Q: What does the Hwa Chong JC IP guide cover? A: Key takeaways from HCI College’s official academic and admissions resources-how subject combinations are structured, how H3 subjects work, and what the 2025 DSA-JC categories look like.
TL;DR • JC1 students choose from published A-Level combinations but can propose odd combinations or swap in H2 Art/foreign languages, provided contrasting-subject and prerequisite conditions are met (Academic programmes). • Students may offer up to two H3 subjects, via university-taught modules, research programmes SRP,NRP,NTU−A×STAR−HCI,HSSR
, or MOE-Cambridge H3 courses; total academic units must not exceed 12 (
intake recognises leadership, entrepreneurship, extensive sports and performing arts, as well as academic talent in humanities, STEM, IT, and AEP; successful applicants must commit to HCI and skip the JAE (
• Selection emphasises character qualities (integrity, resilience, passion, compassion) alongside scholastic strength-be ready with portfolios and references.
1 | Subject combinations: flexibility with guardrails
HCI publishes standard Arts/Science combinations but allows JC1 students to submit odd combinations for approval as long as at least one content subject is contrasting and prerequisites are met (Academic programmes).
H2 Art or MOELC languages may replace subjects in the standard list; all students still sit H1 General Paper and Project Work.
The college advises students to map choices to university course prerequisites using resources from NUS, NTU, SMU, and SUTD (same source).
2 | H3 and enrichment opportunities
The H3 framework stretches the top 10–15% of the cohort with deeper learning while keeping overall unit load to a maximum of 12 (H3 programmes).
Pathways include: • University-taught modules (NUS, NTU, SMU) pitched at Year 1 undergraduate level. • Research-based H3s such as the Science Research Programme, Nanyang Research Programme, NTU-A*STAR-HCI partnerships, and the Humanities & Social Sciences Research Programme. • MOE-Cambridge H3 courses delivered in-house.
Application windows (e.g., NUS H3 from 30 Sep – 3 Nov 2025) and selection depend on JC1 results and relevant H2 performance.
3 | DSA-JC 2025 talent categories
HCI seeks Sec 4 students from mainstream schools who demonstrate strong intellect, leadership character, or excellence in sports/arts (Admission path).
Applicants can choose up to two categories across: Leadership; Entrepreneurship & Innovation; Sports (17 options from Badminton to Wushu); Performing Arts (Dance, Orchestra, Choir, Band, Strings); Language & Humanities (CLEP, Humanities Programme); STEM (Math/Science, Science Research, Computing); Visual Arts (AEP).
Accepting a DSA offer locks the student into HCI, bypassing the JAE, and minimum JC entry criteria still apply (O-Level requirements).
4 | Next steps for prospective Year 5s
Shortlist A-Level subjects early and note prerequisites if you intend to pursue Medicine, Law, Architecture, etc.
If aiming for H3 modules, maintain strong JC1 grades and prepare to apply the moment windows open (September–November for NUS).
Assemble DSA portfolios-leadership reflections, innovation projects, competition results-and highlight the character traits HCI lists.
Plan orientation logistics and subject consultations once O-Level results release; odd combination requests should be justified with academic goals.
