For easy comparison between courses, the indicative grade profiles of students holding A level qualifications entering all courses offered by the 3 local universities are as shown in the table below, along with the places taken up in previous year, 2013/14. Please note that the scores and places offered vary each year, use it only as reference.
10th percentile refers to the A Level grade which is higher than 10% of that of other A level students who entered the course. 90th percentile refers to the A Level grade which is higher than 90% of that of other A Level students who entered the course.
The grade profiles refer to the grades scored by Singapore-Cambridge A-level applicants in their three H2 and one H1 subjects. For the purpose of this notification, Grade C is assumed for both General Paper (GP) and Project Work (PW) in determining the grade profiles. Please note that certain courses may require grades higher than Grade C for GP. There could be other “equivalent” profiles for each programme. For example, a grade profile of ABC/C could be considered to be broadly equivalent to BBB/C, unless there are pre-requisites.
Indicative Grade Profile (IGP) of 3 Local Universities for A-Level 3H2/1H1 AY12-13
S/N
University
Major
10th percentile
90th percentile
Places taken up in AY2012-13
1
NUS
Law*
AAA/A
AAA/A
262
2
NUS
Medicine*
AAA/A
AAA/A
300
3
NUS
Nursing*
BCC/C
AAA/C
99
4
NUS
Dentistry*
AAA/A
AAA/A
53
5
NUS
Architecture*
ABB/B
AAA/A
135
6
NUS
Industrial Design*
BBB/B
AAA/A
38
7
NUS
Project & Facilities Management
BBC/C
ABB/C
149
8
NUS
Real Estate
BBC/B
AAB/B
111
9
NUS
Engineering
ABB/C
AAA/A
86
10
NUS
Bioengineering
ABB/C
AAA/A
96
11
NUS
Chemical Engineering
AAA/B
AAA/A
282
12
NUS
Civil Engineering
BBC/B
AAA/B
94
13
NUS
Electrical Engineering
BCC/B
AAA/B
254
14
NUS
Environment Engineering
BBB/C
AAA/B
74
15
NUS
Engineering Science
BBB/C
AAA/A
33
16
NUS
Industrial & Systems Engineering
AAB/B
AAA/A
99
17
NUS
Materials Science & Engineering
AAB/B
AAA/A
73
18
NUS
Mechanical Engineering
ABB/C
AAA/A
325
19
NUS
Computing (Computer Science)
BBC/C
AAA/A
390^
20
NUS
Computing (Information Systems)
BBB/C
AAA/B
390^
21
NUS
Computer Engineering
BCC/B
AAA/B
96
22
NUS
Pharmacy
AAA/A
AAA/A
180
23
NUS
Science (Chemistry)
BBC/B
AAA/A
1200^
24
NUS
Science (Computational Biology)
BBC/B
AAA/A
1200^
25
NUS
Applied Science (Food Science & Technology)
BBC/B
AAA/A
1200^
26
NUS
Science (Life Sciences)
BBC/B
AAA/A
1200^
27
NUS
Science (Physics
BBC/B
AAA/A
1200^
28
NUS
Business Admin
AAA/B
AAA/A
502
29
NUS
Business Admin (Accountancy)
AAA/A
AAA/A
220
30
NUS
Arts & Social Sciences
BBB/B
AAA/A
1481^
31
NUS
Arts & Social Sciences (MT related)
BBC/C
BBB/B
1481^
32
NUS
Environmental Studies
AAB/B
AAA/A
49
33
NTU
Renaissance Engineering*
AAA/A
AAA/A
56
34
NTU
Aerospace Engineering
AAA/B
AAA/A
97
35
NTU
Bioengineering
BCC/C
AAA/A
107
36
NTU
Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering
AAB/B
AAA/A
159
37
NTU
Civil Engineering
BCC/D
AAA/B
134
38
NTU
Computer Engineering
BCC/C
AAA/A
89
39
NTU
Computer Science
BCC/B
AAA/A
246
40
NTU
Electrical & Electronic Engineering
BCC/D
AAA/A
606
41
NTU
Engineering
BCC/D
ABB/C
66
42
NTU
Environmental Engineering
BCC/C
AAA/A
45
43
NTU
Information Engineering & Media
BCC/B
AAA/A
80
44
NTU
Maritime Studies
BBB/B
AAA/A
65
45
NTU
Materials Engineering
BCC/C
AAA/A
206
46
NTU
Mechanical Engineering
BCC/D
AAA/B
475
47
NTU
Biological Sciences*
BBC/B
AAA/A
265
48
NTU
Chemistry & Biological Chemistry
BCC/B
AAA/A
215
49
NTU
Mathematical Sciences
BBC/B
AAA/A
105
50
NTU
Mathematics & Economics
BBB/B
AAA/A
103
51
NTU
Physics / Applied Physics
CCC/C
AAA/A
118
52
NTU
Accountancy*
AAA/B
AAA/A
607
53
NTU
Business*
AAB/B
AAA/A
591
54
NTU
Art, Design & Media*
CCD/D
AAA/B
179
55
NTU
Chinese
CCC/D
AAB/C
121
56
NTU
Communication Studies*
ABC/B
AAA/A
180
57
NTU
Economics*
BBC/B
AAA/B
122
58
NTU
English*
BCC/C
AAA/A
80
59
NTU
History*
BCC/C
AAA/B
68
60
NTU
Linguistics & Multilingual Studies*
BBC/C
AAA/A
66
61
NTU
Psychology
BBB/C
AAA/A
102
62
NTU
Sociology*
BCC/B
AAA/C
103
63
NTU
Sport Science & Management
BBC/C
AAA/B
74
64
NTU
Arts (Education)
BBC/C
ABC/B
125
65
NTU
Science (Education)
BCC/B
AAB/A
72
66
SMU
Accountancy
AAB/B
AAA/A
303
67
SMU
Business Management
BBB/B
AAA/A
760
68
SMU
Laws
AAA/A
AAA/A
115
69
SMU
Science (Economics)
BBC/C
AAA/A
271
70
SMU
Science (Information Systems Management)
BCC/C
AAB/A
282
71
SMU
Social Sciences
BBC/C
AAA/A
215
* Additional assessments such as interviews, selection tests, and/or portfolios are required.
# No representative GPA is shown as the sample size is small.
^ Number is an aggregation of all the courses in the same faculty .i.e. Science, Computing, Arts & social science.
Refer to our university course selection guide on how to use the information here effectively to aid your selection of a course/major.
[three_fourth] Is IGP enough to give you a full picture of the university ? NO. Click on the button below to find out more for free.
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You may need to know:
We don’t have to share the pros of using an Apple device or owning the entire Apple ecosystem. The brand has a loyal fan following that knows this very well. Instead, we’re sharing some useful tips and tricks to maximise your MacBook or iMac.
(If you already know them all, kudos to you!)
1) The Clock App
I can’t live without my phone’s clock/alarm app — it takes care of everything from morning alarms to recipe timings. I also use it for office naps (sanctioned ones!), but on the lowest volume level for fear of disrupting a colleague who is “in the zone”.
One day, to my surprise, I discovered that the newer MacBooks and iMacs (those running on macOS Ventura) have a Clock app too! It has the same features as the iPhone’s Clock app, so using it will be a breeze. This is handy for when your phone needs to charge in a different room or when you need to stash it away for maximum productivity.
The best part? You can plug in your earpieces and be alerted instantly when the time is up!
2) The “Stacks” Shortcut
Save everything onto your desktop out of convenience? Finding things a little too messy?
If you’ve been manually shuffling everything, you’ve been doing it all wrong and “Stacks” is here to save the day! Through this shortcut, you can automatically organize files into neat, categorized stacks. Here’s how to use it:
There are two ways to enable Stacks. The first is to go to your desktop, then click on the “View” menu in the menu bar. From there, select “Use Stacks”. Alternatively, simply right-click on the desktop and choose “Use Stacks”.
