NUS High School offers its own six-year NUS High School Diploma. It is a specialised Mathematics and Science route, not the Singapore-Cambridge A-Level route.[4]
Last reviewed: 18 July 2026. Admissions dates were checked against NUS High's pages last updated 5 July 2026. Curriculum, fees, boarding, and research claims were checked separately against the official sources listed above.
TL;DR Year 1 places are offered through DSA-Sec. The 2026 DSA application and selection-test dates have passed, while the selection camp and outcome window are still ahead. Year 3 applications open on 12 August 2026. Students follow a six-year diploma with compulsory Mathematics and science depth, research, and a compulsory Year 5 boarding programme.[1][2][5][6][7]
Current admissions status on 18 July 2026
Year 1 entry for 2027
NUS High says it offers 100 % of Year 1 places through DSA-Sec and does not participate in the ordinary Secondary 1 Posting Exercise. Applicants select NUS High once under either Mathematics or Science.[1]
Successful DSA applicants must honour the six-year commitment and remain active in the selected talent area from Year 1 to Year 4. They cannot participate in the ordinary S1 Posting Exercise.[1]
Supplementary Intake Exercise
The Supplementary Intake Exercise opens only if vacancies remain when PSLE results are released. It is for current Primary 6 students who took the PSLE and were not admitted through DSA-Sec. NUS High says applicants with PSLE scores of 4 to 6 and AL1 in both Mathematics and Science are encouraged to apply, but that is guidance rather than a guaranteed admission threshold.[1]
If SIE opens, the application closes at 10am on the third day after the results release. Shortlisted applicants attend an interview, and an offer must be accepted within 24 hours.[1]
Year 3 entry for 2027
Stage
Official 2026 date
Online application opens
12 August, 10am
Application and portfolio close
26 August, 10am
Mathematics and Science selection tests
15 September, 2pm
English test and interview for shortlisted applicants
29 September, 2pm
Outcome
October 2026
Local applicants must be in Secondary 2 Express at the time of application. Applicants already in an IP track or IP school are not eligible. The school states that there is no admission beyond Year 3. The administrative fee is S$70, with a waiver route for financial constraints.[2]
Diploma structure
The official Programme of Studies differs by graduating class, so families should use the document for the student's own cohort. The Class of 2031 document shows compulsory Mathematics, two science subjects, English, Mother Tongue in Year 4, interdisciplinary curriculum, and Da Vinci work across the specialisation years.[5]
The May 2025 school profile describes a five-point GPA scale. A and A+ receive 5.0, while Da Vinci and Honours courses use Distinction, Merit, Pass, and Fail. The profile lists diploma classifications as Pass from 2.5 to 2.9, Merit from 3.0 to 3.9, Distinction from 4.0 to 4.4, and High Distinction from 4.5 to 5.0.[4]
Because cohort requirements change, do not plan from a generic claim that every student must take the same three or four named majors. Check the current Programme of Studies and the student's official module records.
Research and enrichment
The school's Research, Innovation and Enterprise pathway includes early maker and research experiences, mentorship, Advanced Research Projects, and presentation through Research Congress. The exact opportunity depends on year and project, so participation in an external fair, publication, or patent is not guaranteed.[6]
CCA is compulsory and is treated as a core but non-examinable module. The current school page groups CCAs under clubs and societies, performing arts, sports, and uniformed groups.
Year 5 boarding
NUS High describes a compulsory one-year boarding stay in Year 5. Its 12-storey boarding school has 416 beds and is intended to develop life skills, friendships, leadership, and intellectual curiosity.[7]
Boarding charges are separate from monthly school fees. Families should check the current billing page and financial-assistance rules before budgeting.
2026 school fees
The school publishes these monthly fees for 2026:[8]
Nationality
Monthly school fee
Singapore Citizen
S$300
Singapore Permanent Resident
S$1,090
International Student, ASEAN
S$1,885
International Student, non-ASEAN
S$2,995
The school also lists a S$30 monthly miscellaneous fee, subject to revision. Check the official fee page for assistance and payment terms.[8]
What families should verify directly
the student's eligible admission route and age range;
the current Programme of Studies for the student's cohort;
current fees, boarding charges, and financial assistance;
module prerequisites and graduation requirements;
current CCA, research, and university-module opportunities; and
any admissions date before acting on it.
Frequently asked questions
Does NUS High have a PSLE cut-off point?
NUS High offers Year 1 places through DSA-Sec rather than S1 Posting. Its SIE page gives a PSLE profile that is encouraged to apply if vacancies remain, but this is not a published posting cut-off or a guarantee.[1]
Can a student enter in Year 3?
Yes, through the separate Year 3 exercise if eligible. The 2026 application window is 12 to 26 August. Current IP students are not eligible, and there is no entry beyond Year 3.[2]
Is boarding optional?
The official boarding page describes a compulsory one-year stay in Year 5.[7]
Is the curriculum fixed for every cohort?
No. Use the Programme of Studies for the student's graduating class. Older school profiles remain useful context but should not override the current cohort document.[5]
