FAQ
General
How is NTU-USP different from other Premier Scholars Programmes?
How does NTU-USP differ from other programmes in NTU?
Admissions
Is this a stand-alone programme?
NTU-USP is not a stand-alone programme. You will need to choose your preferred major when applying to NTU. Some of your common curriculum and electives options will be replaced with NTU-USP core and elective courses.
How can I apply for the programme?
You are required to indicate your interest in NTU-USP when you submit your application to NTU. In the Admissions application portal, there will be an option for you to tick to indicate interest for NTU-USP. Application to NTU-USP is by invitation only, and shortlisted applicants will be contacted directly via email and/or WhatsApp.
If I am serving my National Service in the next two years, when should I apply for the programme?
If I am currently serving my National Service and have been already accepted into NTU or another university, can I still apply for the programme?
If you have been accepted to NTU and wish to appy for NTU-USP, you may wish to send us an email via usp@ntu.edu.sg.
If you have accepted another University, you should apply to NTU and indicate your interest in NTU-USP. You may follow up with us by writing to us at admissions_USP@ntu.edu.sg.
How am I being assessed as a candidate being shortlisted for NTU-USP?
You will be assessed based on your academic, outstanding co-curricular portfolio and personality. This will include an interview and writing a 500 word essay. Your interest in NTU-USP’s Club is also important and you should check our social media handles to know about the various Club activities.
During the interview, will I be made to take any written test?
Will I still retain my NTU-USP scholar status if I wish to transfer to another programme before joining NTU or during my undergraduate studies?
It depends on what programme you are transferring to. If the programme is not compatible with NTU-USP, you will need to withdraw from NTU-USP. If the programme you will be transferring to is compatible with NTU-USP, yes, you will still be part of NTU-USP.
Is NTU-USP a residential college programme?
No, NTU-USP is not a residential college programme. Nonetheless, should you choose to stay in a hall, you will have guaranteed accommodation as part of your scholarship benefit.
Can I take a minor while I am in NTU-USP?
Yes, you can take up a minor if you have enough Academic Units to read one. For more information on a minor and how to declare your interest, you can see here. If you do not have enough Academic Units to read a minor, you need to consult your home programme administrator for overloading.
Does NTU-USP admit international students?
Scholarships
Does the scholarship cover the entire duration of my time in NTU?
The scholarship will cover a candidature of a maximum of 8 semesters for a 4-year programme and 6 semesters if a 3-year programme. You will not be covered by the scholarship should you wish to extend your candidature.
Are my school fees covered under the scholarship?
Yes, your school fees after the Singapore tuition grant will be covered under the scholarship.
Can I join NTU-USP if I am already holding a private scholarship?
Is there a bond for the scholarship?
Can NTU-USP scholar hold concurrent scholarships from external organisations such as A*Star and PSC?
Students with an external scholarship will not be offered a NTU-USP scholarship. However, you can be accepted into the NTU-USP as a scholar with no scholarships. You will continue to benefit from your existing scholarships.
Curriculum
What are some of the modules I can take as an NTU-USP scholar?
How are NTU-USP classes different from other classes?
Class sizes are small and seminar-style to maximise interactions and foster creative opportunities. Our classes heavily encourage active participation and student-professor interaction across a range of interdisciplinary topics.
If I take up NTU-USP, will I still be able to take Broadening and Deepening Electives (BDE)?
Will NTU-USP modules lead to an increased workload that affects my grades?
Is there a minimum GPA I need to maintain if I were to stay in NTU-USP?
You will need to maintain a GPA of no lower than 3.5.
Overseas Learning
Who are our partner universities?
Our current partner universities are:
- Australian National University (AU)
- University of Melbourne (AU)
- University of Edinburgh (UK)
- King’s College London (UK)
- University of St Gallen (CZ)
- University of Pennsylvania (USA)
- Bryn Mawr College (USA)
What is the difference between Study Abroad and Semester-long Outbound Exchange Programme?
Apart from Study Abroad, what other travel opportunities do you have?
Overseas travel is subject to approval by the NTU and Singapore Government based on recent COVID-19 situation.
In your brochure, you mentioned about elective courses with travel components. What are these?
Some of the elective modules offered by the NTU-USP provide students with the chance to travel to a country for research-based fieldwork, effectively bringing the textbook to life. An example where our scholars travelled to Chiang Mai/Taiwan/Indonesia for the module SP0051 Astronomy to perform star-gazing activities.
Overseas travel is subject to approval by the NTU and Singapore Government based on recent COVID-19 situation.
Student Life & Hall Accommodation
Are NTU-USP students able to get involved in external student clubs?
Definitely! As long as you are able to manage your time well and continue to meet curriculum requirements.
How is a day in the life of a NTU-USP student like?
There is never a dull day in NTU-USP! A typical day of our scholars' varies from attending thought-provoking lessons to chilling out in the Crespion canteen, to hanging out in the Premier Scholars Programmes' (PSP) lounge. You can see more here.
Must NTU-USP students stay in the hall for 4 years?
No, it is not compulsory as this is not a residential programme. However, should you choose to stay in a hall and have applied within the deadline stipulated by the Hall Office, you will have guaranteed accommodation as part of your scholarship benefit.
I would like to kickstart my own startup/ community service initiative during my undergraduate years. Is it feasible for me to juggle that with the NTU-USP workload?
That is definitely feasible! We have many students and alumni who launched their startups/social ventures/social projects while studying! You just need to manage your time well and plan for your modules in advance. Our alumni, Edward Yee, started GivFunds, a social venture that provides interest-free loans for changemakers in South Asia, while studying in NTU-USP! He is currently studying at the University of Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar. One of our current second-year NTU-USP student, Adrian, also started his own community initiative “Five Cents Project”! You can view his story here.
Career
Are there any internship opportunities for NTU-USP scholars?
NTU-USP students usually work with home programme or the NTU Career and Attachment Office for their internship matters. However, NTU-USP does work with some organisations to provided similar opportunities. In addition, NTU-USP Alumni tend to recruit their juniors to intern at their organisations.