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Express course for secondary school
Express has two programmes: O-Level and Integrated. The GCE O-Level Programme is a 4-year course leading to the GCE O-Level examination. The Integrated Programme is a 6-year course leading to the GCE A-Level examination or International Baccalaureate Diploma or NUS High School Diploma. Students in the Integrated Programme do not need to take the GCE O-Level examination in Secondary 4.
Express course (GCE O-Level Programme) at a glance
Course length
4 years
Subjects at lower secondary
Students are exposed to a wide range of subjects at the lower secondary level to:
- Help them make informed choices on their subjects at upper secondary level and beyond.
- Prepare them to cope with these subjects at upper secondary level.
The subjects offered are:
- English Language
- Mother Tongue Languages
- Mathematics
- Science
- Character and Citizenship Education
- Humanities, such as Geography, History and Literature in English
- Design and Technology
- Food and Consumer Education
- Physical Education
- Art
- Music
- Project Work
Compulsory subjects at upper secondary
English Language, Mother Tongue Language, Mathematics, Science, Humanities
Options and electives
- Elective subjects available at upper secondary
- Elective programmes available
Certifications offered
- GCE O-Level (Secondary 4)
Next educational level
Junior college, Millennia Institute, polytechnic or Institute of Technical Education (ITE)
GCE O-Level Examination
At the end of Secondary 4, your child will sit for the GCE O-Level examination. Most students in the Express course take 7 or 8 subjects.
After Secondary 4
After completing the GCE O-Level examination, depending on your child’s interests, strengths and learning goals, they can:
- Attend a junior college or Millennia Institute and take the GCE A-Level examination.
- Attend a polytechnic for a 3-year diploma course.
- Attend ITE for a 2-3 year National ITE Certificate course (Nitec) or Higher Nitec course.
