Undergraduate Education

College of Design and Engineering

Bachelor’s Degree Programmes

Curriculum Structure & Degree Requirements

Degree Requirements (Cohorts 2025/2026 onwards)

Common Curriculum

The Common Curriculum consists of 10 carefully curated pillars to give a solid foundation in interdisciplinary skills. We emphasise instilling lifelong skills via the following pillars:

Design Thinking
Maker Space
Artificial Intelligence
Project Management
Data Literacy
Digital Literacy
Critique and Expression
Cultures and Connections
Singapore Studies
Communities and Engagement

Curriculum Structure

Students should complete a total of 160 units (or the equivalent of 40 courses), comprising:

Common Curriculum: 40 units (or the equivalent of 10 course)
Primary Major: 80 units (or the equivalent of 20 courses)
Unrestricted Electives: 40 units (or the equivalent of 10 courses)

These aim to provide CDE students with a comprehensive and well-rounded education, preparing them for success in their chosen careers and beyond.

For more information, please visit http://cde.nus.edu.sg/undergraduate.

Build Your Own Degree (BYOD)

Craft Your Learning Journey

At CDE, you can craft your own degree based on how broad, deep or integrated you want your education to be. Your 40 courses makeup will consist of a Common Curriculum, a Major of your choice, and a wide range of Unrestricted Electives. This tailored approach empowers you to explore diverse disciplines, develop new skills, and pursue your passions. Our curriculum is designed to provide a solid foundation, in-depth education, and expansive opportunities.

The Common Curriculum gives you a solid starting point for your academic journey, setting you up for career success no matter what path you choose. Your Primary Major provides a comprehensive education in your selected discipline, empowering you to achieve your goals and pursue your passions.

The Unrestricted Electives offer endless possibilities, with over 4,000 courses across CDE and NUS at your fingertips. It gives you the flexibility to choose if you would like to deepen your expertise in your Major, take a Second Major, Minors, Specialisations, general electives or a combination of them depending on your aptitude and interests. This flexibility enables you to explore new interests, develop interdisciplinary skills, and enhance your career prospects.

By crafting your own learning journey, you will be well-prepared to navigate ambiguity and uncertainty and succeed in an ever-evolving world. You will graduate with a unique combination of skills, knowledge, and experiences that will set you apart in your chosen career.

Second Majors

An opportunity for you to broaden your knowledge and competencies.

Minors

Embark in a course of study in an additional area outside of your Major.

Specialisations

Focus on a particular area within your chosen discipline.

Enhancement Courses

Experiential learning opportunities for innovation and research within CDE.

Design Your Own Course (DYOC)

You can choose what you want to learn, how you wish to learn and from whom you wish to learn.

Career-Centric Pathways

Our flexible curriculum prepares you to pursue diverse career opportunities in the future. Here are some interesting examples: