International Relations Office

Special Programmes (for Outgoing Students)

Semester at Sea (SAS)

What is this program about?

Operated by the nonprofit Institute for Shipboard Education (ISE) and sponsored through the University of Virginia, Semester at Sea's worldwide itineraries offer rigorous coursework coupled with field assignments and service learning in 8-12 international destinations, and the skills necessary to compete in today's rapidly globalizing world.


When does the programme take place?

NUS students from all faculties have the option of participating in 15 week semester or 10 week summer voyages.

Summer (10 weeks) - June to August

Fall (15 weeks) - August to December

Spring (15 weeks) - January to May

Detailed information about dates and travel itineraries for the available voyages each year are available at this webpage.

Where does the programme take place?

Ship itineraries change from year to year and voyage to voyage, and can be referenced from the weblink above. For a peek at past voyage itineraries, please click here.


What is the academic content?

Summer voyages offer up to 40 courses, while semester voyages feature up to 75 courses. Participants will study full-time during the voyage, and must meet the following course requirements.

 
  • Must take at least one Global Studies course.
  • Summer Voyage – Must register for a course load of 9 credits (approx. 3 courses).
  • Semester Voyages – Must register for 12 credits (approx. 4 courses).

 

What does it include?

Tuition fees, room, all meals, premium travel health insurance, on-ship Internet access and an email account.


What is the student accommodation?

Accommodation on board varies from private to shared staterooms. Most students share a double room with private bath and shower.


How much does it cost?

See table below for an estimate of the cost for the programme. Note that the Programme Fee varies with the cabin type available at the time of registration for the programme. Visit this webpage for more information about cabin types.

Note that the Institute for Shipboard Education may increase the Programme Fee at any time before sailing. You may have certain rights to cancel without charge in the event of certain fee increases. A fuel supplement surcharge of up to $9 per person per day will also be enacted thirty days in advance of sailing, should the price of light sweet crude oil – according to the NY Mercantile Exchange Index – increase above $85 per barrel.

Item
Cost – Summer 2013
Cost – Fall 2013
Programme Fee; includes:
Tuition (up to 15 credits)
Economy cabin
All meals on ship
Compulsory field labs
Health insurance
Email account
Student services
USD 12,950
(approx. SGD 16,100)
USD 23,750
(approx. SGD 29,500)
Return Airfare
(SIN-London-SIN)
SGD 2,000
N/A
One-Way Airfare
(SIN-London)
N/A
SGD 1,000
One-Way Airfare
(Florida-SIN)
N/A
SGD 1,400
Ground Transfer
(London-Southampton)
SGD 160
(two-way)
SGD 80
(one-way)
Visas
SGD 300
SGD 300
Textbooks
SGD 300
SGD 300
Appropriate Vaccinations
SGD 150
SGD 150
Miscellaneous Expenditure
(e.g. entertainment, etc.)
Approx. SGD 2,500
Approx. SGD 4,500
Total Estimated Cost
Approx. SGD 21,510
Approx. SGD 37,230


Please note, these are estimated expenses and actual expenses may differ based on price shifts and personal spending habits!


Is financial assistance available?

NUS students can request for a waiver of the USD 50 application fee via email BEFORE submitting the online application for Semester at Sea.

Depending on the availability of funds, Semester at Sea provides financial assistance for NUS students in the form of a tuition reduction. For details, please contact IRO.

In addition, students can apply directly to Semester at Sea for additional financial assistance:
http://www.semesteratsea.org/admission-aid/financing-aid-scholarships/scholarships/


Number of placements available?

There is no pre-determined limit on the number of placements available to NUS students.


What are the eligibility requirements?

 
  • Undergraduates from any faculty who have completed at least one year of study at NUS prior to participation in this programme.
  • Should not be in their graduating semester prior to participation in this programme.
  • CAP of 3.5 and above.
  • Students must demonstrate their writing skills in a 300-500 word essay as indicated in the online application.
  • Students whose first language is not English must substantiate their English language proficiency either by:

 

 
  • Submitting a score report from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). A minimum score of 550 (PBT) or 213 (CBT) or 79-80 (iBT) is required.
  • Submitting results from the IELTS exam. A score of 6.0 or higher on the IELTS exam is required.

 

Is a visa required?

Visa requirements vary depending on the countries included on the itinerary. Typically, students need to secure two or three visas individually, with the remainder group visas obtained by ISE. Detailed information will be mailed in a packet after the student has submitted the deposit.

Students are responsible for ensuring that they have proper entry documents for all countries they plan to visit as part of this programme!


How do I apply?

Application deadlines are as follows:

 
  • Summer 2013 – Friday, 8 March 2013
  • Fall 2013 Voyage – Friday, 10 May 2013


A completed file for admission consists of the following:

 

 

Who to contact for more information?

For additional information or related queries, please click here.


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