UK and UCAS

Briefing
 TOPICS COVERED
GENERAL
01 INFORMATION ABOUT
THE APPLICATION
THE APPLICATION
PROCESS 02
STEP-BY-STEP
03 GUIDE ON THE
APPLICATION
WHEN TO APPLY/
DEADLINES 04

05 SOME THINGS TO NOTE

& HCI POLICY
WHAT MUST I
DO NOW? 06
07
Q&A
WHERE DO YOU PUT IN YOUR
APPLICATION?

The platform used by students to put in their

applications to a maximum of 5 UK choices and
for the CT to upload their reference letter.

https://www.ucas.com/students
 GENERAL INFORMATION
● All applications to UK universities are made online through
https://www.ucas.com/students

● Applicants are allowed up to 5 choices. Put in all the 5 choices at

once.

● Applicants applying for medicine, dentistry or veterinary science

are only allowed 4 choices. They are allowed to select an academic
course as their fifth choice if they so wish to do so.

● The cost is ₤22 for 1 choice and ₤26.50 for 2-5 choices
 THE APPLICATION PROCESS
Students applying with Early
Students CT (Referee) will
Deadline (only for Oxbridge,
Med, Dent, Vet applications) to applying to UK key in Predicted CT
fill in the Google Form by 8 regardless of Grades, (Referee)
August 2021 (by midnight) deadlines to fill Reference sends the
(no need to fill in if applying by in the UCAS Letter. For completed
other deadlines) application and ex-students, CT application
end off with will still fill in in UCAS.
Submit your Reference Request
Form to your CT “Pay/Send” Reference Letter.

Check out ECG Website > Calendar of Events/Timelines for the

specific details of the Application to UK Flowchart
THE APPLICATION PROCESS (cont’d)
● For those applying Early (only for Oxbridge, Med, Dent, Vet), please register your
interest by filling in the Google Form by 8 August 2021 (by midnight) here:
https://forms.gle/WBZyqSmYV29pNXvi9
● Those planning to apply for Jardine Scholarship, please express your interest here
as well.

All Non-HP students MUST register.

Those applying by Equal Consideration or Late Application deadline, there is no need to
fill in the Google Doc.
 THE APPLICATION PROCESS (cont’d)

What if I am a HP student and I want to put in an application by

the Early Deadline (only for Oxbridge, Med, Dent, Vet)?

● HP students wishing to apply by the Early

Deadline (only for Oxbridge, Med, Dent, Vet) MUST
consult your CAT.
● There is no need to fill in the Google Form and the
Google Form deadline and internal deadlines DO
NOT apply to the HP students.
 THE APPLICATION PROCESS (cont’d)
What happens after I register my interest via the Google Form
in putting in an application by the Early Deadline
(only for Oxbridge, Med, Dent, Vet)?

● We will check if you meet the internal criteria for Oxbridge.

● We will create an iEMB student group for current students for the purpose of important information
dissemination. Only students who meet the internal criteria for Oxbridge will be in the group.
● Ex-students will be emailed for the purpose of important information dissemination. Please check
your junk mail too.
● By end Aug (Camb), Sep (Oxf), shortlisted students will be informed with follow up instructions on how
to view the current college choice list and application history list.
● Based on the list, you may change your college choice list and finalize your choice by the internal early
application deadline.
 THE APPLICATION PROCESS (cont’d)
What is the Jardine Scholarship?
● Opens Mid Aug. More details will be released on their website.
● Only applies to selected colleges in Oxbridge, competition is stiff at ‘Jardine’ colleges. This is an
extremely selective scholarship and would require the support of your CT or CAT.

Hwa Chong Policy

● HC reserves the right to support your application.
● Indicate your intention to apply on our ECG Google Form: https://forms.gle/WBZyqSmYV29pNXvi9
For Jardine app enquiries, contact highered@hci.edu.sg
For those putting in application by
the Early Deadline
(only for Oxbridge, Med, Dent, Vet)

Please remember to watch our UK 101…

● General overview of applying to UK
● Selection criteria for Oxbridge
● Performing at Oxbridge interviews

… and Early UK Application

● Typical offers
● Admission Tests and Interviews
● How to choose colleges

ECG Website > Resources > ECG Talks

STEP-BY-STEP
APPLICATION
 1. Create your account

- Register in the UCAS Hub and complete

the registration questions and are
interested in ‘Undergraduate’ level of
study. 

