Getting career guidance and help with university applications for high school students is so important. Support in this area can include university fairs and advice on how to choose university courses. There’s also careers counselling, work experience and internships. Here, we learn what’s on offer at seven Singapore international schools.
# Tanglin Trust School
Tanglin Trust School believes that the university application process, like all experiences at the school, is an opportunity for learning and growth. Zoë Williams has headed up Tanglin’s University and Careers Counselling Department for over 10 years. She has extensive experience in international university applications and oversees a team of four counsellors who support students in navigating their chosen IB or A Level pathways.
The department offers students bespoke careers counselling including meetings and group workshops along with tutor times, assemblies and events. This comprehensive range of services supports students in finding a personalised pathway that best suits their unique strengths, needs and goals. A range of practical skills are embedded in conjunction with the Life Skills curriculum. This helps students prepare for interviews, write personal statements or prepare a portfolio of work, depending on the entry requirements of their chosen universities.
In 2025, Tanglin students received offers from 146 institutions across 13 countries, with the top three destinations being the UK, North America and Australia. That same year, Tanglin was awarded Best UK Pathway for an International School by Which School Advisor. The school was also awarded for the second year running the Gold Standard Internship Host from the University of Oxford. Notable 2025 matriculation highlights include nine Oxbridge offers, seven Ivy League offers, 29 scholarships and 6 students pursuing medicine.
Tips for parents
Zoë Williams, Head of University and Careers Counselling Department at Tanglin Trust School
- “The opportunity to explore work environments and gain hands-on experience is vital in providing insights and giving students ideas about potential future careers. Career guidance enriches a student’s understanding of the variety of potential pathways they can pursue and can also help shape their decisions when choosing their IB or A-level subjects.”
- “Getting involved in a CCA will develop a student’s confidence, self-esteem and collaboration skills. These are all vital life skills, which will also help your child to develop their CVs and college applications. Rather than pick a wide variety with little substance, they should pick activities that they’re genuinely interested in and will dedicate quality time to.”
- “Encourage your child to take ownership of their research and to be vigilant in terms of entry requirements for future courses in the Sixth Form or beyond at degree level. There are many opportunities for them to speak directly with institutions or employers. University fairs and college visitors are invaluable. They empower students with information, guidance and inspiration to make well-informed decisions about their future academic paths and firmly place the student at the centre of this journey.”
Hear from a student
“The application process, especially for schools in the US, can be quite complex, but the University and Careers Department provided a tremendous amount of support to help me manage it. The university application workshops and meetings with my individual counsellor helped me to keep on track with both my schoolwork and extracurricular activities.” – Aavienda C, Year 13
95 Portsdown Road
6778 0771 | tts.edu.sg
# UWCSEA
The University Advising Centre (UAC) at UWCSEA is made up of a team of 13 experienced advisors across Dover and East campuses offering in-depth guidance in university admissions and various sectors. These advisors work alongside students, ensuring they feel informed, confident and prepared for their exciting next chapter.
The UAC begins its foundational work with students in Grade 9, fostering curiosity and self-discovery as they start exploring their interests and future possibilities, including an introduction to Maia Learning, a global university resource platform. In Grade 10, this exploration becomes more focused, with students utilising career interest profilers to map out potential pathways and identify strengths. This process, guided by the advisors, helps students make thoughtful choices as they prepare for Grade 11 and life after UWCSEA.
Once students reach Grade 11, the support becomes highly personalised. Advisors meet one-on-one with each student starting in January, building relationships to guide both the students and their families through every step of the process. The focus is on truly understanding their ambitions and concerns, moving beyond just university applications and deadlines.
Recognising that the university process can be overwhelming, the UAC hosts a variety of community events to ease anxieties. These include UAC Conversations, Cup of College, Coffee Mornings and Transition Evenings for informal chats. Major events like the Lion City Fair and the annual Careers Fair organised with its Parents’ Associations feature university representatives and industry experts, providing further chances for families to explore.
Tips for parents
Shruti Tewari and Pamela Wetzell, Heads of University Advising, UWCSEA Dover and East campuses
- “Be understanding in your approach. This whole process can bring up a lot of feelings, so patience and sensitivity go a long way. Be mindful of how you talk to your child about their future and universities. Whether they’re excited, nervous or unsure, make sure they feel heard and supported. Sometimes, just listening can mean the world.”
- “There’s no one right path. It’s easy to think university is the only way, but remind your child that there’s no one-size-fits-all. Whether they go to university, take a gap year or explore something else, there are plenty of ways to reach their goals. Encourage them to follow their instincts and embrace their own path with confidence.”
