Career guidance & help with university applications

Many international schools in Singapore offer career guidance and help with university applications for students. This includes everything from organising university fairs and work experience opportunities and internships, to choosing university courses and submitting applications. Here, we learn how high school students can benefit from the offerings at seven Singapore international schools; plus, we get some tips from career and university guidance experts.

Tanglin Trust School

Offering A levels and the IB Diploma in Sixth Form, Tanglin students can choose the pathway that suits their learning style and subject preferences. Each Sixth Form student has a dedicated Careers and University Counsellor to guide them as they decide on the best fit higher education establishment and course. Tanglin’s team of counsellors work with a worldwide network of university admission officers to guide families through admissions processes across different countries and institutions. From as early as Year 7, students can explore the world of work through visiting professionals from different industries. In Year 10, they undertake one week of work experience and can also take psychometric and aptitude tests to identify skill sets and interests.

Tips for parents

Careers and University Guidance Team at Tanglin Trust School

• “Ensure that your child thinks carefully about their university start date, especially if they intend to request a deferral due to the pandemic. While most universities are willing to defer for a year, not all courses allow it.”
• “If your child can’t decide between two countries, they could look for a course that incorporates overseas study or work placements as part of the degree. It’s a great way to experience a different education system and can be a cost-effective way of budgeting for a fourth year.”

Hear from a student

“My university guidance counsellor offered extensive accurate knowledge and provided invaluable support during my university application process, which is known to be complicated and daunting. With the strong foundation and support system provided by Tanglin, I was able to attain the best possible personalised outcome.” – Hannah Blakey, Year 13

95 Portsdown Road
6778 0771 | tts.edu.sg

EHL Hospitality Business School

The EHL Career Centre helps students with career guidance to develop their appeal as a potential recruit, in order to achieve their personal and professional goals. For instance, it conducts personality tests and organises mock interviews for students so that they can build their best profile, familiarise themselves with interviews and practice pitching themselves. The centre also guides students in building their professional objectives and analysing the different options available to them upon graduation.

Each semester, the centre works with EHL’s extensive network of renowned industry partners to help secure unique and tailor-made internships that are solely open to the school’s students. These provide the opportunity of bimonthly mentorship sessions with senior management during the internship.

EHL students and alumni also have exclusive access to the school’s flagship Career Fair held twice a year, as well as to the EHL Job Platform, both of which offer internships and job opportunities. The school also collaborates with other renowned institutions around the world on a Master Day, which gives students the chance to discover postgraduate options.

Tips for parents

Career Centre at EHL Hospitality Business School

• “Getting an early start with career guidance is one of the best advantages your child could have. That doesn’t always mean zeroing in on a specific career as early as possible; it means to start developing your child as early as possible for career versatility – transferable soft skills, network strength, business knowledge – as all these aspects build a superb foundation for any successful career.”
• “Work experience has become even more crucial in these increasingly competitive times, even for fresh graduates. Make sure your child is in an environment where they receive maximum internship opportunities for them to gain real-world exposure and resume boost before they graduate.”
• “Students should learn from others’ successes. Besides focusing on their own competencies, your child should talk to successful people they want to be like – they’ll be surprised at how many are very willing to share their learnings and advice! Find a school that empowers your child to easily meet these role models and talk to them candidly.”

Hear from a student

“EHL’s Career Fair stood out for me. 150 top brands and employers from hospitality and other industries come recruiting at the Career Fair. It gave me a great chance to introduce myself, connect with them and share my CV, and learn about various career opportunities. Having these every semester was extremely beneficial, especially while we search for our internships, which we need to complete two of throughout our studies.” – Justine Bockenmeyer, Chatsworth International School

3 Lady Hill Road
9851 6966 | ehl.edu

Canadian International School

At CIS, university advisors organise career exploration activities for students in Grades 7 to 9. They also work closely with the IB Diploma Programme Coordinator to help students in Grade 10 select courses based on requirements for their future university studies. When students reach Grade 11, advisors have individual meetings with them and their parents for university planning; they also hold workshops about the university application process when they begin Grade 12. Advisors work closely with Grade 12 students on all aspects of help with university applications, ensuring that they meet deadlines and choose universities that fit their personal and long-term career goals.

