NS Defer: Education Post-Secondary Higher Tertiary Studies?

Kyinre SG

Firstly, I am a new user here. I apologise if I have not used the search button properly, or if I have posted this at a wrong section. I thought this is a more reliable place to clarify some doubts which I have had in my mind currently. If I am not able to, I will seek from those who have been through this procedure when school re-opens perhaps.

Anyway, regarding my question, I have come across till this particular page where I was asked to choose between a few options regarding deferment. I am currently 17 years old, and studying at Higher Nitec. I will be graduating in the year of 2013, where I will be 19 years old by then, or 18 since my birthday has not passed. If I were to defer with my current education information, will I be able to defer again when I step into Polytechnic?

I mean, based on what I have heard, we are allowed to defer once only. I am not too sure as to how true is that. I have also read the FAQ where I am allowed to defer for Polytechnic before the age of 20 or 21, where I fit the criteria either ways. So, how will I be able to defer at that point of time?

I am just worried that once I have submitted, I may not be able to make any changes. Given how strict Singapore laws can be at times, I rather play safe somehow. Sorry if this is rather unnecessary, but it just worries me. So, can anyone enlighten me further? Thank you.

eac SG

Source: www.ns.sg

Register for NS - General Information
Deferment for Full-time Studies

Under the Enlistment Act, NS liable persons are enlisted at the earliest opportunity upon turning 18 years old. For those who are studying, MINDEF does allow some flexibility for them to complete their full-time studies up to the GCE 'A' Level or Polytechnic Diploma (or their equivalent), both locally and overseas, before enlisting for NS. Those who have already embarked on their full-time studies but do not meet the deferment conditions, will have to disrupt their studies and be enlisted for NS at the earliest opportunity scheduled by the Central Manpower Base (CMPB).

Local Studies

GCE 'A' Level Studies

NS liable persons will be granted deferment for GCE 'A' Level studies (and its equivalent) if they are able to commence the course before 19 years old (for Secondary 4 Express Stream students) or 20 years old (for Secondary 5 Normal Stream students) at Junior Colleges/ Centralised Institute, as at 1st January of the course commencement year.

Exceptions may be considered for students who do not meet these deferment cut-off ages, but are able to gain admission into Junior Colleges and Centralised Institute.

NS liable persons may be granted deferment to pursue GCE 'A' level studies at private schools registered with Ministry of Education (MOE) or the Council of Private Education (CPE) if they are able to commence their courses before 18 years old as at 1st January of the course commencement year.

Persons who have obtained less than 3 H2 passes (excluding Knowledge & Inquiry) or failed in GP in one sitting of the GCE 'A' Level examination will be considered further deferment to repeat their GCE 'A' Level studies on a full-time basis, subject to one repeat only.

Polytechnic Diploma Studies

NS liable persons will be granted deferment for Polytechnic Diploma studies (and its equivalent) if they are able to commence the course before 19 years old (for Secondary 4 Express Stream students) or 20 years old (for Secondary 5 Normal Stream and Institute of Technical Education students) as at 1st January of the course commencement year.

Equivalent diploma courses would include those offered by the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA) and the LaSalle College of the Arts.

Institute of Technical Education (ITE) Certificate Studies

NS liable persons will be granted deferment for NITEC or Higher NITEC courses if they are able to commence the course before 19 years old (for Secondary 4 Express and Normal Stream students) or 20 years old (for Secondary 5 Normal Stream students) as at 1st January of the course commencement year.

NS liable persons with NITEC qualification will also be granted deferment for Higher NITEC courses if they are able to commence the course before 20 years old as at 1st January of the course commencement year.

Institute of Technical Education (ITE) Diploma Studies

NS liable persons who completed NITEC in Precision Engineering and Higher NITEC in Mechanical Engineering, will be granted deferment for Technical Engineer Diploma (TED) programme if they are able to commence the course before 20 years old as at 1st January of the course commencement year. They will be granted deferment to complete the academic phase and be enlisted for full-time NS. Thereafter, they can commence the work experience required for the course.

GCE 'O' and 'N' Level Courses

NS liable persons will generally be granted deferment to pursue GCE 'O' and 'N' level courses at government, government-aided or independent secondary schools.

NS liable persons may be granted deferment to pursue GCE 'O' or 'N' level courses at private schools registered with either the Ministry of Education (MOE) or the Council of Private Education (CPE) if they are able to commence their courses before 18 years old as at 1st January of the course commencement year.

An extension of deferment may be granted for those who wish to repeat their GCE 'N' or 'O' level studies on a full-time basis, subject to one repeat only.

Private Courses

NS liable persons will generally be granted deferment to pursue full-time courses (not leading to a degree qualification) at private institutions, registered with either the Ministry of Education (MOE) or the Council of Private Education (CPE), if they are able to commence the course before 18 years old as at 1st January of the course commencement year.

The deferment is only granted for the completion of the stage of studies (e.g. Certificate, Diploma) commenced before the age of 18 years old as at 1st January of the course commencement year.

No further extension of deferment will be allowed unless another stage of studies could be commenced before 18 years old as at 1st January of the course commencement year.

Overseas Studies

NS liable persons will be granted deferment for overseas studies (up to GCE 'A' level or Polytechnic Diploma or their equivalent) if they are able to commence the course before 18 years old as at 1st January of the course commencement year. They will be required to apply for an exit permit for overseas trips of 3 months and longer and will be required to furnish a bond of $75,000 or an amount equivalent to 50% of the combined annual gross income of both parents for the preceding year, whichever is higher.

Application for Deferment

NS liable persons may apply for deferment online at the NS portal (http://www.ns.sg) during NS registration and pre-enlistment documentation.

Those applying for deferment to pursue local studies may be randomly selected to furnish documentary proof for verification. If selected, they will be required to submit to CMPB a letter from their school certifying their enrolment, their course of study as well as their course commencement and completion dates.

Those applying for deferment to pursue overseas studies must submit to CMPB a letter from their school certifying their enrolment, their course of study as well as their course commencement and completion dates. In addition, they must submit their parents' Income Tax Notices of Assessment (both local and overseas) for the preceding year.

Those who subsequently wish to pursue or switch to a new course or institution must seek prior approval from CMPB.

Notes: The information provided in this website are general guidelines. For further details, you may wish to contact the NS Call Centre at [email protected] or Tel: 1800-3676767 (eNSNSNS).

gunner77 SG

You can defer again when you decided to go poly

Towards the end of your higher nitec, they will send you a letter asking you to register for medical check up because you approaching the end of your course.

You log in and they will ask you whether do you want to apply for deferment?

Click yes.

If you click No, then they take it as you finish your studies as Higher Nitec and ask you to proceed to do all the medical questionaire.......

Worse come to Worst, call CMPB and tell them straight in the face.

Kyinre SG

Ah, oh okay. Thank you. I am just uncertained as to what will I be receiving or what should I be doing once I have completed my current course. Hmm, seems like there are more to do apart from the first task that I have received.

And yes, I have already clicked yes to apply deferment with my current education information. Thank you once again.

Kyinre SG

Oh, and on a side note, is there such thing as notification when I receive a reply or something?

gunner77 SG

You dont worry so much.

As long as you are before 20 when poly starts and you are eligible to study poly.

The Army will always allow you to study.

And No. there are no notification when you receive a reply.

Kyinre SG

Um oh okay, thank you again.

Ah, if only there is.