- Please register with an email address

that you are likely to check frequently.
Your student email address will be
deactivated by the end of the year.

- Remember your login details by

penning, typing them on your phone as
this will be your login throughout your
application.

- Verify your account with the code sent

to your registered email address.
 1.1. Create your account (cont’d) –
Choose your year of admission and level of study

Your level of study will be Undergraduate.

Most students will be applying for 2022 Admission Year.

If you are an NSMan looking for deferment in your
application, please still put in for 2022 Admission Year for
registration Note that in your application, you can then
choose a 2023 commencement to the university.

*Please note that most UK Universities only allow a max of 1

year deferment.
 1.2. Create your account (cont’d) –
Some information for Registration

Fill in your preferences.

Find Hwa Chong Institution if you

are still in college. For
ex-students, you may click no.
Choose Singapore as place of residence.
2. Link account to school
Click YES when prompted if applying from
a school, college or centre.

We require all students, including

ex-students to apply via the school. If you
apply individually or through another
agency, none of your CTs will be able to
write a reference letter for you to submit to
UCAS.

To link it to the school (HCI), please type in

resilience2021 as the buzzword.
3. Find your group

Your group is your class.

Current students:
Select present CT group

Ex-students (except HP):

18/19 & 19/20 Batch - Select your CT group
Other alumni batches - Email highered@hci.edu.sg
your full name, class and CT name. ECG will create
your CT group on UCAS and you may select it from
the drop down list.

HP students (current and alums)

Select your CAT’s Group (e.g 20HPHJW) from the
drop down list.
 4. Add your choices

You have a maximum of 5 choices. It can be a

different course in the same university but the
same Personal Statement goes out to all 5
ECG Website > Resources > UK
choices. Your point of entry is typically the 1st year.
Personal Statement Workshop
 5. Your Profile
• There are 8 sections to completing your profile.

• Please ensure that you double check before

submission as once your CT has submitted,
changes cannot be made.

• Your predicted grades and reference will be

loaded by your CT/CAT (for HP students).

• You will submit and make the payment, and

the application will be directed to your CT/CAT
to load your predicted grades and reference.
When everything is complete, your CT/CAT will
send your application to UCAS.

• Tick “Mark Section as complete” once you

have filled out everything.
 Before moving on…
• FILLING IN YOUR UCAS UNDERGRADUATE APPLICATION guide is
available on the UCAS website. Please read them as it is very
comprehensive to nearly every part of the process.

• The following slides simply address information choices and/or details

that are pertinent to you as specifically HCI or
Singaporean/International applicants.

• Remember that at every section, please tick “Mark this section as

complete”. You can still make changes as long as you have not paid and
sent the application.
5.1. Personal Details

Key in your details as per instructions.

5.2. Contact and residency details

If you are an international student who will be flying back to your home country by the
end of the year, please put in your home country address as your POSTAL address as the
university might be sending you documents via mail after you have flown back.

Your residency category is “Other”.

5.3. Education

Fill in your personal details as per instructions.

In the Place of Education section, choose Hwa Chong Institution,

Singapore.

For NYGH and O levels students, please enter as follows:

Start date: 01/2020
End Date: 12/2021

For HCI-IP students, please enter the years as to when you were in the
school accordingly.
Eg:
Start date: 01/2016
End Date: 12/2021

For ex-students, fill in the dates you were in the school according.
 5.3. Education (cont’d)
For IP students to fill in
their IP Sec 4 results

Click Add Qualification,

then choose your For students who went
qualification. through the O levels to fill
in their A level subjects

For students who

took the O levels
to fill in their O
levels subjects
and grades

For students who went For IP students to fill in

through the IP Programme their English Language
to fill in their A levels grade
subjects
5.3. Education (cont’d)

Your highest level of qualification is Below honours

degree level qualifications
5.3. Education (A levels subjects)

Click Add Qualifications

Type in the subjects you are taking for the A

levels accurately.

