If you’re looking to enter one of the Junior Colleges in Singapore, two colleges you may encounter include National Junior College (NJC) and Anglo-Chinese Junior College (ACJC).
Here’s a comparison between these 2 schools:
Contents
Location
NJC is located at 37 Hillcrest Road.
The nearest MRT station is Tan Kah Kee on the Downtown Line. However, you may have to walk quite a distance from Exit B of the MRT station, before reaching the side gate at the National Junior College bus stop (B41079).
Previously before the Tan Kah Kee station was opened, I used to take the Circle Line to Botanic Gardens, before taking a bus to ‘Opp National Junior College’.
If you are looking to take the bus to NJC, there are quite a few bus services that you can take, including:
- 67
- 74
- 151
- 154
- 156
- 157
- 170
- 174
- 852
- 961/961M
Meanwhile, ACJC is located at 25 Dover Close East.
The closest MRT stations include Buona Vista and one-north (both on the Circle Line MRT).
You will be required to walk less than 10 minutes from either MRT station to ACJC.
If you are looking to take a bus to ACJC, some of the bus stops you can take to include:
| Bus Stop Name | Available Buses |
|---|---|
| Opp Acs Boarding School | 667, 33, 74, 166, 196 |
| Opp Fairfield Methodist Primary School | 667, 33, 74, 166, 196 |
| Opp Anglo-Chinese Junior College | 92M, 200A, 14, 74, 91, 92, 95, 191, 196, 198, 200, 92A, 92B |
Entry requirements
Here are the cutoff points for both JCs during the 2021 Joint Admissions Exercise (JAE):
| JC | Cutoff (Science) | Cutoff (Arts) |
|---|---|---|
| NJC | 7 | 8 |
| ACJC | 8 | 9 |
Overall, you will need to have a lower L1R5 to enter NJC compared to ACJC.
DSA requirements
If you are looking to obtain a Direct School Admission (DSA) to either JC, it is possible to do so.
NJC has a wide variety of routes you can use to enter via DSA.
This includes:
- CCA
- Art Elective Programme (AEP)
- Music Programme
- Science Training and Research Programme
- Malay / Tamil Language Elective Programme
While NYJC only offers entry via certain CCAs and the Art Elective Programme, NJC allows you to enter via DSA if you want to take up a language, music or research programme.
For ACJC, it is possible for you to enter the school via DSA too. However, not many details are available regarding the eligibility criteria for DSA.
Affiliated schools
NJC mentioned on their website that they are not affiliated with any secondary school.
However, it is possible to enter NJC via their Integrated Programme.
Meanwhile, ACJC is affiliated with quite a few schools:
- Anglo-Chinese Schools
- Geylang Methodist Secondary School
- Paya Lebar Methodist Girls’ School
- Methodist Girls’ School
Integrated Programme
NJC is one of the junior colleges in Singapore which offer an Integrated Programme. This means that you will be able to enter NJC starting as Secondary One (aka Junior High 1), via 2 routes:
However, you are only able to enter ACJC after completing your O Levels, as they do not offer such a programme.
Subjects offered
Here is a comparison of the subjects that are offered by both NJC and ACJC.
| Subject | NJC | ACJC |
|---|---|---|
| Knowledge and Inquiry | ✓ | ✓ |
| Biology | ✓ | ✓ |
| Chemistry | ✓ | ✓ |
| Computing | ✓ | ✓ |
| Further Mathematics | ✓ | ✓ |
| Mathematics | ✓ | ✓ |
| Physics | ✓ | ✓ |
| Art | ✓ | ✓ |
| China Studies in English | ✕ | ✓ |
| Chinese Language & Literature | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tamil Language & Literature | ✓ | ✓ |
| Malay Language & Literature | ✓ | ✓ |
| Literature in English | ✓ | ✓ |
| English Language & Linguistics | ✓ | ✓ |
| Economics | ✓ | ✓ |
| Geography | ✓ | ✓ |
| History | ✓ | ✓ |
| Foreign Languages | ✓ | ✕ |
| Music | ✓ | ✓ |
| Theatre Studies | ✕ | ✓ |
You may want to note that neither JC allows you to take triple science for A-Levels.
Both JCs have almost the same number of subjects that are offered. However, there are some subjects that are offered in one JC, but not the other:
- Theatre Studies
- China Studies in English
- Foreign Languages
H3 subjects offered
There are a variety of H3 topics that are offered by both junior colleges as well.
You are able to take H3 subjects which are offered by MOE in both NJC and ACJC. Some of these include:
- H3 Mathematics
- H3 Biology
- H3 Chemistry
If you would like to know what’s the difference between Further Maths and H3 Maths, you can view this comparison here.
Both JCs have also partnered with NUS and NTU to offer certain modules as an H3 subject. Some examples include:
- NUS Geopolitics: Geographies of War & Peace
- NTU Molecular Biology
Lastly, you are able to conduct an ‘Extended, In-Depth Research‘ project which allows you to carry out your project under the mentorship of qualified personnel.