Before Stacks
Once enabled, your files will be automatically grouped into different categories based on file types. To view the files within a stack, simply click on it, and it will expand to display its contents!
After Stacks
Want to hide the stacks temporarily? That’s doable! You can collapse them by simply right-clicking on the desktop and choosing “Collapse Stacks”. Handy, isn’t it?
3) “Floating” a Note on the Desktop
Most of you may know this hack, but we’ll share it with those that don’t!
When researching for an assignment, or taking notes, you may find yourself toggling frantically between your notetaking document and the webpage. Apple has a way to solve this! Open a fresh note in your Notes app, and right-click to open it in a separate window. You can then select Window -> Keep on Top from the menu bar.
Your note will now remain above other open application windows, even if you switch between apps! This won’t apply when you have an app in full-screen mode, however!
4) Find the Emojis
Need the perfect emoji for a reply or a text document? Sure, you can find it easily in the relevant social media app with a quick search or on emoji dictionary websites, but there’s another way! The “Command + Control + Spacebar” shortcut pulls out an emoji keyboard. Clicking on the icon on the top right expands the keyboard to reveal helpfully categorized symbols such as the em dash (—)! You will no longer need to search the Internet!
5) Spotlight(ing) Convenience
Did you know how easy the Spotlight Search feature makes things? Apart from its search and app launching capabilities, it also doubles up as a dictionary, currency converter, unit converter, weather reporter (for any country), simple calculator, and temperature converter!
Don’t believe us? Give it a spin. You won’t have to open multiple tabs or interrupt your flow of thought any longer!
6) Locating a Missing Cursor
Sometimes your cursor gets lost amidst a sea of documents or items. If you need some help finding it, here’s the solution: just wiggle your mouse or finger back and forth rapidly for a few seconds. Your cursor will soon make its presence felt by increasing in size!
7) Quickly Hiding Windows
Need to share screen on Zoom or show your friend/colleague something? If there is an irrelevant window or one that pops up all of a sudden, don’t get flustered! Just use the shortcut “Command + H”. You will not quit the app but only hide the window. When you need it to make a triumphant return, just click on the app’s icon on the Dock!
There you are: seven small but mighty hacks that will make your work and study life a whole lot easier! How many did you know before reading this article, and do you have any to share with us? Let us know in the comments so that we can learn, too!
We face many challenges as we navigate our careers and work towards our goals.
Fortunately, many have walked the paths before us! There is a wealth of wisdom and insight to be gained from successful business leaders and inspiring figures who have overcome obstacles, achieved great things, and failed terribly themselves. Here’s some wisdom from nine of them.
1) Ben Horowitz
Co-founder and General Partner of American venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz
“In my experience as CEO, I found that the most important decisions tested my courage far more than my intelligence. Every time you make the hard, correct decision you become a bit more courageous, and every time you make the easy, wrong decision you become a bit more cowardly.”
Courage becomes the driving force behind the most important choices in life. It enables us to step out of our comfort zones, overcome fear and doubt, embrace change and risks, trust our instincts, and embody our personal values.
2) Oprah Winfrey
Media executive, talk show host, and philanthropist
“Do what you have to do until you can do what you want to do.”
Often, we find ourselves doing things that may not align perfectly with our ultimate goals — goals which could also change as we grow in life experiences.
Through these experiences, however, we gain invaluable skills, knowledge, and insights that contribute to our personal and professional growth. These provide a foundation for building a successful future, allowing us to gather the resources, connections, and expertise necessary to transition to what we truly want to do.
So, while it may not always be easy, or immediately gratifying, always try making the most of where you are now!
3) Warren Buffett
CEO and Chairman of Berkshire Hathaway
“The best investment you can make is in yourself.”
You’ve probably heard this from just about everyone, but hear it from one of the most successful investors of all time too! You are the only constant in your life, so why not pour more energy and effort into yourself?
You will enhance your confidence, self-worth, adaptability and resilience. This also benefits your career and overall well-being and fulfilment. It’s one of the hardest things because improvement will not be visible overnight, but keep at it, and one day you may find yourself where you hoped to be years ago!
4) Indra Nooyi
Former CEO and Chairperson of PepsiCo
“You have to be constantly reinventing yourself and investing in yourself.”
While this quote is similar to Warren Buffett’s, we are including it because of the truth it holds in today’s fast-changing world. The most sought-after jobs and skills can seemingly change overnight, and technology will always keep us on our toes.
Here’s another great quote from her!
“The distance between number one and number two is always a constant. If you want to improve the organization, you have to improve yourself and the organization gets pulled up with you.”
Change begins within and with you!
5) Bill Gates
Microsoft co-founder, philanthropist
“Success is a lousy teacher. It seduces smart people into thinking they can’t lose.”
Bill Gates warns against becoming complacent: success can lead to overconfidence.
“…life isn’t a one-act play…You probably feel a lot of pressure right now to make the right decisions about your career. It might feel like those decisions are permanent. They’re not. What you do tomorrow – or for the next ten years – does not have to be what you do forever.”
You’re not signing your future away to your first role!
Not long ago, he also shared this valuable piece of advice to graduating students at the Northern Arizona University commencement ceremony. Life is a long road, and what you choose as your major or first career is only the first step. During this same speech, he also reminded them to spend more time with their loved ones.
6) Jeff Bezos
Founder of Amazon
“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.”
Jeff Bezos is the founder of Amazon and one of the most successful entrepreneurs in history. He believes that success comes from consistent, deliberate practice and the development of good habits.
Excellence is not an act but a habit because it requires consistent effort, continuous improvement, high standards, building trust, and creating a positive feedback loop. By making excellence a habit, we embed it into our daily lives and work, allowing us to perform at our best and achieve remarkable results consistently.
7) Sheryl Sandberg
Former Chief Operating Officer of Facebook (now Meta)
“Careers are a jungle gym, not a ladder.”
Sheryl Sandberg reminds us how careers are not a linear path, but rather a series of ups and downs, twists and turns. You’ll need flexibility and adaptability in order to succeed.
8) Steve Jobs
Former co-founder, chairman, and CEO of Apple
“If you really look closely, most overnight successes took a long time.”
Did you know Apple, now one of the most valuable companies in the world, actually faced numerous challenges and setbacks? It struggled in the late 1980s and early 1990s, almost going bankrupt, before the introduction of innovative products like the iMac, iPod, iPhone, and iPad.
Even large and successful businesses face obstacles and setbacks along their journey: what more us? Persistence, resilience and many minds brought them to where they are today.
Interested in more of such stories? Check out Walt Disney and Starbucks!
9) Irene Rosenfield
Former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Mondelēz International
“I talk a lot about taking risks and then I follow that up very quickly by saying, ‘Take prudent risks’”
(Mondelēz International is home to big brands such as Oreo, Halls and Ritz)
Prudent risks? Irene Rosenfield reminds us how #YOLO is sometimes not the wisest idea. When taking risks, you should still make the most informed decision you can. Remember to have contingency plans or strategies, and make sure that you’re fully aware of what you’re getting yourself into!
Prudent risk-taking recognizes that not all risks will lead to success, but also how these serve as valuable lessons for future decision-making. This way, we can work toward continuous improvement and adaptation in the face of changing circumstances!
Love watching Youtube beauty bloggers and their tutorials?
If you’ve ticked every box above, you’ve probably considered becoming a makeup artist at least once in your life. While you can be self-taught, thanks to the internet and the wealth of information available online today, there are also courses you can take to acquire a stronger foundation. There are even Diplomas/certifications if you desire to go even further.
We’ve put together a starter list of professional make up courses in Singapore that you can check out right below:
Course list
*All course fees are for 2023 intakes and are subject to changes depending on the school; fees do not include misc. fees. This is only a list and not an endorsement of the courses listed, so please do adequate research of your own before choosing any!
