Higher 3 (H3) Programmes
Find out about H3 subjects available to top-performing JC students, including university-taught modules, research programmes, and MOE-Cambridge subjects, and learn how to apply.
The revised JC curriculum introduces a set of subjects at H3 level to target the top 10% to 15% of the GCE A-level cohort of students each year who have exceptional interest and ability in a particular subject. The intention is to further stretch these students to achieve peaks of excellence within the context of a broad-based education. It also allows students to engage in different forms of learning and research work.
Thus, H3 subjects should be offered by students who are academically able to cope with additional subject(s) on top of their minimum subject requirement. The approach adopted by H3 subjects is one in which it is an extension of what is covered in H2 subject but in a more specialised area where students will be stretched further with substantial deep learning.
Note
1. The maximum number of H3 subjects allowed is TWO.
2. The total number of academic units offered by students (inclusive of H3 subjects) cannot exceed 12.
Students can apply for H3 subjects offered by
a. University-taught H3 programmes (NUS, NTU and SMU)
b. Extended, in-depth research (SRP, NRP, NTU-A*STAR-HCI and HSSR)
c. MOE-CAMBRIDGE H3, taught in-house in Hwa Chong Institution (HCI)
(A) UNIVERSITY-TAUGHT H3 MODULE
1. NUS H3 Programme
NUS H3 modules is taught by NUS lecturers. These are regular NUS module which is pitched at undergraduate year one level. H3 students will be equally treated vis a vis all regular undergraduates in all assessment and in the marking (raw scores) of the assessment. Lessons are held in Semester 1 (for JC2 H3 students) at NUS and examinations are held at the end of the semester.
Period: January to April 2026 (Exam: 4 May 2026)
Application starts from 30 September to 3 November 2025 (noon). Selection is done by NUS and successful applicants will be notified by 17 November 2025.
Selection is based on good JC1 overall results, at least 'B' grade in the respective H2 subjects.
NUS H3 module available with associated H2 subject
No | NUS Module Title | NUS Course Code | Subject Code | Faculty | Associated H2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Geopolitics: Geographies of War & Peace | GEC1007 | U501 | Arts & Social Sciences (FASS) | History or Geography |
Please access the following:
Details of NUS H3 Timetable and Test/Exam Schedule
Application Procedures for NUS H3 modules
Please apply for admission via the NUS Online Application Portal. Submission of hardcopy documents and referee letters to NUS will no longer be required. Students are reminded to upload the necessary documents in their online applications in order for their application to be considered complete.
Kindly refer to the user guide for more details.
3. SMU H3 Game Theory Module
This course provides an introduction to Game Theory. Game theory deals with decisions of conflict and cooperation between equally intelligent individuals. In such a context each party needs to take into account the decision that the other will take, before choosing the best plan of action.
Period: January to May 2026 (Exam: 2 May 2026)
The SMU Game Theory application period will open on 30 September to 3 November 2025. Please note that HCI’s internal deadline is 3 November 2025, 9am @ College Reception.
Please prepare for your application as below:
1. Read the course outline
2. Bring the original and a photocopy of your JC1 Overall Result Slip, and submit a hard copy of completed Application Form at the college reception.
(B) H3 Research Programme
The following table shows the various modules offered for H3 research programme by NUS and NTU.
H3 research programme modules by institution and subject area
No | Title | Subject Code | Faculty / Labs | Period of Course | Associated H2 Subjects |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | NUS-MOE Science Research Programme (NUS-MOE SRP) | U001 | FOS | Starts in JC1 Term 2 (March) and expect to complete research by JC2 Term 2 (April) | Math & Science subject(s) |
2 | NUS-MOE Humanities and Social Sciences Research (NUS-MOE HSSR) | U601 | FASS | Jan – May in JC2 (Requires an approximate 120 hours of independent research) | Chinese Language and Literature, Economics, Geography, History, Literature in English, and Malay Language and Literature |
3 | NTU-A*STAR-HCI H3 Science Research Programme | T050 | A*STAR Labs | Starts in JC1 Term 2 (March) and expect to complete research by JC2 Term 1 (April) | Science subject(s) and Math |
4 | NTU-MOE Nanyang Research Programme (NTU-MOE NRP) | T001 | NTU Labs | Starts in JC1 Term 2 (March) and expect to complete research by JC2 Term 2 (April)) | Science subject(s) and Math |
(C) MOE-CAMBRIDGE H3 Subjects
These subjects are developed by MOE in collaboration with the University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate, taught by HCI lecturers and examined by Cambridge International Examinations (CIE), UK. Students will sit for a written examination that includes the GCE A-level subject papers in the year-end written examination at the end of JC2. For students who are required to submit independent research essays, the final submission to SEAB is in early Term 4.
Online application (via ISP) starts on 28 October to 31 October 2025. Selection is done by HCI H3 Selection Committee and the eligibility list of students will be released via ISP by 14 November 2025.
GCE A-Level Syllabuses Examined: H3 Subjects (MOE-Cambridge)
Note: All H3 lessons start in 2026 Term 1 Week 1 (from Monday 12 Jan 2026). However, some of H3 subjects (for instance, H3 Biology) may have lessons in Nov 2025. You will be informed through the subject coordinators.
The timetable for H3 Economics, Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Mathematics, Chinese Language & Literature will be on the same day of the week at the same timing.
MOE-Cambridge H3 subjects with codes and associated H2 subjects
No | MOE-Cambridge H3 subject | Subject Code | Associated MOE-Cambridge H2 Subject |
|---|---|---|---|
1 | Literature in English | 9805 | Literature in English |
2 | Economics | 9809 | Economics |
3 | Chemistry [Revised] | 9813 | Chemistry |
4 | Physics [Revised] | 9814 | Physics |
5 | Biology [Revised] | 9816 | Biology |
6 | Art [Revised] | 9818 | Art |
7 | Mathematics | 9820 | Mathematics |
8 | Geography | 9822 | Geography |
9 | History | 9823 | History |
10 | Chinese Language & Literature | 9901 | Chinese Language & Literature |
Please check out the Syllabus document for the respective MOE H3 subjects at SEAB Website.
Remarks
Listed in the table below are the recommended number of H3 subjects that can be offered for the various subject combinations taken by JC2 students. The intent is to ensure that students are given ample time and space to pursue their interest and passion in one or more H3 subjects while developing themselves holistically in non-academic areas.
Selection Criteria for MOE-CAMBRIDGE H3 Subjects
a. Mean Subject Grade (MSG) 2.8 or better for content based subjects
MSG is calculated for all H1, H2 content based subjects after C1 Overall Results are released. Annex shows the scoring points system and the formula used in computing the MSG. This criterion ensures that only students of the right calibre are selected. Prospective H3 students must be able to cope well in all subjects that are offered.
b. Within top 20th percentile ranking for the intended subject at H2 level
Maximum number of H3 subjects by subject combination
Subject Combinations | Recommended No. of H3 offered |
|---|---|
3 H2, 1 H1 | Up TO 2 H3 |
4H2 | Up to 1 H3 |
Students can appeal to read an MOE-Cambridge H3 subject if they do not meet the selection criteria. Decisions will be made on a case-by-case basis by HCI H3 Selection Committee. The student eligibility list for MOE-Cambridge H3 will be released on 28 Oct 2025 via ISP. Students who are not eligible can make an appeal by submitting the appeal form through ISP from 28 Oct to 31 Oct 2025.
