This page will provide answers to the most common questions regarding the Student Exchange Programme (SEP) for NUS students.
General
- What does SEP offer?
- Where can I find out more about SEP?
- How much does it cost to go on SEP?
- What is the difference between University-wide and Faculty-wide SEP?
- How do I search for information on Partner Universities?
- Will my graduation be delayed?
Application
Start to plan for your exchange programme before the start of the application. Confirm your eligibility. Check out the Partner University you would like to go and the required application materials. Think about how you can finance your exchange
- How do I apply for SEP?
-
When can I apply for SEP?
- What happen after I apply for SEP?
- What do I do after I have been selected by Partner University for SEP?
- What do I do after I have arrived at Partner University for SEP?
Eligibility
- What are the minimum criteria for SEP eligibility?
- I am not a Singaporean, can i apply for SEP?
- Can I go for FULL year SEP in SEM2?
- There is an overlap in semester dates. How can I complete the semester at the Partner University and be at NUS at the same time?
- What happens after SEP?
Financial Assistance
- Are there any forms of financial assistance for SEP?
Modules Mapping
- What modules can I take during my SEP overseas? How do I map the modules offered by the Partner University with NUS modules?
Credit Transfer
- How do I apply for transfer of credits after I return from SEP?
- Can I transfer credits for a module read as 'Pass/Fail' option?
- Will the modules taken overseas affect my CAP?
SEP Withdrawal or Deferment
- Can I withdraw from the SEP upon successful application?
- Can I defer my SEP to the next academic year?
- Will withdrawal of current SEP affect my future application?
Language Preparation Courses
- What Preparatory courses are available for students interested in going to non-english language medium universities?
General
1) What does SEP offer?
The Student Exchange Programme (SEP) offers NUS students with the opportunity to experience student life in a foreign country and learn to be a global citizen. It is a good opportunity for students to pick up a new language, absorb new cultures and make new friends. It reflects NUS’ commitment to global education, allowing NUS undergraduates to spend a semester or two at an overseas partner University, earning credits towards their NUS degree. Students can choose from 180 partner universities in 27 countries.
2) Where can I learn more about SEP?
The International Relations Office website
- The NUS Registrar’s Office website
- Faculty’s SEP website:
- Speak to your Faculty/Department SEP Coordinators.
- Speak to students who have been on SEP.
- Attend SEP talks organized by International Relations Office or your Faculty.
3) How much does it cost to go on SEP?
Students will only need to pay the normal NUS tuition fees during their SEP overseas. They are not required to pay any tuition fees at the host university.
However, students are responsible to ensure that they have the financial means to support their living cost during their SEP overseas. The cost of living varies from country to country and different cities in the same country. An estimated guide is provided in the IRO website.
4) What is the difference between University-wide and Faculty-wide SEP?
SEP can only be at Partner University that has established a Memorandum of Understanding [MOU] with NUS. This MOU determines the number of agreed places per academic year. The SEP MOU may be University-wide or Faculty-level specific agreement. University-wide SEP is administered by the Registrar’s Office and open to all students in NUS to apply. Faculty-level SEP are administered by the appropriate Dean’s Office and open to students in that faculty only. All matters regarding the Faculty-level SEP should be directed to the respective SEP coordinator in the Dean’s Office.
The list of Partner Universities is available at
http://www.nus.edu.sg/iro/partners/index.html
Student can apply for SEP under University-wide or Faculty-level places.
5) How do I search for information on partner universities?
Information on some Partner Universities is available in the Reference Section of the NUS Central Library and at the International Relations Office resource library and website. Students should also explore other sources of information e.g. resource centre, libraries of diplomatic missions or by using search engines on the internet.
6) Will my graduation be delayed?
Your graduation will not be delayed if you plan carefully. You must note the following:
- A SEP study plan (approved by the Department of your major) is required for each SEP at a partner university and the semester of study so that you can fulfill your graduation requirements while on SEP.
- When you return from SEP, submit your transcript to the Dean’s Office as soon as possible for the necessary credit transfer. Credit transfer will be allowed only for modules approved by the Department.
- Maintain regular contact with your Faculty SEP coordinator via email so that any administrative problems encountered can be resolved without delay.
Application
Start to plan for your exchange programme before the start of the application. Confirm your eligibility. Check out the Partner University you would like to go and the required application materials. Think about how you can finance your exchange
7) How do I apply for SEP?
Application of SEP is online via Overseas Programmes Application System (OPAS) at http://www.nus.edu.sg/iro/nus/students/prog/sep/index.html
OPAS FAQ: http://www.nus.edu.sg/iro/nus/students/prog/sep/opasfaq.html
8) When can I apply for SEP?
Applications are open from Oct till Mar. Please check for actual dates specified for each faculty on this website: http://www.nus.edu.sg/iro/nus/students/prog/sep/index.html
9) What happens after I apply for SEP?
You will undergo a selection process firstly at NUS (by your Faculty/School) and then at the host university. Submit an application to your Host University.
Once you are selected to go on SEP, you will be informed by your respective Faculty/School to submit a formal application with the necessary documents to the Host University.
10) What do I do after I have been selected by Partner University for SEP?
Once your SEP application has been officially approved by both NUS and the host university, you can proceed to arrange for accomodation at the host university and apply for any financial assistance available in NUS and at partner university.
- Make your own visa and travel arrangements.
- Obtain suitable medical/health insurance from the host university or in the country
- Attend pre-departure briefings conducted by IRO
11) What do I do after I arrived at Partner University for SEP?
Upon arrival at the country of the host university, contact and register your personal particulars at the relevant Diplomatic Mission. For Singaporean student, please contact the Singapore's Embassy/High Commission or alternatively please register online via the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.