- “Get comfortable with change. The future is unpredictable and that’s okay! Help your child stay open to new ideas – careers and opportunities may come up that we can’t even imagine yet. Teach them to adapt, see change as a chance to grow and stay excited for what’s ahead.”
Hear from a parent
“As expats for over 30 years and with children who have never lived in the country of their passports, we were at a loss of where to begin on our journey of selecting and applying for university. We’re so grateful to the UAC team who provided invaluable support, deep knowledge of the campus cultures of the universities we considered, and walked through a clear process to follow. Our Advisor responded promptly to any questions we had and supported our son to liaise with the university when we needed more bespoke direction.” – Louise Sullivan, parent of Thilo (UWCSEA Class of 2025, currently studying at Australian National University)
# Dulwich College (Singapore)
Dulwich offers a holistic, student-centred approach to career guidance through the engagement that the University and Careers Counselling (UCC) has with students. The school’s UCC programme focuses on students’ strengths, interests, priorities and the world of work. In Years 11 to 13, students are guided on understanding popular university systems throughout the world, the role of personal essays and the range of opportunities that exist in global markets for graduates of particular qualifications. Additionally, students are taught how to evaluate and research a university’s ethos, values and curriculum to inform their decisions and ensure best fit for them and their families.
The school’s dedicated careers counselling sessions and extensive enrichment and co-curricular activity opportunities support students on their journey of development and self-discovery. As students mature and develop a strong sense of self-identity, they work with the UCC team when setting personal goals and making sound decisions. The College supports and guides students on their personalised pathway as they progress through Senior School towards graduation. The school says that this ensures students are well-positioned to apply and be accepted into their best fit university. As a result, in the previous academic year, 94% of students were accepted into their first choice university, and 100% into their first or second choice.
Through regular one-to-one meetings with their dedicated UCC counsellor, every student receives targeted, bespoke and specific guidance and support. In this way, they are thoroughly prepared for each stage of the university applications process. For those applying for highly selective universities such as Ivy Leagues and Oxbridge, additional support is available in assisting them as they navigate the complexities of the process.
Tips for parents
Steve Martin, Head of University Guidance and Careers Counselling, Dulwich College (Singapore)
- “Students need agency and ownership of the process. Focus on being supportive and helpful during their research process. The students who succeed the most at university are the ones who feel they have found their best fit.”
- “Start researching, planning and preparing early as balancing strong university applications alongside academics can be stressful. Create a timeline and plan to spread tasks out to ensure their overall wellbeing during this period.”
- “Where possible, arrange university campus visits from Year 10 onwards so that students get a feel for the universities that they’re considering. Students and parents should also make use of the extensive programme of university representative visits and events that take place at Dulwich.”
Hear from a student
“The Dulwich university counsellor team was consistently supportive throughout my entire application process. I felt reassured at every stage and confident that each decision I made was the right one for me. My counsellor took the time to thoughtfully address every concern I had, no matter how small some of them seemed. I’m extremely grateful for all their help over the past two years!” – Clarissa, Year 13
71 Bukit Batok West Avenue 8
6890 1000 | singapore.dulwich.org
# North London Collegiate School (Singapore)
The University and Careers Guidance (UCG) programme at NLCS (Singapore) offers students tailored advice and support throughout the crucial stages of their education. Their goal is to help students find the right fit for their future education, whether that means attending a local university or pursuing a degree anywhere else in the world. Students can access one-on-one consultations, career exploration workshops, university fairs, information sessions with university representatives, guest speakers and taster lectures. There are also parent engagement sessions and personalised feedback on personal statements and application essays.
A distinctive feature of the UCG programme is the dedicated preparation for students aiming to apply to Oxbridge and other prestigious institutions. It includes guidance on selecting the right courses, application materials, insights into what these universities look for in applications, preparing for entrance exams and interview preparation such as mock interviews with faculty members across NLCS’s family of schools.
Many of the school’s students have been accepted into leading universities, including:
- Oxford, Cambridge, King’s College, University College London, London School of Economics in the UK
- Stanford, Cornell University, Carnegie Mellon, UC Berkeley, Purdue, Parsons, Boston University, UIUC, Harvey Mudd in the US
- University of Melbourne, University of Sydney, UNSW in Australia
- McGill, University of Toronto and University of British Columbia in Canada
- University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, City U, Poly U, Chinese University in Hong Kong
- KAIST in Korea
The team begins engaging with students and their families as early as Grade 9 or age 14. Students are introduced to the concept of career exploration, various university choices, different education systems around the world and academic goal-setting. According to the school, this helps students begin to shape their academic journey and plan their extracurricular activities. Early meetings give parents insight into how they can support their children in making these important decisions. By starting the process early, students reaching the final years of high school are well-equipped to make informed decisions about their futures. This approach reduces the stress of university applications and allows students to explore a wide range of academic and career options.
