Debated in Parliament on 1 Feb 2021.
Mr Darryl David asked the Minister for Education (a) how will the proposed additional University places this year be distributed across the different Universities and their various courses; and (b) whether these proposed additional places may result in a corresponding easing of qualifying grades for some University courses.
In 2020, MOE granted additional flexibility to the AUs to cater to candidates whose overseas study plans were disrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic. These students must meet the admissions criteria in the AUs, and so there is no easing of admission standards. About 1,000 additional students were eventually admitted to the six AUs across a range of courses, especially those with stronger employment outcomes and student interests.
MOE is monitoring the global COVID-19 situation closely, including the situation overseas and the impact of travel restrictions. As we had done last year, MOE is prepared to consider increasing the number of AU places in 2021 on an exceptional basis while maintaining admission standards. This is part of the Ministry’s broader efforts to support local students and help ensure that their education journeys are not unduly disrupted by the pandemic.
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