National University of Singapore (NUS) Singapore
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Transportation
Banking Services
Post Office
Medical Services
Telecom
Survival Guide
Transportation

Transportation:

  1. Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) Trains

Singapore boasts one of Asia’s most comprehensive train systems that allow commuters to get to all parts of the city easily.

Flying Chalks recommendations: There are many free mobile applications that you can download to help navigate Singapore’s MRT system.

For Android users, you can download “Singapore MRT and LRT FREE by RoarApps”.
For IOS users, you can download “Singapore Transport Map by OnDemandWorld”.

To calculate the cost of your ride, click here.

To begin your commuting journey, simply purchase an ez-link card at any of the TransitLink Ticket Offices, Concession Card Replacement Offices or Passenger Service Centres located at most MRT stations. It costs $12 with a stored value $7 for use and you can top up your card at all General Ticketing Machines at all SMRT and SBST stations.

Interactive map: http://www.exploresg.com/mrt/
 

  1. SBS & SMRT Buses

Apart from trains, buses are another convenient mode of transportation to get to your destination. Use http://gothere.sg/maps to navigate to your destination in the fastest way possible!
 

  1. Taxi

Taxis are plentiful and safe, but expensive in Singapore.

Taxi Fares (as of March 9, 2016)

Regular Taxis [mid-size]

Basic fare

Region

Additional Fare
by Meter

Details

$3.00 - $3.90

Varies by region

Fares calculated by
distance travelled.

Every 400m thereafter up to 10 km - $0.22

Every 350m thereafter after 10km - $0.22

In Singapore, a midnight surcharge of 50% applies from midnight to 5.59am.

A peak hour surcharge of 25% applies from 6.00am to 9.30am & 6.00pm to midnight.

Extra surcharge from city area, Marina Bay Sands, Resorts World Sentosa, Gardens by the Bay and more applies.

Additional booking fee applies when you call for a taxi. 

 

Maxi Cab Limo Taxi (7-seater)

Basic fare

Region

Additional Fare
by Meter

Details

$3.90

Varies by region

Fares calculated by
distance travelled.

Every 400m thereafter up to 10 km - $0.30

Every 350m thereafter after 10km - $0.30

Flat rate maxi cabs are also available – call Limousine Cab @ 6535 3534.

Surcharges are similar to that of regular taxis.

Current booking fee - $10 (immediate)

Advance booking fee - $18 (30 mins and above)

Call Comfort Limousine Taxi Booking @ 6552 2828.

 

Flying Chalks tip: If you want a rough gauge of your taxi fare, http://www.taxisingapore.com/taxi-fare-calculator/ You can also take Uber or Grab Taxi (apps) during off-peak periods.

Taxi Booking Contact Numbers:

CityCab / Comfort Taxis – 6552 1111

SMRT Taxis – 6555 8888

TransCab – 6555 3333

Premier Taxis – 6363 6888 

Banking Services

Banking services:

To set up a bank account, you would require:

  • Passport (original and photocopy)
  • Student's Pass or Letter of Acceptance from the school
  • Matriculation Card (if available)

Once a bank account (savings or current account) is open, the bank will usually issue a chequebook, an ATM card with deposit / withdrawal functions and a PIN for phone or online banking.

Each bank has different requirements to open an account, with differing minimum balances and service charges. 

Flying Chalks’ tip: There is a DBS Bank at the Kent Ridge campus. Waiting time is long during lunch hours and before the bank closes for the day. Opening hours: Mon to Fri - 8.30AM to 4.30PM, Sat - 8.30AM to 1.00PM . There are also several ATM machines (DBS, UOB, OCBC, Citibank) on campus.

Major Banks in Singapore:

  1. DBS Bank Ltd
    Opening hours:     Differing opening hours, find the nearest bank to you & their opening hours here.
    Nearest DBS Bank to NUS: Kent Ridge Campus
    Homepage: http://www.dbs.com.sg/personal/default.page
    Customer Service: 1800 111 1111; +65 6327 2265 (from overseas)
  1. OCBC Bank
    Opening hours:     Differing opening hours, find the nearest bank to you & their opening hours here.
    Nearest OCBC Bank to NUS: 446 Clementi Ave 3 #01-193/195
    Homepage: https://www.ocbc.com/personal-banking/index.html
    Customer Service: 1800 783 5911; +65 6363 3333 (from overseas)
     
  2. United Overseas Bank Ltd (UOB Bank)
    Opening hours:     Differing opening hours, find the nearest bank to you & their opening hours here.
    Nearest OCBC Bank to NUS: 450 Clementi Ave 3 #01-287/289
    Homepage: http://www.uob.com.sg/personal/index.html
    Customer Service: 1800 222 2121; +65 6222 2121 (from overseas)
Post Office

Post office services:

The nearest post office from campus is located at Clementi Central, 443 Clementi Ave 3 #01-65/67. There are many post boxes on or near campus too!

Flying Chalks’ tip: Shipping rates vary according to destinations, weight etc. Check here for postage rates and delivery time! 

Medical Services
Medical services:
Singapore being a developed country has plenty of private clinics around. You will be glad to know that NUS has its University Health Centre (UHC) on campus!

National University Hospital

Located near campus, National University Hospital is highly accessible for students studying there! It offers a comprehensive range of medical services including family medicine services, health screening, and 24-hour emergency services. It is also equipped with wards, day surgery, operating theatres and intensive care unit.

Appointments and enquiries can be made at +65 6772 2002. For 24-hour emergency service, dial +65 6772 5000. For more information, you can visit here.

Address: 5 Lower Kent Ridge Road Singapore 119074

Other Medical Institutions available in Singapore are:
  • Singapore General Hospital
  • Alexandra Hospital
  • KK Women’s & Children Hospital
  • Tan Tock Seng Hospital
  • Raffles Hospital
  • Khoo Teck Puat Hospital
  • Changi General Hospital

​Those on a budget usually go to polyclinics to treat their illnesses. Guides to Polyclinics and the services offered can be found here!

Flying Chalks’ tip: There will always be a long queue at the local polyclinics. Hence, be prepared for the wait.

Medicine

Pharmacies are located all over the city in “Watsons” and “Guardian” stores. You can purchase both prescription and over-the-counter drugs for colds, headaches, and other minor ailments.

Telecommunications

Telecommunications:

There are 3 mobile telecommunications service providers in Singapore: Singtel, Starhub, and M1. These providers operate authorized service centres and phone retail stores where you can subscribe to a phone service and purchase a mobile phone.

 

  1. Singtel

Singtel has prepaid SIM cards with different values ($8, $15, $28, $38, $50). A good deal would be the $50 hi! SIM Card as you get a $100 value + FREE 5GB Local Data. This is available at Singapore Changi Airport. Do note that you will require either your passport or student pass to purchase a SIM card. There are also Top-Up Cards for you to top-up the value in your card.

To find a Singtel store near you, click here!. 

 

  1. Starhub

Starhub has prepaid SIM cards with different values ($8, $15, $32, $50). A good deal would be the $50 Happy Prepaid SIM as you get a $50 value + 5GB Local Data (valid for 30days upon activation) + FREE 100GB Local Data (valid for 5 days upon activation). Do note that you will require your passport to purchase a SIM card. There are also Top-Up Cards for you to top-up the value in your card – available at all 7-Eleven, Cheers, and Starhub retail outlets.

To find a Starhub retail outlet near you, check it out at here.

 

  1. M1

M1 has prepaid SIM cards with different values ($5, $15). A good deal would be the $15 M Card as you get a $18 value + 500MB Local Data (valid for 30days upon activation). Do note that you will require your passport to purchase a SIM card. There are also Top-Up Cards for you to top-up the value in your card – available at all 7-Eleven, Cheers, FairPrice Xpress, M1 shops and exclusive distributors.

To find a M1 store near you, check it out at here.

Flying Chalks’ tip: Prices of prepaid SIM Cards are competitive across all providers, so you might want to compare the rates of calls, SMS and data for a better deal. 

Survival Guide

Weather:

Singapore experiences summer and remains hot and humid all year round. We experience other seasons such as monsoon and dry seasons. Temperatures average around 31°C.

Dry Seasons (mid-January – March) are normally the warmest, with little rain as compared to the monsoon season (October – January).

More information can be found here!

IMPORTANT NUMBERS

Police

999

Fire Engine & Ambulance

995

Emergency Ambulance and Fire

1800-933-6483

Non-Emergency Ambulance Services

1777

Tourist Complaint Hotline (Mon – Fri: 9.00am – 5.30pm)

1800 736 3366

 

 

 

 

 

For more information, click here!

