National University of Singapore (NUS)
National University of Singapore (NUS) overview
The university began in 1905 as the Straits Settlements and Federated Malay States Government Medical School. Today the National University of Singapore (NUS) is the country's oldest and most prestigious institution of higher education. It was renamed King Edward VII College of Medicine in 1912, and in 1949 it merged with Raffles College to form the University of Malaya. After Singapore separated from Malaysia in 1962, the university was split, and the Singapore branch became the University of Singapore.
In 1980 the University of Singapore merged with Nanyang University to form today's National University of Singapore. NUS is now recognized as a global leader in education and research. It is consistently ranked among the top universities in Asia and the world. Since its founding it has made significant contributions to academic research and to Singapore's development. The university has 17 faculties and schools across three campuses, and it offers a diverse range of undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs.
The National University of Singapore is known for its work in engineering, life sciences, social sciences, and computing. It is home to leading research institutes such as the NUS Centre for Quantum Technologies and the Energy Studies Institute. Notable alumni include Singapore's founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew, President Halimah Yacob, and numerous influential business leaders and politicians.
About National University of Singapore (NUS)
The university began in 1905 as the Straits Settlements and Federated Malay States Government Medical School. Today the National University of Singapore (NUS) is the country's oldest and most prestigious institution of higher education. It was renamed King Edward VII College of Medicine in 1912. In 1949 it merged with Raffles College to form the University of Malaya.
After Singapore separated from Malaysia in 1962, the university was split, and the Singapore branch became the University of Singapore. In 1980 the University of Singapore merged with Nanyang University to form today's National University of Singapore.
NUS is now recognized as a global leader in education and research. It is consistently ranked among the top universities in Asia and the world. Since its founding it has made significant contributions to academic research and to Singapore's development. The university has 17 faculties and schools across three campuses. It offers a diverse range of undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs.
The National University of Singapore is known for its work in engineering, life sciences, social sciences, and computing. It is home to leading research institutes such as the NUS Centre for Quantum Technologies and the Energy Studies Institute. Notable alumni include Singapore's founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew, President Halimah Yacob, and numerous influential business leaders and politicians.
National University of Singapore (NUS) faculties and programs
Law
Medicine
Environmental and Sustainability Engineering
Civil Engineering
Electrical Engineering
Engineering Science
Landscape Architecture
Pharmacy
Pharmaceutical Sciences
Music
National University of Singapore (NUS) scholarships and financial aid
The National University of Singapore offers a range of scholarships for prospective international students. Keep in mind that these programs have a limited number of funded places. Awards are based on need and merit, and admission standards are high. If you are an international student and want to apply, you can reach the relevant programs through the link below.
National University of Singapore (NUS) Exam Requirements
Submitting at least one of the exams below with the required score is a prerequisite for application. The score threshold may vary by program.
How to get into National University of Singapore (NUS)
If you want to apply to an undergraduate program at the National University of Singapore, you must meet the following requirements:
- 4-Year High School Diploma
- High GPA
or - Acceptance by a university recognized by the National University of Singapore that offers a 4-year bachelor's degree program in Turkey, and completion of the first year of that undergraduate program
or - International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma
or - SAT/ACT Exam Score + 3–5 Advanced Placement (AP) Courses
or - IGCSE or A-Level Diploma
- English Proficiency Certificate
- A certificate earned through your score on an English proficiency exam such as IELTS or TOEFL iBT
- Official transcripts showing the courses you took and the grades you received throughout high school
Admission results for international students are usually published on the university's official website between May and July.
If you want to apply to a graduate program at the National University of Singapore, you must meet the following requirements.
- 4-Year Bachelor's Degree Diploma
- High GPA
- English Proficiency Certificate
- A certificate earned through your score on an English proficiency exam such as IELTS or TOEFL iBT
- Official transcripts showing the courses you took and the grades you received throughout your university studies
- GRE/GMAT exam scores may be required, depending on the admission requirements of the department.
Take a closer look at National University of Singapore (NUS)
The National University of Singapore runs three campuses: Kent Ridge, Bukit Timah, and the Duke-NUS Medical Campus. Kent Ridge, in the southwestern part of Singapore, is the university's main and largest campus. It holds most faculties and schools, including the Faculty of Engineering, the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, and the School of Computing. Kent Ridge also houses research centers such as the National University Hospital (NUH) and the Centre for Quantum Technologies.
The campus is known for its modern infrastructure, state-of-the-art laboratories, green spaces, and student facilities including residential colleges, libraries, and sports complexes. The Bukit Timah Campus, near Singapore's central area, is home to the Faculty of Law and the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy. The Duke-NUS Medical School, a collaboration between NUS and Duke University in the United States, sits within the Singapore General Hospital (SGH) campus in Outram. That campus focuses on graduate medical education and cutting-edge biomedical research.
More than 200 student organizations are active at the university, including academic societies, cultural associations, performing arts groups, and community service clubs. Students join groups such as the NUSSU Student Union (NUSSU), which organizes large-scale events including the annual NUSSU Rag and Flag Day. In this long-standing tradition, students serve as student representatives, raise funds for charity, and perform elaborate themed dances and shows in a friendly inter-faculty competition. Sports and recreational activities are also a central part of campus life.
The Kent Ridge campus has extensive sports facilities, including swimming pools, gyms, tennis courts, and a multi-purpose sports hall. NUS offers a broad range of sports clubs under the University Sports Centre and takes part in the annual Inter-Faculty Games (IFG) and the Singapore University Games (SUniG). In these games, NUS teams compete against other local universities. Residential colleges such as Tembusu and Ridge View regularly organize a variety of extracurricular events and build a tight-knit student community.
The National University of Singapore has a large alumni network of people who have excelled in many different fields. Notable alumni of the university include:
- Lee Kuan Yew
- Goh Chok Tong
- Tony Tan
- S. R. Nathan
- Mahathir Mohamad
- Margaret Chan
- Kishore Mahbubani
- Halimah Yacob
- Ng Eng Hen
- Sha'ari Tadin
- Wang Gungwu
- Vivian Balakrishnan
- K Shanmugam
among others.
National University of Singapore (NUS) Location
Singapore, Singapore
National University of Singapore (NUS) Contact
National University of Singapore (NUS)
Take a Closer Look
How to Get Into National University of Singapore (NUS)
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