National University of Singapore
Programme Details
Minimum mark 60%
Level Undergraduate
Language/s English
Agreement Scope University-wide (check with your department regarding compatibility with your degree programme)
Exchange Places 2 full year places for 2024/25
Overview
About:
As Singapore’s flagship university and among Asia’s best, the National University of Singapore (NUS) offers a global approach to education, research and entrepreneurship, with a focus on Asian perspectives and expertise. NUS has 17 faculties and schools across three campuses. The University’s multidisciplinary and real-world approach to education, research and entrepreneurship enables us to work closely with industry, governments and academia to address crucial and complex issues relevant to Asia and the world. Researchers in our faculties, 29 university-level research institutes, research centres of excellence and corporate labs focus on themes that include energy, environmental and urban sustainability; treatment and prevention of diseases common among Asians; active ageing; advanced materials; as well as risk management and resilience of financial systems. The University’s latest research focus is to use data science, operations research and cybersecurity to support Singapore's Smart Nation initiative. We also strive to create a supportive and innovative environment to promote creative enterprise within our community.
Contact at NUS:
Orion Kew: orion@nus.edu.sg
International Relations Office, 3rd Storey, Unit 03-04, Shaw Foundation Alumni House, 11 Kent Ridge Drive, Singapore, 119244
Highlights:
NUS offers a busy student life, with plenty of sporting, cultural and arts activities. It’s spread over three campuses and has recently opened NUS University Town at the Kent Ridge Campus, offering an educational hub with residential spaces, teaching facilities and study clusters to create a lively intellectual, social and cultural environment. Blended learning courses use technology to merge face to face activities with online platforms.
NUS is ranked 25th in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2020 and 3rd in the Times Higher Education Asia University Rankings 2020.
Location:
The island of Singapore’s total land area is just 718.3 square km!, And at just one degree above the equator, the city-state enjoys year-long temperatures that range from 24.0°C to 34.0°C and an average daily relative humidity of 61-65%. Most Singaporeans are descendants of immigrants from the Malay Peninsula, China or the Indian sub-continent. While they have gradually acquired a distinct identity as Singaporeans, many still retain their customs, practices and festivals in an interesting mix of the modern and traditional ways.
From its botanic gardens, rainforests and wetlands to its exceptional shopping and eclectic food scene, Singapore is one of Asia’s top destinations. It’s also a world leader in research and innovation, with a number of highly ranking universities and an excellent student life. Singapore is an easy jump of point for the charms of Malaysia and Indonesia, including beaches, rainforests and orangutans. Singapore is where foodies, explorers, collectors, action seekers, culture shapers, and socialisers meet!
Academic information
Courses / Modules:
List of modules available to undergraduate exchange students - update in March/April.
Brief module descriptions - update in July/August.
Business and Law modules are not available to York students.
Economics, Psychology and Computer Science modules are extremely oversubscribed. Students majoring in Economics, Psychology and Computer Science will be given priority in the allocation of the respective modules.
Module requests will be assessed by the academics teaching the module based on availability and pre-requisites. Modules which are not offered to exchange students are automatically excluded from the online application portal.
Credit (Full-time Load per semester):
16 NUS credits = 60 York credits
Teaching Periods:
Semester 1: August - December
Semester 2: January - May
Access NUS calendar.
Language:
Classes at NUS are taught in English.
You may be required to provide evidence of your English language ability if English is not your first language.
Student life
Accommodation:
On-campus accommodation: Accommodation placement is not guaranteed given the limited supply of accommodation at NUS. The acceptance email/letter from Registrar’s Office will include instructions on how and when to apply for accommodation along with the updated instructions and deadlines. For a range of the on-campus accommodation available at NUS, please see the Office of Student Affairs' Residential Services page.
Off-campus accommodation: Due to shortage of on-campus accommodation, some non-graduating exchange students will have to find and secure private accommodation outside of campus. For more information on private, off-campus accommodation, please see Other Accommodation.
