers. one thing you needa be sure is that you have to be good at thinking 3-dimensionally. designing a building is not just about making the plan look right. it gets much more complicated when you try to build it 3D, like the proportion among different masses and how spaces are linked together.

also because it's a very long course, i think you seriously have to be sure whether you really wanna do it or not. if you've decided, you have to be fully devoted to the course or you'll just screw it up. one thing which is very true is that you won't get the uni life most people get. you'll be working in the studio all the bloody time while most people are enjoying life. ha. --" but it's fun if you like it.

yes most people apply to uk unis using GCE AL results. you usually need 3 AL subjects but usually they don't have to be physics or maths for ALs. you'll need to do them at OL though. some people also use IB results to apply. first part of the course is a 3 years bachelor of architecture programme, leading to the exemption of RIBA Part 1. after that, you'll needa work in an architectural firm (internship) for a year before continuing your studies. you then apply again for the 2 years diploma of architecture which can be in a different uni. after finishing you'll need 2-3 years of working experience again before taking the RIBA examination. so it'll be about 7-8 years in total.

Thanks Vvill, and especially Kit! I will give some serious thought to this.:)

dont go in the army! you'll die!
btw people laugh when i say i want to do architecture , they tell me ill change my mind (not my parents)

dont go in the army! you'll die!
btw people laugh when i say i want to do architecture , they tell me ill change my mind (not my parents)

Emm.....all male citizens of Singapore have to serve a compulsory 2 years National Service in the army.......:yes: