A. Application & Admission Matters (General Information)

A. Application & Admission Matters (General Information)

A01. What is the difference between exchange and non-exchange students?
Exchange students are those who are nominated by one of NUS exchange partner universities to study at the University. Exchange students only pay mandatory miscellaneous fees.

Non-exchange students are those who are not selected by their home university to study at the University or whose home university does not have a formal student exchange agreement with NUS to enable them to come as an exchange student. Non-exchange students have to pay tuition fee (on per module per semester basis) as well as mandatory miscellaneous fees.

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• Coursework (Undergraduate/Graduate Level)
• Research (Undergraduate/Graduate Level)
• Combination of coursework and research

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A03. Are there any restrictions on the modules which I can select?
Yes. For more details on modules restrictions, please click here.

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A04. Is there any minimum or maximum number of modules which I can do per semester?
Generally, students can do up to an average of 20MCs worth of modules (approximately 5 modules) per regular semester, regardless of whether modules are set to audit or examinable. Non-graduating international students are required to read a minimum workload of 12 MCs (approximately 3 modules) or pursue a full-time research during regular semester in order to qualify as a full-time student and be issued with a Student’s Pass.

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A05. What happens if there is a clash in either the class or exam timetable of my selected modules?
In such event, you will have to forgo one of the clashed modules; i.e. you can drop one of the modules or change it to audit.

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A06. Can I change the modules after I have been accepted to read them at NUS?
Yes, you can make changes to the modules which have been offered to you during the Module “Add/Drop” Exercise period. You are required to check your Registration Guide for more details on the dates.

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A07. How do I apply for admission to the Non-Graduating Programme and when is the closing date?
You have to apply online and submit all relevant supporting documents by the stipulated deadlines as per information in our website:

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A08. What happens if I submit an application after the deadline?
Any applications submitted after the stipulated deadlines will not be processed.

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A09. How do I know if my application supporting documents have been well received by NUS?
An acknowledgement email will be sent to you upon receipt of your application supporting documents. Incomplete applications (including those submitted online but with no supporting documents) will not be processed.

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A10. I am still an undergraduate; do I still need to submit an original or certified true copy of my academic transcript?
Yes, you are required to submit your undergraduate academic transcript (leading to either a Bachelor/Master’s Degree) which is issued by your Home University (with English translation, if applicable). Please also take note that only original academic transcripts of all degree programmes you have completed or are currently pursuing are accepted. The transcript should be endorsed with the university’s seal and official signatory.

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A11. When will I know the outcome of my application?
You will be informed of the outcome of your application by early June (for August intake) and by early November (for January intake).

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A12. What can be the reason(s) for rejecting my selected module(s)?
There are various reasons as to why a particular module is rejected by the respective department. It could be because:

• Modules are oversubscribed (no more vacancy)
• Modules are not offered this semester
• Students have not met the required pre-requisites
• Modules are not open to non-graduating students
• Priorities are given to full-time NUS undergraduates or mainly NUS students who are graduating

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A13. Where should I mail my supporting documents to?
All completed supporting documents must be sent to:

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A14. Where can I find the list of modules offered for the semester?
You can refer to the list of available modules which are offered to non-graduating students for each academic year at this link:https://share.nus.edu.sg/registrar/info/ng/NG-Modules.pdf

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A15. Where can I find the description and pre-requisites information of each module?
You can find a short description and pre-requisites information of each module in our online NUS Bulletin

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A16. I am not sure how to fill up some of the fields in the online application form. Where can I get information on this?
You can refer to the General Instruction on how to apply online

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A17. Do I have to submit TOEFL/IELTS?
TOEFL/IELTS scores are required only for those non-exchange applicants who are from non-English medium institution. Students (exchange or non-exchange) who are from non-English medium institution and are applying to read Law modules in NUS are required to submit the TOEFL/IELTS scores.

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A18. I have other questions which are not answered here, who shall I contact?
For further queries, please contact the officer-in-charge of the country of your home university, Details can be found here. Alternatively, you can drop an email to nghelp@nus.edu.sg.

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B. Registration Matters

B01. How do I register as a student after being offered admission to the Non-Graduating Programme?
Firstly, you need to complete the online pre-registration. After doing so, you will have to come to the Registration Centre on one of the dates as stipulated in the Registration Guide for Non-Graduating Students to complete your registration formalities.

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B02. I have no access to the internet in my home country and so I cannot pre-register online. What shall I do?
There will be computer terminals at the Registration Centre for you to complete your online pre-registration if you come on one of the scheduled registration dates in NUS. However, do note that you may experience long waiting time at the Registration Centre.

