STUDY ABROAD
General
IMPORTANT
For all application portals
Use your PERSONAL EMAIL as your HCI email will be deactivated.
Ensure your indicated address(es) can be reached over the holiday period, especially for those of you travelling/going home.
English proficiency requirements
In some cases IELTS (English Proficiency Test) might be required, if you are asked to do IELTS please send the university your IP cert and Sec 4 results or O-level cert and request for them to consider it.
(NEW) Oxford applications please note that the dates for Oxford Admissions Tests has been set, and places are limited. Please complete the test registration via the Oxford Admissions Tests registration portal as soon as possible.
Should I study abroad? Where?
Deciding between local vs overseas
Read Alumni Stories
Deciding between US or UK
Where do I study: US vs UK slides from talk by ECG
Studying in countries other than SG, UK, US: Rest of the world slides by HCI ECG
Using CIALFO
Need CIALFO to applying abroad to any country except UK, China, Taiwan.
Go to Cialfo HCI
Log in to your personal email account (indicated on ISP) and not your HCI google account (as it will be deactivated on 31 Dec for all C2s).
If you have issues logging in please email highered@hci.edu.sg
How to Respond to Overseas Offers
Instructions on responding to overseas offers can be found here: (Updated Feb 2022)
Requesting Teacher Reference Letter
Students can request reference letters for their university application via email using the Teacher Reference Request Form.
Essay Guidance
See UK/US Essay Feedback for instructions and deadlines.
We are planning to conduct a workshop for UK/US essays during the June holidays.
We are planning to conduct a workshop for local medicine essays in December, after A-Levels.
Portfolio Guidance
Find a short guide and FAQ on all portfolio-related matters here.
Interview Guidance
See our Interview Tips for University
UK
For a detailed overview to applying to UK universities, including comprehensive FAQs:
UK Uni Apps Guide by HCI ECG (updated in April 2025)
See this page for information on getting essay feedback from ECG for UK personal statements/US essays.
For a general list of documents needed for US/UK applications, see US/UK application documents checklist
As requirements differ between universities and can change each year, please use this as a rough guide only and check the official websites of specific universities you are applying to for the required documents.
For help on using UCAS: UK UCAS Guide (Updated 27 May 2024, with UK UCAS buzzword included).
For choosing a UK undergraduate courses:
For help on writing the personal statement:
For help on Oxford applications:
For help on Cambridge applications:
Cambridge Application Guide by CUMSA
Please take note that there have been some changes to Cambridge's Admissions Tests for entry in 2025/2026.
My Cambridge Application Guide for students applying to Cambridge for entry in 2025/2026 (Updated 28 May 2024)
US
Detailed overview to applying to US universities, including comprehensive FAQs:
US Uni Apps Guide by HCI ECG (updated Apr 2024)
See this page for information on getting essay feedback from ECG for UK personal statements/US essays.
Besides filling in your applications on university portals such as CommonApp, you must add the schools you intend to apply to/are applying to on CIALFO.
For a general list of documents needed for US/UK applications, see US/UK application documents checklist
As requirements differ between universities and can change each year, please use this as a rough guide only and check the official websites of specific universities you are applying to for the required documents.
Help on using portals:
Intro to US Uni portal (important, updated in July annually)
Cialfo & Common App Walkthrough (Updated - 6 August 2024)
UC Portal Walkthrough (Updated- 23 Aug 2024)
Help on essay-writing:
Overview of Reach, Target, and Safety schools:
General tips for applying to selective schools:
Rest of the World
China/Taiwan
For questions on applications to Chinese and Taiwanese universities, please approach Mr Yeong Chan Kong from our MTL Dept, yeongck@hci.edu.sg.
Study in China - An Overview, prepared by MTL Department.
Do read these slides if you are interested in applying to China Universities and reach out to MTL Dept only if you have more questions even after you have done your research.
Please check the university websites for full information.
You may wish to refer to this brochure by International College of Innovation (ICI)
Basic information on Study in Taipei