National University of Singapore
Queenstown, Singapore
- Cost of LivingS$ 20,560.8
- Tuition Fee FromS$ 15,836
- Country Rank-
- Batch Strength31,819
- Global Diversity25%
- Gender Ratio50 : 50
Overview
About
The National University of Singapore is a national research university and Singapore’s oldest autonomous university. The higher education institution traces its roots back to 1905 when it was founded as the Straits Settlements and the Federated Malay States Government Medical School. Over the years, the institution underwent many changes and went by different names including the King Edward VII College of Medicine, University of Malay, Singapore Campus, University of Singapore, and Nanyang University before it came to be known as the National University of Singapore from 1980 onwards. The university is regarded as one of the most prestigious and esteemed academic institutions not just in Asia but also across the globe.
The university comprises several faculties and schools which provide a wide variety of courses at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels. It also houses a number of teaching centres including the Centre for Development of Teaching and Learning, the Centre for Instructional Technology, the Centre for English Langauge Communication, the Institute of Systems Science, and the Centre for Teaching and Learning at one of its colleges. It also houses 21 research centres and institutes that have played and continue to play a pivotal role in its endeavours toward research and development. The university’s various faculties and schools are listed as follows.
- Business
- Computing
- Dentistry
- Design and Engineering
- Duke-NUS Medical School
- Humanities and Sciences
- Integrative Sciences and Engineering
- Law
- Medicine
- Music
- Public Health
- Public Policy
- University Scholars Programme
- Yale-NUS College
NUS’s academic affiliations include the Association of Commonwealth Universities (AUC), the International Alliance of Research Universities (IARU), the Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU), Universitas21, GEM4, the ASEAN Universities Network (AUN), the Association of Southeast Asian Institutions of Higher Learning (ASAIHL), the NUS High School of Math and Science, the Association of Professional Schools of International Affairs (APSIA), Washington University in St. Louis, and the University Alliance in Talent Education Development (UNAiTED).
NUS has a typically low acceptance rate. It is known to be a highly competitive institution with an immensely strict admissions policy. The majority of the university’s applicants hail from Asian countries with students also from countries across the world vying to get a place at NUS. The university currently houses over 40,000 students enrolled in both its undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. It is incredibly difficult for students to get in with the National University of Singapore’s acceptance rate of just 5%.
Ranking
NUS is among the top ranking universities in the region, Asia and has consistently found itself in the top 100 universities in the world. SCImago Institution Rankings placed it 29th in the list of best universities around the world in 2020. It was placed 32nd in the world by Informatics Institute/METU University Ranking by Academic Performance in the year 2020-2021. Several education journals, independent ranking bodies and research publications have ranked the university highly in terms of overall student satisfaction, global academic reputation and international outlook. The university is also said to have high graduate employability scores. Some of the Asian and global National University of Singapore Rankings are detailed below.
- #21 globally - Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings (2022)
- #36 globally - CWTS Leiden Ranking (2021)
- #75 globally - Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU) 2021
- #3 in Asia - THE World University Rankings 2020
Some of NUS’s subject-wise rankings are detailed below.
- #14 - Global MBA (Financial Times) 2021
- #15 - Business and Economics (Times Higher Education) 2022
- #10 - Engineering and Technology (Times Higher Education) 2022
- #34 - Arts and Humanities (THE) 2022
- #24 - Medicine (QS) 2021
- #8 - Law (Times Higher Education) 2022
Year
QS Ranks
US News Ranks
2025
#8
-
2023
#11
#26
2022
#11
#26
Facilities
Being a world-class institution, the National University of Singapore’s facilities match its prestige and strive to uphold its reputation. With its main campus situated right in the heart of Singapore, it ensures a lively and thriving student experience for its diverse student population. Some of its facilities include
The university’s library facilities are unmatched with the institution housing eight libraries including the Central Library, the Chinese Library, the Hon Sui Sen Memorial Library, the Medical Library, CJ Koh Law Library, the Music Library, the East Asian Institute Library and the Science Library. Serving its students, faculty, academic and administrative staff and affiliated research institutes, the university houses millions of titles as part of its collection.
It also has impressive IT facilities which are provided and administered by the University’s central IT department known as the Computer Centre. Its network known as NUSNET is used by its teaching, learning, research and administrative departments. It has a campus-wide grid network which connects at least 1,000 computers across campus known as the UD grid MP.
Notable Alumni
Courses
Admission
National University of Singapore Entry Requirements
Eligibility criteria is the basis on which a student will be deemed fit for admission to any institution of higher education. With a minimal acceptance rate, the university is highly competitive to get into with a very stringent set of admission criteria. While there are overarching entry requirements that apply to students applying for admission across courses, there are certain criteria that vary from course to course and further depend on the level the programme is going to be pursued. The National University of Singapore’s entry requirements is further segregated on the basis of undergraduate and postgraduate entry criteria. They are detailed further below.
Undergraduate Admissions
- Students are required to have completed their 12th or higher secondary education certificate from a recognised board or institute to gain admission to an undergraduate programme at the university. Score requirements vary from course to course.
