Question & Answer

1. How is my child posted?

Students admitted through DSA must fulfil the admission criteria, pass the selection trial/audition and the interview (where applicable).

2. How do I apply?

All students will apply for DSA-Sec through a centralised DSA-Sec Portal to all DSA-Sec schools (except School of the Arts (SOTA) and Singapore Sports School (SSP), instead of individually to each school.  The portal will be open for application from 11am on 6 May 2026 (Wednesday) till 4.30pm on 2 June 2026 (Tuesday). 

3. When is the closing date for application?

2 June 2026 (Tuesday), 4.30 pm 

4. When will I know if I have been shortlisted for the selection trial and interview?

We will inform you from 29 Jun 2026 onwards if you are shortlisted for the selection trial.

5. When will the selection trial and interview take place?

We have scheduled the various trials and interviews from 7 July to 14 August 2026.  All shortlisted students must attend the trial or interviews as scheduled to be considered for admission.

6. When will I know if I have been offered a place?

All applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application between 17 to 28 August 2026.

7. What should I do if my application has been successful and I receive a Confirmed Offer from the school?

Your parents will be required to login to the DSA-Sec Portal using their Singpass to submit up to 3 school preferences (maximum of 2 choices for the same school under 2 different talent areas) during the School Preference Stage of the DSA-Sec Exercise.

8. My child is not in an MOE primary school in Singapore.  What is the application procedure?

Any child who is not studying in MOE mainstream primary schools, include Returning Singaporeans, International Students studying overseas or in local international schools, students in Special Education Schools or religious schools (e.g. Pathlight, Madrasah, San Yu Adventist) and home-schoolers will need to obtain a Registration Number (RGxxxxxxx) before they can apply through the DSA-Sec Portal.

Please refer to MOE website below for more information:

https://go.gov.sg/nmsdsa-sec-application

9. If I enter via Leadership through DSA, must I join the Student Council?
   No.  Student Council is not considered a CCA in Swiss Cottage.  Students who entered via Leadership through DSA will have to select a CCA like all other students entering Sec 1 through PSLE exercise.  However, you are expected to develop yourself through the various leadership opportunities, such as being elected to the Student Council.

10. What CCAs are offered in Swiss Cottage?

For more information on the CCAs offered, please go to:

https://www.swisscottagesec.moe.edu.sg/swiss-experience/co-curricular-activities  

11. Do academic results play a big part in the DSA selection process? 

Academic results is one part of the selection criteria and the school will assess all applicants holistically.  It is important for applicants to consider carefully if they are able to balance the demand and rigour of the academic posting group (i.e. PG1, 2 or 3) in the school they are applying for alongside their commitment to their DSA talent area.  In 2025, the PSLE cut-off points for the respective posting groups are as follow:

Posting Group 3: AL 10

Posting Group 2: AL 21-22

Posting Group 1: AL 25-26

12. What are the instruments used in Swiss Cottage Chinese Orchestra?

The Swiss Chinese Orchestra welcomes students who have a strong passion in Chinese Orchestra.  We take in students who plays a wide variety of instruments, including the Erhu, Dizi, Liuqin and even Cello.  If we do not offer your child’s instrument but your child is musically inclined and is willing to take up another instrument, we will consider your child’s application.

13. What are the subjects offered in Swiss Cottage?
    For more information on the list of subjects offered, please go to:

https://www.swisscottagesec.moe.edu.sg/swiss-experience/Instructional-Programme  

14. Can my child join two CCAs?

It is not advisable for your child to join two CCAs.  The school has common CCA days, twice a week, for all CCAs.  If your child has two CCAs, he/she will not be able to fulfil the attendance for either CCA.

15. Can I switch CCA after I have entered Swiss Cottage via DSA?

The DSA process is a commitment between the student and the school.  Once the child has been accepted by the school through a particular talent area, the child must commit to the relevant CCA.  There are exceptions, for example the child is injured and is not medically able to continue with the CCA.  In this instance, we will have a discussion with the child and parents.