National University of Singapore (NUS)

NUS is Singapore’s flagship university. It has been consistently ranked as the top university in Asia and one of the leading universities globally. In 2015, it was ranked 1^st in Asia (2015 QS University Rankings: Asia) and 12^th in the world (2015/2016 QS World University Rankings). It has 16 schools across 3 campuses and is a partner of more than 300 universities worldwide.

School’s Main Website | International / Exchange Student Website | NUS Info PDF

GPA requirement:

Please check with your home university for further information.

Language of instruction:

English

Courses:

Course descriptions can be found here!

• Language courses
  Language placement test may be necessary. Please visit Centre of Language Studies (CLS) website for more info, or email clssec@nus.edu.sg for enquiries.

Academic terms:

Fall Term: Late August to early December
Spring Term: Mid-January to late April
Special Term: May to July (Part 1 – May to June; Part 2 – June to July)

Courses credit & course load:

Minimum course load = 18MCs (modular credits) per semester
Maximum course load = 23MCs (modular credits) per semester
Recommended course load = 20MCs (modular credits) per semester

http://www.nus.edu.sg/registrar/edu/modular.html

Course registration process:

Registration of courses is done via NUS CORS (Centralised Online Undergraduates Registration System). Another helpful tool to plan one’s timetable is NUSMODS.

Attendance policy:

The attendance policy varies across professors. As a general rule of thumb, attendance for lectures is less enforced compared to that of tutorial classes. 

NUS has 3 campuses across Singapore. The Kent Ridge Campus is the main campus where majority of the courses are offered. The Bukit Timah Campus is where the Law Faculty is located, while the Duke-NUS campus in Outram Park offers post-graduate medical studies.

Campus map:
http://map.nus.edu.sg/index.php

Selected facilities:

• Yusof Ishak House (YIH): Located in the middle of Kent Ridge Campus, it is home to the Student Services Centre and also where study rooms, printing/photocopying and computer services are available.
  Nearest bus-stops: Opposite University Health Centre (UHC), YIH and Opposite YIH
• Sports and Recreation Centre (SRC): Indoor facilities such as Dance Studio, Squash courts, multi-purpose halls, rock climbing wall and gym are available. Outdoor facilities such as swimming pool (currently being renovated, July 2016), basketball courts, netball courts, handball courts, tennis courts, soccer field, volleyball courts and more are also available. All these facilities are free for NUS students.
• Medicine Library, Science Library, Central Library (located in Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences): Printing/photocopying services and computers are available for use.
• UTown PC and Mac Commons: This is also another common study area where computers/macs are available for students' usage.
• UTown gym: All NUS students, including exchange and summer school students, are free to use this gym.

Food on campus:

• Most faculties have their own canteens offering inexpensive food options!
  ​Flying Chalks' recommendations:
  • Try the Ayam Penyet (or Dory Penyet if you like fish) at the Science canteen (The Frontier)! The queue for this stall can be super long but don't be disheartened. The stall owners provide quick service and it will be your turn in no time!
  • FASS canteen (The Deck) has good Yong Tau Foo!
• UTown has 2 food courts and some small restaurants and cafes as alternative dining places.
  ​Flying Chalks' recommendations:
  • Cafés: Royal Bistro – Western food and desserts; Butter my Buns – all day breakfast, waffles
  • Restaurants: Sappore Italian – Italian food, slightly expensive; Spice Table – Asian cuisine, good for sharing; Hwang’s Korean Restaurant – Korean cuisine
  • Flavours@UTown: Astons – Western food
• Reedz Café at Mochtar Riady Building near the Business School serves very affordable Western and fusion fare.
• A few Subway kiosks are available around the campus.
• There are three Starbucks outlets in NUS.
• There is also a McDonald's at the Engineering College.

Campus transportation:

Internal shuttle buses (ISB) are the main mode of transport within campus, but there are public buses that run through the campus as well.

• Buses available:
  • A1
  • A2
  • B
  • C
  • D1 (to UTown)
  • D2 (to UTown)
  • BTC (to Bukit Timah Campus)

Information related to ISB routes and frequencies can be found here.

Alternatively, some faculties and landmarks are within walking distances of each other and some students would opt to walk to avoid the bus crowd.

National University of Singapore offers you one of the most vibrant student life experiences that one can ask for! Most students’ university life is defined by the activities they were a part of or helped to organise, as that's where they make many good friends.