The School of Make-up was founded in 1999 and is headed by make-up guru Peter Angel Wanneck, who has more than 20 years of experience in the make-up industry. The school, located near Tanjong Pagar, has facilities such as Hydraulic Pump Adjustable Chairs and two full-mirrored classrooms. Aside from make-up courses, you can also take up hairstyling courses here. Check their portfolio out here.
Accreditation: The School of Make-up is registered with the Committee of Private Education
Duration: 3 days
Curriculum: The course will go through make up basics, such as Foundation Application and Lip Shaping, before teaching students how to do three makeup looks (casual day make up, sophisticated evening make up, as well as bridal make up). You’ll also learn a few hairstyling techniques/dos’, like the classy semi-up!
Classes involve demonstrations followed by hands-on sessions. A starter kit will be provided.
Course Fees: SGD 1288
Prospects: If you’re still keen to learn more, you can enrol in the Certificate of High Proficiency in Make-up Artistry course. More make-up looks and hairstyles will be covered, these including bridal accessories placement (hair) and B&W make-up.
One Academy is run by Taiwanese makeup and hairstyling mentor Ivy Chen, One Academy offers both personal and professional makeup classes. The Academy has done makeup for events like Liang Wern Fook’s Charity Concert. The Advanced Professional Makeup Artistry Course has a small class size of 4-8 people. For those looking to start from the beginning, the Academy also offers a Basic Course.
Accreditation: The school is currently not accredited by CPE.
Duration: 10 lessons. 3 hrs per lesson
Curriculum: The course covers content such as doll-like make-up techniques, stage make-up, bridal make-up, and so on.
Course Fees: SGD 1500
Prospects: You will be equipped with the skills to start out as a freelance makeup artist.
Tracy Immanuel is a makeup artist with seven years of experience, and she has worked with Mediacorp celebrities, brides and more. She offers courses for personal and professional makeup.
Accreditation: Tracy Immanuel MakeUp is currently not accredited by CPE.
Duration: Please enquire with Tracy
Curriculum: Please enquire with Tracy
Course Fees: Please enquire with Tracy
Prospects: You will be equipped with the skills to start out as a freelance makeup artist.
The 4-day concise makeup course is the first and only makeup course in Singapore that does not make use of concealer! The course is mentored by the school’s founder, makeup artist and consultant, Liren Neo, who has over 20 years of professional makeup experience—some of the work she has done includes corporate makeup for Fortune 500 companies and SMEs. Course notes and cosmetics will be provided.
Accreditation: The school is not certified with CPE.
Duration: 4 days, 6 hours each
Curriculum: Makeup fundamentals, how to create the double eyelid effect, day and evening makeup, wedding day makeup, taught through demonstrations and hands-on workshops.
Course Fees: SGD 1,800
Prospects: Improves your skills and opportunities to do freelance makeup work in Singapore. The school does offer other courses such as a Bridal Make-up course that will teach you Bridal Make-up skills, and a WSQ competency-based makeup course.
The Bloom Pro Academy offers a Professional Hair and Make-up course that can be taken full-time or part-time, for those interested in bridal makeup and hairstyling. Class sizes are small, and kept to 1–2 pax. All students will receive a free professional luxe 8-piece BloomKIT brush set, a Bloom Pro Academy Certificate of Completion, and 24/7 WA support.
Accreditation: The school is not certified with CPE.
Duration: 64 hours
Curriculum: Theory, bridal makeup, bridal hairstyling, full bridal look
Course Fees: $4500 for one-to-one class, $3500 for two pax class (per person). The academy also offers three-month instalment plans.
Prospects: Improves your skills and opportunities to do freelance makeup work in Singapore. The school offers trial classes if you are unsure about committing.
AESTA is made up of Artemis Beauty, a homegrown boutique providing professional semi-permanent makeup services and Esta Hsu Makeup, one of the leading makeup artists in Singapore. They offer a range of makeup courses, from personal makeup courses to professional makeup courses, as well as Master courses for the experienced.
You will be provided with a Certificate of Completion after the course.
Accreditation: The school is not certified with CPE.
D’Rose International Beauty Academy was established in 2020, but the makeup studio has been offering makeup courses since 2014. The professional course has been designed with current trends and demand in mind. Class sizes are small and according to the studio, the class can go toward International Baccalaureate diploma credit.
Accreditation: The school is not certified with CPE.
Duration: 50 hours (10 sessions, 5 hours each)
Curriculum: Use of cosmetics and tools, daily makeup/work makeup/dating makeup, Basic Hairstyles, current fashion makeup, makeup and styling of Japanese and Korean girl groups, Chinese makeup for stars, bridal makeup, Chinese style and ancient style makeup, Xiuhe suits bridal look
Course Fees: $2,680
Prospects: Improves your skills and opportunities to do freelance makeup work in Singapore.
The Asia Beauty-art-Experts Association (ABEA) started in Korea and, today, has branches and offices in Asia, South East Asia, Europe and the Americas. ABEA’s Makeup Masterclass comes with an artist make up kit, an ABEA Member Certificate and a Badge of Recognition, student consultation and support, and lifetime support from the association.
Group and one-to-one classes are available.
Accreditation: The school is not certified with CPE.
Duration: 4 days
Curriculum: Makeup application and tips, photoshoot and modelling makeup, Korean Water Dew makeup
Course Fees: Please enquire with ABEA
Prospects: Improves your skills and opportunities to do freelance makeup work
The Institute of Makeup Artistry offers a newly-launched course that, according to the school, is chock full of content and support for students. Written and taught by industry-leading makeup experts, they not only offer comprehensive learning materials and direct contact with a personal tutor, but also access to an exclusive Facebook group and a free website portfolio.
Curriculum: 12 modules and 12 (graded assignments). Modules will cover theatre stage makeup, special effects makeup and character makeup, just to name a few. It will also teach you some tips and basics on how to be a freelance make-up artist. For more information, please download the course prospectus.
Course Fees: SGD 1099. Payment in instalments is available.
Prospects: Be equipped with the skills to work as a freelance makeup artist.
Taken any of these courses? Share your feedback with us below, or drop us a comment if you have any to recommend!
Are you excited to embark on your educational journey at university? I bet you are! As a current undergraduate student, I know how daunting it can be to deal with all the application processes. Having gone through the nitty-gritty details, I will explain the university application process and the importance of taking your time to understand the respective course offerings.
Let’s dive right in: here are five tips that helped me during my university application process!
Tip 1: Start early
It would help if you started as early as possible as early as possible, especially since there are so many courses to look through and schools to compare against. Many students overlook the importance of getting started early, or some are too overwhelmed to know where to start.
Firstly, create a timeline of the important application dates of the prospective universities you are aiming for. Log them into your Google Calendars or your phone’s calendars and turn on a reminder one day before. Secondly, make rough notes of the potential courses you are interested in and those you want to learn more about. Having a clear to-do list while course searching is beneficial to not miss out on any information you need! Thirdly, ensure that you check the respective university requirements.
Speaking from personal experience, I did not prepare my CCA Transcripts and Recognition Letters until it was one day before the deadline! So do not be like me and check all the necessary documents that you would require for the respective school’s application process.
Tip 2: Research universities thoroughly
Researching all the available universities is crucial before applying. I know many of us make a beeline for the university our friends want to attend, the one offering our favourite course, or even what is deemed popular in society.
It’s okay to narrow down your scope, but your first step is to acknowledge what other courses are out there. Open up a blank Word document or write them down in a notebook that you always use. List all the factors to consider, such as location, programs, campus culture, and student body.
Tip 3: Know your strengths and interests
It’s important to know what your strengths, weaknesses, and, most importantly, your interests are. The million-dollar question everyone asks is, do we follow our passion or what earns more? While there isn’t a wrong choice, make sure the decision is solely yours and not one instigated by external factors. After identifying what you want to pursue, start researching programs that align with your strengths and interests.
