UNIVERSITY · AGES 18–24
The University division
For students aged 18–24 on Sat 16 Jan 2027 at JC, IB, poly, ITE, university and other institutions in Singapore, plus 2026 school leavers, 2027 starters and NSFs. The same four quests and the same five criteria as every division, judged separately, with its own finalists and awards. S$68 per student, and fee-waiver places are open to University too.
- Divisions go by age on Sat 16 Jan 2027, not by school level.
- Play up, never down: a team can join the next division up, but not a younger one.
- Your division decides who you compete with. Your real age decides your tools, consent and safety rules.
University registration opens on Mon 19 Oct, 09:00 SGT, with everyone else.
AT A GLANCE
How University compares
Everything not listed here is the same for every division: the season’s dates, the four quests, the five criteria, the fee and the refund policy.
| What | Primary · Ages 7–12 | Secondary · Ages 13–17 | University · Ages 18–24 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ages on Sat 16 Jan 2027 | 7–12 | 13–17 | 18–24 |
| Born | 17 Jan 2014 – 16 Jan 2020 | 17 Jan 2009 – 16 Jan 2014 | 17 Jan 2002 – 16 Jan 2009 |
| Projects look like | Visual models, block coding, interactive stories or simple devices, with a simple test. | A prototype you can demo, with a test table and one round of improvements. | A working result, with a clear test method and known limits. |
| Process log | At least 3 entries | At least 4 entries | At least 5 entries |
| Finalists on stage | 5 min talk + 3 min Q&A | 7 min talk + 3 min Q&A | 10 min talk + 3 min Q&A |
| Who confirms | A parent or guardian | A parent or guardian | Yourself from 21; a parent or guardian under 21 |
| Lead adult | Every team | Only if a member is 12 or under | Not needed |
Who can join
You’re aged 18–24 on Sat 16 Jan 2027 (17 Jan 2002 – 16 Jan 2009), and one of these is true:
- You study full-time in Singapore, up to first-degree level: JC, IB, polytechnic, ITE, university, arts and private institutions all count.
- You finished school, JC, IB, polytechnic or ITE in Singapore in 2026.
- You have a place at a Singapore institution starting in 2027.
- You're serving full-time NS (NSF).
Who can’t join this season
- Working adults who aren't studying, and university graduates.
- Part-time students, and master's and PhD students.
- People who can see unpublished challenges or scores: YAI staff, interns and volunteers, judges and screening reviewers. Their relatives can take part if they tell us, and that person steps aside from anything to do with the team.
Proof of eligibility
When you register, tell us your school or institution and level, or your 2026 school, 2027 place or NSF status. With your project, by Sat 9 Jan, each member sends one proof: a student card, an enrolment letter, a 2026 result slip or certificate, an offer letter or an enlistment letter, with ID numbers covered. We record that it’s checked and delete it within 30 days. Teams whose proof doesn’t check out don’t go into screening. We don’t collect NRIC or passport copies.
Enlisting in early January? Please check that you can come to Demo Weekend (Sat 16 – Sun 17 Jan) before you register.
Your challenge
The four quests are the same for every division; there’s no separate University problem set. Read the four quests. Your full challenge, with the University requirements, a starter card and the resource pack arrive by email once your place is confirmed. University teams are expected to go furthest: a working result, with a clear test method and known limits.
Coursework and your own projects
A project that’s also coursework counts only if you make it in the build window (Mon 19 Oct 2026 – Sat 9 Jan 2027), say so in your project intro, and your course allows it to be entered in an outside competition. Work for an employer or a paying client doesn’t count, and neither does work owned by a supervisor, lab or employer. Work made before 19 Oct, or entered in another competition, doesn’t count either. Lecturers, tutors, mentors and colleagues count as helpers: write their help in your process log.
AI tools
Each tool’s own age rules apply, by your age on the day you use it. 18+ tools are only for members who are 18 that day; anyone still 17 during the build waits until they turn 18, and adult members never let an under-18 teammate use their account. Tools by age.
Teams, playing up and safety
Teams have 1–4 members and play in the division of their oldest member. A Secondary team can play up into University if every member is 16 or over on Sat 16 Jan 2027, and is judged against the University requirements, with no bonus or penalty for being younger. Children aged 12 or under can’t play in University.
Teaming up with someone under 18? Only if every under-18 member was born within two years of every adult member, for example JC or poly schoolmates, or if you’re family, such as siblings or cousins. The under-18 member’s parent sees your display name and age and agrees separately, and an adult member never registers or pays for the team. Full details are in rule 4.
Participants aged 18 or over follow the Code of Conduct’s rules for adult participants: never alone with an under-18 in a closed room, no private messages to under-18s on other teams, and team chats in a group the whole team is in.
Under 21? A parent or guardian confirms your place. From 21, you confirm your own.
Screening, finals and Demo Weekend
Open registration, no cap. 3–5 finalist teams per track in each division present live. University finalists talk for 10 minutes on Finals Day, Sat 16 Jan, then answer 3 minutes of questions. Every participant is welcome at Demo Weekend (Sat 16 – Sun 17 Jan). Every valid submission receives a certificate.
Exams or term starting? Please check your own exam and term dates: the build window ends on Sat 9 Jan 2027, and Demo Weekend is Sat 16 – Sun 17 Jan. How judging works
For lecturers & student clubs
You’re welcome to share this page with your students or club. We don’t need any student data from you: students register their own teams. Lecturers and club mentors can teach and help troubleshoot, as helpers; the ideas, decisions and presentation are the students’. If you also judge or review for YAI, you’ll step aside from teams you teach.
Questions, or a poster for your club? Email support@ycess.com.
Ready to build?
Register as a ready-formed team of 1–4. What University teams need to register