Orientation program:

Exchange students will be welcomed to the school through an orientation briefing that includes an important briefing on academic and administrative matters as well as upcoming social events. There will also be a Welcome Party organized by the International Relations Office where you will have the opportunity to interact with other exchange students and local students. Check out more events for exchange students here!

Buddy program:

The buddy program in National University of Singapore is known as the "SG KAKI Programme". It is designed to help integrate international students into the local culture by matching them with a NUS student buddy. Moreover, various events are also organized - such as the welcome fest, cross cultural event, festival celebrations - to help international students feel at home in Singapore.

Student clubs:

• NUS Student Union (NUSSU) works closely with the university to create a vibrant student life by organizing activities and events all year round. Some notable events include the Freshmen Inauguration Ceremony and the Rag and Flag. Its faculty and non-faculty clubs also organize a wide range of activities for its members.
  You can get regular updates from them through their Facebook pages or from email blasts via the official NUS email. You can also browse their website for more information!
   
• Apart from the “official” student clubs, there are also various student-run groups that let you explore your interests, be it in the Academic or Non-Academic arena. Click here for more information.
   
• Should all the above not satisfy you, check out these other interests groups here!

University events:

One of the most popular events of NUS is the NUSSU Rag and Flag day held at UTown in August! It is an annual charity project which has two main parts: students seek donations from the public on Flag day, followed by a thematic procession of performances during the Rag day.

NUSSU Rag and Flag Day

A list of other events relevant to International Students can be found here.

Flying Chalks' tip: Keep a look out for posters pertaining to various events around campus!

National University of Singapore’s campus is located in the South-West of Singapore, just beside National University Hospital (NUH). The nearest MRT station is Kent Ridge. Compared to town, this area is much quieter and peaceful. Since NUS campus is huge, a vast difference is observed in the various areas around campus. The area near the Kent Ridge MRT is always bustling, while the area near NUH is pretty secluded.

For food:

Most students settle their meals at the school canteens as they are very affordable. Alternative affordable food options include the food courts at NUH and One@Kent Ridge. Food kiosks and restaurants are available at One@Kent Ridge. There are also various malls at the Harbourfront MRT, One-North MRT and Buona Vista MRT (all on Circle line).

Flying Chalks' recommendations:

• Pies and Coffee (Rochester Mall, 35 Rochester Drive, #01-02) is a western café with really interesting variety of pies! Besides pies and coffee they also have a wide range of western main course dishes in their menu.
• Sunday Folks (44 Jalan Merah Saga, Chip Bee Gardens, #01-52) is famous for their waffles and ice cream.
• Two Chefs (116 Commonwealth Crescent, #01-129) has local Chinese food such as Chinese-style fried rice and hor fun.
• Students' often order Al-Amaan delivery for supper! While they serve mainly Indian food, it also has a number of Western and Chinese delicacies. Do try their butter chicken and naan!
  Contact Number: 6777-0555

For nightlife and entertainment:

On campus, opposite Yusof Ishak House, there is the OBAR – a bar for drinks, karaoke and electronic darts. While there are not many nightlife and entertainment options around NUS, students can travel to town for it. For a vibrant nightlife scene, you can take the MRT to Clarke Quay Station (North East Line) – a place with many bars and pubs by the Singapore River!

Flying Chalks’ recommendations:

• Bistro bars with good food, drinks & music: Timbre @ The Substation; Switch Timbre
• Holland Village is the to-go place if you are in search for live music and bars at night.
  Apart from Holland Village, you can take the Downtown Line towards Telok Ayer MRT. Across the street from Telok Ayer MRT is Club Street that links up to Cross Street and Ann Siang Hill where an alcove of bars and restaurants can be found.
• Affordable bars: FIV五 Izakaya Bar (16 Collyer Quay #01-05B or 25 Cuppage Road, Cuppage Terrace); Harry’s @ Boat Quay (28 Boat Quay); Orgo Bar & Restaurant – more pricey but alfresco concept on the roof terrace of The Esplanade (8 Raffles Avenue #04-01 Esplanade-Theaters on the Bay, Roof Terrace)
  Flying Chalks' Tip: Find out when’s their happy hours for discounts.
• Clubs: Zouk Club (17 Jiak Kim Street); Attica (3A River Valley Road #01-03 Clarke Quay); Club Kyo (133 Cecil Street); Home Club (20 Upper Circular Road)
• KTV: Teo Heng KTV Studio @ 9 Bras Basah Road #02-03 Rendezvous Hotel Gallery is highly popular amongst students for its affordability. It has outlets located all around Singapore.
• For students who deem supper as nightlife, check out Al Amaan Restaurant (12 Clementi Road); Niqqi’s Cheese Prata Shop (18 Clementi Road); Fong Seng Nasi Lemak (22 Clementi Road); Fei Fei Wanton Mee (18 Clementi Road)

For daily necessities and groceries:

For daily necessities and groceries, check out “NTUC Fairprice”, “Giant Hypermarket”, “Cold Storage” and “Sheng Siong” in addition to the dozens of convenience stores strewn around the area.