Tip 4: Make a strong application
You only have one shot to impress your interviewer and definitely don’t want to mess it up. For every strong application, make sure you include the following:
This list is not definite, and I strongly urge you to check against the respective university’s application requirements.
How to create a strong application:
Now comes the part where everyone gets overwhelmed: crafting an amazing application. Some university applications require applicants to submit a 500-word personal essay on a specific topic. Start practising your writing and interviewing skills weeks or even months before the deadline. Your university application essay is a chance to show the admissions committee who you are, what you’ve experienced, and what you’ve accomplished. To start, make sure you read the essay prompt carefully and brainstorm ideas that reflect your strengths and interests. Be bold and use specific examples to illustrate your points and create a story that flows well.
Remember, practice makes perfect! So, it’s a great idea to start practising your writing and interview skills well before the application deadline. You can set aside time specifically to work on your essay and ask for feedback from teachers, mentors, or peers to help you improve. Don’t worry about revising your essay several times to ensure it’s polished and truly reflects your best self.
It’s normal to feel nervous during the application process but try not to let it overshadow your talents and accomplishments. Remember, the admissions committee is interested in getting to know the real you, so be authentic and honest in your essay.
You can do this!
The university application process can be challenging and overwhelming, but with proper organization, you can make it a manageable journey. Keeping track of deadlines is crucial to avoid missing out on admission to your desired university. Utilizing tools such as spreadsheets or calendars can help you prioritize tasks, allocate your time efficiently, and manage your workload effectively.
In addition, it is important to take the time to research universities thoroughly, identify your strengths and interests, and make a strong application that showcases your abilities and achievements.
By following these tips, you can make the university application process less daunting and increase your chances of success. Remember that this is an exciting journey towards achieving your educational goals, and by staying organized and focused, you can make the most out of this experience. Take your time, get feedback, and show off your unique qualities to increase your chances of getting into the university of your dreams.
Public speaking is the art of designing and delivering a presentation live before an audience, and it gives many of us the jitters.
This you most of the time? I can relate.
Like it or hate it, it plays a major role in many people’s lives, both in one’s career (this includes school!) and personal life. From presentations to speeches, good public speaking skills help us to:
Come across as more knowledgeable of our subject material
Look confident and stand out from our peers
Lead better by being able to communicate effectively
Better position oneself as a thought leader
Improve our critical thinking skills (from having to organise the flow of speeches, for example)
If you’d like to brush up on your public speaking, consider taking a course! Public speaking courses help you learn from professionals while giving you a chance to polish your skills in the classroom in front of a ready audience! Of course, classes like these will only achieve maximum results if you continue to practise even after they’ve ended.
Here’s a list of places in Singapore where you can take a public speaking class!
Course List For Adults
* All fees are in SGD unless otherwise stated and are up to date as of May 2023. This is only a list and not an endorsement of the courses listed, so please do adequate research of your own before choosing any course!
Knowles Training Institute focuses on delivering corporate training, with past clients including the likes of Mediacorp and ST Engineering. Their Ultimate Public Speaking Skill Mastery Course has a class size ranging between 5–20 participants and provides a lot of materials to enhance learning. Materials comprise a Public Speaking Skill Learner’s Guide, Key Takeaway Notes, an Essentials Ebook, course handouts, a 30-Day Action Plan, a MindMaps Pack, copies of the course’s PowerPoint slides, a Long-term Memory Flash Cards Pack, an E-Learning Course, an Online Video Course, an AudioBook, and an Infographics Pack. All participants will receive a Certificate of Completion.
Duration: 2 days (9am–5pm)
Fees: $889
What you’ll learn: Taught via blended-learning, course objectives include learning how to identify various public speaking methods, how to identify your audience before a speech, how to create an outline of your speech, how to flesh out your speech, how to deliver your speech and overcome nervousness, as well as how to handle difficult questions and answers.
Founded by Darren Tay, the winner of the 2016 World Championship of Public Speaking sponsored by Toastmasters International, the Public Speaking Academy offers a variety of courses from kid to adult level. The World Champion Certification Programme is a regular group training class with a small class size (15 students max). Practice is intense; students will get to spend up to 70% of class time putting into practice the theories and techniques they have learnt. Participants will receive printed handouts and video recordings of their own speech deliveries so that they may perform an evaluation of their performances at the conclusion of the course.
Duration: 3 months (weekly lessons, each lesson being 2 hours long)
What you’ll learn: Body language, Language Skills, Impromptu speaking techniques, Interview skills, Powerpoint Presentation skills, Emceeing, Persuasive Speech, Informative Speech, Advanced Linguistic skills
Fees: 240/4 lessons, 720 total (nett, optional exam fee at $60)
Established in 1934, the British Council is the UK’s international cultural relations and educational opportunities organisation. They offer English and Corporate Training Courses, and their Effective Public Speaking Workshop is open to anyone interested in becoming a better public speaker. Participants will learn how to develop and deliver a speech on a topic of their choice and will receive feedback from fellow participants and their trainer.
Classes are held at British Council’s Toa Payoh Centre.
Duration: 2 days
What you’ll learn: How to plan, build, and deliver a speech (examples of topics include using frameworks and rhetorical devices), giving impromptu talks, and managing emotions.
Fees: 1,049.00 (excluding GST)
SkillsFuture Claimable: Please enquire with British Council (Singapore)
Be The VOICE Academy is a presentation skills training centre that believes speaking well is an art which can be learnt. Founded by Brian Lee, who got a taste of teaching voice training when coaching the emcees of the Singapore Armed Forces for the National Day Parade, the Academy offers a range of corporate, individual and educational programmes. Their clients include organisations such as SMU and Shell. Their Presentation Skills Program is a program catered to individuals that covers the finer details of what makes a successful presentation, such as body language and ways to control the fear of inadequacy.
Duration: Please enquire directly with Be the VOICE Academy.
What you’ll learn: How to overcome stage fright, presentation secrets and skills
Fees: Please enquire directly with Be the VOICE Academy.
SkillsFuture Claimable: Please enquire directly with Be the VOICE Academy.
The executive education arm of the Singapore Institute of Management, SIM Professional Development, currently offers over 500 executive and business programmes. This programme is one of their spoken communication offerings catering to Administrative and Support staff, Supervisors and Managers (both emerging and new), as well as executives. It will be led by Tan Teck Huat, a professional speaker, speech and voice trainer, and all participants will receive a dictionary to take home and aid their learning with.
Duration: 2 days
What you’ll learn: As per the course outline, participants will learn how to prepare and write their speech’s text, manage stage fright, vocal expression, voice production and clear speech, as well as articulation and pronunciation techniques. Participants will also go through an individual speech and voice analysis.
Fees: $690 for non-members, $600 for SIM members (pre-GST). An early bird fee of 540 is available, and non-members are welcome to sign up for membership to enjoy the discounted rate.
SkillsFuture Claimable: Please enquire with SIM Professional Education.
Speak Sell Succeed offers their public speaking courses in two formats: a 2-day workshop and 8-session course. Participants will be provided course materials, refreshments, and post-course support in the form of unlimited review classes and consultations. For the 8-session course, each week revolves around a presentation or public speaking topic. There will be opportunities to practice speeches and presentations during each session, with feedback and suggestions provided
Duration: Choose from a 2-day workshop or an 8-session weekly course
What you’ll learn: non-verbal communication tools, verbal communication tools, your speaking habits and behaviours as well as how to improve or rectify them, and more
The Public Speaking Academy also offers classes for youths and teens! Everyone will be divided into three age groups (Lower Pri, Upper Pri and Sec & Teens) so that they can focus on developing the relevant communication skills. Monthly themes help students hone their skills in the different types of public speaking, which range from persuasive speech to interview skills.
