National University of Singapore
Ranked 11th globally for top universities in the world by QS World University Rankings (2020), NUS is one of our top-ranked partners worldwide.
Get involved on campus beyond the books, in one of the myriad student clubs and sports they offer like dragon boating or Muay Thai kickboxing! Enjoy the safe, multicultural city of Singapore, with its amazing food and yearlong gardens. Singapore is a great starting place to get out into the surrounding Asian countries to explore further. NUS has a student population of 38,000 students in 16 faculties and takes in 1000 exchange students a year.
Key information
Application information
Student experience
Student life at NUS
NUS Campus Tour
Program details
Areas of Study: Architecture*, Biochemistry, Biological Science, Botany/Ecology, Chemistry, Chinese Studies, Communications, Computer Science*, Drama, Economics*, Engineering (Biomedical, Chemical, Civil, Computer, Electrical, Environmental, Industrial, Mechanical, Materials, Marine), English, European Studies, Environmental Design*, Film Studies, Geography, History, Law*, Life Sciences, Linguistics, Math, Media & Design, Microbiology, Japanese Studies, Philosophy, Psychology*, Physics, Public Health, Social Work, Sociology, South Asian Studies, Statistics, Urban Studies, Zoology.
Languages*: Arabic, Mandarin, French, German, Hindi, Indonesian, Japanese, Korean, Malay, Spanish, Tamil, Thai, Vietnamese.
*Starred courses above may have limited access for exchange students; pre-requisite checks are required. Please note that Law course availability is not determined until March each year.
Restricted Areas: Some programs are in high demand and courses are not guaranteed. Students wishing to take courses in these areas must be extremely flexible. Click here to view a PDF of all restrictions.
Course Information: Exchange students at NUS are called "non-graduating students", which is because you are not graduating from an NUS degree program. Courses at NUS are called "modules". Students must register in minimum 3 modules (12 credits) to maximum 5 modules (20 credits) per semester. Generally, 1 module at NUS = 1 standard semester course (3 units) at UCalgary. As modules may be quite competitive, it's important to have back-ups in mind and be flexible in your selection.
A list of modules available to exchange students is published each year - click here to download the PDF. Please note that the module list is typically updated in April for Fall semester and August for Winter semester.
Students can search for modules and find module descriptions online (click here), as well as additional information about selecting modules (click here). When searching for modules, note that undergraduate level modules are numbered 1000-4000; this approximately corresponds as 1st-4th year studies, although your UCalgary academic advisor can help you determine how exactly they will transfer to your degree! Detailed course information can be found on each Faculty's website. (Note: 4000-level modules are in very high demand at NUS, so exchange students are encouraged to select 1000-3000 level modules only.)
The academic year is divided into two semesters:
- Semester 1 runs from early August to early December.
- Semester two runs from early January to early May.
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Costs
Exchange students pay their tuition and academic fees to the University of Calgary. Other expenses are paid directly to the service provider.
NUS has cost of living information on their info sheet on page 5. Also, remember to include things like visas, insurance, vaccinations, etc. in your budget planning.
Monthly cost estimates (2020):
Expense On-Campus / Off-Campus
Accommodation 480-850 SGD / 600-1300 SGD
Meals 250-500 SGD / 400-800 SGD
Transit 100-150 SGD / 200-300 SGD
Books & Supplies 200-350 SGD / 200-350 SGD
Personal Expenses 300-500 SGD / 300-500 SGD
Total Estimate: 1130-2000 SGD / 1500-2900 SGD
Actual cost on on-campus residence (hostel) depends on type of residence and type of room. For the hostel fees please refer to the Office of Student Affairs’ Residential Services site.
For off-campus accommodation, actual rental depends on whether there is room sharing and whether utilities are included in the rent.Singapore cost comparison vs. Calgary: Click Here
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Funding
Did you know that you can take your UCalgary funding with you on exchange? Since you remain a degree seeking student at UCalgary while on exchange you remain eligible for any awards and scholarships you are eligible to receive from the university as well as student loans.
