RP Polytechnic Foundation Programme

What is PFP?

If you are in Secondary 4 Normal (Academic) [N(A)], PFP offers an alternative route to a diploma.

Instead of taking your ‘O’ Levels, you can join RP directly after your N(A)-Level examinations and complete a foundation year designed to prepare you for polytechnic learning.

During this year, you will:

• Develop core academic and learning skills

• Experience applied, hands-on learning

• Adjust to polytechnic life

At the end of the programme, you will progress to a full-time diploma, subject to meeting the course requirements.

Choose a cluster before selecting your diploma

You do not need to decide on a specific diploma right away. Instead, you will join one of three clusters based on your interests:

• Sciences

• Design, Engineering and Technology (DET)

• Humanities, Art, Media and Business (HAMB)

This gives you time and flexibility to discover your strengths through different subjects and experiences. By the end of the PFP year, you will be able to make a more informed choice when selecting your diploma.

What you will experience in PFP at RP

Receive support as you transition to polytechnic life

• Begin with a PFP Orientation Programme to help you settle in

• Receive guidance from lecturers and mentors

• Access pastoral care for academic and personal support

Learn through hands-on experiences

• Work on projects and activities that apply what you learn in class

• Take part in service-learning activities that allow you to give back to the community

• Build teamwork, resilience and problem-solving skills through outdoor education — a programme only offered at RP PFP

Build confidence and leadership skills

• Take part in the PFP Leadership Expedition Camp, RP PFP’s flagship programme designed for PFP students to build resilience and leadership skills

• Start your National Youth Achievement Award (NYAA) Gold journey

• Join programmes such as Designing Your Life (DYL) to plan your goals and next steps

Be recognised for your progress

• The PFP Scholarship recognises outstanding PFP students who demonstrate strong academic performance, leadership potential and positive values

• At the end of the PFP year, top-performing students in each cluster are recognised with a Certificate of Achievement and a monetary award

• Your PFP journey is marked at a PFP Completion Ceremony, celebrating your transition to the diploma year

Be inspired by our PFP students

See how PFP students have grown, discovered their strengths and progressed to their chosen pathways.

Faiq Faran (2026 Graduate, Diploma in Pharmaceutical Science, Science Cluster)

Faiq pursued science after he was inspired by his father and COVID-19's impact on healthcare. He earned the PFP Scholarship, Director's Roll of Honour, and the Board of Governors Award for Most Outstanding Graduate, and has been accepted into King's College London.

Amelia Jonaidy (2026 Graduate, Diploma in Digital Design & Development, DET Cluster)

Amelia found her footing through PFP after early academic setbacks. She took on leadership roles, represented RP in national competitions and graduated with the Lee Kuan Yew Award for Mathematics and Science. She has been accepted into NUS Bachelor of Computing in Computer Science and NUS College programme.

Voon Jing Wen (2025 Graduate, Diploma in Mass Communication, HAMB Cluster)

Jing Wen grew into a confident learner through PFP's hands-on opportunities, earning consistent Director's Roll of Honour placements, multiple scholarships, and graduating as valedictorian with the IMDA Gold Medal. She now continues her studies at the National University of Singapore.