National University of Singapore, University Scholars Program

National University of Singapore Logo

National University of Singapore is an exchange destination for University College Utrecht students in Singapore.National University of Singapore is a comprehensive university offering a wide range of study fields. UCU has an exchange with the University Scholars Programme (USP). 

Please note: Students must have a 3.2 GPA (minimum) in order to apply for this destination.

Webpages
Number of places available

2 per semester

Academic calendar

Fall Semester: Early August - Early December
Spring Semester: Early January - Early May

Language of instruction

All courses are taught in English

Course offerings

UCU has an exchange with the University Scholars Program (USP). USP students are comparable to honors students.

They are registered with one of the regular faculties and do 70% of their study there. The other 30% of their academic work is done within USP. The USP offers courses with a limited class size, interdisciplinary content and high amount of participation. You will also be expected to take at least one USP course.

More information.

All exchange students are advised to prepare their Study Plan based on the modules available for exchange students at NUS and seek advice from the academics at their home university before applying for exchange at NUS.

Click here for a list of all available courses (‘modules’) and find them here for a brief description. 

See module restrictions for certain faculties!

Course levels

Exchange students will choose courses from the ‘list of available modules’ open to Non-graduating students available through the Non-graduating programme website. Courses can be of 1000, 2000, 3000 or 4000 level and are recognizable as such by their course code. Courses with a 5000 or 6000 course are graduate courses. Courses with the prefix BMC, BME and BMU are not open to exchange students. This includes the courses of the Faculty of Medicine. Please refer to the Non-graduating programme for more details on module restrictions.

USP courses are not listed in the ‘list of available modules’, students can apply for USP modules after arriving in NUS with USP directly. 

In general, the first number in the module code indicates the year of study, except for general electives modules with prefix GEHXXXX, GEQXXXX, GERXXXX, GESXXXX, or GETXXXX. Majority of the general elective modules do not have pre-requisites.

Exchange students are required to read a minimum of 12 modular credits (MCs) per semester (approximately 3 modules) and no more than 20 MCs (approximately 5 modules), regardless of whether these modules are set to audit or examinable.

Credit system

The NUS works with Modular Credits (MCs); NUS students usually take 5 courses comprising a total of 20 Modular credits per semester.

For most up to date information on the conversion, please see the credit conversion table

Grade system

NUS works with a GPA system ranging from 5 to 0

GradeBasic grade pointNUS GPA
A4.05
A-3.74.5
B+3.34
B3.03.5
B-2.73
C+2.32.5
C2.02.0
D_1.71.5
D1.01
F0.00
Housing

USP has its own residential building, for all undergraduate USP students (and also with exchange students to USP): Cinnamon College.  Cinnamon College has both single bedrooms and shared rooms.

Due to shortage of on-campus accommodation at NUS, exchange students are NOT guaranteed on-campus accommodation. With increasing numbers of incoming exchange students, it is very likely that some students will need to source and secure their own private and off-campus accommodation.

NUS receives more exchange students in Semester 1 (August to December); therefore it is more difficult to secure on-campus accommodation in Semester 1. Click here for help looking for off-campus accommodation.

Costs

NUS breaks down living costs in Singapore on this page. Meal plans are compulsary if you stay in Cinnamon College.

Orientation

There is an Orientation for incoming exchange students at the beginning of both semester. Students will be informed of the dates of Orientation briefing in their NUS admission offer email. There is also a Facebook page for exchange students, and a welcome party etc. Find out more here under ‘Orientation and Welcome events’.

Situation

NUS is in Singapore, a city-state with over 5 million inhabitants. It is one of the most densely populated countries in the world and is known for its modern cityscape as well as experiments with green cities. Find out more here. Singapore has a tropical climate. It lacks seasons and temperatures are always between 25 and 33 degrees with high humidity. There is always a lot of rainfall, but especially in November-January.  

Student life

The NUS campus is located in the city of Singapore some 10 km from the city center. It has over 35,000 students. The University Town (the residency area next to the campus) has, apart from the residential building, classrooms, elaborate sport facilities, small markets, several dining facilities, and etcetera. Download a map of the campus here.So, you’ll be living in a brand new environment! 

The university offers student wellness support. There are also dozens of student organizations that engage in all sorts of activities. 

Student experiences

In general the students who went to NUS are positive about their experiences. Especially the courses offered by the University Scholar Program are of exceptional quality. Applying for courses is an easy process, but keep in mind that you might not get in to all the courses you want. Most Singaporeans are very study-focused and as NUS is not an easy university, you will spend a lot of time studying. Traveling options are tremendous yet somewhat pricy. Students would advice you to participate in the voluntary activities organised in the first week.

Selection

Selection was necessary in the past few years.

You are advised not to place this exchange destination as a second or third choice.

More information

For information about the requirements for studying abroad, the application procedure and more, go to UCU's Study abroad page. 

You can browse through all UCU exchange destinations and UU exchange destinations in the exchange catalog.