{"id":5366,"date":"2026-06-12T23:40:30","date_gmt":"2026-06-12T15:40:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nus.edu.sg\/undergraduate-research\/nusurop\/?page_id=5366"},"modified":"2026-08-19T13:04:52","modified_gmt":"2026-08-19T05:04:52","slug":"spur-faqs","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.nus.edu.sg\/undergraduate-research\/spur-faqs\/","title":{"rendered":"SPUR FAQs"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWhat is SPUR?\u00a0<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t
SPUR refers to the Special Programme in Undergraduate Research. The programme empowers students to pursue a structured research journey alongside faculty mentors.<\/span><\/div>
\u00a0<\/div>
In AY2026\/2027, students starting Year 1 and Year 2 at CDE, FOS, SOC and FASS are eligible to apply.<\/b><\/div>

SPUR aggregates existing<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>undergraduate research activities, including the UROP and REx programmes,<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>as well as FYP\/HT.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWill it be compulsory for me to apply to SPUR to do UROP and REx?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t

UROP + REx will be a core requirement to fulfil in SPUR. However, students may still apply to UROP course (with REx course upgrade) without having to be enrolled in SPUR. For UROP course eligibility, please check with the UROP course coordinator of your department.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tI am a Year 3\/Year 4 student. Can I appeal to be considered for SPUR?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t

No, SPUR has been designed to immerse students in research learning and mentorship in their early years of candidature. SPUR can be applied to<\/span>\u00a0only<\/span>\u00a0during the first three semesters of study.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWhat to include for Research Portfolio? <\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t

The research portfolio serves as evidence of an applicant\u2019s research aptitude and engagement, such as internships, research projects undertaken in JC or Polytechnic programmes, and other relevant experiences. It may include written content, images, and links to videos\u00a0<\/span>showcasing<\/span>\u00a0research-related activities, including but not limited to fieldwork, presentations, publications, and personal websites.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tIs there any qualifying exam for SPUR?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t

No, there is no qualifying exam.\u00a0<\/span>Students are to access the SPUR Application form and\u00a0<\/span>submit<\/span>\u00a0a research<\/span>\u00a0p<\/span>ortfolio<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWill a grant be provided for students enrolled in SPUR? <\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t

In addition to the existing REx research grant, students\u00a0<\/span>participating<\/span>\u00a0in SPUR are eligible for a supplementary SPUR grant of up to $1,500. This grant may be used to support expenses incurred in connection with their research projects or internships. The funding\u00a0<\/span>remains<\/span>\u00a0available throughout the student\u2019s participation in SPUR, and all claims must be\u00a0<\/span>submitted<\/span>\u00a0by the student’s graduating semester.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tI am from Pharmacy which is in the Faculty of Science, why am I unable to apply?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t

Undergraduates from Medicine, Nursing, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Law and SCALE BTech\/BIT are not eligible to apply to join SPUR. This is because of their unique academic plans. SPUR requires that students complete the requirements by accessing courses at their home department from within their own academic plans. We hope this clarifies.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tI noticed that the programme requirements mention a Research Methods course, Level 3000\/4000 courses with research focus, and a Research Internship, but I could not find further details in the guide.<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t

Please refer to the\u00a0NUS Undergraduate Research – SPUR Course List<\/a>\u00a0page for the course list.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tI am also considering going on exchange in Y3. Would it be possible to clear SPUR requirements in that case, given that SPUR would require an additional UROP?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t

SPUR students may\u00a0either do 1 additional UROP<\/b>\u00a0(or Independent Study Course)\u00a0or<\/u>\u00a0do a research internships\u00a0<\/b>as a part of\u00a0elective requirements<\/b>, hence you may still choose to do one UROP project.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAre SPUR requirements are allowed to be double-counted towards other requirements, such as Major Requirements and Unrestricted Electives (UE)?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t

In general, the SPUR courses you take within your faculty will be counted towards your graduation. For specific requirements, you may want to check with your home faculty. <\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWill the progress of my SPUR completion be tracked by UGR PVO team each semester?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t

For SPUR, at the end of your candidature we will see if you have successfully completed all elements rather than looking at each semester so it does not have to be finalised very early into your candidature.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tIf I am admitted to the SPUR programme, would my existing UROPS project be automatically upgraded to REx, or would I need to submit a separate application for the upgrade<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t