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B03. Can I register at a later date if I cannot make it on any of the stipulated days for registration as stated in the Registration Guide?
If, for some good reasons, you are unable to report for registration according to the planned schedule, please email to nghelp@nus.edu.sg at least 2 weeks before the registration date to apply for late registration. If approved, you will be informed of an alternative registration date via email.

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B04. What if I cannot register within the first two weeks of the semester?
You will need to inform Registrar’s Office by writing to nghelp@nus.edu.sg. Students are encouraged to defer and re-apply for the next semester if they are not able to come for registration by the end of Week 2.

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B05. Can I ask my friend to register on my behalf at the registration centre if I am not available?
No, you will have to register in person. If you are not able to come on any of the registration days, please email to nghelp@nus.edu.sg to apply for late registration. If approved, you will be informed of an alternative registration date via email.

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B06. What should I do if I need to obtain an entry visa to enter Singapore?
The University will apply for the entry visa and an “In-Principle Approval” (IPA) letter for all international students on their behalf through the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority’s (ICA) Student’s Pass Online Application and Registration (SOLAR) system.

For international students who require entry visa to Singapore, the University will email you the IPA letter after your application has been approved by ICA. Your IPA letter will serve as a single-trip entry visa upon arrival in Singapore. You are required to return the copy of IPA letter in exchange for the original stamped copy which is required for your application of the Student’s Pass subsequently.

For International students who do not require entry visa to Singapore, you will receive your stamped IPA letter during registration.

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B07. When will my NUS student card be activated?
Student cards will be activated and distributed to students during registration upon submission of required applicable documents (please refer to the Registration Guide for details).

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B08. When should I arrive in Singapore and NUS?
Students are encouraged to arrive in Singapore by end July (for Semester 1 intake) and by first week of January (for Semester 2 intake) to complete their registration formalities in person at the Registration Centre according to the registration schedules.

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C. General Academic Matters

C01. How can I add or drop modules?
You can add modules during the official “Add/Drop” period via the following links:

• For adding and dropping of modules: https://aces01.nus.edu.sg/PRJXIA/Student/Login
• To add Business modules, go to http://www.bschool.nus.edu.sg/undergrad/add_drop/ad_login.htm
• To add Law modules, please approach Dean’s Office at Faculty of Law.

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C02. I have just added/dropped my module. Why are records in myISIS not reflecting the changes that I have made?
The system usually takes about 1 day to reflect the modules you have added/dropped.

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C03. Can I still audit my module after the deadline for auditing modules online is over?
Once the deadline to audit modules via the NG Module Registration (MoRe) System is over, you will not be allowed to change any of your modules from examinable to audit.

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C04. I tried to drop a module that I set to audit online, but it doesn't work.
Audited modules cannot be dropped via the NG Module Registration (MoRe) System. You will have to use the Changes to Academic Profile (CAP) Form instead and get the necessary endorsement from the respective department.

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C05. What does auditing a module mean?
Auditing a module means:

1. you are not sitting for the final exam for that module
2. there will be no seat allocated to you during the final exam
3. in your transcript you will not get a letter grade shown but a reference next to the module to indicate that you have audited the module.

Please note that auditing a module is not the same as setting your module to Pass/Fail (P/F) or Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory (S/U) grades. Such grades are not applicable for NG students.

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C06. I am purely doing research and/or internship. During the Module Verification Exercise, do I need to verify anything?
No action is required of you during the Module Verification Exercise.

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C07. Why do I have to verify my modules?
The purpose of the module verification exercise is to confirm if you are sitting for the final exam of the modules you have registered for. An examinable status on your module will ensure that you:

• have an allocated seat during your final exam
• will receive a letter grade for your module in your transcript

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C08. If my module does not have an exam component, what should the status be?
For modules with no exam component, you should leave the status as examinable. An examinable status means you will receive a letter grade for your module in your transcript.

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C09. What if I missed the deadline to verify my modules?
If you had missed the deadline to verify your modules, then the modules in your student records will remain status quo in the system and seats will automatically be allocated to you for your examinable modules (where applicable).

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D. Fee Matters

D01. Where can I check my student's bill?
You can check your student's bill and make payment for it via myISIS Student Center.

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D02. I am a Non-Exchange student; will I be charged tuition fees for modules which I choose to audit?
Yes, all audited modules are charged tuition fees. Details of per module fees can be found here.

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D03. Do I have to pay tuition and other mandatory miscellaneous fees?
If you are an exchange student, your tuition fee will be waived. However, you must pay for the Student Activity & Services fee as well as the NUS Group Medical Insurance Scheme (GMIS)

If you are a Non-exchange student, you will have to pay tuition fees and other mandatory miscellaneous fees. Click here for information.