 
By Lea Chang
2017-02-10 15:43:46
I have really enjoyed my time in NUS thus far! Although the workload can be pretty heavy at times, it definitely does not mean we don't have a life outside academics! I really enjoy the co-curricular activities the school has to offer. If you have the chance to stay in a hall, take it up, you will not regret it :) The professors and students at NUS are really helpful too! Something important to all Singaporeans(international students will learn too), the food in NUS is rlly good! NUS is also conveniently located, with direct buses into the city, and many eating and shopping places nearby. We are also located close to VivoCity and Sentosa, a great place to unwind and relax after a hectic day or week in school!
By SungMin Jeon
2016-09-01 16:48:42
Open House 때 봤던 University Town (UTown)의 모습이 내가 바란 캠퍼스 생활의 정석이었고 (커다란 잔디 밭, 많은 음식점과 친구들과 맘 놓고 얘기 할 수 있는 카페, 쾌적한 독서실 등) 그 모습에 이끌려 독일학교로 지원하려던 걸 그 길로 덜컥 NUS에 지원하였다. 그 외에 오랜 싱가폴생활의 익숙함과 새로운 환경에 대한 두려움 떄문도 있었지만 그만큼 처음 본 UTown의 모습은 가히 파괴적이었다. 하지만 기대가 컸던 만큼 돌아온 실망감도 컸다. 싱가폴의 날씨는 UTown 중앙에 위치한 커다란 잔디 밭을 즐기기엔 너무 덥고 습하다. 더욱이 쓰여진 잔디는 삐죽잔디라 외관상으로는 좋지만 앉거나 뛰어놀기 힘들어 실용성이 많이 떨어진다. 관상용으로는 최고인 잔디밭이다. 학생들이 즐겁게 식사하고 쉴 수 있는 공간들은 매주 찾아오는 단체 관광객들로 붐빈다. 늦게 까지 공부하는 학생들을 위한 편의 시설은 UTown 입구에 있는 편의점 하나 뿐이며 그 외에는 대개 밤 9시면 모두 문을 닫는다. 기말을 준비 할 떈 입에서 컵라면 쩐내가 나는 착각이 들 정도. 교통 시설이라도 좋으면 말을 만다. 수업시간이 몰려있는 시간대에는 버스 안에 학생들이 너무 많아 못 타고 다음차를 기다리거나 걸어나가는 일이 대부분이며 저녁 7시 이후와 주말에는 30분마다 버스가 있어 한번 놓치면 하염없이 버스를 기다리는 내 모습을 볼 수 있다. 많은 줄 만 알았던 독서실들도 공책 하나 펜 하나 떡 하니 두고 사라지는 많은 무개념 학우들 덕에 항상 자리를 찾기 힘들다. 그나마 고맙게도 시험기간엔 학생들을 고용해 그런 무개념 학생들을 단속하여 요즘 그런 무개념 학생들을 찾아보기가 힘들다. 하지만 전기세를 아낀다는 명목으로 시험기간 전까지 멀쩡히 있는 독서실 하나를 폐쇄하는 정신나간 짓 (이제 다른 독서실들은 미어터져 자리를 찾아 헤메는 많은 학우들을 매일 심심치 않게 볼 수 있게되었다. 운동부족 NUS 학생들을 생각해주는 NUS 경영자 여러분의 눈물겨운 배려다.) 을 하지않나 위에 칭찬을 했던 내가 부끄러워진다. 너무 나쁜 얘기만 적어 NUS가 아주 안 좋은 학교 처럼 보이지만 상당히 좋은 부분도 많이 찾아 볼 수 있다. 밑에 좋은 얘기들을 참고해보면 알수 있어 굳이 안 적겠다. NUS에 입학하려는 학생들이나 교환을 생각하는 학생들에게 조금 더 객관적인 시선을 통해 NUS를 봐주었으면 한다.
By Ji Woo Byun
2016-08-31 10:33:22
지금 여기에 교환학생 신분으로 머무르고 있는데 역시 아시아 1위 학교 다운 퀄리티있는 수업과 수업 진행 방식은 감동적이었다 그렇지만 행정 관련 사항 처리는 굉장히 느려서 이는 이 학교의 보완되야할 점이라고 할 수 있다 학교 안 시설이 굉장히 좋은데 최고를 꼽자면 유타운 내부의 ERC시설이라고 할 수 있다 학생이 학업에 정진할 수 있도록 최고의 시설을 제공하고 있다
By Tae Yeon Kim
2016-08-29 13:33:29
싱가폴로 교환학생 프로그램을 신청하게 된 가장 큰 이유는 NUS때문이다. 소문대로 그리고 예상대로 정말 재미있는 시간을 가지고 있다. 셔틀을 타고 다녀야만 다닐 수 있을정도로 크고 버라이어티한 캠퍼스, 로컬 친구들과 교류할 수 있는 여러 프로그램, 세계적인 수준의 강의들. 한국에서도 만족하면서 다녔다고 생각했는데 여기는 다른 레벨 같다. 학생들도 공부와 활동에 전념하고 튜토리얼이라는 실습 또는 심화수업을 통해 확실히 공부할 수 있는 개념이 좋아보였다!
By Enru Chew
2016-07-20 15:55:59
Having been through 2 years of academic life in NUS, I would say it's pretty manageable despite the workload. It's no doubt that there are multiple assignments and projects being tasked to handle at any one point, but if you know how to prioritise and manage your time wisely, you will still get to enjoy social life outside of school. NUS is a huge campus, which means you get to interact with students from all walks of life which makes it less mundane as it's inevitable that you will be required to step out of your comfort zone and make friends (especially important if you're trying to find a project group). In terms of accessibility, NUS is located near the city centre and has buses/trains to get to town in a short time. So after classes, you have the option to head into town and just unwind.
By Xia Yang
2016-07-17 22:50:38
Singapore is a small country, but I am very proud to say that we do boost a really cool school like NUS! Even though the culture is generally competitive(I think it is the case in most tertiary institutions anyways), NUS also hosts one of the biggest start-up scenes in Singapore in the form of Blk71 and The Hangar incubator. So here's also where you can witness a lot of innovation and creative new ideas. Next reason for coming to NUS: the food and night suppers! Throughout my time in NUS, I often have to burn midnight oil rushing assignments and all. Fortunately, we could always wind down and relax at the nearby eateries that open almost 24/7. Ahmeen, Formosa noodle shop and some other names will certainly ring a bell to most NUS students.