Tips for parents

Career Guidance Team at Canadian International School

• “Parents who understand the university application process can help alleviate students’ stress and increase their effectiveness in submitting good applications. We encourage you to attend our general information session and individual university planning meetings.”
• “Avoid imposing your opinions about the university your child should go to or what they should study. Understanding the reasons behind their choice is important. Factors such as location, cost, safety, weather, university size, clubs and employability outcomes are some factors that you can discuss with them.”

Hear from a student

“During the process, which starts from Grade 10 and goes through to Grade 12, my university advisor was a huge help with university applications. Not only did he provide detailed feedback on six drafts of my personal statement until I reached a version that I felt happy with, he also set up meetings with graduate students and CIS staff in order to help me prepare for my university entrance interviews.” – Emily C, Grade 12; Emily has been offered a place at Oxford University for the academic year 2022

Tanjong Katong Campus: 371 Tanjong Katong Road
Lakeside Campus: 7 Jurong West Street 41
cis.edu.sg

XCL World Academy

Nexus International School

Nexus’s comprehensive Careers and University Guidance Programme has a dedicated member of staff working with each learner on their university choices – they match personalities with courses, grades and applications in their country of choice. Career guidance education starts in Year 9; learners reflect on their skills, interests and academic strengths with the intent of making informed choices about IGCSE subjects as well as planning for potential careers.

Continuing into Year 10, learners begin to consider a range of career paths with the support of an interactive career platform. Progressing to the IBDP, they leverage software to input results, skillset, goals and subjects to view a range of university options across the globe. Throughout the year, they also attend numerous sessions outlining the application process for global university destinations.

The Coaching at Nexus programme is also available to Year 12, which pairs them with a trained coach for further support. At the university application stage in Year 13, learners receive workshops on writing personal statements and essays, interview preparation and individual support on how to respond to offers.

Tips for parents

Aine Massey, Careers and University Counsellor at Nexus International School

• “Start the careers and university process before Year 12 by engaging your child about their passions, hobbies, skills and academic strengths. These casual conversations can be done during meals or the school run, for example, to get your child thinking about the future, and help them focus on their ambitions and be motivated to succeed.”
• “Choose subjects that allow your child to achieve the best possible results but also meet admissions requirements for their chosen university programme. Discuss subject choices with teachers, who can point your child in the best direction. Using school report data can also help with decision-making – your child might not know what they want to pursue at tertiary level, which is completely normal, but choosing subjects that leave their options open is wise.”
• “The final two years of school are particularly busy; exams, internal assessment deadlines and university preparations can snowball if time isn’t managed well from the outset. Follow the recommended timeline for university research and applications provided by your university counsellor. Connect with your child to ensure they’re attending their counsellor meetings; ask them to share meeting minutes and planning folders so you remain in the loop. Encourage your child to attend university fairs and learn about admissions fees and visas well in advance to avoid any last-minute shocks when the offers come through. While university rankings are useful, finding a best-fit university for your child is what’s most important.”

Hear from a student

“The process of choosing my career path began before IB as I had the opportunity to discuss with my teachers and decide the subjects best suited for me. I attended university fairs in school and that gave me deeper insights into university life. Ms Aine also gave help with university applications by helping me and resolving any concerns I had. After Nexus, I’ll be completing National Service before studying Mechanical Engineering in university.” – Hugo, Year 13 IB

1 Aljunied Walk
6536 6566 | nexus.edu.sg

UWCSEA

The University Advising Centre teams on both campuses of UWCSEA work collaboratively to provide a student-centred career and university advising programme that begins in Grade 10. The programme intentionally links with elements of the Personal and Social Education programme, which is delivered in tutor/mentor time and through a calendar of grade-level and special interest presentations.

Students are guided in their planning of IB subject selection, possible career paths and related options to support this following graduation. The specialist advisor team focuses on providing information, guidance and advocacy to assist students in finding “good fit” university options where they’ll be appropriately challenged, join a community suited to them and in turn be able to thrive both academically and emotionally.

UWCSEA University Advisors include former university admissions officers who provide a unique insight into the university side of the process, and counsellors from a teaching background who bring a first-hand understanding of the academic environment. This balance of internal and external expertise is a key reason that the advisors are able to provide personalised and successful support for their students.

