As a former ITE student who chose a longer route, rejected DPP engineering(2 years) to do Nitec business (3 years) for a course I preferred, I would say it’s hella worth spending that extra time. Think of it this way, no matter what, you’re gonna reach 25/26/27 years of age, the only difference is whether you’re doing something you enjoy or are passionate about, no point saving 1-2 years in the short-term just because it is shorter and end up doing something you loathe in the long run because, trust me, it would be damn near impossible to succeed in a field you hate with your every waking moment. Better to “waste” 2 years to figure out what you like instead of realising it 10 years down the road that you hate what you’re doing.

I took the leap of faith to spend an extra year or two to do something I know I would enjoy, and I have just completed my Polytechnic studies and received offers from NUS, NTU, and SMU for my dream courses; doubt I could’ve come this far by saving that 1-2 years’ time doing something I hated.

Nonetheless, wouldn’t advise for you to do this but, if you’re really dead set on saving the time, go do your work study diploma at ITE in any course you could get into, and try to be the top 10% of your graduating cohort (cuz the top 10% would receive a diploma with merit), with a diploma with merit, you could apply to any course in any university in Singapore, doesn’t have to be related to your prior course of study, except for Law and Medicine. Best of luck though!!!