- English language standardised tests include TOEFL, IELTS, the Pearson Test of English (PTE), MUET, and Cambridge English. Minimum score requirements include an overall band score of 6.5 (IELTS), an overall score of 92 (TOEFL) and an overall score of 62 (PTE).
- Scores will be accepted only in the relevant subjects to the course a candidate is applying for.
Postgraduate Admissions
- A Bachelor’s degree in a relevant area of study from a recognised institute is required for postgraduate admissions. Score requirements depend on the course the candidate wishes to take.
- Standardised tests at the postgraduate level include GRE, GMAT and GATE depending on the course. Minimum score requirements include 320 and 3.5 in the case of GRE, 650+ for GMAT and 90th percentile for GATE.
National University of Singapore Fees
Tuition fees are determined by a variety of factors at an institution of higher education. They are determined by what course the candidate wishes to take and the level they choose to pursue that course. One of the most significant factors is whether the candidate classifies as a home or international student. Other components that make up the fee structure at a university include travel allowance, personal expenses, books and supplies, and non-refundable application/admission fees. The National University of Singapore’s fees is detailed further below.
- Tuition fees for international students for undergraduate programmes range from SGD 35,000 to SGD 42,000.
- Tuition fees for international students for postgraduate programmes range from SGD 45,000 to SGD 52,000.
The National University of Singapore Placements
The National University of Singapore’s placements department takes student internships and placements very seriously. Qualified professionals and counsellors strive to place students in roles suited to their goals, interests, qualifications and aptitude. Some of their placement endeavours include networking events, recruitment events, internships, career workshops, online career resources, employment directory, career coaching and alumni mentoring.
Statistically, 94% of the university’s graduating classes has at least one job offer after three months of graduation. Even during uncertain times like the recent COVID-19 pandemic, the university’s graduates showed stronger employment outcomes and bagged higher starting salaries across industries. A 100% employment rate was shown for students graduating in the fields of accountancy, information security, dentistry, business analytics, and computational biology. These results were computed by the Joint Autonomous Universities Graduate Employment Survey (JAUGES) in 2021. Some of the top recruiters the university has alliances with include Amazon, CGN, Deloitte, Apple, Johnson & Johnson, Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan, Dell, KPMG, Microsoft, P&G, and HSBC among others. The average salary of a student after graduation ranges from SGD 36,000 to SGD 48,000 depending on the field they gain employment.
Scholarship
Regardless of the programme you are studying, there are several scholarship opportunities provided by the National University of Singapore as well as other organisations. With so many scholarships available now, overseas students can greatly lower the financial burden of studying in a new country. You can apply for scholarships to study at the university through UniScholars. You can find the following types of scholarships based on your academic performance and financial situation:
- Merit-based scholarships
- Need-based scholarships
- Country-specific scholarships
- College-specific scholarships
- Student-specific scholarships
Finances
Most international students are obligated to show proof of sufficient funds in order to obtain a visa. While some students may have the opportunity to make use of scholarships, not all students cut the eligibility to get a scholarship or a grant. Moreover, not all scholarships cover 100% of your study abroad expenses. At such times, most students resort to acquiring education loans to avoid the financial hassles associated with studying at the National University of Singapore. For Indian students, UniCreds is the ideal education loan marketplace if you’re looking for low-interest rates and free consultation services!
Accommodation
There are several student housing options available for students planning to attend the National University of Singapore. You may select from a wide choice of affordable yet elegant student flats, halls of residence, studios, ensuites, and more! You have the option of staying on campus in the university halls of residence or in a private residence. Because of their proximity to the university, on-campus housing options may be ideal; nevertheless, they tend to fill up fast and are more expensive.
UniAcco simplifies the process of finding student housing and offers a variety of options. As a result, students can select from a wide range of available student accommodations near the university, such as luxury studios, en-suites, and shared apartments that are more inexpensive and student-friendly.
Cost of Living
Singapore finds itself on the list of the most developed cities in the world where its residents enjoy a high standard of living. But this also means a relatively high cost of living in Singapore. It is always tricky to learn to keep track of finances while at university. Students at the National University of Singapore are always advised to build a budget to help keep track of their daily, weekly and/or monthly expenses during university. It is always best to stay abreast of all the expenses one would incur upon studying abroad. Below mentioned are the average costs a student might incur while living in Singapore.
|
Particulars |
Expenses (per month) |
|
Off-campus Accommodation |
SGD 850 |
|
On-Campus Accommodation |
SGD 4,148 |
|
Transportation |
SGD 110 |
|
Food |
SGD 540 |
|
Utilities |
SGD 137 |
|
Entertainment and Leisure |
SGD 58 |
|
Groceries |
SGD 137 |
|
Clothes |
SGD 53 |
|
Total Cost of Living with Off-Campus Accommodation |
SGD 1775 |
|
Total Cost of Living with On-Campus Accommodation |
SGD 5,073 |