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NYJC Education and Career Guidance Portal

Applications that Require References

Find out why teacher references matter for university applications and which referees you need for each type of application.

Last updated 16 June 2026
Teaching is the one profession that creates all other professions.
— Unknown

Teacher References

Why are teacher references important?

Besides your parents, teachers are the adults who spend significant time interacting with you. Hence, they can be trusted to provide an honest picture of who you are. Teacher recommendations can give admissions officers an insight to what your level of engagement is like in the classroom, your attitude towards classwork, your interactions with peers and your contributions to school-life. Hence, professors will understand what you will be like in their classroom and how you can contribute to university life. JC tutors are especially important as they have seen you perform in a higher-level context and can comment on your suitability for higher education.

When do you need references?

Reference letters are required for the following applications:

  • University Scholarships

    • 1 referee

    • Preferably a teacher who knows you well i.e. Civics Tutor

  • NUS College

    • 1 referee

    • Preferably a teacher who knows you well i.e. Civics Tutor

  • Local medicine applications

    • 2 referees - one must be from the civics tutor for NTU LKC Medicine from AY2024-2025

    • Preferably a healthcare community leader whom you have worked with or a teacher who knows you well

  • Aptitude-based admission to NTU

    • 1-2 referees

    • Preferably an external community leader or coach or CCA teacher

  • SUTD applications

    • 1 referee

    • Preferably a teacher who knows you well academically (preferably Math or Science tutors)

  • UK applications

    • 1 referee

    • Preferably a teacher who teaches you the subject that is related to your course of study 

  • US applications and HKU applications

    • Your Civics Tutor should be your school counsellor / official so as to write a holistic recommendation for you

    • You will need 2 other subject tutors to act as teacher recommenders and write referrals for you. CCA teachers are not recommended.

Is there a difference between referees, references, recommendations and referee reports? 

According to some sources, there may be some minor differences. But for your context, they should all mean the same thing!