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D04. What happens if I don't pay my fees?
A Negative Service Indicator (NSI) will be tagged against your student account as a “Hold” and you will not be able to access your online examination results and your NUS transcript will also be withheld. Students continuing their non-graduating studies in a subsequent semester will not be allowed to enroll in any modules and may have their candidature of study terminated.

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D05. I am a Non-Exchange student; will I be liable to pay fees for the modules which I have dropped with a Withdrawn (W) or Failed (F) grade during the 'Drop with Penalty' period?
Yes, modules dropped during this period would result in a 'W' or 'F' grade reflected in your transcript and you will also be billed for these modules accordingly.

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D06. I have completed the Non-Graduating Programme and was informed that I have outstanding fees in my student's records. I am unable to access to myISIS Student Center to make the payment. How do I pay for the outstanding fees?
Students are unable to make payment for their outstanding fees via myISIS as their accounts with NUS will be closed 1 month after the completion of the programme. Students will need to make the payment by using one of the modes of payment indicated at the following link:
http://www.nus.edu.sg/finance/student/financialServices/faq/PaymtModes.html

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E. Student's Pass Application

E01. How much do I have to pay to apply for a student pass?
Please check HERE and refer under the Fee Section. Alternatively, you can still enquire with the Immigration officer at the counter or via email at ICA_STP1@ica.gov.sgfor clarifications.

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E02. How can I confirm if I need single or multiple entry visas when holding a Student Pass?
ICA will decide if you will need a single or multiple entry visas and this will be indicated in your IPA letter accordingly.

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E03. When do I complete my Student’s Pass formalities?
You will need to complete your Student’s Pass formalities after the registration exercise. You are required to submit the stamped IPA letter with your *medical examination report to ICA. Please note that the issuance of the Student’s Pass is conditional upon the outcome of the required *medical examination.

* Please note that only international students who apply for the Student’s Pass for 6 months and above need to undergo and pass a medical examination.

Please submit the following documents for the issuance of the Student’s Pass:

• the original copy of the stamped In-Principle Approval (IPA) letter
• copy of passport/travel document
• one recent colour passport-sized photograph
• copy of e-Form 16 duly signed by student
• the original copy of the completed medical report, X-ray report and laboratory report (only applicable to foreigners who apply for the Student’s Pass for 6 months and above)
• NUS Cashcard/NETS card for payment of the Student’s Pass and visa (if applicable)
• Embarkment Card
• Issuance Fee payment receipt

E04. Is a medical examination required for international students before coming to Singapore?
With effect from 1 March 2000, all international students applying for immigration pass of 6 months or more will have to undergo a medical examination by a qualified medical practitioner either in Singapore or in their home country. Those who are found to have active Tuberculosis or HIV infection will not be granted the relevant pass, and will have to return to their respective country at their own expense.

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E05. What is a NETS Cashcard and where can I buy one?
NETS stands for Network for Electronic Transfers.

When you arrive in Singapore, you can buy a NETS Cashcard and top-up the value at any 7-Eleven outlets. For your information, for every top-up value of S$100 or less, the outlet will charge an amount of S$0.50.

If you are registering at NUS during the stipulated registration dates, please bring along the NETS Cashcard or credit/debit card with you and ensure that you have enough money in the Cashcard or credit/debit card to pay for your Student’s Pass and any applicable charges.

More information on NETS Cashcard can be found here.

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E06. Where is the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) building situated?
Immigration & Checkpoints Authority
ICA Building, 10 Kallang Road
(Next to Lavender MRT station)
Singapore 208718

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E07. What should I do if I have lost my Student Pass?
International students who have lost their Student Passes are required to apply for a replacement at ICA within 7 days from the date of loss. The following documents are required for such applications:-

• Original valid travel document or passport with a photocopy of the personal particulars page
• A letter certifying your student status issued by NUS Registrar’s Office. Students should apply for a Student Status Letter online.
• Original Police Report (A police report for the loss of your Student Pass has to be made within 7 days) OR ICA Statutory Declaration Form for Loss of Student's Pass

Students are then required to proceed to the self-service ticketing kiosk 1 on the 4th floor of ICA Building to obtain an ‘Application (STP)’ queue ticket. This service is available from 8.00am to 4.30pm from Monday to Friday and 8.00am to 12.30pm on Saturday (except public holidays).

The processing time is 2 weeks for first time replacement and 4 weeks for second or subsequent losses.

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E08. How do I make an e-appointment with Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA)?
ICA will set up booth at the Registration Centre in NUS during the scheduled dates for registration to allow international students to submit the necessary documents for the Student’s Pass application.

For students who can only register after the scheduled period for registration, they must make an e-appointment via the ICA website (https://eappointment.ica.gov.sg/ibook/index.do) in order to complete the Student’s Pass application formalities at ICA Building.

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Quick link

Application and Admission to the NUS Non-Graduating (NG) Programme