Qualification Date: 12/2021

(for ex students, choose according to your
batch)

Awarding Organisation: “Other” > SEAB-CI

Grade: Pending
(for Ex-students, type in your final A level
results)
Example of correctly keyed in A levels
(HCI-IP and NYGH students)

A Level subjects for IP students are entered under:

“Singapore-Integrated Programme
Cambridge GCE Advanced Level”

This sample of a current student takes:

PCME combi,
H1 GP and H1 PW,
H3 Physics
Pending grades for all A Level subjects except PW/H1 MTL

Ex-students will have their final grades reflected.

*Fill in your H1, H2, H3 accurately.

Example of correctly keyed in A levels
(O levels students)
A Level subjects for O levels students are entered under:
“Singapore-Cambridge GCE Advanced Level (NEW-
first award 2006)”

This sample current student takes:

BCME combi,
H1 GP and H1 PW,
H3 Biology
Pending grades for all A Level subjects except PW/H1 MTL

Ex-students will have their final grades reflected.

*Fill in your H1, H2, H3 accurately.

5.3. Education (Sec 4 IP subjects)

For HCI-IP students

Key in your qualifications under Hwa Chong
Institution, Singapore as well.

Qualifications for Sec 4 Results will be under “Other

(International Non-EU Qualifications)”

Subject/title: As per transcript

Exam: IP
Result: As per transcript

No need to fill up the Module part.

5.3. Education (Sec 4 IP subjects)
For HCI-IP
For HCI-IP students

Key in your qualifications under Hwa Chong

Institution, Singapore as well.

Sec 4 English under “Singapore-Integrated-

Programme-English-Language-Qualification”

Subject/title: English Language

Awarding organization: IP Sch
Level: Sec 4
Grade: Other > grade as per transcript
5.3. Education (Sec 4 IP subjects)
For HCI-IP
For HCI-IP students

Key in your qualifications under Hwa Chong

Institution, Singapore as well.

O Level subjects under “Singapore-Cambridge GCE

Ordinary Level”

Subject/title: As per transcript (eg: Higher Chinese)

Awarding organization: SEAB-CI
Grade: Grade as per transcript
Example of correctly keyed in Sec 4 results
(HCI-IP students)
5.3. Education (Sec 4 IP subjects)
For NYGH students

For IP students who came from NYGH, please add in Nanyang

Girls High School before adding the IP subjects that you took
in that school.
5.3. Education (Sec 4 IP subjects)
For NYGH students
For NYGH

Fill in the appropriate details and dates of your high school.

It will be the following dates for the current students:

Start date: 01/2016

End date: 12/2019
5.3. Education (Sec 4 IP subjects)

For NYGH students

Key in your qualifications under Nanyang Girls High
School

Qualifications for Sec 4 Results will be under “Other

(International Non-EU Qualifications)”

Subject/title: As per transcript

Exam: IP
Result: As per transcript

No need to fill up the Module part.

5.3. Education (Sec 4 IP subjects)

For NYGH students

Key in your qualifications under Nanyang Girls High

School

Sec 4 English under “Singapore-Integrated-

Programme-English-Language-Qualification”

Subject/title: As per transcript (eg: Language Arts)

Awarding organization: IP Sch
Level: Sec 4
Grade: Other > Grade as per transcript
5.3. Education (Sec 4 IP subjects)

For NYGH students

Key in your qualifications under Nanyang Girls High

School

O Level subjects under “Singapore-Cambridge GCE

Ordinary Level”

Subject/title: As per transcript (eg: Higher Chinese)

Awarding organization: SEAB-CI
Grade: Grade as per transcript
Example of correctly keyed in Sec 4 results
(HCI-NYGH students)
5.3. Education (non-IP students)
For O levels students

For O levels students, add in the High School you studied in

(above example is Maris Stella High School) before adding the
O levels subject that you took in that school.
5.3. Education (non-IP students)
For O levels students

Key in your qualifications under the high school you

studied in.

Qualifications for O levels will be under

“Singapore-Cambridge GCE Ordinary Level”

Subject/title: As per transcript

Awarding organisation: SEAB-CI
Grade: As per transcript
Example of correctly keyed in O Levels Results
(all O levels students)
 5.4. Employment

• If you've had any paid jobs – full-time or part-time – here's

where you can enter details for up to five of them. This includes
your NS service.