Duration: 1-year syllabus, with a minimum commitment of 3 months
Fees: $260–290 for four lessons, depending on the age range
What you’ll learn: Foundational skills (such as body language), communication skills (such as interview skills)
The Champion Communication Programme aims to teach students the 7Cs of communication, these being confidence, clarity and conciseness, collaboration, content, critical thinking, creativity and lastly, a champion mindset. According to the school, exercises will be tailored to address each kid’s learning goals.
Classes are available for students aged 4–16, with younger students taking the preparatory course. Students will be exposed to communication modes such as storytelling, vlogging, hosting, and news reporting. They will be able to obtain certifications from Trinity College for Communication Skills and Speech & Drama.
This course is for those aged 6–18 and is conducted online in small class sizes (1 to 5 students). There will be group discussions, simulations, and an edutech platform to help your child/you learn better.
Duration: Please enquire with the school.
Fees: Please enquire with the school.
What you’ll learn: Questioning techniques, empathy, emotional intelligence, how to interact with people, body language, how to tailor speeches to audiences and more.
The public speaking course offered by the Helen O’Grady Drama Academy offers a uniquely structured curriculum where no lesson is the same. Classes are conducted in small groups of no more than 12 students and centred around topics and themes relevant to these age groups. If you aren’t ready to commit to a longer course, they also run holiday bootcamps!
Classes are conducted for two age groups: Primary School and Secondary School.
Duration: Classes take place weekly, and each session is an hour long. There are 10 lessons per term, for a total of four terms, but students are welcome to join any time.
Fees: Please enquire with the school
What you’ll learn: speech writing, verbal and non-verbal communication skills, how to engage audience, ad-libbing and more
We hope you’ll grow to be unafraid of public speaking with the help of these courses (or some practice facing a mirror, whichever is best)! May you stand bravely and own the stage. Best of luck!
If you’re a university student, chances are, you’re trying to get that 5.0 CAP or 4.0 GPA, stay involved in your CCA and leadership roles, maintain your family and social life, and even work part-time for extra pocket money.
If you’ve ever felt like you’re trying to squeeze 60 hours into 24 hours, these different productivity tools are for you! While they cannot help you time travel like Hermione Granger’s Time-Turner, they help you organise your life efficiently and maximise your productivity.
Here is an overview of the 10 productivity tools and their features:
Tool
Key Feature(s)
Collaborative
Complexity
Connectivity
Notion
Note-taking, project and task organisation, scheduling
●
Complex
Syncs across app and desktop
Trello
Task organisation
●
Moderate
Syncs across app and desktop
Google Keep
Note-taking, task organisation, reminders
●
Easy
Syncs across app and desktop
Todoist
Task organisation
●
Moderate
Syncs across app and destop
Canva
Design posters, presentation slides, diagrams, and more
●
Easy
Syncs across app and desktop
Miro
Digital whiteboard mind maps, flowcharts, diagrams, and more
●
Easy
Syncs across app and desktop
Google Jamboard
Digital whiteboard for mind maps, flowcharts and diagrams
●
Easy
Syncs across app and desktop
When2meet
Collate availabilities of a group of people
●
Easy
NA
Google Calendar
Scheduling
●
Easy
Syncs across app and desktop
Zotero
Reference management, in-text citations, bibliography generation, and note-taking
●
Moderate
Syncs across app (only iOS) and desktop
All-in-one organisational tool
1. Notion
Credits to: https://www.notion.so/
Notion is a versatile tool that can help you keep all your university-related information in one place. You can create pages for different classes, projects and assignments, and even share them with your classmates. Notion is especially great for collaborative projects, as it allows you to assign tasks and track progress.
Unique functions:
Customise according to your needs — from simple to-do lists to more complex project management systems
Use available student templates such as Student Dashboard, Grade Calculator, Cornell Notes System, and more!
Create Teamspaces where you can organise content and collaborate for group projects
To-do lists
2. Trello
Credits to: Trello
Trello is a project management tool that uses boards, lists, and cards to help you organise your tasks. You can create different boards for different classes, and add cards for assignments, readings, and study sessions. Trello also has a mobile app, so you can stay on top of your tasks on the go.
Unique functions:
Clear visual interface, which makes it easy to see what you need to do at a glance
Collaborate with teammates and organise tasks, delegate tasks, as well as monitor the progress of tasks
Satisfying drag-and-drop functionality for moving tasks up and down in the same list or between lists
3. Google Keep
Credits to: Google
Google Keep is a simple note-taking app that lets you jot down ideas, make to-do lists, and set reminders. You can also add images and voice memos to your notes, and they’ll sync across your devices. If you’re looking for a simple platform for short notes, to-do-lists, and reminders, this is a great option!
Unique functions:
Clear visual interface and simple to use
Colour-code your notes to categorise them and keep them organised
Google Keep is integrated with other Google apps, such as Google Drive and Google Calendar, making it easy to access your notes and reminders anywhere
4. Todoist
Credits to: Todoist
Todoist is a powerful to-do list app that can help you stay on top of your assignments and deadlines. You can create different projects for different classes, and set due dates and priorities for each task. As with the previous organisational tools, Todoist allows you to collaborate with other users on shared projects.
Unique functions:
The “Today” view shows you what you need to do each day
Todoist’s gamification features, such as streaks and karma points, can make productivity feel like a game (albeit a very serious one)
Use labels to tag each task, such as the importance level of tasks, the nature of tasks, estimated time taken for tasks, and more!
Visuals
5. Canva
Credits to: Canva
Canva is every graphic-design-challenged student’s best friend — whether it’s posters, presentations, or infographics, Canva’s got you covered with a wide variety of templates. With the help of the graphic design tool, you can create professional-looking visuals in no time. You can also create mind maps, timelines, flowcharts and more!
Unique functions:
Very beginner-friendly for those with no designing experience!
Versatile and can be used for different subjects — from chart elements for data visualisation, to mood boards and visualising frameworks
Wide variety of free templates for you to choose from
6. Miro
Credits to: Miro
Miro is an online whiteboard for visual collaboration — be it brainstorming and ideation, mapping and diagramming, or strategy and planning. Business students might find some of the available templates handy, such as elaborate customer journey maps, campaign planning timelines, and matrix frameworks. This suits visual learners who want to make their projects stand out.
Miro also lets you work with your classmates in real-time. You can create digital whiteboards, flowcharts, and mind maps, and invite others to contribute.
Unique functions:
Infinite canvas — you can create digital boards as large as you need and include a lot of details — zoom in and out to see the big picture or go into important details
Versatile and can be used for different subjects
Wide variety of free templates for you to choose from
7. Google Jamboard
Credits to: Google
Google Jamboard is a digital whiteboard that lets you sketch out ideas and collaborate with others in real-time. You can add images, sticky notes, and even post-it notes to your board, and share it with your group mates. Google Jamboard is perfect for brainstorming sessions and group presentations.
Unique functions:
Simple and easy-to-use interface for simple brainstorming
Laser function comes in handy for presentations
Google Jamboard is integrated with other Google apps, which means that you can easily share your board with others and access it anywhere
Scheduling
8. When2meet
Credits to: When2meet
When2meet is a simple scheduling tool that lets you find the best time for a group meeting. You can create a custom calendar with available time slots and share it with your group mates. When everyone has filled in their availability, When2meet will generate a schedule that works for everyone.
Unique functions:
Simple and straightforward website to visually identify common time slots
9. Google Calendar
Credits to: Google
Google Calendar is a no-brainer — it’s a simple yet powerful scheduling tool that helps you keep track of all your classes, extracurricular activities, deadlines, and more. You can create different calendars for different aspects of your life, and colour-code them for easy reference. To coordinate schedules with classmates or even your friends and family, simply share your calendar with others to view each other’s schedules and common free slots.
Unique functions:
Schedule recurring events such as classes or meetings for a specified timeframe
Colour-code your calendar for easy visual reference
Google Calendar is also integrated with other Google apps, such as Gmail and Google Meet
Writing & Citations
10. Zotero
Credits to: Zotero
Zotero is a reference management tool that can help you keep track of all of your sources for papers and projects. You can create bibliographies and citations in various formats, and Zotero will even automatically capture information from websites and PDFs.