Flying Chalks' recommendations:

• Supermarkets around NUS: NTUC Fairprice Supermarket @ UTown, One@Kent Ridge (mall beside Kent Ridge MRT). Prices at NTUC Fairprice, Giant Hypermarket and Sheng Siong are competitive and affordable.
• Convenience stores around NUS: Yusof Ishak House, UTown, NUH
• For cheap daily necessities, you can visit Mustafa Centre in Little India, Daiso and Value Dollar stores.
• Should you need any furniture or electrical appliances, check out IKEA Alexandra, Courts and Japan Home.

For shopping:

While there are not many shopping choices around NUS, you can always head down to the heart of shopping in Singapore – ORCHARD! It is a paradise for all shopaholics out there. From clothes to shoes, bags to accessories, there is definitely something out there for you! Starting from ION Orchard shopping mall, you can go via underground walkways to other malls like Wisma Atria, Ngee Ann City, Wheelock Place and keep walking towards  *Scape, 313@Somerset and Orchard Central.

Flying Chalks’ recommendations:

• Singapore’s biggest shopping mall, Vivocity, is located at Harbourfront MRT station and can be conveniently accessed via the Circle line from Kent Ridge station at NUS
• If you’re on a budget, check out *Scape Underground, Bugis Street, Far East Plaza and occasional flea markets!
• Bugis street is the shopping haven for youths, especially if you are on a tight budget! It features the latest and trendiest fashion at affordable prices and is easily accessible via the East West line.

National University of Singapore is located in the South-West and is most commonly accessed via the MRT by alighting at Kent Ridge Station (Circle Line).

Getting from Changi Airport to your Accommodation:

• Private Pickup Service (Limousine & Large Taxis)

If you have a larger group, private pick-up services are available from the airport to your accommodation or campus hostel via limousines and large taxis. The fare is SGD $55 and above and more information can be found here.
 

• By Train

The train is the most affordable option to get from Changi Airport to NUS. In just 55 minutes, you will reach your destination at Kent Ridge Station! If you’re travelling to your accommodation out of the city, check out http://www.exploresg.com/mrt/ to estimate the duration and cost of your ride. You can pay for your ride via a stored-value EZ-Link Card which you can purchase at the ticketing counter before you enter the station. 

Flying Chalks’ recommendation: This option is recommended for students who are on a tight budget but it might get burdensome with all your luggage as you are not assured a seat on the train. Do also note the train timings in order not to miss it:

Directions: From the Arrival Hall, head down to the basement of Terminals 2 and 3 and follow the signs leading to the MRT station. 

For more information, visit: http://www.changiairport.com/en/transport/public-transport.html?anchor=train

• By Bus

If you’re heading to the campus, take public bus service 36 to the city. Then, transfer to bus service 106 and then bus service 95. It is estimated to cost $1.95 and takes about 1.5 hours to get to the city via bus. You could pay by a stored-value EZ-Link Card (purchased at Changi Airport train station or from any Changi Recommends store) or by cash in exact amount. If you’re travelling to your accommodation out of the city, you can find out the estimated cost of your trip here.

Directions: Head down to the basement of Terminals 1, 2 and 3 to the bus bays where the bus stops are located.

Flying Chalks’ recommendation: Avoid this mode of transport to the campus as there are 2 bus transfers and it takes a long time to reach the campus. Considering your luggage, it would be really cumbersome.

• By Taxi

Taxi is the most convenient way of getting from the airport to your accommodation (especially when you have a lot of luggage). You can get a taxi outside the Arrival Hall of any airport terminal. Fares are metered and there is an additional Airport surcharge for all trips originating from the Airport:

• $5 (Fri – Sun, 5.00pm to midnight)
• $3 (All other times)
• 50% of final metered fare (Midnight – 6.00am)
• 25% of final metered fare (Mon – Fri, 6.00am to 9.30am; Mon – Sun, 6.00pm to midnight)
• The fare can range from about $35 to $45 depending on pickup time, type of taxi and the above surcharges.