After you have registered at the host university, please update your mailing addresses directly at the NUS Registrar's Office website.
Eligibility
12) What are the minimum criteria for SEP eligibility?
All full-time course-work undergraduate students in NUS are eligible for the overseas SEP, except for:
- Foreign nationals receiving a scholarship financed or administered by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Scholarships and others specified by sponsors. However, scholars who wish to apply for the Student Exchange Programme (SEP) will have to obtain approval from his/her university first and then seek approval from MFA. All requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
- Foreign nationals are not allowed to apply for overseas SEP in Partner Universities that are located in their home country.
- Part-time undergraduate and graduate students student in their final semester of degree unless approved by the faculty/department.
- Student who are scheduled for their academic exercise (final year projects) or internship/industrial attachment unless approved by the faculty/department.
The student may be of any nationality although priority will be given to Singapore nationals (citizens and permanent resident). They must fulfill the following requirements:
- completed at least 1 semester of study at NUS upon application and 2 semesters upon admission to the partner University;
- a minimum cumulative average point [CAP] of 3.0 on the 5-point scale, and should not have any grade ‘C’ (grade point of 2.0) in any module (discretion of faculty/department)
- the minimum financial resources of personal and living expenses for the duration of the SEP (approximately from S$5,000 to S$15,000 per semester, subject to the country and living cost at the overseas Partner University)
13) Can I go for FULL year SEP in SEM2?
This is subjected to approval by faculty/department. However, students are generally not encouraged to go for a full year SEP that crosses 2 academic years.
14) There is an overlap in the semester dates. How can I complete the semester at the Partner University and be at NUS at the same time?
You can consider the following options:
- Ask for alternative assessment, e.g. project paper, oral examination, earlier examination etc.
- Stay on for another 2 weeks to sit for the exams (sometimes it is possible to arrange for an earlier date) before returning to NUS. You will have to do your CORS online from overseas, and get approval for late registration back at NUS.
- Return to NUS for the start of a new semester as usual, and take SEP university exams in NUS supervised by home faculty/department.
While you are on exchange, you must submit CORS online from overseas, and get approval for late registration back at NUS. For all the above, you have to seek your Faculty SEP coordinator’s advice and approval. You are also advised to plan well ahead for some of the options suggested above.
15) What happens after SEP?
Registrar Office will inform (via email) you to collect a copy of your original transcript received from the SEP Partner University.
Please approach your Faculty/School Dean's Office directly for issues pertaining to credit transfer.
To help the University in reviewing and improving its exchange programme, you will also be asked to complete a SEP Student Feedback Questionnaire.
Financial Assistance
16) Are there any forms of financial assistance for SEP?
There are various SEP awards offered by NUS, Faculties, Admin office, External agencies as well as partner universities. Following are some of the options:
Module Mapping
17) What modules can I take during my SEP overseas? How do I map the modules offered by the Partner University with NUS modules?
Every faculty has its own set of degree requirements for their students to adhere to, so students are therefore advised to kindly check with their respective faculty/department SEP coordinator and academic advisor(s) for advice.
In general, you will need to provide comprehensive information about the module(s) that you intend to read while on exchange. You can obtain information on the modules from:
- Overseas partner universities’ website or catalogue
- Department or Lecturers teaching the module(s) at the partner universities
- The Study Abroad or International Students Office at the partner universities.
You should try as far as possible to obtain the following information:
- Description of the modules(s) – including level of the modules(s), code and title)
- Description of the syllabus and/or readings and how the course is conducted
- Number of contact hours and/or schedule of lectures, tutorials, seminars
- Modes of Assessment
- Any other relevant information.
Once you have obtained the necessary information, show them to the SEP advisor of the respective faculty/department offering similar module(s) to those that you intend to read. The advisors will evaluate the modules for their suitability and equivalency, and endorse the respective modules in your study plan accordingly.
Credit Transfer
18)How do I apply for transfer of credits after I return from SEP?
Check with your Dean’s Office on the standard procedure. However, you are advised to follow up with the partner university to ensure that your transcript arrives at least one and a half month before the start of your examinations for the semester that you return to NUS. Otherwise the credits for your overseas modules will be transferred late and your graduation or promotion could be delayed.
19) Can I transfer credits for a module read as ‘Pass/Fail’ option?
Check with your respective faculty as not all faculties/departments allow credits transfer. For FoE students, please read http://www.eng.nus.edu.sg/sep/mapping.htm.
20) Will the modules taken overseas affect my CAP?
The courses you take overseas will be granted transfer of credits only. The grades obtained are not transferable. This means that modules read while on exchange will not have an impact on your CAP as you will be awarded S/U credits.
SEP Withdrawal or Deferment
21) Can I withdraw from the SEP upon successful application?
Yes. Student must write in to explain the reasons for their withdrawal to the Dean’s office and once it is approved, the Dean’s Office will inform Registrar’s Office. Registrar's Office or respective Faculty SEP Coordinator will inform the Partner University of the approved withdrawal.
22) Can I defer my SEP to the next academic year?
No. Student must withdraw from SEP and obtain permission from Dean to apply for any future SEP.
23) Will withdrawal of current SEP affect my future application?
Yes as there are limited places at each round of application and your withdrawal status will be flagged in your next application.
Language Preparation Programme
24)What preparatory courses are available for students interested in going to non-english language medium universities?
If you are heading to China, there are two modules, one in science & technology and the other in Business & industry; that are tailored to enhance your Chinese proficiency.
Students who do not have prior knowledge of French or German but are interested to go on SEP to Austria, Belgium, France, Germany or Switzerland, are encouraged to apply for French/German language modules at the Centre for Language Studies.
For more information, please visit
http://www.nus.edu.sg/iro/nus/students/prog/others/lpp/lpp-sep/faq.html
|