Orientation / Welcome week:
A variety of orientation activities are conducted for incoming exchange students to assist you in settling into life at NUS. The Office of Student Affairs organises the main orientation briefing to cover topics like the Add/Drop exercises, Campus Resources, Health & IT issues, etc. Information on the orientation’s time and location will be provided in the NUS Registration Guide which is included in your letter of offer.
The Global Relations Office and the Peer Advising Leaders also organise a Welcome Party every semester for the new exchange students during the week before lessons begin. You can expect music, food, games and giveaways! This is a great opportunity for you to meet other exchange students and local NUS students.
Support Services:
A range of support services are available to students at NUS, including Disability Support and Student Wellness. The Global Relations Office is the key point of contact for exchange students.
Visas:
Information from the High Commission of the Republic of Singapore in London.
Health insurance:
Every international student must take up the compulsory NUS Group Medical Insurance Scheme. The insurance premium is subject to revision from time to time. Click here for details of the insurance coverage. Mandatory Miscellaneous Student Fees – York students participating in the Exchange Programme at NUS will be required to pay a mandatory Miscellaneous Student Fees, comprising Student Service Fee and Health Service Fee (including health and medical insurance for the duration of their study at NUS)
Travel insurance:
If you are approved by the University of York to participate in this program, you will be covered by the University's Travel Insurance Policy. This is a complimentary policy to cover you for the duration of your University of York mobility experience. Please refer to the Insurance website for all travel insurance queries. You may be required to obtain health insurance valid during your exchange.
Student experiences
Annabelle, Global Development, Year Abroad 2023/24
"I am feeling very content in Singapore. It is now home to me and I feel very comfortable. I have grown in all of the best ways and feel like a new and better version of myself. The biggest challenges has been homesickness, with a new culture and foods etc, but the positives outweigh this feeling. The best way I met people was through my accommodation, then through friends of friends. I have done well at managing my money, even though Singapore is very expensive - I used monzo to do this."
Top Tips for Studying in Singapore
Please note: these tips have been provided by students who have studied abroad in Singapore - Global Opportunities recommends that you use these as a guide only and do your own research on what is best for you.
Money and Banking:
Monzo
At first, I was going to get a bank account with HSBC, however, most British students that I talked to used a Monzo card, which I ended up using as well. It is a British bank which is great for students who are abroad. I would definitely recommend at least searching Monzo online because it saved me quite a bit of money. However, getting a bank account abroad is also a good choice.
Staying Connected:
I got two 6 month long temporary sim cards and just topped them up as and when
If possible, I would recommend getting a sim abroad and putting it into your phone. This is especially useful if your phone can take multiple sim cards. However, my phone had only one sim port so I chose to get a cheap phone in the UK and then put the sim that I purchased abroad in that phone. However, having one phone which can take the sim is much easier so if possible, that is what I would recommend.
Food:
Canteens on campus are super cheap, like £2 or £3 per meal. Restaurants are very expensive, so is alcohol.
Hawker’s centres are very good and a good alternative to the expensive restaurants there.
Paperwork and bureaucracy:
I regularly checked my email as any essential information was likely to be there.
Bureaucracy is very different in Singapore. If you're expecting a document or waiting for something, just email and ask them about it, otherwise you'll be waiting forever. I got sent all over the city trying to sort out my student visa.
What I wished I'd known...:
Using whatsapp to make friends and talk to everyone, this is key. Nobody uses Facebook or texts.
I wish I’d known more about the accommodation before getting there - such as no wifi in the rooms, which was quite daunting to realise on the first day.
Useful links
Contact Global Opportunities
Global Opportunities - Find us in Derwent College
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter @GoGlobalUOY
Click here to make a virtual appointment to speak to one of our advisors
Guides and presentation materials from NUS
NUS sep_incoming_exchange_guide.pdfnus_sep_information_sheet.pdfSee you in NUS slides.pdfVideos
