General Application Guide

How to apply to overseas universities

The processes and requirements for overseas universities can differ quite significantly from local university procedures. The steps outlined below is a general guide to applying for overseas universities. For specific instructions to applying for UK, US and China universities, please refer to the links in this page.

1. Method of Application

• Access the “International Admissions” webpage for every university that you are applying for and note the different methods of application and deadlines.

• You should start doing as soon as possible, latest by Sept in your JC2 year as some deadlines can be very early. Your teachers also may not be available at the end of the year to support your application.

• Typically, you will be asked to submit documents like your transcripts, predicted grades, graduation certificate, test scores and references.

• The common methods of submissions are

  • Uploading to a portal e.g. Hong Kong and German universities

  • Emailing to the admissions office e.g. US universities

  • Snail mailing e.g. Japanese and some Canadian universities

• The school may need to upload or mail the transcripts/predicted grades/graduation certificate directly to the university on your behalf. Many universities do not usually accept transcripts directly from a candidate.

2. Register for additional tests

• You may need to take additional tests for some universities e.g. German universities may require you to take a language proficiency test to qualify for courses taught in German

3. Transcripts

• The school does not keep original transcripts. All original transcripts of Promo, Prelims and A levels have been signed by the Principal and given to you. If you have lost your original transcripts for Promo or Prelims, please approach the General Office.

• If you have lost your O or A-Level transcripts, please approach Ministry of Education.

• If you require the school to submit transcripts on your behalf, you will have to email the certified transcripts to the teacher coordinator.

4. Predicted Grades

• Upon request, the school will generate your predicted grades. Your predicted grades are generated based on your internal exam results, most likely prelim results.

• Predicted grades are confidential and will be sent directly to the university.

5. Graduation Certificate

• Please check the university website for the requirements or template of the graduation certificate required and inform the coordinator of the requirements accordingly.

• Note that MOE schools do not issue graduation certificates. This certificate is produced specifically for your application purposes.

6. References

• If you require a reference from a teacher, please approach an appropriate teacher at least 4 weeks before the application deadline. 

• If your application deadline falls during the December holidays, inform your teacher at least 4 weeks before the start of holidays.

• Inform the teacher of the deadlines and template of the reference, if any. 

• Learn more about approaching teachers for references here.

7. Working with the admissions coordinator

Step 1: Contact the admissions coordinator

• Email the admissions coordinator and inform him/her of your pending application.

• Inform the admissions coordinator at least 3 weeks before the deadline. If the application deadline falls during the December holidays, inform the admissions coordinator at least 3 weeks before the start of holidays.

• In your email, include the following​​

• In general, the admissions coordinator will collate all the necessary documents and submit it to the university.

Step 2: Certify your transcripts and send to teacher coordinator

• Bring your original transcripts and all copies to the General Office. The staff there will inspect your transcripts and certify them as true copies.

• If method of submission is

  • Portal upload - Scan the true copies and send the pdf documents to the admissions coordinator

  • Email - Scan the true copies and send the pdf documents to the admissions coordinator

  • Snail mail - Place the copies in the admissions coordinator's pigeonhole.

Step 3: Inform your teacher referees to send their references to the teacher coordinator

• Inform your teacher referees to send their references (in pdf format) to the admissions coordinator at least 1 week before the deadline.

Step 4: Check your application with the universities

• The admissions coordinator will collate all the necessary documents and send them to the university.

• After which, it is your responsibility to follow up with the universities and ensure that they have received your application.