• Include company names, addresses, job descriptions, and

start/finish dates.

• Any unpaid or voluntary work shouldn’t be included here.

5.5 Nationality details
This is 01/09/2022 even if your
commencement year is 2023.

All of you would need a student visa to study in

the UK unless you are a UK citizen.

Input your current passport details.

If you have to renew before you fly to the

country, you may input your current passport
first and inform the university that you have
accepted of your new passport details. Do not
apply for student visa UNTIL you have the
received your new passport.
5.6. Supporting Information

If you have any disability, mental or health conditions, you may use this part
here to explain. You may be required to submit any doctor’s diagnosis or
prescription to support your case.
5.7. English Language Skills
If you are a Singaporean, you may tick
Yes.

If you are foreign student in HCI, you may

tick No. There is no need to have sat for
the IELTS or TOEFL. However, if you had
sat for it, you may provide the certificate
numbers.

Note:
• UK universities should accept either an
English Language O level or an IP
English Language qualification as proof
of your English proficiency
• However, owing to stricter immigration
controls you may be asked to take
another test in order to satisfy this
requirement
• This is particularly likely if your last
English qualification was gained more
than two years ago
5.8. Finance and Funding

Those of you whose families are

most probably paying for your
own tuition fees should be
putting in Private Finance.

If you definitely need a

scholarship, you should choose
International Agency.

You don’t have to have

guaranteed yourself a
scholarship. This is to let the
universities know what to expect.
6. Personal Statement

Type in your Personal Statement

in this section, not exceeding
4000 characters (including
spaces) in 47 lines.

For more information on what to

write in your Personal Statement,
please use the following
resources:

- Watch our UK PS Talk on ECG

Website > Resources > ECG
Talks
- Watch HOW TO WRITE A
UCAS UNDERGRADUATE
PERSONAL STATEMENT video
by UCAS.
 WHEN TO APPLY?
● Early Deadline: refers only to applications to Oxbridge, Medicine,
Dentistry and Veterinary Sciences.

● Equal Consideration Deadline: applications to be sent by 26

January. This deadline means it is not a first-come first-served
system, so applying in November or December does not give anyone
an advantage. As long as you apply by this deadline, you can apply to
any of the course in the UK (with the exception of the Early
Applications courses).

● Late Applications Deadline: applications that are applied after 26

January. You can only apply to courses that are still available.
 INTERNAL APPLICATION DEADLINES
Applying for: HCI Internal Deadline
(student to submit UCAS and
request for reference)
by 17:00 (SG time)
CT’s Internal Deadline Deadline
(to key in predicted grades and by 18:00 (UK time)
reference letter)
by 17:00 (SG time)

Cambridge 06 September 13 September 20 September

(all colleges except
Trinity)
Oxford/ 01 October 08 October 15 October
Trinity College,
Cambridge
Medicine 01 October 08 October 15 October
Dentistry 01 October 08 October 15 October
Vet Science 01 October 08 October 15 October
Equal Consideration 12 January ‘22 19 January ‘22 26 January ‘22
(all other courses)
Late Applications 14 May ‘22 21 May ‘22 30 June ‘22
(courses still available) (earlier due to the June holidays)

The above deadlines apply to all students, including Ex-students/NSMen currently in NS who are applying for the AY2021/2022 cycle
 Some things to note… in general
• Make sure you review the details in your application as once your CT submits your

application, you CANNOT make any changes.

• Some things have changed since our UK 101 and Early UK Application Talks:

○ Deadlines (Trinity College, Cambridge has a later deadline of 15 October)

○ Cambridge no longer has the COPA to fill in (SAQ continues - sent after you have

applied)

○ Equal consideration deadline has permanently been extended to 26 January each

year
 Some things to note… for NSMen
• We encourage you to apply during your first or subsequent years of NS as you

can only defer your application for 1 year (it also gives you time to mature and put

it more thoughtful reflection for your application)

• If you are applying for PSC Scholarship that allows you to defer your NS until you

finish your university, you can decide to apply while you are still in J2

• Regardless your reasons, remember the HCI policy: the school only supports a

student for a maximum of 2 application cycles.

