FAQs

The exact COP will not be revealed until all students have completed the JAE admission exercise.

All JAE students posted to HCI are eligible to take 4 H2 subjects.

JAE students who attain a score D7 and above for GCE O-level Higher Mother Tongue Language (MTL) can be exempted from taking H1 MTL. For IP students, there is an internal requirement of B4 and above to be exempted from taking H1 MTL. However, if students wish to take the subject again, they are allowed to do so.

Students generally indicate their subject combination during Orientation. There will be opportunities for students to consult teachers on their choice of subject combination. Regarding selection tests for certain subjects or Special Programmes, more information will be provided during Orientation.

A hybrid subject combination is one with two H2 Science stream subjects (such as Physics and Mathematics) and two H2 Art stream subjects (such as History and English Literature). If you wish to take a hybrid subject combination, you will apply under the Science stream.

No Singaporean student will be denied a place in Hwa Chong Institution for financial reasons. A range of financial assistance schemes, scholarships and awards are available to support our students.

More information on them can be found here: https://www.hci.edu.sg/college/financial-info/

The Orientation for all JC1 students (both IP and JAE) will be held from 4 Feburary 2026 to 20 Feburary 2026. (Tentative)

In each cohort, there are typically 300 to 350 JAE students.

There are 4 faculties in HCI – Ares, Artemis, Athena and Apollo. Each faculty comprises classes with different subject combinations.

Students admitted via JAE will not be disadvantaged in their selection of subject combinations or CCAs. For more information on the selection processes, feel free to approach any of our students!

Selection processes take into account students’ prior academic grades and their performance in the programme’s specific selection tests. Information on each special programme can be found under the "Special Programmes" page.

Students will be able to sign up for Special Programme selection tests at a later date. For more information, please attend the various Special Programme talks. The schedule can be found in the "Events" page.

Every year, there are instances of students who participate in more than one Special Programme. However, these are due to the student taking up a scholarship such as the Bicultural Studies Programme scholarship in secondary school, then joining a different Special Programme in junior college.

Requests to take more than one Special Programme are approved on a case-by-case basis. For any further queries, please contact the relevant teachers-in-charge.

Hwa Chong offers the following Special Programmes:

1. Art Elective Programme (AEP)

2. Computing Talent Programme (CTP)

3. Science and Mathematics Talent Programme (SMTP)

4. Humanities Programme (HP)

5. Bicultural Studies Programme (BSP)

6. Chinese Language Elective Programme (CLEP)

We offer a wide range of CCAs in Hwa Chong, ranging from performing arts to student committees. Please refer to this link for a more comprehensive guide to the CCAs we offer in the "CCAs" page.

Selection processes differ from one CCA to another. For example, some CCAs might require students to go through an audition, trial or interview to ascertain their passion and aptitude for the CCA. IP and JAE students will attend CCA trials at the same time.

CCAs are not compulsory in Hwa Chong. However, given our emphasis on holistic student development, we encourage every student to take up a CCA.

Most students join only one CCA during their time in Hwa Chong. However, students may join more than one CCA, subject to the approval of the CCA Department. 

This generally differs between CCAs. However, all CCAs will conduct auditions or interviews for every student looking to join the CCA, and a fair opportunity will be given to both IP and JAE students.

CCA sessions differ based on the nature of the CCA and the time of year. On average, most students attend CCA sessions twice to thrice a week. However, in the lead up to productions and competitions like the National School Games, this number may increase.

The selection processes for each student committee vary. Most student committees select their members from February to May, through interviews and other modes of selection. Furthermore, the Students’ Council requires prospective candidates to be elected by the student body.

There are no compulsory cohort-wide camps or boarding programmes for our students. However, camps and overseas immersion programmes may be organised for CCA groups, or as part of student development programmes that students sign up for. Throughout the year, we organise various programmes for leadership development, Values-in-Action and Outdoor Expedition, which are open to all students.

Yes. More information on fees and living arrangements can be found at https://www.hcibs.edu.sg. 

The Hwa Chong Diploma is an internationally recognised certification that Hwa Chong awards to its students. It serves to recognise their outstanding holistic achievements in the following academic and non-academic areas:

• Academic Achievements

• Service to the Community

• Conduct

• Scholastic Achievement OR Leadership and Service

Yes! Hwa Chong ensures that every student has the chance to contribute meaningfully and give back to society. We provide support and funding for Service Learning (SL) projects, which are initiated by students to champion a cause they are passionate about, along with other opportunities to engage with disadvantaged communities on a regional scale. For examples of past SL projects, refer to the "Service Learning" page.  For more frequent updates, follow @viacouncil on Instagram.

The timing for morning assemblies differ. On Mondays, assembly begins at 7.40am at the School Field Terraces. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, it begins at 8.15am at the College Central Plaza. Students will gather for assemblies in their classrooms on Wednesdays and Fridays, where subject tutors of the 1st period will facilitate the ceremony and take attendance accordingly.

The time at which lessons end depends on students' subject combination. This can vary from day to day, with lessons ending as early as 12pm and as late as 6pm.

Hwa Chong’s class size typically varies from 20 to 26, depending on the students' subject combination.

We have between 40 and 44 classes per level.