Diploma in Civil Engineering (DCE - S68)
FAQ
What do graduates of the Diploma in Civil Engineering do?
Civil engineering graduates build the world, literally speaking. They assist civil engineers in the analysis, design, construction, upgrading and maintenance of all forms of infrastructure for better quality of life and sustainable economy. The scope of civil engineering is multi-faceted and versatile, including:
houses, apartments
office buildings, hotels and shopping malls
factories
roads, subways and bridges
airports and ports
canals and drainage systems
reclaimed land and underground caverns
offshore platforms, oil refinery and power stations
stadiums and amusement parks
hospitals, schools, army camps, bomb shelters, dams, desalination plants, etc
infrastructure for water and wastewater treatment and air pollution control.
What kind of person makes a good Civil Engineer?
Be creative and have good problem-solving skills. Have a good understanding of mathematics and science, computers and new technology. Display good communication skills, able to work in teams and show leadership qualities. Be aware of the environmental impact of his work as well as the needs and desires of the public.
Can ladies enrol in the Diploma in Civil Engineering (DCE)?
Yes. About 25% of our student population are girls and one- third of our teaching staff are ladies. Upon graduation, there are 3 broad categories of work available, which are indoors, outdoors and a combination of both. The indoor type of work is done in the planning, maintenance, operations, laboratories or consultant offices, while the outdoor-type of work is done in the field, factories and construction sites. A third type usually involves field or site work in mornings and administrative work in the afternoons. As our graduates have competence in a few technologies, they can branch into technical sales & marketing.
Do all Civil Engineering graduates work under the hot sun?
No. As a matter of fact, many civil engineering graduates spend most of their time in air-conditioned office doing analysis and design. In some cases involving infrastructure planning and management, civil engineering graduates may even stay indoor all the time, like other office workers. Of course, there will be some civil engineering graduates at the site, but this is usually compensated by higher salary.
What are the technologies that Civil Engineering students learn?
Technologies covered in the curriculum include computer-aided drafting (CAD), Building Information Modelling (BIM), Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS), Geographic Information System (GIS), 3D printing, laser cutting and computer programming in civil engineering.
Can ITE students enrol in the Diploma in Civil Engineering(DCE)?
Yes. Around 10 % of the students in DCE are Nitec and Higher Nitec holders with various qualifications. With their maturity and good work attitude they are able to do well in their studies.
Do you offer scholarships?
Students enrolled into the Diploma in Civil Engineering course can look forward to numerous scholarships such as:
SP Engineering Scholarship ($2500 per year + $1000 computer subsidy)
Yogarajah Scholarship and Bursary Fund - (3 x $2000 each)
Sarojini Devi Award -(3 x $1800 each)
American Concrete Institute - Singapore Chapter Scholarship
(1x $3000)
*Preference will be given to students who choose DCE as their 1st choice during JAE.
Do I have to be good at mathematics and science to study Civil Engineering?
Being good at math and science certainly helps. However, if you enjoy figuring out solutions to problems and have a strong interest in math and science, that's a good place to start. Remember that applying math and science to design solutions to real-life problems is nearly always more interesting than textbook work and, even if you are an average student in secondary school, you may excel in applying these skills.
What are the prospects and future of civil engineering?
For a country to continue its growth, there will always be demand for infrastructure development and re-development. The population of Singapore is projected to rise to 6.5 million by 2030. The infrastructure required for additional population has
to be provided by civil engineering professionals. The growth prospects for the civil engineering industry up to 2030 and beyond are good with many big-ticket projects lined up such as:
Major Rail & Road Projects
Housing Development Board’s (HDB) Build-To-Order (BTO) flats
Ministry of Health’s (MOH) healthcare facilities
Where can I continue my further studies in Civil Engineering after a polytechnic education?
Diploma graduates in Civil Engineering (DCE) are eligible for exemption from the 1st year of the 4-year undergraduate degree programmes in civil engineering at the NUS and NTU. Established universities in UK and Australia also recognise the SP Diploma
in Civil Engineering. Our graduates can complete an overseas degree in civil engineering within 2 years.
DCE graduates have also been accepted by:
SUTD
SUSS
SIT
SMU
Annually around 20 % of DCE graduates pursue further studies
What is the pay for graduates of the Diploma in Civil Engineering?
The average pay for fresh civil engineering graduates and those who had completed National Service in comparison to average for Singapore Polytechnic (SP), for the last 3 years, are shown below:
| |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
|
| Civil (fresh) |
$2,370 |
$2,450 |
$2,500 |
|
| Civil (post NS) |
$2,525 |
$3,000 |
$2,800 |
|
| SP (fresh) |
$2,200 |
$2,400 |
$2,500 |
|
| SP (post NS) |
$2,576 |
$2,750 |
$2,900 |
|