 HCI POLICY
1. Students can only request for references if the university they apply to requests for it. All references and
predicted grades are confidential and will not be disclosed to students.
2. HCI will support a student through the application process twice. This includes students with National
Service obligations, taking a gap year, or transferring to another university.
3. [For overseas universities] If a student accepts an offer and wishes to apply to another institution, the
student must withdraw the acceptance before the new application is supported.
4. [For US colleges] HCI limits every application to a maximum of 8 US colleges (The University of California
schools are counted as 1 application). Applying to more suggests that research has not been done well. In
addition, colleges monitor their ‘yield’ from each high school. If HCI students apply to many colleges, the yield
will be low and colleges may be less likely to make offers to future HCI applicants. 
5. NS men will not be permitted to go through the application cycle three times (JC2, first year after
graduation, end of NS). [See point 2] Students should check prior to application if the university grants a
two-year deferment.
6. Male students with NS obligations should only hold a place for two years if they are confident they will
enroll in the institution. HCI will not support further applications if a student is accepted and given a deferral
stipulating student must matriculate. [See point 3]
 Some things to note… reminder for
those applying for Oxbridge
• Only students who are in the top 50% of their cohort for Block Tests 2 may apply to

Oxbridge.

• Students who are between the 40% - 50% of Block Test 2 must be among the Top 50% of

their C1 promo exam.

• You can check with your CT if you meet the Oxbridge criteria.

• Only those who have tutors comfortable with predicting 3As for you (at least) should

consider applying.

• Ex-students should already have obtained at least 3 H2 As.

No internal criteria for those applying for Med/Dent/Vet.

 WHAT MUST I DO NOW?
● {Reminder) For those applying Early (Oxbridge, Med, Dent, Vet) and Jardine
Scholarship, please fill in the Google Doc by 8 August 2021 (by midnight) here
so we can note that your applications are sent by your CT the deadlines:
https://forms.gle/WBZyqSmYV29pNXvi9
 WHAT MUST I DO NOW? (cont’d)
● Those applying by Equal Consideration or Late Application deadline, there is no
need to fill in the Google Doc.
● What if you want to apply early but forgot to fill in the Google Doc?
○ Students (current and alums) must meet our internal criteria prior to
applying to Oxbridge. Those who apply without filling in the GDoc and did
not meet the internal criteria will not be supported in their application.
○ If you are applying for Oxbridge, you will not be included in the list of
potential applicants and shortlisted colleges that we will showcase to
students in Aug/Sep, therefore we cannot suggest or help you strategise a
more suitable college to apply to.
○ We will be unable to track the deadlines for you.
● What if I filled in the Google Doc and I don’t want to apply anymore?
○ Send an email to us so we are aware of your non-application.
 WHAT MUST I DO NOW?
(Teachers’ Reference Request Form)
● Verbally inform your CT that you’d be requesting for their reference now and
hand in the completed Teachers’ Reference Request Form LATEST by the
internal deadline (the earlier you give this form to your CT, the more time they
have to write a thoughtful reference for you) found in ECG Website >
Application Documents Checklist.
 WHAT MUST I DO NOW?
(Essay Feedback)
● Register for your US/UK Essay Feedback Session, visit ECG Website > US/UK
Essay Feedback Sesssions for the schedule and the instructions.
● The Cover Sheet and where you have to type your Personal Statement is also
in the ECG Website > US/UK Essay Feedback Sesssions.
 Reminder!

Please remember to watch our UK 101…

● General overview of applying to UK
● Selection criteria for Oxbridge
● Performing at Oxbridge interviews

… and Early UK Application

● Typical offers
● Admission Tests and Interviews
● How to choose colleges

ECG Website > Resources > ECG Talks

Q&A
 Frequently asked questions (FAQs) will be
answered in this Q&A document found on ECG
Website > Resources > ECG Talks > 101 Talks/Uni
Apps

Also, see summary of UK Application Flowchart

on ECG Website > Calendar of Events/Timelines

The ECG Website is your best friend!

THANKS
Check out:
ECG Website
CIALFO
Read the iEMB
Instagram @hciecg
Email us at highered@hci.edu.sg

Upcoming event:
US/UK Feedback Sessions
(check out ECG Website > Calendar of
Events/Timelines)