Nanyang Technological University
Singapore

University Info   |   College of Engineering Info   |   Exchange Student Info

Fast Facts

• Fastest-rising university in the world’s top 50; ranked 13th in the world*
• Ranked 1st among the world’s best young universities for 7 consecutive years (2014-2020)#
• In the 10th Times Higher Education (THE) Young University Rankings released in June 2021, NTU is ranked No. 1 globally for the first time.
• In the 9th Times Higher Education (THE) Asian University Rankings (AUR) published in June 2021, NTU moved up to be among the top five.  NTU continued to be ranked 1st position in Singapore in research citations per paper since 2014. 
• In the 18th QS World University Rankings (WUR) published in June 2021, NTU moved up to 12th position globally and it continued to be the only young university to be ranked in Top 15 globally in the last 6 years.  NTU continued to be ranked 1st position in Singapore in Normalized Citations per Faculty. 
• In the 6th Shanghai Ranking's Global Ranking of Academic Subjects (GRAS) 2021 published in June 2021, NTU's Nanoscience & Nanotechnology subject continued to be ranked 1st position globally for five consecutive years.  NTU had 10 subjects ranked in Top 10, up from 5 subjects in 2019.
• NTU is named one of the world's most beautiful universities by American Express publication Travel+Leisure.

Introduction

Established in 1991, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) has roots that go back to 1981 when its predecessor institution, Nanyang Technological Institute, was set up on the grounds of the former Nanyang University as a teaching university. Today, NTU is a research-intensive institution recognised globally for its impactful research, education and innovation, with strengths in many areas shaping the 4th Industrial Revolution. The NTU Smart Campus is a living test bed for Singapore’s Smart Nation initiative and a model of sustainable living.
 

Terms of Exchange

Study Level

• Undergraduate students: Accepted
• Graduate students: Accepted
• Computer Science majors: NOT Accepted *Core courses in the School of Computer Science and Engineering are restricted for incoming students due to capacity limitation.

Eligibility Requirements

Students should have the equivalent of a 'B' grade minimum. Borderline students may be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Language of Instruction

English

English Proficiency Requirements

Non-native English speakers must have a minimum level of proficiency in English to be able to study at the Nanyang Technological University. Based on our requirements, please refer below as a guideline for a student to cope with studying at NTU:

• General Paper of the Singapore Cambridge GCE 'A' Level Examination (sat in 2007 onwards): A, B, C, D, E
• General Paper of the Singapore Cambridge GCE 'A' Level Examination (sat in 2006 or earlier): A1, A2, B3, B4, C5, C6
• IELTS: a minimum of 6 for the Writing sub-test
• TOEFL iBT: a minimum of 90
• SAT1: a minimum of 600 for the Verbal section; or 7 for the Essay section
• IB: a minimum of 4 for Higher Level English or 4 for Standard Level English
• MUET: Band 6 and a minimum of 50 for writing
• GEPT: High intermediate Stage 2 consisting of writing and speaking modules (applies to students from Taiwan universities only)

Study Period

Fall, Spring, or Academic Year

Academic Calendar   |   Semester Dates (including exam period)

• Fall (Semester 1): early August to early December
• Spring (Semester 2): early January to early May

Academic Information

Disciplines Available

• School of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering
• School of Civil and Environmental Engineering
• School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering
• School of Materials Science and Engineering
• School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

Only engineering students will be accepted through Global E3.

Restricted Disciplines and Courses

Kindly note below is the list of restricted programmes (unavailable to exchange students) at NTU:

• Core courses in the School of Computer Science and Engineering are restricted for incoming students due to capacity limitation.
• All courses from our 5 autonomous institutions – the National Institute of Education*, the S Rajaratnam School of International Studies, Earth Observatory of Singapore, Singapore Centre on Environmental Life Sciences Engineering and Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine.* Only NIE General Electives are available to exchange students
• Entrepreneurship courses offered by the Nanyang Technopreneurship Center
• Inter-semestral sessions (eg. NTU MBA programme)
• Selected Post-Graduate Restricted Courses (refer to info sheet found on GEM Trailblazer website)
• Selected Undergraduate Restricted Courses (refer to GEM Trailblazer website)
  • For AY2015-2016, School of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering and School of Civil and Environmental Engineering have more restrictions in courses than previous semesters.
• Nanyang Business School Undergraduate Programmes
  1. Core Courses unavailable to non-Business students
  2. Courses relating to the Singapore legislation, legal and accounting system, which may be relevant only in the Singapore context
  3. Please read through the School’s guidelines carefully.

Course Contents

Course Selection Process

Undergraduate:

Course Descriptions & Schedule of Classes

The timetable for the Fall semester will be available in May. The timetable for the Spring semester will be available in November.

