National University of Singapore

Asia's flagship university, offering a global approach to education and research with a focus on Asian perspectives and expertise.

Kent Ridge, Singapore World Rank: #8 (QS 2026) Founded: 1905

32,000+

Students

17

Faculties

#1

Rank in Asia

English

Medium of Instruction

Why Study at NUS?

Tuition Grant Scheme

The Singapore government subsidizes tuition fees (up to 50%+) for international students in exchange for working in Singapore for 3 years after graduation.

Gateway to Asia

Located in a global business hub, NUS offers unparalleled access to the booming Asian markets while maintaining Western academic standards.

English Taught

Unlike universities in China, Japan, or Korea, all classes at NUS are taught in English, removing the language barrier for international students.

NUS Overseas Colleges

The NOC program sends students to entrepreneurial hubs like Silicon Valley, Beijing, and Stockholm to intern at startups while studying.

Campus Life

A lush, tropical campus featuring "University Town" (UTown), a cutting-edge hub with residential colleges, labs, and 24/7 study spaces.

Employability

NUS graduates are highly sought after by multinational corporations (MNCs) like Google, Grab, Shopee, and major banks headquartered in Singapore.

Popular Programs

Computer Science

One of the world's most competitive CS programs

Data Science & Analytics

Interdisciplinary focus on big data

Business Admin (BBA)

Highly flexible curriculum with many specializations

Engineering

Civil, Mechanical, Electrical & Chemical

Law (LLB)

Leading law school in Asia

Architecture

Sustainable design in tropical climates

Economics

Rigorous quantitative social science

Information Systems

Bridging technology and business needs

Biomedical Engineering

Innovation in healthcare technology

Psychology

Top-ranked social science program

NUS MBA

Consistently ranked in Global Top 20

MSc Computer Science

Advanced specialization for CS professionals

MPP (Public Policy)

Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy

MSc Business Analytics

MSBA - Partnership with IBM

MSc Finance

Designed for recent graduates

MSc Civil Engineering

Infrastructure & transport systems focus

MSc Supply Chain

Logistics in a global trade hub

LLM (Law)

Specializations in Maritime & Asian Law

Public Health (MPH)

Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health

PhD

Fully funded research positions available

Scholarships & Funding

ASEAN Scholarship

Covers full tuition fees and provides a living allowance for outstanding students from ASEAN member countries.

Science & Tech Scholarship

For Asian students applying to Computing, Engineering, or Science. Covers tuition + living allowance + accommodation.

Service Obligation Scheme

International students pay significantly reduced fees if they sign a bond to work in a Singapore-registered company for 3 years post-grad.

NUS Global Merit

A bond-free scholarship for top performers covering tuition and living expenses.

Work-Study

Students can work part-time (up to 16 hours/week) during term time and full-time during vacations to support expenses.

Financial Aid

Needs-based loans and bursaries are available to ensure no deserving student is denied education due to finances.

Campus & Innovation

University Town (UTown)

A modern educational hub with residential colleges, lecture halls, gyms, and a lush green town green for student activities.

NUS Libraries

Seven libraries across campus, including the Central Library which holds a massive collection of Singapore/Malaysia resources.

Internal Shuttle

A comprehensive free shuttle bus network connects the Kent Ridge and Bukit Timah campuses.

Lee Kong Chian Museum

A natural history museum located right on campus, housing three authentic dinosaur fossils.

Sports Facilities

Olympic-sized pools, rock climbing walls, tennis courts, and fields are available for student use.

Residential Colleges

Combines living and learning; students take classes within their dorms and live alongside professors and peers.

Research & Innovation

Smart Nation

NUS plays a key role in Singapore's "Smart Nation" initiative, researching AI, cybersecurity, and urban solutions.

Cancer Science

The Cancer Science Institute of Singapore is a state-of-the-art research center focused on Asian-prevalent cancers.

Water Research

Leading global research in water technologies, desalination, and sustainability (crucial for Singapore).

Graphene

The Centre for Advanced 2D Materials pioneered groundbreaking research in graphene and new materials.

BLOCK71

An ecosystem builder and global connector for the startup community, born from NUS Enterprise.

Nature Based Solutions

Researching how nature can be used to mitigate climate change impacts in tropical urban environments.

Entry Requirements

Undergraduate Requirements

  • Academic Excellence: Extremely competitive (e.g., 95%+ in Indian CBSE/ISC, A*A*A in A-Levels).
  • Subject Prerequisites: Specific subjects (like Math/Physics) are mandatory for Engineering/Science.
  • Standardized Tests: SAT/ACT often required for students with US High School diplomas.
  • English Proficiency: IELTS (6.5) or TOEFL (92-93) if English was not medium of instruction.
  • Co-Curriculars: While grades are paramount, achievements in Olympiads/competitions help.
  • Application Window: Typically Oct to Feb/March (varies by qualification type).
  • Interview: Shortlisted candidates for Law, Medicine, and some scholarships will be interviewed.

Graduate Requirements

  • Bachelor's Degree: Honors degree (or equivalent 4-year degree) with good grades (B+ average).
  • GRE/GMAT: Often required for Business, Computing, and some Engineering schools.
  • Work Experience: 2+ years usually required for MBA and some specialized Master's.
  • English Proficiency: IELTS 6.0-7.0 or TOEFL 85-100 depending on the faculty.
  • References: 2 referee reports (Academic for research programs, Professional for coursework).
  • Research Proposal: Detailed proposal required for PhD and Master's by Research applicants.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it hard to get into NUS?
Yes, extremely. NUS is the top university in Asia. Admission is highly grade-centric. For popular courses like CS, Law, or Medicine, near-perfect scores are often the baseline.
What is the Service Obligation Scheme?
It is a government subsidy. International students pay reduced tuition fees if they sign a contract to work in a Singapore-registered company for 3 years after graduation. This is a great way to secure a work visa and lower costs.
Is on-campus housing guaranteed?
Housing is generally guaranteed for first-year international undergraduates. However, demand is high, and staying on campus for all 3-4 years is competitive. Many students move to off-campus apartments in later years.
Can I work while studying?
Yes. Full-time matriculated students at NUS can work part-time (up to 16 hours/week) during term time and unlimited hours during official vacation periods without a separate work pass.

Ready to Launch Your Career in Asia?

Navigating the Tuition Grant Scheme and NUS admissions can be tricky. Let our Asia-Pacific experts guide you.