Polytechnic Foundation Programme (PFP)

How to Apply?

Find out if you're eligible and learn how to apply for the Polytechnic Foundation Programme (PFP).

Can I apply?

To qualify for the Polytechnic Foundation Programme (PFP), you must:

Be a Secondary 4 Normal (Academic) [N(A)] student.
Achieve a raw ELMAB3 aggregate of 12 points or lower at your N-Level exams. (ELMAB3 = English, Mathematics, and your best three subjects.) O-Level subjects can also be used to determine eligibility.
Eligible students will receive an invitation to apply on the O-Level Results Release Day.

Important: Eligibility to apply for PFP does not guarantee placement in your preferred course.

To secure a spot, you must meet the specific ELMAB3 requirements for your chosen course. Certain courses also have medical criteria.
Placement is based on merit and available vacancies. You may be assigned to a different programme.
Review past years’ ELMAB3 score ranges to understand the competitiveness of admission.

Entry Requirements

Sciences Cluster
Design, Engineering & Technology (DET) Cluster

Eligible Subject	Minimum Required Grade
English Language Syllabus A	3
Mathematics Syllabus A / Additional Mathematics	3
One of the following relevant subjects: Design and Technology Food and Nutrition/Nutrition and Food Science Science (Chemistry, Biology) Science (Physics, Biology) Science (Physics, Chemistry)	3
Any two other subjects (excluding CCA)	4

Humanities, Art, Media & Business (HAMB) Cluster

Eligible Subject	Minimum Required Grade
English Language Syllabus A	3
Mathematics Syllabus A / Additional Mathematics	3
One of the following relevant subjects: Art Geography History Humanities (Social Studies, Geography) Humanities (Social Studies, History) Humanities (Social Studies, Literature in English) Literature in English Principles of Accounts	3
Any two other subjects (excluding CCA)	4

Note: Students who are keen to apply for Diploma in Mass Communications will need to achieve minimum B grades for English Language & Communication during the PFP.

Application Process

Here’s an overview of the entire PFP Admission Exercise (PFPAE) process:

‘N’ Level Results Release

All Sec 4N(A) students interested in applying for PFP will still need to progress to Sec 5 first even if they meet the eligibility criteria based on their N-Level results.

Eligibility to apply for PFP does not guarantee placement in the programme.

Report to School for Sec 5

Report to school as per normal for your Sec 5 lessons. Continue to attend lessons until you are informed that your PFP application is successful.

‘O’ Level Results Release

If you are eligible for PFP, you will receive Form P through your school. The form will contain:

Instructions on how you can apply online for up to five choices
Login details for the PFP application website

Posting Results Release

Check your posting results online at the Polytechnic Foundation Programme Admissions Exercise website.

You will need to either:

Accept the offer
Reject the offer and continue with Sec 5 or
Appeal for a change of PFP course

Please note that all postings are based on merit. Applicants with better aggregate scores will be considered for admission first, subject to the availability of vacancies in the selected cluster.

You should only withdraw from Sec 5 after you accept a PFP offer.

Preparing for PFP