Unique functions:
The Zotero extension allows you to save sources from your browser in one click.
The Zotero word processor plugin assists you with in-text citations and bibliography generation.
Share folders with group mates to collaborate on reference lists.
So there you have it: 10 free productivity tools that can help you manage your busy university life and collaborate with classmates. Don’t underestimate these humble tools – they can potentially save you lots of time tracking sources and writing bibliographies, help you to overcome the inertia to organise and manage your tasks, or even bring your projects up a notch with impressive and engaging visuals!
Looking for a meaningful way to spend your time or just something to do? Why not consider volunteering, then?
Committing our time and energy might seem intimidating to most of us, but it really shouldn’t be the case—especially if you find something closely aligned with your interests and capabilities. There are plenty of volunteering opportunities in SG, and you can help in a huge range of capacities! We’ll get the ball rolling by starting you off with a brief list.
Is the library your second home? Lend your assistance to NLB’s various initiatives! Volunteers can help with programme facilitation and curation, library and patron support, or event management.
Some cool opportunities include the chance to create book displays, help with the indoor garden, and film digital storytelling videos. Ad-hoc volunteering opportunities are also available.
Want to spend your time meaningfully while meeting like-minded peers? Youth Corps Singapore offers volunteering opportunities that are Service-based, Event-based or Skills-based, all with various commitment durations.
There’s just about something for everyone. If you are an avid crafter, you can help out in painting activities for the elderly. If you enjoy the company of elders, you can take part in bonding sessions with seniors at GoodLife! Makan. Passionate about helping fellow youths? Join the Dolphin Befrienders Programme, where you’ll help facilitate weekly mentorship sessions for youths at risk!
Each opportunity may have different requirements; do check their listings for more information.
If you’re a Computer Science student or just a whiz at the Python/Scratch programming language(s), Code in the Community is one way to give back! A Google-sponsored initiative that aims to teach 3000 young Singaporeans from less well-to-do backgrounds basic coding skills over three years, the programme welcomes volunteers to contribute as instructors or assistant instructors. You must be willing to commit for at least six weeks.
Before volunteering commences, you must commit to a mandatory check-in session and 6–8 hours of independent e-learning (materials will be provided).
An Institute of Public Character (IPC), New Life Stories is a non-profit organisation which works toward providing children of incarcerated mothers educational assistance at the preschool level. The organisation seeks volunteers to be Learning Friends (reading volunteers) to children aged 3 to 12.
As a volunteer, you will befriend your young friends through conversations, English storytelling, creative activities and play. The minimum commitment level is an hour weekly, for a period of six months.
If you’re above 18 and are looking for a slightly different kind of volunteering, the Singapore Police Force has the Volunteer Special Constabulary (Community) vocation you can sign up for. Training is spread over six months (you’ll pick up Police procedures, Police defence tactics, as well as first-aid), and you’d be required to perform at least 16 hours of patrol duty monthly. Shifts are typically after office hours, with an hourly duty allowance of $4.60.
VSC Community officers are deployed in Neighbourhood Police Centres and will not carry arms.
An independent registered charity, Playeum works closely with children from at-risk backgrounds, and children with disabilities, to provide them the space and time to play creatively in a safe social environment. They also organise public festivals to showcase the power of creative play. So, if you’re great with children or full of creative spark, this could be right up your alley! You can either sign up to be a Creative Practitioner, Creative Facilitator or Programme Volunteer.
The Food Bank Singapore needs a variety of volunteers to help them with their operations. You could choose to assist with their operations, marketing, R&D or advocacy efforts. Roles range from delivery assistants to event planners and food bank ambassadors. Most voluntary roles allow for flexible timings.
The organisation also requires warehouse volunteers to help sort, take inventory, and pack food donations. Slots open one month in advance, and each session is three hours long.
IRR is an organisation that aims to improve migrant workers’ lives in Singapore by fostering understanding between Singaporeans and workers, providing supplies and encouraging conversation on important issues, and hosting them for a meal, amongst others.
You can sign up to volunteer for their in-house programmes, which include workers’ English virtually, or sign up as a youth volunteer!
Kindlespark is a registered social enterprise connecting tutors to students who require academic assistance, regardless of their socio-economic background. You can sign up to be a paid or pro bono tutor, with the former being paid SGD10–20 hourly depending on student level, and assist with ad-hoc homework questions on the group’s Telegram channel.
You are advised to commit until the end of an academic year to minimise disruption to your tutee’s studies. You must be at least 17 years of age.
Did you know that the Esplanade has volunteering opportunities?
Available roles include Welcome Ambassadors, Festival Assistants (with opportunities to be part of trial audiences!), CARE Buddies (assisting with community engagement programmes and helping guests with diverse needs) and skill-based ones (emcees, technical, artists, speakers). Do fill in their form if you have a fondness for the Arts!
Passionate about the Arts? If so, be an NAC Art Volunteer and spend even more time being exposed to what you love! NAC has a range of volunteer roles that will appeal to all groups of people. Common roles listed by NAC include Arts Befrienders, Photographers, Skills-based Volunteers, Artist Liaison Officers, and Venue Managers.
Different roles and different events require varying levels of commitment. Volunteers will be briefed, and having an arts background is not compulsory.
Enjoy visiting museums, or do you sit on the other end of the spectrum thinking that what lies within is too inaccessible? Whichever end you’re on, a volunteering stint at the museum could be what you’re looking for! The National Museum of Singapore recruits volunteers annually to help out with Front-desk support duties/support to visitors with additional needs/other support and volunteer services. You must be above 18 years old, be people-oriented, and be able to commit for at least two years.
You must also be a Friends of the Museums (FOMs) member.
Love animals? You can apply to become a Docent or Conservation Ambassador with Mandai Wildlife Reserve! Docents must be above 21, and Conservation Ambassadors must be between 15–21 years old. Both roles require you to undergo training and commit to a monthly duty of 2 hours per session, for at least a year.
Docents will need to pay a donation fee of SGD150, and Conservation Ambassadors a training fee of SGD30.
Have you seen the charming feline friends over at Keep C.A.T.S? If you haven’t, the time is now! The animal welfare organization helps to rescue, rehome, and sterilize stray cats (pst, they also offer paid pet photography!). Ways to volunteer abound, including becoming fosterers, transporters, designers or photographers, and so on! You could also choose to become a sponsor, too.
If you are a cat lover, confirm plus chop, we think this volunteering opportunity couldn’t get any better. Love Kuching Project allows ad-hoc volunteers (requests must be made at least five days in advance due to size constraints) for their Play/Clean sessions. They’re exactly what they sound like: help the foster kitties maintain a clean dwelling while getting the chance to play with them! The best part is that the sessions are usually held daily in the evenings so you can pop by after work/a tiring day at school.
A no-kill animal shelter that’s home to around 700 dogs and cats, Animal Lovers League welcomes both ad-hoc and long-term volunteers while gently reminding interested parties for the latter to be prepared to commit to less than glamorous tasks. Volunteer work includes showering, walking the dogs, and cleaning the shelter’s facilities. There is no pressure if you’re not ready to be in it for the long haul. You can help ALL in their ad-hoc events (booth manning and dog handling, for example) or help them with writing/photography/design-based tasks!
SoSD has a variety of volunteering activities you can participate in, but if you like interacting with humans and/or having a dog, why not consider the Healing Paws programme? You can sign up as a dog-handling volunteer or an AAA (Assisted Animal Activities) assistant and participate in regular weekly sessions conducted in several institutions. Do note that dogs will have to undergo an assessment to ensure they’re a fit for the programme.
Found something yet? We hope so!
However, if nothing on this list is hitting the spot, you could try downloading the SG Volunteers/SG Cares app!
