Frequently Asked Questions

The word “Sentinel” refers to someone who keeps watch. The programme’s name reflects its vision to nurture a community of youths who possess the skills, values, and traits needed to safeguard Singapore’s digital way of life.

No, participants do not need to pay to join the programme. It is fully sponsored by MINDEF/SAF.

Lower secondary students will attend workshops during the school holidays. Upper secondary and post-secondary students will have Saturday classes during the school term, in addition to workshops held during the holidays. Beyond workshops and classes, there will also be self-directed online learning that students can complete at their own pace. Students will also be given assignments to complete after each workshop or class.

Sentinel is a 4-year programme for students who join in Secondary 1 (or equivalent), and a 2-year programme for students who join in Year 1 of Junior College/Polytechnic/ITE (or equivalent).

Secondary school students who complete the secondary level programme can continue with the post-secondary programme when they are in post-secondary education institutions, subject to meeting the qualifying criteria.

Students are required to apply using their school-assigned email address (e.g. addresses ending with @students.edu.sg or @edu.sg).

All students from MOE schools are issued a student email account ending with @students.edu.sg, which is administered by their school. Please approach your school administrator if you need assistance with your account.

Please inform us via email at sentinel@defence.gov.sg if:

1. You have not received your school-assigned email account two weeks before the application deadline;

2. You will not be issued an email account ending with @students.edu.sg or @edu.sg; or

3. The school domain of your email address is not accepted in the application form.

The verification code will be sent to the email address used in your application. Please check your inbox to retrieve it.

If you face any issues accessing your school email or receiving the code, please approach your school administrator for assistance.

After submitting the online application, applicants will receive email instructions to sit for an online aptitude-based selection test. Successful applicants will be notified by email.

Applicants will be informed of the results at least two weeks before the commencement of the programme.

All Year 1 students from secondary schools, junior colleges, polytechnics, and ITEs (or equivalent) who are Singaporeans or Singapore Permanent Residents are eligible to apply each year.

Programming knowledge is not required but will be helpful. No preparation is needed for the selection test.

We strongly encourage participants to complete the programme to gain the full benefits of the programme.

In the event a participant is unable to continue with the programme, we will consider the request for withdrawal on a case-by-case basis. There is no penalty if a student decides to withdraw from the programme.

All participants are required to have a laptop that meets the required specifications to ensure an effective learning experience (tablets are not adequate). Most basic laptop models would meet the required specifications.

Please refer to the required laptop specifications here.

Students who are unable to obtain a suitable laptop for Sentinel activities are advised to highlight this to the Sentinel Programme Office at sentinel@defence.gov.sg. Such students are still welcome to apply to the programme and we will try our best to support them with alternative arrangements (e.g. grouping them with peers who have laptops).