How to submit a new PEI course in Singapore.
A practical guide for registered Private Education Institutions (PEIs). Every new course needs SSG's permission before you can advertise or deliver it — submitted through the GoBusiness Licensing portal with your PEI's CorpPass.
A registered PEI still needs SSG permission for each new course.
Before you advertise
You must not market, advertise or open enrolment for a course until SSG has permitted it and issued a Course Permission Letter.
Every new programme
Course permission is per-course. Adding a new programme means amending your existing PEI registration via 'Amendment on Courses' → 'Add new courses and modules'.
Overseas delivery
Permitted courses may only be delivered in Singapore by default. Delivering a course overseas requires SSG's separate permission.
Seven steps from draft to Course Permission Letter.
- Step 1
Open “My Licences” in GoBusiness
Log in to GoBusiness with your PEI's CorpPass and go to My Licences. Find your active “Registration of Private Education Institutions” licence (Agency: SSG).
- Step 2
Select Action → Amend
On the licence row, open the “Select Action” menu and choose “Amend”. New courses are added by amending your existing PEI registration — there is no separate licence application.
- Step 3
Amendment on Courses → Add new courses and modules
In Application Details, choose “Amendment on Courses”, then under “I want to” select “Add new courses and modules”. This opens the New Courses and Modules form.
- Step 4
Fill in the course details
Enter the Course Title, Course Level (e.g. Certificate) and Minimum Age (e.g. 21), then complete the entry-requirement fields — Academic Level and Language Proficiency.
- Step 5
State Academic Level & Language Proficiency
Give the minimum academic entry requirement and the English-language proficiency a student needs to enrol. Recommended wording is below — keep both consistent with your Minimum Age.
- Step 6
Upload supporting documents
Attach the course write-up, sample certificate and academic-board approval. Each file must be 7 MB or less; filenames may use only letters, numbers, underscores and hyphens.
- Step 7
Review, declare & make payment
Complete the Review Form and Declaration steps, then make payment if a fee is shown. The application moves to Processing while SSG reviews it; on approval you receive a Course Permission Letter.
Two fields applicants get stuck on: Academic Level& Language Proficiency.
Both are mandatory free-text fields in the New Courses and Modules form. Reviewers expect a clear, verifiable threshold with an international-equivalence route. Below is ready-to-use wording for an Advanced Certificate (Minimum Age 21) — adapt the qualification floor to your course level.
Minimum Academic Entry Requirement
Applicants should possess at least one of the following:
- GCE 'A' Level with a minimum of 1 H2 pass; or
- Local Polytechnic Diploma; or
- NITEC / Higher NITEC from ITE; or
- GCE 'O' Level with a minimum of 3 passes; or
- Equivalent academic qualifications recognised in the applicant's home country.
Mature-candidate route: applicants aged 21+ who do not meet the above may be admitted on relevant work experience, subject to interview and Academic Board approval.
Medium of Instruction: English
Applicants should meet one of the following:
- GCE 'O' Level English (Grade C6 or better); or
- Completed prior education with English as the medium of instruction; or
- IELTS 5.5 / TOEFL iBT 46 / equivalent for applicants from non-English-medium backgrounds.
Applicants who do not meet the above may be admitted upon passing an internal English proficiency assessment conducted by the institution.
Have these ready before you open the form.
Exact requirements depend on the course type (e.g. External Degree Programmes have additional university requirements). Use SSG's templates from TPGateway.
Course Write-up
The full course synopsis using SSG's template. There is a specific template for External Degree Programmes (EDPs) and another for other courses.
Sample Certificate
A sample of the certificate or award issued to students on completion of the course.
Approval from Academic Board
Your PEI Academic Board's approval to offer the new course.
Course Developer's Permissions
Proof that the course developer or proprietor allows the PEI to offer the course, where the course is not developed in-house.
Validation Agreement
Proof that the course has been validated, accredited, or offered an articulation pathway, if applicable.
Highest Academic & Language Certificates
Highest Academic Qualifications and Highest Language Qualifications certificates supporting your stated entry requirements.
Vice-Chancellor's Letter (EDPs)
For External Degree Programmes — a letter from the Vice-Chancellor / President (or equivalent) of the foreign institution.
Other Documents
Any other supporting documents if necessary. Each upload is 1 file at 7 MB or less; filenames allow only letters, numbers, underscores (_) and hyphens (-).
Submitting an application does not constitute approval. Wait for the Course Permission Letter before you advertise, enrol learners or deliver the course.
[ Sources: GoBusiness Licensing — Registration of Private Education Institutions · TPGateway — Update Registration Details ]
Common questions about PEI course submission.
Who can submit a new course application?+
The application must be submitted by the PEI Manager, or a CorpPass user authorised to transact on behalf of the PEI, through GoBusiness Licensing. It is tied to your registered PEI entity.
Where do I start the application in GoBusiness?+
Go to My Licences, find your active 'Registration of Private Education Institutions' licence, and use Select Action → Amend. Under Application Details choose 'Amendment on Courses', then 'Add new courses and modules'. There is no separate licence — a new course is an amendment to your existing PEI registration.
Can I advertise the course once I submit?+
No. You must not advertise, offer or deliver the new course until SSG has permitted it and issued a Course Permission Letter. A PEI must have at least one SSG-permitted course at all times.
How long does approval take and what does it cost?+
SSG does not publish a fixed processing time or fee for a new-course application — the fee, if any, is shown at the submission step in GoBusiness. Responding quickly to SSG's queries is the biggest factor in avoiding delays.
Do courses delivered overseas need separate permission?+
Yes. SSG-permitted courses may only be delivered in Singapore by default. To offer or deliver a course overseas — by yourself or with a partner — you must obtain SSG's separate permission.
We help PEIs prepare course submissions.
From course write-ups to the GoBusiness submission, we'll get your new course ready for SSG permission.
[ Looking at our other services? See all SSG services ]