If you’ve wanted to volunteer but are unsure how to start, the SG eCares app is an easy way to find opportunities! If you’ve been intimidated by the idea of volunteering, let the app’s stories and inspirations tabs help you out with that, too. (:
This is an article for our Support Local series; check out the others here!
Don’t nice mugs and homeware make your day?
They certainly make mine! There’s just something different about holding a ceramic bowl in your hands and eating your favourite meals out of it. A ceramic piece’s solid weight and texture engage our senses, elevating the dining experience. They also serve as lovely decor for the home.
If you, like me, see the value of a hand-thrown bowl, dainty spoon or colourful vase, I’ve got you! Let me introduce you to a few local ceramic artists whose works you may just find tough to resist.
Appreciate a good pun or quirky-looking animals? Troopsonprint is the brand for you! Gabrielle offers a wide variety of lifestyle goods, ranging from stickers and postcards to shirts and, of course, ceramics! Her pottery is hand-built, resulting in one-of-a-kind pieces that will brighten your home.
I really like her “Are You Serious” animals, Little Pin series (her own character), florals and hidden animal cups! You can check out her Instagram account for past works. I own a few cups and plates, and I can say they’re some of the cutest dishwares I own!
Polkaros’s playful and whimsical style will worm its way into your heart!
The brand’s works are influenced by Japanese traditional crafts and modern zakka (“miscellaneous goods” or functional items with a decorative element). Ros, the artist, often incorporates vibrant colours, intricate patterns, and playful motifs into her art and pieces.
Apart from Japanese elements, Ros’ works also draw inspiration from the French Pierrot, and her works often sport a cute red nose and angelic features. Spot her signature characters, Yuki and Pierrot, in her other products!
Ros has run ceramic workshops where you can learn to make your own cute pots or dishware if that’s what you’re keen on! Check out her website for workshop dates and availability.
Tiny Supply is the effort of two sisters, Celine and Carolyn. The brand sells handmade brooches, earrings, and of course, tableware! Their dapper-looking little animals are sure to charm: the more popular ones being the cat, fox and sloth. Their mugs and bowls sell out fast during launches!
In recent years, the duo have also gone on to explore more designs, resulting in pieces such as their story/scenery mugs and “tiny house atop a lake” dishes.
If you are in need of a gift or some accessories for yourself, check out the really adorable animal studs and brooches too!
Like Tiny Supply, Eastfield Ceramics is also a two-woman duo. Singapore-based Sam and Megan create lovely homeware in lovely shapes and colourways, with the former taking care of the throwing and the latter handling the glazing. Fun fact: their brand name is derived from their surnames!
Many of Eastfield Ceramic’s pieces are inspired by and centred around food, which might explain why many of their wares are named after mouth-watering food and beverages! They place importance on both the visual and tactile aspects of each piece, and how it feels to use them — making every piece a delight to use.
Lithops Studio has a huge fan following, and it’s not hard to see why! She crafts delicate little woodland animals and other critters out of ceramic, sprinkling them with gold accents and whimsical poses. Her ceramic wares range from charming vases to incense holders, so there’s something for everyone.
She also sells necklaces that will brighten up anyone’s day.
If you like her work, here’s a warning: they sell out quickly! In recent shop updates, her pieces have been sold out within 5 minutes. Get ready with the fastest internet connection and PC you have. You snooze, you lose.
Eat and Sip is a Singapore-based store selling curated handmade tableware from all around the world. It showcases both local and international ceramic artists, and scrolling through their inventory is dangerous: you’ll find many pieces you’ll really want to add to cart and collect for your home.
We wanted to give a shoutout to No.3, the store’s flagship home brand!! It features works made by the co-founder, Liyuan, and her latest series features quirky pieces with asymmetrical forms and a whole lot of charm. The Whimsy Straight Mug, for example, may quickly become your go-to drinking vessel: its uniquely-shaped handle not only adds some fun, but also provides your fingers a solid grip.
We hope your eyes have had a visual treat viewing all the lovely pieces, and that you’ve had a good peek into what local potters or artists have to offer! Why not check more out when time allows? Who knows, you may just find that perfect piece to keep and treasure for years to come!
You want to do great work that makes a direct impact on society. You see an opportunity to build something special. You’re gung-ho and determined, resilient and persistent.
You sound like an entrepreneur in the making! If you have the gumption but don’t know a single thing about starting a business, don’t be discouraged. Everyone has to start from somewhere, and we’ve assembled a list of courses that can help you gain some of the know-how you’ll need. Some of these are for individuals further along their entrepreneurship journey but are worth aspiring towards!
Without further ado, here’s a starter list of courses:
*All course fees are accurate as of Apr 2023 and are subject to changes depending on the school/centre. All fees are in SGD unless otherwise stated. This is neither a non-exhaustive list nor an endorsement of the courses listed; please conduct sufficient research to make sure a course fits your needs!
This intensive two-day bootcamp aims to equip aspiring entrepreneurs with practical knowledge and tools to increase their chances of success in launching and commercializing new startup ideas. The program will cover product/service validation tools, providing participants with actionable methods to develop and translate their product/service concepts into tangible product/service builds.
Attendees will learn how to approach ideation in a systematic way, create a compelling value proposition, validate customer feedback, build a prototype, and develop product/service requirements and a roadmap.
Course candidates must have at least 5 years of work experience to be eligible for this bootcamp.
Curriculum: 4 modules, namely Ideas and Opportunities, Building a Business, Financing a Business, as well as Sources of Investment respectively
Fees: SGD 2,268 (as low as SGD $235.60 after maximum funding)
Duration: 2 days (9am–6pm). The next run will take place from 17–18 October.
Online Courses
ACRA – Essentials of Starting a Business (ESB)
This free course by ACRA covers the administrative aspect of running a business, with content tailored towards aspiring entrepreneurs.
Curriculum: Covers eight topics such as GST, CPF Contributions, Filing Tax Returns and more
This is a course covering the basic principles necessary to start and operate a business. Lecturers with entrepreneurial and business experience teach it.
Curriculum: Covers topics such as Marketing Analysis, Financing, Business Planning, Legal Issues.
Fees: SGD $588.50 for Singaporeans and S$594.00 for repeat students/non-Singaporeans. This course is SkillsFuture credit claimable. Course fees can go as low as SGD $66.55 after relevant schemes or initiatives.
Duration: 27 hours. The next course run will be from 3-6 October.
Geared towards students, aspiring entrepreneurs, as well as emerging entrepreneurs, Harvard Business Online’s Entrepreneurship Essentials course is taught by William Sahlman, an entrepreneur and Professor Emeritus at Harvard Business School. It delivers 25–30 hours of material, covering the entrepreneurial journey from finding an idea to raising capital. Key features of the course include real-world, case-based learning and the teaching of the ‘People, Opportunity, Context, and Deal’ framework.
Course finishers will receive a Certificate of Completion.
Curriculum: 4 modules, namely Ideas and Opportunities, Building a Business, Financing a Business, as well as Sources of Investment respectively
Part of Stanford University, the Stanford Center for Professional Development offers paid entrepreneurship courses that you can check out! Course topics range from Building Company Culture to The Power of Stories to Fuel Innovation. Course content will be presented by Stanford faculty and top Silicon Valley leaders via lectures, interviews, and talks. You’ll finish the course having a better understanding of how to grow your customer base, lead innovative teams, and more.
If you’re not ready to commit, the program has a free preview!
Curriculum: Topics include Business Model Innovation, Leading Innovation, Achieving Innovation through Inspiration, as well as Cultivating the Entrepreneurial Mindset.
Fees: USD $1,095 per course (approx. SGD$1,462.25)
Duration: Course takers earn a Stanford Professional Certificate in Innovation and Entrepreneurship after completing eight courses in this program.
