H3 Programme (JC2)

The 2006 ‘A’ level curriculum introduced a set of programmes at Higher 3 (H3) level to cater to the learning interests of the top 10% to 15% of the ‘A’ level cohort who have exceptional interest and aptitude in a particular subject. The intention is to provide them with opportunities to pursue their passions and stretch themselves.
The H3 programme builds on the knowledge and skills taught at Higher 2 (H2) level but in a more specialised area. Students who wish to offer a programme at H3 level would have to offer the corresponding subject at H2 level. With this approach, students would acquire the foundational knowledge needed for an H3 programme.

Table 1 below shows the MOE-CAMBRIDGE and MOE Partner H3 programmes in River Valley High School that are available for student application.
The MOE-CAMBRIDGE H3 programme provides students with diverse learning opportunities for in-depth study. The syllabus of a H3 subject offered at 'A' level can be found online at the following URL: https://www.seab.gov.sg
The H3 programmes offered by MOE Partners (such as NUS, NTU and SMU) may take the modes of an extended research essay or a university-taught course.

Table 1: MOE-Cambridge and MOE Partner H3 programmes

Pre-requisite H2 subjects	MOE-Cambridge H3 programmes / Subject Code	MOE Partner H3 programmes (NTU)	MOE-Partner H3 programmes (NUS)	MOE-Partner H3 programmes (SMU)	Language Medium
H2 Mathematics	Mathematics / 9820				English
H2 Physics	Physics / 9814	NTU Semiconductor Physics and Devices			English
H2 Chemistry	Chemistry / 9813				English
H2 Biology	Biology / 9816				English
H2 Biology/ Chemistry/ Physics		NTU Nanyang Research (started in mid 2024)	NUS-MOE Science Research (started in mid 2024)		English
H2 Literature in English	Literature in English / 9805		NUS-MOE Humanities & Social Science Research (ELit)		English
H2 Economics/ History/Geography/Chinese Language & Literature			NUS-MOE Humanities & Social Science Research (Hist/ Geo/CLL/EC)	SMU Game Theory (Econs)	English; Chinese (for CLL)
H2 Geography/ History	History / 9823		NUS Geopolitics: Geographies of War and Peace		English

The admission criteria and timeframe for MOE Partner H3 programmes is shown in Table 2 below.

MOE Partner programmes	Admission criteria	*Timeframe	URL
NUS-MOE Humanities & Social Science Research (NUS-MOE HSSR)	* JC or IP school teachers’ recommendation * Quality of research proposals * At least a ‘B’ or better in the corresponding H2 subject	Oct (JC1) to Aug (JC2)	https://www.moe.gov.sg/education-in-sg/our-programmes/nus-moe-hssr
NUS-MOE Science Research	* Above-average performance in the Aptitude Test * JC or IP school Principal’s recommendation * Successful completion of Research Methods Module (RMM) * Acceptance of an approved research proposal by a mentor	Feb (JC1) to Apr (JC2)	https://www.science.nus.edu.sg/undergraduates/schools-and-public-outreach/research-programmes/science-research-programme-srp/
NUS H3 University-taught course	* JC or IP school teachers’ recommendation	Jan to May (JC2)

NTU Nanyang Science Research	* JC or IP school teachers’ recommendation * Interviews by NTU * Successful completion of Training Seminar * Acceptance of an approved research plan by a mentor	April (JC1) to Apr (JC2)	https://www.ntu.edu.sg/education/talent-outreach/NRP
NTU H3 University-taught course	* JC or IP school teachers’ recommendation based on student’s overall performance	Jan to May (JC2)	https://www.ntu.edu.sg/education/talent-outreach/h3-taught/applications

SMU H3 University-taught course	* JC or IP school teachers’ recommendation based on student’s overall performance	Jan to May (JC2)

* Timeframe is subject to changes by the relevant Universities
* Student attendance policy offered by MOE Partners.

The candidates’ grades for MOE-Cambridge and MOE Partner H3 programme will be reflected in the MOE-issued School Graduation Certificate and Singapore-Cambridge GCE A-level Certificate.
The H3 gradings are Distinction, Merit, Pass and Ungraded.

A candidate who wishes to withdraw from H3 programmes offered by MOE Partners (i.e. NUS, NTU and SMU) must submit the withdrawal form to the School H3 coordinator.
A common withdrawal period applies for all H3 programmes offered by MOE Partners. The withdrawal period is stipulated as follows:


H3 university-taught courses	Within two weeks from the start of instruction (as indicated in the university’s academic calendar for the semester)
H3 Science research	Within two weeks after the submission of the research proposal
H3 HSSRP	Within two weeks from the last day of acceptance of letter of offer

Withdrawal of students after the start of instruction:

Students who withdraw within the withdrawal period will have to pay the $60 course fee to NUS/NTU/SMU.
Students who withdraw after the withdrawal period will have the following penalties imposed on top of the $60 course fee:
Singapore Permanent Residents (PRs) will have to pay a $50 administrative fee to SEAB and international students will have to pay a $70 administrative fee to SEAB.
An "Absent" grade will be reflected on the student's GCE A-Level Certificate for the H3 subject.

MOE Partner H3 Programme	Syllabus
NTU	* Online Application Form
NUS	* Module Information Programme Timetable Application Instructions
SMU	*Application Form

Date	Activity
11 Oct 2024	Publicise H3 programmes (MOE-Cambridge and MOE-Partner) and open application for 2024. Students sign up with school’s H3 coordinator using RVHS H3 Application Form & RVHS Online H3 Application. If applying to NUS/NTU/SMU, fill in their (online) applications as well.
18 Oct 2024	RVHS Close applications. H3 coordinator to process and submit all documents to NUS, NTU, SMU.
15 Nov 2024	MOE partners (NUS, NTU, SMU) offer admission letters to successful applicants through schools/JCs.
22 Nov 2024	Deadline for acceptance of offers for MOE-Partner H3 Programme
Term 1 Week 1 & 2 of Jan 2025	Check with JC2 Subject Tutor successful application for MOE-Cambridge modules.
NUS, NTU, SMU – Jan 2025	Start of instruction/Start of withdrawal period for NUS, NTU, SMU Programme.
2 weeks after start of instruction	End of withdrawal period.

The list of FAQs can be found here .