Tips for parents

Claire Knowles, University Adviser at UWCSEA

• “It takes the entire UWCSEA community to help support a student in their post UWCSEA pathway; each student is supported by an individual team of mentors, teachers, alumni, parents and their peers.”
• “The university advising journey can be daunting for students and parents alike, especially when it’s the first time going through the process. Our parental workshops and presentations provide a supportive environment and a chance to demystify, build confidence and understand the process, so that parents can effectively support their child in making informed choices for their future.”

Hear from a student

“When applying to universities, a personal statement illustrating yourself is required; the university advisors are extremely helpful in ensuring that you have the appropriate content and structure. They also advise you on the type of major that would be best suited to your subject choices. At the end of Grade 10, my university advisor guided me on my subject choices when transiting into the IB Diploma.” – Manaka, Grade 12

1207 Dover Road
6775 5344 | uwcsea.edu.sg

EtonHouse International School Orchard

Within the wider pastoral support network of EtonHouse International School Orchard, students have the opportunity to engage in careers and university planning during their ‘mentor’ class periods. Students in Year 8 (Grade 7) and above have access to the school’s careers guidance platform that provides a wide range of resources and guidance, from choosing IGCSE and IB Diploma subjects to exploring their potential future careers. IB Diploma students in Years 12 and 13 also engage in dedicated workshops to support their post-school planning and help in preparing their university applications. Each year, the school also arranges several careers and university fairs where invited guest speakers share their university admissions knowledge with students. Additionally, students have had the opportunity to visit several local universities.

Tips for parents

Career and University Guidance Counsellor at EtonHouse International School Orchard

• “Don’t be afraid to reach out for support! From staff at your child’s school through to admissions staff at universities, there are always people available who are more than happy to help.”
• “Make the most of online resources. There‘s a wealth of support now readily available online, from university information sessions and virtual tours through to short courses and even internships.”
• “Encourage your child to consider that everyone has their own pathway; their potential careers or university plans following high school will be individual to them, and most likely very different to those of their friends.”

Hear from a student

“When I did the early entry in Biology during IGCSE, I was able to develop my interest in the biomedical industry, which aided me in my choice to become a doctor or enter the medical industry. I had regular meetings with our University Counsellor, allowing me to discover various opportunities in different universities. To prepare for my actual interview, I was given the opportunity to have a mock interview with teachers. It was very helpful because I actually got an offer to study Medicine in the UK!” – Riya Sachdev, Year 13

10 Tanglin Road, #01-01
6513 1155 | etonhouse.edu.sg/school/orchard

Dulwich College (Singapore)

Dulwich offers a personalised pathways approach to university and careers counselling. From Year 8 to 10, students engage with the Morrisby Careers platform, offering a range of career assessments to help them explore their strengths, interests and career clusters. Students in Years 11 to 13 engage through the MAIA Learning platform, focussing on research for their best-fit institutions, career matching and help with university applications globally.

The school’s programme also includes careers workshops, exploring the world of work, personality profiling, subject option choice, and regular exposure to university admissions tutors, taster lectures and events. Students are encouraged to research their “best fit” in terms of values, curriculum and environment. By building a philosophy of self-confidence and self-awareness that starts early, the school’s programme ensures that students are in a position to realise well-informed dreams and leave Dulwich university-ready and graduating worldwise.

Tips for parents

Rachel Duce, Head of University and Careers Counselling at Dulwich College (Singapore)

• “Engage in conversations about your child’s next steps with an open mind, discussing their ideas with them.”
• “Explore university events with your child as it offers a way to develop informed conversations.”
• “Don’t worry if your child doesn’t know what they want to do; there’s a pathway for every student who feels empowered by focussing on their strengths, interests and curiosity.”

Hear from a student

“The Dulwich university counselling team has been a huge support system for me throughout the IB. When starting the Sixth Form, I had no clue where I wanted to continue my education in university. The team provided useful information, support, guidance and knowledge about which universities would be a best fit for me and my needs. Without them, I doubt I would be in the position I am, receiving offers from multiple top-10 universities in the UK to study Geography!” – Jack Bosher, Year 13

71 Bukit Batok West Avenue 8
6890 1000 | singapore.dulwich.org

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