The National University of Singapore, usually abbreviated as NUS, is a national research university located in Lower Kent Ridge Road, Singapore. It is the oldest autonomous university in Singapore and is considered one of Asia’s top universities. The university’s fame is further accentuated by its 11th position on the QS World University Rankings 2023.
The 2021-22 session saw the admittance of 32,673 students for undergraduate courses at the university. Of these, 31,272 students were enrolled in full-time courses and 1,401 in part-time studies.
Graduate studies at the institute saw the enrolment of 14,529 students. The strength of students in each level of study is as follows:
Masters Students – 10,001 Doctoral Students – 3734 Diploma Students – 431 Coursework Doctoral Students – 353
Admission Eligibility Criteria
How to get admission to the National University of Singapore?There are some specific admission criteria to be eligible for consideration for undergraduate courses at the university. These criteria are as follows:
One should have completed or are in the process of completing high school studies when applying.
One must have completed at least twelve years of general education by July during the year of application.
One should possess one of the following scores – ACT with writing and SAT subject tests, SAT and SAT subject tests, and Advanced Placement report.
The National University of Singapore’s admission criteria for graduate courses are
A relevant (depending on the course) bachelor’s degree from a reputed institute (for incoming master’s students)
A relevant master’s degree from a reputed institute (for incoming Ph.D. students)
English Proficiency Tests (TOEFL or IELTS) if the first language is not English
GRE scores for selected programs
Documents Required
The National University of Singapore’s admission requirements asks for a list of mandatory documents to be submitted along with the application. Although some documents are standard for all levels of study, certain ones differ as per the student’s discretion in choosing an undergraduate or graduate course.
The University of Singapore’s admission requirements for undergraduate degrees demands mandatory documents like:
Passport
Birth certificate
High school examination result slip, if one has finished high school by the time of application
Most recent examination result slip, if one is still awaiting results
SAT, ACT, IELTS, or TOEFL scores depending on the course requirements
University academic transcripts for transfer students
Medical and criminal reports, if applicable
Some of the documents required to be eligible for graduate studies at NUS are:
GRE/GMAT and TOEFL or IELTS scores according to course requirements
Updated resume with current work experience and recent projects
Certified copies of degree/mark sheet and degree certificate
Motivation Letter, no less than 500 words citing the reasons for choosing the course
Financial supporting documents to show if one can handle the living expenses and tuition fee
If one has secured admission,
must submit attested copies of official university transcripts in a sealed envelope to NUS.
Tests Required and Average Score
The National University of Singapore’s admission requirements recommends that the candidates appear for the ACT or SAT. One can submit either ACT in writing or SAT with subject test scores.
The ACT comprises five sections, of which the writing test is optional. If one is planning to submit ACT scores instead of SAT, taking the writing test is mandatory. The minimum writing component score deemed by the university differs on the year of the examination.
If one has appeared for ACT on or before September 2016, the minimum writing score must be 24. The range must be between 1 to 36.
The minimum composite score for appearing after October 2016 is 8, with a range between 2 to 12.
For SAT, the minimum acceptable scores are as follows:
600 for Evidence-based Reading and Writing
650 for Mathematics
It is important to note that all SAT sections must be taken in a single sitting. Scores from different sessions cannot be combined.
In addition, NUS requires a minimum score of 650 in each subject for the SAT Subject Tests. The university accepts the scores for three subjects taken within two sittings over a period of twelve months.
Popular Courses
With some of the top-rated programs in the world, NUS attracts thousands of students worldwide. It has a total of 13,833 individual programs, spanning different levels namely bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees.
Some of the most popular courses at the institute are listed below.
How the National University of Singapore Evaluates Applicants
The National University of Singapore focuses on student’s overall academic achievements while evaluating the application for admission to its courses. It also makes a decision based on the interviews in which the student has appeared, the tests taken, and other non-academic achievements synonymous with them.
The chance of gaining admission will also depend on the choice of course. For example, reputable and in-demand courses like Engineering would require an extensive academic profile with notable achievements.
The university also offers an option for Aptitude Based Admission, where candidates having distinguished aptitude or interest in a selected course are considered. In this option, NUS will ease the academic restriction and focus on factors like the candidate’s demonstrated ability in the subject, work experience, leadership, community engagement, and a minimum level of academic competence.
Some of the achievements that are considered under this admission are:
Securing a medal at International Olympiads for Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Informatics, or Mathematics)
Active participation in community service and volunteer programs
Relevant work experience
Key leadership positions outside school
Tips for Applying to the National University of Singapore
The National University of Singapore’s acceptance rate is low, making it difficult to secure admission to the institute. Here are some tips that can help one strengthen the application:
Ensure maintaining a good academic record since the university places a strong emphasis on grades for admission
Partaking in extracurricular activities and volunteering to boost the overall profile
Although optional, try to score the minimum scores in the ACT and SAT to communicate the knowledge and aptitude outside school to the admissions committee
Draft a motivational letter detailing the goal behind pursuing the course
Gain good scores on GRE/GMAT to ensure the admissions committee about your readiness for master’s programs
Go through all the online resources provided by the university to understand their expectations and culture to make a well-informed decision for the future
Application Deadline
To answer the question of how to get admission to the National University of Singapore, ensure that one completes the application before the deadline. The application deadline for undergraduate courses at the institute depends on the qualification type of the candidate.
Application Closing Dates (for 2022)
Deadline for Documents Submission
Date of Estimated Application Outcome
Appeal window
Indonesian Ujian Nasional (UN)
Vietnam National High School Graduation Examination[1]
Unified Examination Certificate (UEC)[1]
14th February 2022
17th February 2022
Mid-May
19th May 2022 – 26th May 2022
All other qualification types
28th February 2022
3rd March 2022
Mid-May to End July
The application dates for postgraduate programs depend on the course and level of study.
Mrinal Mandal is a study abroad expert with a passion for guiding students towards their international education goals. He holds a degree in mechanical engineering, earned in 2018. Since 2021, Mrinal has been working with upGrad Abroad, where he assists aspiring students in realizing their dreams of studying abroad. With his expertise and dedication, he empowers individuals to navigate the complexities of international education, making their aspirations a reality.