# Application timeline, from a January year.

Source: https://www.eltschool.org/sg/en/guides/admissions/application-timeline

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.

## 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) |

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.

## 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) |

Age cut-offs differ by country and school. Your coordinator checks them for the schools you choose.

## 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 | — |

## 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.

## 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.

- [Ministry of Education, Singapore — Primary 1 registration](https://www.moe.gov.sg/primary/p1-registration)
- [GOV.UK — school admissions and starting age](https://www.gov.uk/schools-admissions/school-starting-age)
- [GOV.UK — Child Student visa](https://www.gov.uk/child-study-visa)
- [ISEB — Independent Schools Examinations Board](https://www.iseb.co.uk/)

## Related

- [Boarding school preparation](https://www.eltschool.org/sg/en/courses/boarding-school-preparation)
- [UK boarding schools](https://www.eltschool.org/sg/en/boarding-schools/uk)
- [What is UKiset?](https://www.eltschool.org/sg/en/guides/admissions/ukiset)

## Map your child's route.

Tell us your child's date of birth and current school.

- [Book a consultation](https://www.eltschool.org/sg/en/trial)

Updated: 2026-10-28

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International education, supported one to one — from school subjects to the next school and university, with one coordinator throughout.

ELT School — one-to-one online lessons with native English-speaking specialists. Founded in London in 1984.

ELT School is operated by ELT Education Inc. (Tokyo, Japan) and ELT School of English Ltd. (London, United Kingdom). All lessons are contracted with ELT Education Inc.