Amity Global Institute is part of the Amity Education Group, which has over 20 years of experience in education. Their Diploma in Entrepreneurship is taught via lectures, tutorials, seminars, case-studies analysis, simulations, business games, research journal reading as well as discussions. There will be a project. Both students and mature applicants are welcome.
Curriculum: Topics covered include Introduction to Entrepreneurship, Key Issues in Business: People, Markets, & Money, Learning & Skills Development in Management, Business Statistics, Entrepreneurial Marketing, and Building the Entrepreneurial Organisation
Fees: SGD $7,500 for local students and $10,500 for international students (excluding GST and misc. fees)
Duration: 1 year (full-time and part-time available)
This is a Certificate/Minor in Entrepreneurship jointly offered by SUSS and Alibaba Cloud that is open to both students and members of the public who have fulfilled CET admission eligibility criteria. Students will receive an introduction to Cloud computing by Alibaba Cloud, Alibaba Cloud Credit for the duration of the programme, and mentorship from Alibaba Cloud, startup advisors and C-level industry experts. You can apply for admission as an individual or as a group, and must have at least a running prototype.
Curriculum: Includes topics like Entrepreneurship, Public Speaking, Cloud Computing, and Start-Up Funding
Fees: NA (there is an application fee)
Duration: 2.5 years if taking it as a Certificate in Entrepreneurship
The SUTD Technology Entrepreneurship Programme is an integrated programme that will see students graduate with a Bachelor of Engineering or Bachelor of Science, along with a Master of Science in Technology Entrepreneurship. Students will get to spend terms at the University of California and a Chinese University, plus go through a work immersion experience in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Curriculum: Entrepreneurship and business modules, work immersion, studies abroad
Fees: S$7,175 per Master’s term, S$6,750 per undergraduate term
A joint degree programme offered by the Nanyang Technopreneurship Centre and Nanyang Business School, this degree also lets you specialise in Actuarial Science, Banking & Finance, Business Analytics, Human Resource Consulting, International Trading, Marketing, or Risk Analytics. The programme offers a 20-week, hands-on experiential session that introduces you to start-ups, venture capital firms, entrepreneurship support organisations, and corporation innovation setups.
Curriculum: Entrepreneurship modules include Social Entrepreneurship, Entrepreneurial Marketing and Business Development, Entrepreneurial Ecosystems, as well as Technopreneurial Mindset and Technology Innovation
Fees: S$9,450 for Singaporeans, S$13,250 for Permanent Residents and s$20,400 for international students per academic year
Offered by the School of Continuing and Lifelong Education, the Master of Science in Venture Creation is supported by NUS Entreprise. It strongly focuses on experiential learning, offers a summer program, internship, and practicum, and offers students access to modules across six academic departments ranging from the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine to NUS Business School.
Curriculum: Core modules include a Summer Programme in Entrepreneurship, an Experiential Entrepreneurship Internship, a Lean Startup Practicum, as well as New Venture Creation. Options for elective modules are varied and include Digital Transformation & Strategy, Entrepreneurial Management, New Venture Finance, and Intellectual Property Basics for Entrepreneurs.
Fees: $50,000 (excluding GST and misc. fees)
Duration: 12 to 18 months (full-time)
Others
We list some programmes that may be of interest too!
SUSS Impact Startup Challenge
This is a BootCamp open to SUSS students and alumni aged 18 and above. It exposes participants to the startup ecosystem, the Lean Startup Model, business pitching, and overseas market access and opportunities for those taking part in the Overseas edition.
Participants will attend workshops, go on study visits, hear from investors and founders,
Fees: $180 for CET students (excluding GST and misc. fees), prevailing course fees for current SUSS students
Duration: 7 weeks
Entrepreneurship is a tough journey. We hope you’re ready for what it takes and learn from the ones who’ve been on the journey before you. We wish you all the best!
(Know a school or organisation with great entrepreneurship courses we’ve yet to mention? Do get in touch!)
Artificial intelligence (AI) has revolutionized the way we live and learn. Today, AI technology can increase student learning, help with research, and even provide real-time feedback on assignments.
This article explores five AI tools that may help current students and fresh graduates succeed in their studies and beyond. We don’t recommend becoming too dependent on AI, though: it’s best to have a strong foundation before.
1) Programming Helper
If you are a programming student who doesn’t want to get stuck writing code for your projects or professional work, Programming Helper can help.
This AI tool simplifies the process of writing and understanding code. It can read complex coding languages such as C++ and Java with ease, as well as translate languages, generate HTML from the description, and fix invalid code.
What’s more, Programming Helper is incredibly easy-to-use and accessible from any device connected to the internet — no matter where you are, you can access it without any hassle!
Considering that almost fifty percent of students drop out of introductory programming courses[i], this AI technology may aid computer science students looking to launch a successful programming career.
2) TutorAI
TutorAI is an innovative online learning platform that allows students to learn anything they desire, making education more accessible and effective.
With TutorAI, students can access a vast library of courses on various topics including science, mathematics, literature, art, and more.
The platform creates customised learning paths based on your abilities by using machine learning algorithms to understand each student’s strengths and weaknesses. You’ll be able to work at your own pace without feeling overwhelmed or left behind.
TutorAI also offers interactive lessons that include video lectures, quizzes, assignments, and instructor feedback, creating an environment that supports each student’s individual needs and goals.
3) Scholarcy
Scholarcy is a powerful AI tool that simplifies reading and summarizing complex research papers, allowing users to focus on the most important information.
Whether you’re a student, researcher, or professional, Scholarcy can help you read smarter by streamlining your workflow and enhancing your productivity.
Scholarcy allows you to easily upload any research paper or article to the platform while the AI scrolls through the text, identifying key concepts and themes before generating a summary that captures the most important information.
Another one of Scholarcy’s advantages is its ability to be customized according to users’ needs. This means that no matter what research is being conducted, Scholarcy can be tailored to its specific requirements. For example, if the user prefers reading in a certain font or colour scheme, they can set this up within the app. Similarly, if certain keywords or phrases that a user wants to be highlighted while reading through research papers, they can be added with ease.
In addition, the platform’s AI can create a reference summary that includes details of all the references used to create the summary, making it easier to cite the information in a thesis, report, or essay.
4) Altitude Learning
Any student looking for an innovative and learner-centred platform to enhance their academic performance will find all they need in Altitude Learning.
Altitude Learning tailors each lesson to meet the individual needs of every student by analysing their unique strengths, weaknesses, and learning styles.
It uses advanced algorithms and machine learning to create a customized curriculum that caters to each student’s needs.
Another benefit of Altitude Learning is its ability to foster collaboration among peers.
By working together, students can tackle complex problems and complete challenging assignments quicker and easier than alone. Additionally, this collaborative approach creates a sense of community among students that can be otherwise difficult to achieve in traditional classrooms.
With Altitude Learning, students and teachers alike can say goodbye to a one-size-fits-all teaching method and hello to student-centred education.
5) Knewton’s Alta
Knewton’s Alta, an adaptive learning platform, utilizes AI technology to personalize study material to fit each student’s unique learning needs.
The platform uses machine learning algorithms to analyse student performance data and provide real-time feedback and recommendations.
It can support students from introductory college-level courses to advanced math, statistics, and chemistry courses.
One major benefit to using Knewton’s Alta is its ability to adapt to students’ learning levels — study questions are analyzed by the algorithm and adjusted according to the learning capacity of the user.
Knewton’s Alta also offers an interactive, multimedia-rich content structure that enhances the understanding of the subject material. These include videos, simulations, and interactive exercises.
With its adaptability, interactive content, and comprehensive analytics, Knewton’s Alta provides an effective and dynamic AI-learning experience from which students of all grades and levels can benefit.
Conclusion
Whether through language translation, grammar correction, automated summarization, or collaborative peer-to-peer study groups, AI-learning tools help save time and increase academic performance. As AI technology advances, more innovative and useful tools will emerge. Why not try some out today?
