If you’re looking to enter one of the Junior Colleges in Singapore, two colleges you may encounter include Nanyang Junior College (NYJC) and Anglo-Chinese Junior College (ACJC).
Here’s a comparison between these 2 schools:
Contents
Location
NYJC is located at 128 Serangoon Avenue 3.
The nearest MRT station is Lorong Chuan on the Circle Line, and it takes less than 5 minutes to walk from the station to the campus.
If you are looking to go to NYJC by bus, you can take either 58 or 105 to one of these 2 bus stops:
- Golden Hts
- Opp Golden Hts
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):
| Cutoff (Science) | Cutoff (Arts) | |
|---|---|---|
| NYJC | 6 | 6 |
| ACJC | 8 | 9 |
Overall, you will need to have a lower L1R5 to enter NYJC 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.
For NYJC, you are able to apply for DSA for different sports and cultural CCAs, including:
- Symphonic Band
- Art Elective Programme
- Floorball
- Volleyball
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
NYJC is affiliated with 2 secondary schools:
- Chung Cheng High School
- Chung Cheng High School (Yishun)
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
Neither JCs offer the Integrated Programme, which is found in other JCs like NJC.
Subjects offered
Here is a comparison of the subjects that are offered by both NYJC and ACJC.
| NYJC | 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Translation (Chinese) | ✓ | ✕ |
| 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.
ACJC offers a lot more subjects compared to NYJC. However, the subject that NYJC offers which you can’t study in ACJC is Translation (Chinese).
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 NYJC 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.
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)
Meanwhile, this is not really touched upon on NYJC’s website, and it seems that you may have to source your own project by yourself.
For NYJC, you are able to apply to the Nanyang Research Programme (NRP) which is offered by NTU. Ultimately, this can be converted to an H3 module.
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:
| NYJC | ACJC | |
|---|---|---|
| Art Elective Programme (AEP) | ✓ | ✕ |
| Music | ✕ | ✓ |
| English Language Elective Programme | ✕ | ✓ |
| Chinese Language Elective Programme | ✓ | ✕ |
| Drama Elective Programme | ✕ | ✓ |
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
NYJC did not mention the reporting time, but they mentioned that the latest that you can be dismissed is 1230.
If you have any CCAs, you will have to stay back for them!
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 |
CCAs offered
NYJC has a wide variety of CCAs, including those from:
- Sports CCAs
- Aesthetic Groups
- Clubs & Societies
NYJC is best known for their Volleyball team, where they have been achieving Champions in the A-Division games.
With 35 different CCAs, there should be one that you may be interested in!
On top of that, NYJC also offers 26 different Student Interest Groups (SIGs). These are self-initiated groups by the students themselves, and there are rather unique groups that you can join, including:
However, these interest groups may not be recognised as an official CCA.
Meanwhile, ACJC has a wider variety of CCAs compared to NYJC (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:
| NYJC | ACJC | |
|---|---|---|
| Gym | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tennis Courts | ✓ | ✓ |
| Fitness Corner | ✓ | ✓ |
| High Elements Structure | ✓ | ✕ |
| 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
NYJC has numerous ‘Dress-Down’ days, where you are able to wear a school shirt that is dri-fit instead of the actual uniform top.
Since you are able to wear dri-fit shirts, it may make school more casual and you won’t feel so uncomfortable being in full uniform!
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:
| NYJC | ACJC | |
|---|---|---|
| Nearest MRT | Lorong Chuan (Circle Line) | Buona Vista / one-north (Circle Line) |
| JAE Score | 6 (Science + Arts) | 8 (Science) and 9 (Arts) |
| DSA? | Yes | Yes |
| Affiliated schools | Chung Cheng High School Chung Cheng High School (Yishun) | Anglo-Chinese Schools GMSS PLMGS MGS |
| Integrated Programme | No | No |
| Subjects offered | Less | Similar |
| Elective programmes offered | Less | Less |
| School start time and end time | Curriculum ends the latest at 1230 | Start: 0800 or 0820 End: Earliest 1320 / 1400 |
| CCAs offered | 35 + interest groups | 42 |
| Facilities offered | Less | Similar |
| Additional features | Dress-Down day | Fun-O-Rama Chapel services |
Conclusion
Both JCs seem to have rather similar offerings.
NYJC offers more variety in your student life, and tries to make school seem fun. With the Dress-Down days, it does make it more comfortable for you to study while in college.
Moreover, there are quite a few interest groups that you can participate in, on top of the CCA choices that are offered!
Meanwhile, ACJC offers more CCAs which allow you to explore your interests outside of the curriculum. Furthermore, the facilities may be newer compared to NYJC, 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!
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