Singapore Standard Educational Classification (SSEC) 2020

Alphabetical Index of Field of Study

Comparison between SSEC 2020 and SSEC 2015 - Level of Education Attending

Comparison between SSEC 2020 and SSEC 2015 - Educational Qualification Attained

Comparison between SSEC 2020 and SSEC 2015 - Field of Study

2-Way Correspondence Table Between SSEC 2020 and SSEC 2015 - Level of Education Attending

2-Way Correspondence Table Between SSEC 2020 and SSEC 2015 - Educational Qualification Attained

2-Way Correspondence Table Between SSEC 2020 and SSEC 2015 - Field of Study

Full Report (SSEC 2015)

2-Way Correspondence Table Between SSEC 2015 and SSEC 2010 - Level of Education Attending, Educational Qualification Attained and Field of Study

Full Report (SSEC 2010)

2-Way Correspondence Table Between SSEC 2010 and SSEC 2000 - Level of Education Attending, Educational Qualification Attained and Field of Study

Full Report (SSEC 2000)

The LEA refers to the grade or standard of education that a student is attending. 

The classification for LEA is a two-digit hierarchical structure. 

When classifying programmes into the two-digit categories, one of the main considerations is the educational content of the programme at a particular educational level. In practice, supplementary criteria for classifying the level of education attending also include typical age of students attending the educational programme, duration of education, minimum entrance requirements and next typical educational level. 

The EQA refers to the grade or standard of education passed or the highest level of education where a certificate, diploma or degree is awarded by an educational or training institution. 

The classification for EQA is a two-digit hierarchical structure. 

The attainment of an educational qualification usually occurs when a certain grade or standard of education is passed at the end of an educational programme. Therefore, the same considerations of educational content are applicable, as in the case for LEA, when classifying the EQA. Supplementary criteria for classifying educational qualification include duration of education, minimum entrance requirements and next typical level of educational qualification. 

The FOS refers to the principal discipline, branch or subject matter of study that leads to the award of a qualification attained at polytechnic or university levels. Vocational qualifications offered by education/training institutes or professional bodies at post-secondary levels may also be classified by FOS, where applicable. 

The classification for FOS is a four-digit hierarchical structure comprising three levels, namely broad field (two-digit), narrow field (three-digit) and detailed field (four-digit).  

In classifying an educational programme by FOS, the main consideration is the theoretical content of the programme. In the case of inter- or multi-disciplinary programme (i.e. programme which combines a few narrow or even broad FOS), the various fields are to be recorded and coded if feasible. Otherwise, the ‘majority rule’ is to be applied. Based on the majority rule, an inter- or multi-disciplinary programme is to be classified to the FOS with the highest share of programme hours (i.e. the leading/main FOS). In practice, the number of modular credits may be used in place of programme hours. In line with the guidelines provided by ISCED-F 2013, inter-disciplinary programmes with more than one leading field or where there is insufficient information to determine the leading subject, the ‘first-listed’ rule is to be applied based on the field listed first in the title (or in the curriculum or syllabus if not listed in the title) of the programme or qualification.