The “Qualified Institution” Debate: Why Some Degrees Score 0 on COMPASS

Many employers assume that any degree on a candidate’s CV will earn qualification points under the Complementarity Assessment Framework. It does not. The “Qualified Institution” debate comes down to a simple fact: under COMPASS, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) scores the institution that issued the qualification, not just the title on the certificate. This article explains why some degrees score 0 on COMPASS, and what Singapore employers can do about it before an Employment Pass application is submitted.

Who this applies to

This matters to any Singapore company that plans to hire a foreign professional on an Employment Pass (EP), including first-time applicants and firms renewing passes for existing staff. It also matters to HR managers who screen candidates, because the qualification question is easiest to fix at the offer stage rather than after a rejection.

S Pass and Work Permit applications are assessed differently, so COMPASS qualification scoring is not the main concern for those pass types.

Key rules and requirements in Singapore

COMPASS is the points-based framework MOM uses to assess new EP applications. An application needs to meet two foundational criteria (the qualifying salary and the Jobs Bank advertising requirement, where it applies) and then score at least 40 points across the scored criteria.

The qualifications criterion

The qualifications criterion rewards candidates with a degree-equivalent qualification, and gives more points where that qualification comes from an institution that MOM treats as top-tier. In broad terms:

• A degree-equivalent from a top-tier institution earns the highest points for this criterion.
• A degree-equivalent from another recognised institution earns a lower score.
• A qualification that MOM does not treat as degree-equivalent, or one it cannot verify, earns no points.

Why some degrees score 0

A zero does not necessarily mean the candidate is poorly qualified. It usually means one of four things:

• The qualification is a diploma, higher diploma or professional certificate rather than a degree-equivalent.
• The awarding body is not recognised as a degree-granting institution in its home jurisdiction.
• The programme was a short executive course or a stand-alone online certificate, even if delivered under a well-known university’s name.
• The qualification could not be verified, for example because the candidate cannot produce documents that the institution confirms.

There is no single rule that says a particular country’s degrees score zero. The outcome depends on the institution and the qualification, so employers should treat any blanket assumption with caution.

Other criteria still count

Qualifications are only one part of the scorecard. Salary, the diversity of the employer’s workforce by nationality, support for local employment, and the bonus points for shortage occupations and strategic economic priorities all feed into the 40-point threshold. A zero for qualifications can sometimes be offset elsewhere, but only if the other criteria are strong. A weak result on several criteria at once is where applications fail.

Step-by-step process

1. Collect the facts early. Obtain the candidate’s full certificate, transcript and the exact name of the awarding institution before the offer letter is signed.
2. Check the institution. Confirm that it is a degree-granting institution recognised in its own country, and consult MOM’s published guidance on how qualifications are assessed.
3. Run a self-assessment. Use MOM’s COMPASS self-assessment tool with the proposed salary, the candidate’s qualification and your current workforce profile.
4. Review the salary offer. Salary can move the overall score, so a modest adjustment sometimes changes the outcome. Any change must still be commercially sensible and fair to the existing team.
5. Advertise on MyCareersFuture where required. The Jobs Bank requirement is a foundational criterion, so a missed or non-compliant advertisement can sink an otherwise strong case.
6. Submit through MOM’s EP Online. Attach accurate supporting documents and keep copies for any later request from MOM.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Assuming that any degree-sounding title will be accepted without checking the institution.
• Relying on a university’s brand name when the candidate’s programme was a short or non-degree course.
• Submitting before running the self-assessment and then discovering a shortfall after the fee is paid.
• Describing a candidate’s qualification more favourably than the documents support. Misstated information can lead to rejection and may affect future applications.
• Leaving diversity and local-hiring factors unexamined, when these can change the total score.
• Making the job offer unconditional before the work pass outcome is known.

Practical examples

Example 1: The executive certificate

A fintech start-up offers a role to a candidate whose CV lists a “Postgraduate Programme” from a respected overseas university. On inspection, it was a ten-week online executive course with a certificate of completion, not a degree. The qualifications criterion would likely earn nothing. The company reviews the candidate’s earlier bachelor’s degree, which is from a recognised institution, and relies on that instead.

Example 2: The unverifiable degree

A logistics firm wants to hire a regional manager. The candidate holds a degree from a private institution that has since closed, and no one can confirm the records. The application is high risk. The firm decides to hold off until it has certified transcripts, and in the meantime considers whether the role could be filled by a different candidate.

Example 3: Making up the points elsewhere

A manufacturing company hires an engineer with a diploma-level qualification, which scores 0 for qualifications. The salary is well above the qualifying level, the role is on the shortage occupation list, and the company has a diverse workforce. The combined score may still reach the threshold, but the firm confirms this through the self-assessment before applying.

How Singapore Employment Agency can help

Singapore Employment Agency supports employers with work pass applications, renewals, appeals, HR compliance and immigration matters. For COMPASS cases, the team can review a candidate’s documents before an offer is made, estimate the likely score, advise on how the application should be presented, and help prepare an appeal where an application has been unsuccessful. This is general guidance only and each case turns on its own facts, so tailored advice is recommended.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a degree from an overseas university always score points on COMPASS?

No. MOM looks at the institution and whether the qualification is degree-equivalent. A degree-granting institution that is recognised in its home country is the starting point, and a verifiable certificate is essential.

If qualifications score 0, will the EP application automatically fail?

Not automatically. The overall requirement is 40 points across all criteria, and the foundational criteria must also be met. A strong result in salary, diversity, local employment support or the bonus categories may make up the difference.

Can an employer appeal if the application is rejected on qualifications?

Employers can appeal to MOM within the stated period, usually with new or clarified information. An appeal is more likely to be considered where there is a genuine error or new evidence, rather than a simple disagreement with the outcome.

Does the same qualification scoring apply to EP renewals?

COMPASS applies to new EP applications and to renewals that fall under MOM’s current transition arrangements. Employers should check MOM’s latest guidance on whether a renewal is assessed under COMPASS or under an earlier framework.

Should a candidate’s professional certifications count?

They can support the case for experience and salary, but a professional certificate is not generally treated as a degree-equivalent for the qualifications criterion.

Key takeaways

• COMPASS assesses the institution behind a qualification, not just the title on the certificate.
• A score of 0 usually means the qualification is not degree-equivalent, is not from a recognised institution, or cannot be verified.
• Check documents and run the COMPASS self-assessment before making an offer.
• Other criteria, including salary, diversity and local hiring, can compensate for a weak qualifications score, but only up to a point.
• Never overstate a candidate’s credentials, as inaccuracies carry serious consequences.

Requirements may change, so always check the latest guidance from MOM, IRAS or ACRA, or consult a professional adviser.

If you would like to find out more about how Singapore Employment Agency can assist with your work pass and employment compliance requirements, please get in touch with the team at [email protected].

Yours sincerely,
The editorial team at Singapore Employment Agency

Disclaimer: This does not constitute legal advice. If you require legal advice, please contact a lawyer.