Our office administers several awards, including the Global Access Fund (based on a funding-first model where students apply prior to committing to a global learning program) and the Global Learning Award (students apply after being accepted to a global learnng program; the amount varies year-to-year as the money is split among chosen recipients). Students may only receive these awards once. Please see the funding page, linked below, for more information.
Exchange students (also called "Non-Graduating Students" at NUS) can apply to live in any of NUS' Halls of Residence. However, housing is in high demand and is not guaranteed. Students are recommended to list as many courses as possible as a part of the application as housing access may be bolstered by course flexibility.
The Office of Student Affairs also provides an online Off-Campus Accommodation System to help students search for private housing.
UTown Residence also offers its own infinity pool!
This exchange is open to regular, full-time students in any faculty at UCalgary, who have completed at least 1 full year (10 courses) at the post-secondary level, with a an average of B (3.0) (with no grade below C) in your declared major.
For applicants from the UCalgary Faculty of Law, an academic reference letter is required. Please click here to view the reference letter guidelines & submission instructions. It must be submitted at the time of your application to UCalgary.
If you plan to travel on a passport from an Assessment Level 1 or 2 country according to the Singapore visa assessment, we recommend to look at programs outside of Singapore. If you are a citizen of Singapore, you will not be eligible for Singapore exchange programs. Please speak with an advisor for more information.
What supports or services are available at NUS?
Students with disabilities can read more about the services offered at the disability support office.
What's special about Singapore and NUS?
Singapore is made up of 63 surrounding islets with a total land area of more than 719 square kilometers and a total population of 5.61 million people. Although its compact size belies its economic growth. Within a 150 years, Singapore has grown from a fishing village into a thriving centre of commerce and industry. Singapore is home to one of the busiest ports in the world with over 600 global shipping lines sharing Singapore’s waters with coastal fishing vessels and wooden ships. Read what locals have to say about Singapore here!
NUS is one of the world's top 25 universities and has a 150 hectare campus with over 48 eateries and large green spaces.
What resources are available for new students?
NUS' S3 Peer Student Supporters program helps students adjust to life in Singapore and provides social activities for exchange students, like the exchange student dragon boat race at the beginning of term!
NUS joined us on Zoom to talk about the exchange program, academics, student life, and some of the recent changes to Singapore's visa/entry protocols. It was a great discussion! (This info session was recorded in October 2021)
Have questions?
The exchange advisor for this program is: Flavien Niederst
How to Apply
Download the application guide
This PDF contains information on how to complete your application and what to do after you have applied.
Identify three programs of interest
We recommend applying for your top three programs for the priority application deadline, as placement may be competitive. We will assess your applications in ranked order.
Check requirements and deadlines
These may vary by program, so check the individual program pages and make sure that you are aware of any different application deadlines or eligibility requirements.
Start your application
Once you have gathered everything you need, you can begin your application!
Please note: Applications will not be considered complete until all required documents are submitted in full.
International travel presents challenges that may not be found when attending classes on campus. There may be a lack of resources, emergency services, hospitals, accessibility issues and/or demands on the physical and the mental self, all of which can challenge individuals when away from their usual support systems and structures. Adequate preparation is essential.
For this reason, it is imperative that you evaluate all aspects of your own physical, psychological, emotional and spiritual condition against the rigors of the particular global learning program you are selecting. If you are unsure of whether or not this program is a good fit for you and/or if you have any circumstances that could impede your enjoyment of the program, please contact us. Our Global Learning Advisors will be happy to assist in finding the best options for you and arrange any supports or accommodations necessary to ensure your success.
If you have or are seeking a certificate from Student Accessibility Services, you should provide this early to your Global Learning Advisor to ensure that the option that you are seeking can support your needs.
Please note: All participants must adhere to COVID-19 and other vaccination-related requirements for the destinations visited on this program. Failure to do so may have consequences such as being denied access to accommodation/housing, program activities, or to the host country itself.