By Cindy Ardian
2016-07-17 00:13:05
NUS has a very nice campus which is located not very far from the city. It is a huge campus yet you can use the internal shuttle bus to travel from one faculty to another. University Town (UTown) has always been my favorite place in NUS. You can study in the study areas, Starbucks and also in the open space near Town Green where you can feel the cool air breeze while studying (of course when the weather is not very very hot :P). Anyway, UTown has many restaurants and cafes serving good food with great ambience. You can hang out with your friends there after studying for too long. Or, when you don't feel like spending too much money, no worries, UTown still has two food courts offering many food varieties. They are affordable and yummy too! Lastly, many events and performances are usually held in UTown. Lively student life in NUS starts in UTown! :D Oh, last but not least, you must swim at the rooftop swimming pool at least once. The view from there is stunning!
By Jocelyn lim
2016-07-16 12:56:23
NUS has one of the best facilities among Singapore universities! Also, with the internal buses services, it minimizes the travelling time needed between campus.
By Aleena Kua
2016-07-15 23:22:04
I love how food is always a happy problem in NUS! NUS offers a great variety of affordable food options that also taste great! (: it's always great to know that there are familiar canteen foods to choose from, because they offer such a great variety and you'll always be spoilt for choices! Some of the students' favourites include Laksa Yong Tau Foo at the Arts Canteen (the Deck), Ayam Penyet at the Science and Engineering Canteens, and the famous fruit drink stalls that are found in almost all the canteens across NUS that serve about just any combination of fruit drinks you like! (: Besides the canteen food options, there's always plenty of choices for the students and staff should we feel like having a change for the day! Cafes and restaurants are also found in NUS and have also become a hit among students, who enjoy little splurges and indulgences once in a while. Some of these places include Platypus in the Faculty of Science which serves salad and coffee, Butter my Buns in UTown which serves all-day breakfast and desserts (such as their famous sausage, hashbrown and waffles with ice cream), and Reedz Cafe in the Business School that serves complete western meals that are often under $7.
By AhRang Son
2016-07-15 19:55:42
Life in NUS can be amazing if you can manage your time efficiently. Although study schedule is tough with endless assignements and team projects, there are numerous exciting activities that meke our NUS life endurable. NUS can shape you into more mature person both mentally and physically. A lot of valuable lessons that can't be obtained elsewhere can be gained as well, especially if you stay in hostel. Once you choose NUS, you would never regret coming here! It's really worthy :)
By April Lee
2016-07-15 16:05:27
Although Singapore is small, NUS boasts its big campus size(150 hectar) and you will need to take shuttle bus to travel around campus. The most fun part of the university life for me is to stay in hostel. If you choose the right hostel type, you can have lots of fun with your hostel mates by joining some activities and go for night suppers nearby. And Sentosa is located few mrt stations away so you can go there and relax~~ But, academic life here might be quite stressful and you won't be able to procrastinate Final advice to survive in NUS is to keep yourself busy :D