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Last Updated: 09 Jan 2025

Humanities Scholarship and Programme (HSP)

This scholarship is awarded in Pre-University 1 to students admitted to the Humanities Scholarship and Programme (HSP).

About HSP

It is awarded for 2 years. The award covers an allowance of $1,000 and school fees based on Singapore Citizen's rates less any subsidies, subject to an annual cap of $2,400, as long as the student meets the renewal criteria and remains enrolled in the HSP. Only Singapore Citizens are eligible.

Who is eligible

Singapore Citizens who:

  • Are enrolled in the HSP
  • Have done consistently well in school and obtained outstanding results in their GCE O-Level examinations or equivalent based on the school's internal assessment
  • Obtained at least a B3 in English Language or equivalent
  • Have good co-curricular activities record
  • Have good conduct record

Additional requirements

For scholarship recipients taking the GCE A-Level examinations, you must offer the following subjects:

  • H1 subjects (compulsory)
    • General Paper
    • Mother Tongue Language (MTL) or Mother Tongue Language and Literature (MTLL) (Please note that this requirement is not compulsory if you have obtained a D7 or better in your Higher Mother Tongue Language at GCE O-Level examinations)
    • Project Work
  • First H2 subject (compulsory)
    • Literature in English
  • Second H2 subject (select one from the following)
    • China Studies (in English or Chinese)
    • Economics
    • Geography
    • History
  • Third H2 subject (select one from the following)
    • Any one of the second H2 subjects
    • Knowledge and Inquiry (Knowledge & Inquiry should be offered as one of 4 H2 subjects.)
    • English Language and Linguistics
    • Mother Tongue Language and Literature
    • Translation (Chinese)
    • Japanese
    • French
    • German
    • Music
    • Art
    • Theatre Studies and Drama
  • A contrasting subject
    • Knowledge & Inquiry
    • Subject from the Maths/Science group

For scholarship recipients taking the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP), you must offer the following subjects:

  • Theory of Knowledge
  • Creativity, Action, Service
  • Extended Essay
  • 3 Higher Level (HL) subjects
    • English A: Literature
    • 2 other subjects chosen from History, Geography or Economics
  • 3 Standard Level (SL) subjects
    • Second Language (Chinese, English, Malay, Tamil, Hindi, Spanish or French)
    • Biology, Chemistry or Physics
    • Mathematics

Scholars must not be concurrent recipients of any other MOE scholarships except the Edusave Scholarships for Independent Schools (ESIS).

Which schools offer HSP

How to apply

For IP students:

  • Application for 2026 cycle will start in mid-October 2025.

For all other students:

  • Application for 2025 cycle starts on Friday, 10 January and ends at 11.59pm on Monday, 24 February 2025. No offline applications will be accepted after application period ends.

    To apply for the scholarship, a valid SingPass account with 2-Factor Authentication (2FA) is required to access the application system. Details on the application for a SingPass can be found on the SingPass website. As the set up for SingPass Myinfo may not be immediate, we strongly encourage students to complete your SingPass application early to avoid encountering technical issues close to application closing.

    Log in to the application system through your Singpass and register as a new user to create an account using your personal valid email account. After your account has been successfully created, you may log in using your Singpass to access the application form.

    You can refer to this guide when completing your online application. You need to submit an essay of about 500-600 words on either of the following questions:
    1. A controversial issue in the world today, and how will you address it.
    2. A challenge facing Singapore society today, and how will you address it.

    In your essay, you should provide cogent arguments, with relevant analysis, in support of your stand. When submitting your essay, please ensure that your essay does not exceed 600 words, indicate the question you have selected and provide a title that captures what your essay is about.

Selection, interview and announcement of result

If you are in the Integrated Programme

  • You will be invited for the scholarship selection interview if you are nominated by your school
  • Details of the interview will be sent through email in early January, and the interview will be conducted in late January
  • Successful candidates will be notified in February

If you are not in the Integrated Programme

  • You will be invited for the scholarship selection interview based on your GCE O-Level examination results and school's recommendation
  • Details of the interview will be sent through email in mid-March, and the interview will be conducted in end-March
  • Successful candidates will be notified in April

Find out more about the other programme-specific scholarships for Pre-University.