Frequently Asked Questions for Students Admitted from AY2021-22

General

1. Students from Cohort AY2020-21 and before read only 5 GEMs, but the GE curriculum is different for me. Why?

Students admitted from AY2021/22 onwards (except students from Law, Medicine, Dentistry) will experience a new curriculum introduced by the GE Reform, which aims to ensure that the GE curriculum continues to provide a unique and relevant learning experience for students to thrive in today’s rapidly-changing world. The new curriculum features the following six pillars:

  • Cultures and Connections
  • Critique and Expression
  • Data Literacy
  • Digital Literacy
  • Singapore Studies
  • Communities and Engagement (will be offered from AY2022-23)

Students are required to read one module from each pillar, to fulfil their GE requirements.

Students from College of Humanities and Sciences and College of Design and Engineering will satisfy GE requirements with modules within their common curriculum.

Students who are enrolled in the University Scholars Programme (USP), University Town College Programme (UTCP), or Ridge View Residential College Programme (RVRC) may not be required to read all six GE pillars. For the GE pillar(s) not satisfied within these programmes, students are required to read one GE module from the outstanding GE Pillar(s).

2. Do I need to read 24 MCs of GEMs every year, or is the 24 MCs requirement for the entire course of study?

You need to read 24 MCs of GEMs throughout your entire course of study.


Module/Cohort-specific

1. I am confused by the different module prefixes. What are the differences?

Modules with prefixes such as GEH, GEQ, GER, GES and GET are read by students admitted before AY2021-22.

For students admitted from AY2021-22, they will read a module each with the following prefixes:

  • GEC – to fulfil the Cultures and Connections pillar
  • GEX – to fulfil the Critique and Expression pillar
  • GEA – to fulfil the Data Literacy pillar
  • GEI – to fulfil the Digital Literacy pillar
  • GESS – to fulfil the Singapore Studies pillar
  • GEN – to fulfil the Communities and Engagement pillar

Up to 8 MCs of GE requirements may be double counted with a Major requirement. GE requirements may also be double counted with Second Major, Minor and Specialisation requirements, subject to the Second Major, Minor and Specialisation double counting rules.

Please refer to this link for the list of modules approved under the six GE pillars.

Fulfilment of GE Requirements

1. I am a polytechnic diploma holder – which GEM am I granted Advanced Placement Credits (APCs) for?

Students who have been granted APCs towards a module that satisfies a GE pillar will be granted exemption from the GE pillar.

2. I am going for a Student Exchange Programme/Summer Programme/Winter Programme/Study Abroad Programme. Can I take modules from the overseas/Partner University, and have them counted as GEMs? What is the procedure for doing so?

Students who have been granted transfer credits from Student Exchange Programmes towards a module that satisfies a GE pillar, will be granted exemption from the GE pillar and will be considered to have fulfilled the GE pillar.

Students are advised to submit their module mapping requests in EduRec before going for their exchange programmes. Students will receive an email on the outcome of the mapping. If the mapping is approved, students can request for credit transfer after they return from the exchange programmes.

Registering for GEMs

1. How do I register for GEMs?

You can register for GEMs via Module Registration at Education Records System (ModReg@EduRec) (Navigation: Academics > Module Registration). Students admitted from AY2021/22 onwards should not register for GEMs coded with GEH, GEQ, GER, GES and GET prefixes to fulfil their GE requirements.

Students should also ensure that they have not exceeded the limit of Level-1000 modules. (Note: The limit on the number of Level-1000 modules to be counted towards fulfilment of graduation requirements is 60 MCs for 160 MCs-programmes.)

When registering for GEMs, it is the responsibility of students to check the class and examination timetable, and ensure that there are no timetable clashes.

2. I did not manage to get the GEM I wanted to read this semester. Are all GEMs offered every semester?

Not necessarily. Some GEMs are offered only in Semester 1, while others may be offered only in Semester 2.

3. Where can I find the timetables for the GEMs?

Please refer to NUSMods for all class schedules.

4. I understand that we are not allowed to exceed a certain number of MCs per semester. What is the maximum number of MCs I can take?

Please contact your Faculty Dean's Office for clarification.

5. How do I know if my GEM has tutorials?

Please refer to NUSMods.

6. Can I read excess GEMs, after completing 24MC of the General Education requirements?

Yes, excess GEMs can be counted towards your Unrestricted Elective requirements.