At a Glance
| Duration: | 3 years full-time |
| Qualification: | Diploma in Veterinary Technology |
| Application: | Apply during the Joint Admissions Exercise following the release of the GCE O Level results. For other categories of local applicants, please refer to the section on 'Admission and Requirements'. For international students, please refer to the section on 'Information for International Students'. |
The Course
Singaporeans’ affluence has led to an increase in pet ownership and correspondingly, an increased activity in the pet trade. Animals are also used as models in research and pre-clinical trials in our pursuit to find cures for human diseases. All these make responsible and humane animal care and use very important and in turn, veterinary and animal technologists have become much sought-after professionals.
There are at least 44,000 dogs adopted as pets in Singapore and the number is said to be increasing. With the growing number of animals sold as pets locally, the number of veterinary clinics has gone up over the years. With this and the increasing use of animals as research models in the biomedical R&D industry, the demand for quality trained technologists with a responsible attitude is definitely there.
This course focuses on establishing a good grounding in the basic and applied sciences essential for meeting the needs of the veterinary and biomedical research industries. The practice-oriented programme provides hands-on training with particular emphasis in the care and use of laboratory animals for scientific purposes other than veterinary diagnostics, pain and wound management, anaesthetic and surgical procedures as well as general animal care and management. Training in cell and molecular biotechnology in preparation for biomedical research is also emphasised in this course. Technical competency is further honed through a five-month industry attachment either locally or overseas in the veterinary industry, research institutions or animal parks. Cross-disciplinary modules focusing on entrepreneurship, innovation, problem solving and business fundamentals are also available as part of the holistic training programme.
Further Education Opportunities
Graduates of the Diploma in Veterinary Technology are able to gain entry into various degree courses locally as well as overseas. They may apply for admission into degree programmes in medicine, dentistry and life sciences at NUS or degree programmes in biological sciences at NTU. Our recent graduate from Academic Year 2010/2011 was awarded the Nanyang Scholarship Award from NTU (Read Shermaine's story here)
Many overseas universities allow direct admission to the second year of selected degree programmes based on overall students’ performance in their diploma courses as well as the availability of places. In addition, most of the top overseas universities offer advanced standing to our Diploma graduates. Murdoch University offers direct admission into the second year of their Bachelor Degree in Veterinary Medicine and Surgery for students with excellent diploma results.
Career Opportunities
Our graduates can work in either biomedical research or veterinary industries. You may be employed as a veterinary technologist in veterinary clinic/hospitals, or as an animal education officer/assistant, animal health inspection assistant or technical support officers in animal welfare organisations, Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore, animal quarantine centres and pet shops. You may also work as an animal technologist in animal facilities at research/tertiary institutions or pre-clinical trial centres. You could also be a sales and marketing executive in pet feed or accessory companies and companies promoting veterinary/scientific equipment.
Minimum Entry Requirements
| English Language (EL1)* | Grades 1-7 |
| Mathematics (E or A) | Grades 1-6 |
| One of the following Science subjects # | Grades 1-6 |
| Any two other subjects, excluding CCA | - |
# Biology, Chemistry, Combined Science, Engineering Science, Physical Science, Physics, Science (Chemistry, Biology), Science (Physics, Biology), Science (Physics, Chemistry)
*Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM)/Unified Examination Chinese (UEC) holders must have a minimum of grade 6 for the relevant English Language subject (e.g. Bahasa Inggeris).
Note: Applicant with complete Colour Appreciation Deficiency are not eligible to apply.
See also the minimum entry requirements for:
Graduation Requirements
| Cumulative Grade Point Average | min 1.0 |
| TP Core Subjects | 19 credit units |
| Diploma Core Subjects | 99 credit units |
| Cross-Disciplinary Subjects | min 9 credit units |
| Total Credit Units Completed | min 127 credit units |
Cross-Disciplinary Subjects
Students are required to obtain a minimum of 9 credit units from the list of Cross-Disciplinary Subjects.
Additional Information
Enquiries
For Admission & Application Enquiries:
Temasek Polytechnic
21 Tampines Avenue 1
Singapore 529757
Tel: 67882000
Email: admissions@tp.edu.sg
For Course Enquiries:
| SCH | Tel | Website | |
| ASc | 6780 5322 | http://www-as.tp.edu.sg | aschotline@tp.edu.sg |
| BUS | 6780 5127 | http://www-bus.tp.edu.sg | bushotline@tp.edu.sg |
| DES | 6780 5133 | http://www-des.tp.edu.sg | deshotline@tp.edu.sg |
| ENG | 6780 5144 | http://www-eng.tp.edu.sg | enghotline@tp.edu.sg |
| HSS | 6780 6565 | http://www-hss.tp.edu.sg | hsshotline@tp.edu.sg |
| IIT | 6780 5158 | http://www-iit.tp.edu.sg | iit@tp.edu.sg |
Sale of Prospectus
The prospectus for full-time diploma is on sale at the following places for the price of S$7.00 per copy.
One Stop Service Centre
Temasek Polytechnic
Administration Block 9
East Wing, Lobby C, Level 2 (Plaza Level)
21 Tampines Avenue 1
Singapore 529757
Alternatively, you can request the prospectus to be mailed to you. The cost is S$7.00 + S$2.50(local postage cost) for local addresses and S$7.00 + overseas postage cost for overseas addresses. You can send in your requests to corpcomm@tp.edu.sg
Please make your cheques/drafts* payable to "Temasek Polytechnic" and send it together with your request to:
Corporation Communications
Temasek Polytechnic
21 Tampines Avenue 1
Singapore 529757
* Foreign cheques/drafts drawn on overseas banks are not acceptable.
