Guide · Timing
Application timeline,
from a January year.
Singapore's local school year starts in January; UK and many other boarding schools start in September. This guide maps Primary 5 to Secondary 2 to UK and other year groups, then sets out the steps of an application worked back from September entry.
On this page
01 / Year groups
Singapore to the UK.
| Singapore year (Jan–Nov) | Age reached during the year | UK year in September — born Jan to Aug | UK year in September — born Sep to Dec |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary 5 | 11 | Year 7 (11+ entry) | Year 6 |
| Primary 6 | 12 | Year 8 | Year 7 (11+ entry) |
| Secondary 1 | 13 | Year 9 (13+ entry) | Year 8 |
| Secondary 2 | 14 | Year 10 | Year 9 (13+ entry) |
Primary 5
- Age reached during the year
- 11
- UK year in September — born Jan to Aug
- Year 7 (11+ entry)
- UK year in September — born Sep to Dec
- Year 6
Primary 6
- Age reached during the year
- 12
- UK year in September — born Jan to Aug
- Year 8
- UK year in September — born Sep to Dec
- Year 7 (11+ entry)
Secondary 1
- Age reached during the year
- 13
- UK year in September — born Jan to Aug
- Year 9 (13+ entry)
- UK year in September — born Sep to Dec
- Year 8
Secondary 2
- Age reached during the year
- 14
- UK year in September — born Jan to Aug
- Year 10
- UK year in September — born Sep to Dec
- Year 9 (13+ entry)
Based on Singapore's Primary 1 entry in the year a child turns 7 and the UK cut-off of 31 August. Schools apply their own age rules and sometimes place students differently; confirm with each school.
02 / Other countries
Other school calendars.
| Country | School year starts | Year group naming |
|---|---|---|
| Singapore international schools | Often August | Usually follows the school's curriculum (UK years, US grades or IB) |
| Hong Kong | September | By school curriculum |
| Taiwan | Late August to September | By school curriculum |
| USA | Late August to September | Grades; US Grade 8 is roughly UK Year 9 |
| Australia | Late January to early February | Years, by state （to be confirmed） |
Singapore international schools
- School year starts
- Often August
- Year group naming
- Usually follows the school's curriculum (UK years, US grades or IB)
Hong Kong
- School year starts
- September
- Year group naming
- By school curriculum
Taiwan
- School year starts
- Late August to September
- Year group naming
- By school curriculum
USA
- School year starts
- Late August to September
- Year group naming
- Grades; US Grade 8 is roughly UK Year 9
Australia
- School year starts
- Late January to early February
- Year group naming
- Years, by state （to be confirmed）
Age cut-offs differ by country and school. Your coordinator checks them for the schools you choose.
03 / The steps
Working back from September.
| Step | What happens | When (typical) |
|---|---|---|
| Compare countries and schools | Shortlist, visits or virtual tours | Two to three years before entry （to be confirmed） |
| Register | Apply to each school by its deadline | Set by each school |
| Pre-tests and UKiset | Online tests used early in selection | Set by each school; the ISEB Pre-Test is often about two years before 13+ entry |
| Exams and interviews | School exams, Common Entrance or the school's own tests; interviews | Set by each school |
| Offers | Accept an offer and pay a deposit | Set by each school |
| Visa, guardian and travel | Child Student visa (UK), guardianship, flights | The months before entry |
| Entry | Start in September | — |
Compare countries and schools
- What happens
- Shortlist, visits or virtual tours
- When (typical)
- Two to three years before entry （to be confirmed）
Register
- What happens
- Apply to each school by its deadline
- When (typical)
- Set by each school
Pre-tests and UKiset
- What happens
- Online tests used early in selection
- When (typical)
- Set by each school; the ISEB Pre-Test is often about two years before 13+ entry
Exams and interviews
- What happens
- School exams, Common Entrance or the school's own tests; interviews
- When (typical)
- Set by each school
Offers
- What happens
- Accept an offer and pay a deposit
- When (typical)
- Set by each school
Visa, guardian and travel
- What happens
- Child Student visa (UK), guardianship, flights
- When (typical)
- The months before entry
Entry
- What happens
- Start in September
- When (typical)
- —
04 / For Singapore families
Leaving a January year.
A child in a Singapore local school who joins a UK school in September leaves part-way through the Singapore year. Families often plan English and maths for the gap, and your coordinator maps which UK topics the new year group will already have covered.
Students at August-start international schools in Singapore usually move to the UK with fewer adjustments.
05 / Questions
Families ask.
Is it too late to start in Secondary 1?
Not necessarily. It depends on the schools and entry point. Ask your coordinator to check the deadlines.
Can my child join a year group below their age?
Some schools allow it and some do not. Each school decides.
About this article
- Written by
- （to be confirmed）
- Reviewed by
- （to be confirmed）
- Last updated
- 2026-10-28
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