Wah, Applying to Singapore Universities

Overview of Application Process

Unlike the UK or the US, Singapore has no centralised application system. Each university has its own application system (with separate application fees— $10 each). Despite this, the application procedures for the 2 largest local universities (NUS and NTU) are fairly similar, so fret not.

Save for certain programmes or subjects, applications to NUS and NTU generally do not require personal statements or essays (exception: SMU, Yale-NUS). For this reason, they are less time-consuming than UCAS or Common Application. NUS stipulates selection tests and interviews only for a handful of niche subjects (see table below), whilst NTU administers them for a wider range of subjects.

NUS and NTU both have separate application forms based on applicant qualification type; in other words, there are separate application forms for A Level candidates, Polytechnic diploma holders, IB etc. The contents of each form are fairly similar, with the only difference due to the different grading systems. Make sure to pick the right form!

Aptitude-Based Admission

Both NUS and NTU have Aptitude-Based Admission schemes, under which factors beyond academic grades are considered for admission. These schemes are opt-in and optional; applicants who do not wish to be considered under them may simply leave the relevant section of the application form blank.

To be considered under NUS’ Aptitude-Based Admission, fill in the ‘Outstanding Achievements’ section of the application form. Examples of achievements that may be considered include:

• Medal winner at the International Olympiads (Biology, Chemistry, Informatics, Mathematics and Physics)

• Represented Singapore in Arts and/or Sports

• Active participation in community service and volunteer programmes

• Work experience relevant to the course applied for (supporting document/s is/are required)

• Key leadership positions in community organisations, sports and athletic clubs, etc (outside school)

To be considered under NTU’s Aptitude-Based Admission, fill in the ‘Aptitude-Based Admission’/ ‘Discretionary Admission’ section of the application form. Examples of achievements that may be considered include:

• Winner at the International Olympiads or in the National Science & Talent Search

• Significant awards/achievements in area relevant to the programme applied

• Carded athlete* or represented Singapore in Arts and/or Sports such as Olympics, SEA/ASEAN/ ASIAN games, etc.

• Active involvement/participation in community services and/or volunteering work

• Demonstrated excellence in areas such as leadership, entrepreneurship, arts & culture, sports, etc.

• Demonstration of aptitude/passion through portfolio relevant to the 1st choice programme applied for. This can include competition, project and activity/programme undertaken in the related field of study. The key emphasis is relevance to the field of programme study applied in addition to the relevant subject/s taken.

• Made significant contributions or attained outstanding achievements in area of work or internship relevant to the programme applied

In both cases, an application under aptitude-based admission requires personal statements and other supporting documents to be submitted.

Early Application

Early application to NUS and NTU are strictly by invitation from the respective universities only. Students who are invited to apply in this manner will receive a letter or email from the university with more detailed information on the early application procedure.

NUS Application Process

There are 3 subsections under the ‘Choice of Courses’ section:

1. Single Degree Courses

   1. Mandatory

   2. Rank up to 5 choices of single degree courses

   3. Medicine, Dentistry: must be 1st or 2nd choice

   4. Law: must be 1st or 2nd choice OR 3rd choice if Medicine/ Dentistry are selected as 1st and 2nd choices

   5. Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Industrial Design, Nursing: must be 1st, 2nd or 3rd choice

2. Double Degree, Concurrent Degree, Double Major And Minor Programmes

   1. Optional

   2. Rank up to 5 choices

   3. To be considered for these programmes, you must include at least one of the faculties/ schools offering the programme as one of your choices in (a).

   4. You will be evaluated for admission to one of your choices in (b) if you are successful in gaining admission into the faculty/ school that offers the programme.

3. Special programmes from Faculty of Engineering

   1. Optional

   2. Apply for Engineering Scholars Programme

   3. To be considered for the Engineering Scholars Programme, you must have listed any one of the Engineering courses as one of your choices in (a).

Some programmes also have additional steps in the application process. They are listed below:

NTU Application Process

Unlike NUS, NTU’s Choice of Programme section does not differentiate between single degree programmes and other special programmes. Instead, applicants may fill their 5 choices with any selection, subject to the following restrictions:

• No more than 2 of the 11 double degree programmes offered under ‘Engineering: Double Degree” may be selected.

• No more than 1 of the 6 double major programmes offered under ‘Humanities, Arts and Social Sc: Double Major” category may be selected.

• No more than 1 of the 2 Masters of Science (Financial Engineering) programmes offered under “Accountancy & Business: Special Prog” category may be selected.

• No more than 1 of the 2 minors in Strategic Communication programmes offered under “Accountancy & Business” category may be selected.

Lest you think that NTU applicants lose out in terms of number of choices, however, NTU operates under an implied choice scheme. Applicants choosing any programme with a second major will also be considered for its corresponding programme without a second major. However, this ‘implied choice’ will only be considered following the last choice specified on the application form. If you wish for an ‘implied choice’ to be considered over another programme in your form, you must manually select and rank the ‘implied choice’ under your 5 choices.

Since 2019, NTU has also introduced holistic admissions assessment for a third of its degree programmes. Applicants to those programmes should expect to undergo selection tests and/ or interviews if they are shortlisted for these programmes. The table below presents a non-comprehensive list of programmes that require such additional steps.

Author’s Note: Information regarding application process for NTU humanities subjects has been difficult to find and sometimes conflicting. NTU’s Minimum Subject Requirements (see pg 69 onwards) lists programmes that require selection tests and interviews. A separate media release by NTU in Feb 2019 also lists 40 programmes that require interviews for all shortlisted applicants as part of a holistic admissions process. However, information from the two documents do not align exactly. We advise interested applicants to check with the relevant department directly.

SMU Application Process

The application process of SMU differs slightly from that of NUS and NTU, in that it practises holistic and aptitude-based assessment for all applicants. There is therefore a stronger focus on extracurriculars, work experience, community service and other achievements in the application process (see section below, or view sample application form). Shortlisted candidates will also be called up for interviews.

Timeline of Application

Due to the different academic calendars of students in different educational institutions, the application period differs for each applicant group.

Please note that the dates below are for students applying into AY20/21. We will update this page as more information is released. Alternatively, check the NUS, NTU, and SMU websites for changes to application deadlines.

Application Period

Application Checklist

For applicants to NUS and NTU, all the following items must be submitted to the university before the application period closes for your application to be considered.

Depending on your application group, the list of items you are required to submit may differ. Each university provides a list of documents which you must submit after you have submitted the application form. The list below is simply a catch-all for any possible items that may be required.

• Application form

• Documents required by university (refer to list from university)

  • Identification documents

  • Education result slips

  • Testimonials, supporting documents for Aptitude-Based Admissions, essays etc

  • Medical reports

  • Criminal offence records

• Application fee

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