Graduate:

Course Descriptions   |   Schedule of Classes

Enrollment Requirements

Students must register for 50% of courses in the College of Engineering.

Workload per Semester

NTU's courses are assigned credits based on the Academic Unit System. For a typical one-semester subject, the number of academic units is calculated as follows:

(a) one hour of lecture/tutorial per week: 1 AU
(b) 3 hours’ laboratory/fieldwork per week: 1 AU

A maximum of 20 AUs can be taken per semester (approximately 4-5 modules). This is subject to the home university and NTU’s approval. All courses shall be subjected to vacancies, availability, pre-requisites and exam or class timetable clashes.

Additional Application Materials

Students wishing to study in Singapore must complete a separate university application in addition to the Global E3 application. You will be provided log-in details for your application once you have been successfully nominated by IIE. Please refer to our information sheet and our website at www.ntu.edu.sg/GEM-Trailblazer for more info.

Recommendation letter from a professor or academic staff:

• Optional for Global E3 Application. Letter of recommendation may be required by host university as part of the host university application process.

Students will usually receive their application package in May/June for students enrolling in the fall semester and Nov/Dec for students coming in the spring semester.

E-Welcome package will be mailed directly to the student via email. Exchange students' home institution will also be notified of E-Welcome package by email.

Housing

For AY2021/22, we will provide priority to all Global E3 member institutions’ students except for PG Students.

Upon acceptance as an exchange student (for study only), students may apply online for on-campus accommodation through the NTU Exchange Web Portal (subject to availability) prior to the stipulated closing date. Details on on-campus accommodation application could be found in the E-Welcome Package which shall be sent to student after conditional acceptance.

Students coming on Research and/or Work exchange shall be recommended off-campus housing in view of the varied project dates.

Should students be successful in securing on-campus accommodation, housing will be in one of our 18 Halls of Residence based on double occupancy, i.e. twin-sharing, where only 12 Halls have air-conditioned rooms while remaining 6 Halls do not. However, all rooms have ceiling fans.

Exchange students are allocated randomly and request for transfer of Halls and room-mates shall not be entertained.

Students with medical condition and have specific requests will have to submit doctor’s letter certifying the condition which shall be verified by NTU medical centre.

Accommodation fees shall range between S$235 to S$450* (varies with room type) per month during the semester, depending on hall of residence allocated.  * Varies with room type and subject to revision. 

For students unsuccessful in their application for on-campus accommodation shall be recommended off-campus accommodations at hostels located within short bus rides to NTU.

Estimated Cost of Living

Estimated living expenses

The living costs you incur will depend on your lifestyle. On an average, student should prepare an estimated SGD5,000 per semester to defray costs such as accommodation, food, transportation, personal expenses, textbooks etc.

Other administrative fees

Undergraduate students – SGD145* per semester

Postgraduate students – SGD370* per semester

The above compulsory payment includes fee for matriculation card (applicable to postgraduates); computer; sports; amenities; copyright; student health service; Group Hospitalization & Surgical Insurance etc.

Note: Students should ensure they have sufficient monies to pay for these compulsory payments upon arrival/registration at NTU.

*subject to revision

Contact

Office Responsible for International Exchange Students

Office of Global Education and Mobility   |   GEM-Trailblazer@ntu.edu.sg

Located at approximately 137 km north of the equator, Singapore is a cosmopolitan country that is strategically and centrally located at the south of the Malay Archipelago. It boasts of its green and clean ‘Garden City’ among the modern cities and has more than 5 million people of various ethnic communities and cultures, mainly Chinese, Malay, Indian and other smaller communities.

Currently, it is the busiest port in the world with over 600 shipping lines sending super tankers, container ships and passenger liners to share the busy waters with coastal fishing vessels and wooden lighters. Also, as one of the world's major oil refining and distribution centres, Singapore is a major supplier of electronic components and a leader in shipbuilding and repairing. It has also become one of the most important financial centres of Asia, with more than 130 banks. Business dealings are facilitated by Singapore's superb communications network which links the nation to the rest of the world via satellite, 24-hour telegraph and telephone systems.

English is the language of business and administration. It is also the medium of instruction in schools and at the University. Most Singaporeans are bilingual and are able to speak English and at least one other language – usually Mandarin, Malay or Tamil.

Being a food paradise, Singapore has a wide variety of Asian or Western cuisine, which can be found everywhere in Singapore. From food centres to expensive restaurants, there will be ample opportunities for you to savour both local and international cuisine including possibly, the food of your own country.

Singapore's strategic location, excellent facilities, fascinating cultural contrasts and tourist attractions contribute to its success as a leading destination for business, education and pleasure.