SPUR<\/span> and REx are separate applications. Hence you will still need to submit your REx application to upgrade your UROPS\/UROP course.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tI have registered for a two-semester UROPS. The SPUR requirements include one 4-unit UROPS upgraded to REX and an additional UROPS (or an independent study course). I was wondering whether my 8-unit UROPS would satisfy the requirement in place of two separate 4-unit UROPS.<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t

For elective basket it is any combination to reach 12 units, so 8 units UROP can be 8 out of the 12<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tI do not have much research background. Can I still apply?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t
Students do not need to already have extensive research experience<\/b><\/div>
We welcome all eligible students to apply, regardless of where they are in their research journey. Students who are at the beginning stages of exploring research should not be discouraged from applying.<\/div>
For the research portfolio, students can share their reasons for being interested in research learning, together with examples that demonstrate their interest and how they think SPUR could support their research journey.<\/div>
If they do not currently have specific research projects, they may also draw on relevant experiences such as essays they have read, or research-related conferences, talks or symposiums they have attended or contributed to. They can elaborate on how these experiences have shaped their interest in research and how SPUR aligns with their goals.<\/div>
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Applicants may include images and links to videos of research engagement such as (but not limited to) fieldwork experience, presentations and personal websites.<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tI have not done UROP\/UROPS. Can I still apply to SPUR?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t
UROP is not a prerequisite to apply for SPUR<\/b>
Students do not need to complete UROP before applying for SPUR. As long as they are from an eligible faculty and year of study, they can apply.<\/div>
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UROP\/UROPS*+, REx (or REx Prime for those who have already completed UROP\/UROPS previously) and UREx form part of the core requirements for SPUR, rather than being prerequisites for the SPUR application.<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tIs the workload for SPUR manageable? Do I need to do many additional units on top of my major requirements?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t
The 28\u201332 units are not necessarily additional units on top of graduation requirements<\/b>
SPUR aggregates existing courses towards its requirements. For example, research methods and other research-focused courses recognised by SPUR may also count towards a student\u2019s existing graduation requirements.<\/div>
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Therefore, the 28\u201332 units should not generally be understood as additional units on top of the student\u2019s major\/minor requirements.<\/div><\/div>
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\u00a0<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tOther than my major, I am doing minor(s) as well. Am I still eligible for SPUR?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t
Having another minor(s) does not prevent students from doing SPUR<\/b>
SPUR aggregates recognised courses rather than requiring students to take a separate set of \u201cSPUR courses\u201d. Students can fulfil the requirements using SPUR-recognised courses within their faculty, and where appropriate, may also take recognised courses from other departments if their own department does not offer sufficient options.<\/div><\/div>
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\u00a0<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWhat if I do not secure UROP+REx enrolment event after enrolling in SPUR?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t
Support with UROP and REx enrolment<\/b>
Students who are concerned about securing UROP or REx can be assured that SPUR students will receive the necessary support from the SPUR Programme Office in enrolling in UROP + REx. However, students should note that the UROP course application and REx course upgrade have separate application forms which they will need to complete.<\/div><\/div>
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\u00a0<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

What is SPUR?\u00a0 SPUR refers to the Special Programme in Undergraduate Research. The programme empowers students to pursue a structured research journey alongside faculty mentors.\u00a0In AY2026\/2027, students starting Year 1 and Year 2 at CDE, FOS, SOC and FASS are eligible to apply. SPUR aggregates existing\u00a0undergraduate research activities, including the UROP and REx programmes,\u00a0as well […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":21,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-5366","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nus.edu.sg\/undergraduate-research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/5366","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nus.edu.sg\/undergraduate-research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nus.edu.sg\/undergraduate-research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nus.edu.sg\/undergraduate-research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/21"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nus.edu.sg\/undergraduate-research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5366"}],"version-history":[{"count":21,"href":"https:\/\/www.nus.edu.sg\/undergraduate-research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/5366\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5968,"href":"https:\/\/www.nus.edu.sg\/undergraduate-research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/5366\/revisions\/5968"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nus.edu.sg\/undergraduate-research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5366"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}