Tips for parents
Himani Swami, Head of University and Careers Guidance at NLCS (Singapore)
- “Begin the process early so that there’s adequate time to do the research and gather information. Families can also plan better as to what exams to take and prepare for, what to expect and the next steps. Starting early and staying organised will help reduce stress as well as create a timeline for all deadlines.”
- “Play an active role in helping your child identify their interests. Help them reflect on what they want from a college experience such as the size of school, location, majors offered, campus culture and extracurriculars. Suggest that they visit campuses to get a feel for the environment. Virtual tours are a good alternative if travel isn’t possible.”
- “Parents should encourage their children to take ownership of the process. Students will learn valuable lessons about independence and responsibility. Encourage ongoing communication with your child throughout the process to help manage expectations and reduce stress.”
Hear from a student
“The university guidance team at NLCS has supported me throughout my application journey with personalised guidance, in line with my abilities and future goals. With their assistance in managing deadlines and encouragement throughout the process, I was able to navigate this period with confidence. Their guidance has helped me in refining my supplemental essays and preparing for upcoming interviews.” – Maeji, Grade 12
130 Depot Road
6989 3000 | nlcssingapore.sg
# Dover Court International School
The Careers and Higher Education Guidance Counselling Team at Dover Court International School (DCIS) has a clear vision: learning adapts to the child. They empower every student to find a best fit destination that matches aspirations, personal growth and campus culture. Planning for careers and university routes is embedded early and revisited often. It begins with Year 8 group assemblies that help students understand how today’s decisions open tomorrow’s opportunities. Progress Leaders, Form Tutors and the counselling team support students with smart subject selection, ECA/CCA choices and exploring country and course pathways.
From Years 8 to 11, every family can book one-on-one guidance to align IGCSE choices with Sixth Form routes (IBDP, IB Courses, BTEC) and likely degree prerequisites. In Years 12 to 13, students attend regular, mandatory one-on-ones with their counsellor. They also work with teacher mentors who coach wellbeing, study habits and exam readiness. Frequent university visits and annual University & Careers Fairs give students direct access to admissions representatives and professionals. DCIS also runs workshops for UCAS personal statements, US application platforms and essays, requesting references, and interview or portfolio prep. Partnering closely with families, the school hosts parent coffee mornings and briefings, ensuring parents become active stakeholders in each student’s personalised plan.
The team says that clarity of fit is why 98 percent of DCIS graduates receive offers from their preferred universities. Recent destinations include King’s College London, UCL and NYU Tisch School of the Arts. A recent example is Hanayo (Y13), who received offers from King’s, UCL, the University of Manchester, the University of Toronto and the University of British Columbia. She is now making her final decision based on finding a great balance of strong academics and a healthy environment outside the classroom, which are the key priorities that guide her sense of fit.
Tips for parents
Careers and Higher Education Guidance Counselling Team at DCIS
- “Let students lead, supported with coaching. Encourage independent drafting of statements/essays and reflection with frank, constructive feedback. Support choices and help them learn from both wins and setbacks.”
- “Start early, stay curious. Ask what energises your child. Link interests to subjects, ECAs and real careers.”
- “Plan subjects for fit and future doors. Use the school’s counsellors to map prerequisites and keep options open if interests evolve.”
Hear from a student
“The most helpful part was the one-on-one guidance. Ms Rahman helped me shortlist colleges, research requirements, plan a timeline, structure my application and refine essays. That support helped me navigate the US admissions process, so I could focus on my essays and meaningful extracurriculars instead of decoding every university’s requirements.” — Dhriti, Year 13
301 Dover Road
6775 7664 | dovercourt.edu.sg
# Nexus International School (Singapore)
The Careers and University Guidance department at Nexus has expanded to support the school’s growing secondary cohort. The three-person team is led by Head of Careers and University Guidance Aine Massey, alongside Careers and University Counsellor, Tram Hoang and Careers and Alumni Officer, Monica de Waal. Together, they provide personalised support to help learners transition from school to university and beyond.
At Nexus, the Careers and University Guidance programme empowers learners in Years 9 to 13 to make informed decisions about their futures through one-on-one sessions and the Unifrog digital platform. Guidance begins in Year 9, where students identify personal strengths and explore potential pathways. In Year 10, learners develop professional skills through CV writing and mock interviews at the “Next Steps” Careers Event. By Year 11, the team works closely with families, senior leadership and the IB Coordinator to ensure IB subject choices align with long-term university goals.
For IB learners in Years 12 and 13, counsellors provide tailored one-on-one support to help students identify their “best-fit” university courses. Learners typically meet counsellors several times during the IBDP and receive guidance on every stage of the university application process, from researching universities to responding to offers. Year 12 students also attend a series of sessions exploring global destinations and university application requirements. They also have the option of joining the Nexus Careers and University Coaching Programme with trained Nexus coaches. This year, Nexus also hosted the Lion City Fair for the first time, welcoming more than 160 universities from around the world.
Recent university destinations include:
- University of Cambridge, Durham University, London School of Economics, University of St Andrews in the UK
- US Air Force Academy and Northeastern University in the US
- University of Hong Kong
- University of Sydney and University of Western Australia in Australia
Tips for parents
Aine Massey, Head of Career and University, Nexus International School (Singapore)
- “Start early with low-pressure chats. Engage in casual conversations about your child’s favourite subjects, strengths and aspirations. Simple dinner table chats or weekend walks are great ways to get the ball rolling from a young age.”
- “Empower their independence. While it’s natural to feel anxious about their future, try to give your child the autonomy to make their own choices. Encourage them to reflect on their academic strengths and support them as they learn to plan their own path.”
- “Explore together on Unifrog. Use the platform to discover career pathways and university destinations. You can also take advantage of a wide range of seminars, workshops and Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) to broaden their horizons.”
Hear from a learner
“The comprehensive IBDP curriculum, paired with the invaluable guidance from teachers like Ms Aine, has ensured that I feel prepared to embark on my university adventure. Ms Aine’s guidance throughout the university applications process was particularly crucial. Her commitment to student success shone through her mentorship.” – Eleanor Barton, Class of 2025, currently in her first year studying at the University of Cambridge
1 Aljunied Walk
6536 6566 | nexus.edu.sg
# Singapore American School
The Singapore American School college counselling team comprises eight counsellors who collectively have over 150 years of experience in college counselling and university admissions. The team begins meeting with students one-on-one in the fall of their junior year. In addition, the school offers a college counselling curriculum. Composed of 18 lessons, it stretches from the spring of students’ sophomore year to the spring of the senior year.
Last year, the careers counselling office held 32 public events for families to learn about various aspects of the college process, and it hosted over 200 colleges and universities on the campus.
Tips for parents
College counselling team at Singapore American School
- “When students are selecting courses for the coming academic year, they should consider where they plan to enrol in college. If the student plans to enrol in a college in the USA, a broader high school curriculum is often preferable. If a student intends to enrol at a university in the UK or the Netherlands, however, these programmes are likely to have curricular entrance requirements. It often makes more sense to tailor their high school curriculum to their intended university course of study.”
- “Summer programmes can be a great way for students to learn more about a specific subject that they aren’t able to study in their high school. But these often don’t add as much value to the university applications process as families perhaps hope. Students should consider using their summers to pursue an interest independently, since doing so will also communicate their personal initiative.”
- “Students often think that being a competitive applicant requires that they do as many different things as possible. This leads to a tendency for students to become involved in a long list of ECAs. However, regardless of where in the world a student plans to apply, depth of involvement and achievement in ECAs is nearly always preferable to breadth of involvement. Starting in Grade 10, students should deliberately scale back their non-academic activities to just two or three for which they have the most passion. It’s much easier to achieve great depth when a student is involved in just a handful of clubs and activities.”
Hear from two students
“SAS college counselling pushed me to look past the usual factors like location and size, and really focus on finding the right fit. They connected me with alumni who shared honest insights about their experiences. This helped me see where I could truly thrive. Throughout the process, they challenged me to make my essays authentic and personal. They were also there to support me during the toughest moments. Thanks to their guidance and encouragement, I was accepted early decision to my dream school!” – Hana Terami, 12
“I’ve always felt drawn to the woods. Growing up as a third culture kid, I explored the rainforests of Vietnam, the teak forests of Thailand, and the snow-covered pines of Russia with friends and family. In Singapore, I found the same peace outdoors. When choosing a college, I wanted a close community with access to nature. Through conversations with my counsellor at SAS, I found the perfect fit: Dartmouth College. With their guidance, I was lucky enough to be admitted early decision.” – Dashan Xu, 12
40 Woodlands Street 41
6360 6360 | sas.edu.sg
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