In NJC, you are able to apply for 3 different programmes:
- NUS-A*STaR-NJC Science Research (i.e. NJC H3-STaR)
- NUS-MOE Humanities & Social Science Research (NUS-MOE HSSR)
- NUS Science Research Programme (NUS-MOE SRP)
For ACJC, you are able to participate in these research programmes:
- Nanyang Research Programme (NRP)
- Science Research Programme (SRP)
- A*STAR Science Award (JC) – Research Attachment Programme (RAP)
- Local Student Attachment Programme (LSAP)
- Overseas Student Attachment Programme (OSAP)
Elective programmes offered
If you are more inclined to the arts and languages, there are a few elective programmes that you can participate in.
Here are the programmes that are offered by both JCs:
| Elective Programmes | NJC | ACJC |
|---|---|---|
| Art Elective Programme (AEP) | ✓ | ✕ |
| Music | ✓ | ✓ |
| English Language Elective Programme | ✕ | ✓ |
| Tamil Language Elective Programme | ✓ | ✕ |
| Malay Language Elective Programme | ✓ | ✕ |
| Drama Elective Programme | ✕ | ✓ |
The only common Elective Programme that is offered by both JCs is the Music Elective Programme (MEP).
Depending on which Elective Programme you are interested in, you may be inclined to choose one JC over the other!
School starting time and ending time
For ACJC, here are the school starting and ending times:
| Event | Timing |
|---|---|
| Flag Raising | 8am (Mon, Wed-Fri) 8.20am (Tues) |
| Dismissal (Mon-Tues, Thurs-Fri) | 1.20 pm or the last lesson (whichever is later) |
| Dismissal (Wed) | Earliest is 2pm |
However, this was not mentioned on NJC’s website.
CCAs offered
NJC has a total of 31 CCAs. One of NJC’s more popular CCAs is their Canoeing and Dragon Boat team.
Sadly, it was mentioned that there are some CCAs that will be discontinued, such as Tennis and Aikido. This could be due to a poor number of signups from the new batches of NJCians.
Moreover, NJC does not have Student Interest Groups which are found in other JCs like NYJC.
Meanwhile, ACJC has a wider variety of CCAs compared to NJC (42).
One of ACJC’s popular CCA is Rugby, which they have been performing rather well in.
Apart from that, you are able to join quite a wide variety of CCAs, including:
Facilities offered
Here are some of the facilities that are found in both JCs:
| Facility | NJC | ACJC |
|---|---|---|
| Amphitheatre | ✓ | ✕ |
| Gym | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tennis Courts | ✓ | ✓ |
| Fitness Corner | ✓ | ✓ |
| Indoor Sports Hall | ✓ | ✓ |
| Indoor Gym | ✓ | ✓ |
| Field | ✓ | ✓ |
| Swimming Pool | ✕ | ✓ |
One of ACJC’s highlights is the 2 swimming pools that they have in their ACJC Sports Complex.
Additional features
One of NJC’s key differentiating features is its Boarding Programme. You will be able to stay at NJC’s Boarding School for various programmes.
I entered NJC through the JAE route, and there were 2 compulsory weeks where I had to stay at the Boarding School with my fellow batchmates.
On top of the daily school curriculum, we were required to attend some activities that were conducted throughout these 2 weeks. It was quite a challenge to juggle my daily schoolwork with these extra activities.
However, I went through the Boarding Programme quite a few years back, and their current programme may be different now!
ACJC has an annual Fun-O-Rama, which is a carnival where the proceeds will be given to charity.
As a Methodist institution, ACJC follows certain Christian rituals, such as Chapel services.
Verdict
Here is a summary of these 2 JCs:
| NJC | ACJC | |
|---|---|---|
| Nearest MRT | Tan Kah Kee (Downtown Line) | Buona Vista / one-north (Circle Line) |
| JAE Score | 7 (Science) and 8 (Arts) | 8 (Science) and 9 (Arts) |
| DSA? | Yes | Yes |
| Affiliated schools | None | Anglo-Chinese Schools GMSS PLMGS MGS |
| Integrated Programme | Yes | No |
| Subjects offered | Similar | Similar |
| Elective programmes offered | More | Less |
| School start time and end time | Not mentioned | Start: 0800 or 0820 End: Earliest 1320 / 1400 |
| CCAs offered | 31 | 42 |
| Facilities offered | Similar | Similar |
| Additional features | Boarding Programme | Fun-O-Rama Chapel services |
Conclusion
Both JCs seem to have rather similar offerings.
NJC allows you to take a wider variety of subjects and electives, so you may be able to find a more specialised subject combination if you do not want to take the ‘standard’ Science or Arts stream combination.
Moreover, if you wish to pursue a career in research, I believe that NJC will offer better guidance as they have lots of resources and expertise in this area.
Meanwhile, ACJC offers more CCAs which allow you to explore your interests outside of the curriculum. Furthermore, the facilities may be newer compared to NJC, which may lead to a slightly more conducive environment for you.
If you feel that a 2-year A-Level programme may be too ‘rushed‘ for you, an option that you can consider is going to Millennia Institute instead of a JC!
If you enjoyed this content, do follow us on Telegram!
Want to earn some money while sharing your experiences in Singapore? We’re always looking for writers and you can join our team here!
