FAQ

General

What is NTU-USP?

NTU-University Scholars Programme (NTU-USP) is a programme that complement students' major areas of study at their respective schools. Selected students will be offered both the programme and scholarship while others may only be offered the programme. The programme is designed to be academically rigorous, intellectually daring and stimulating. Students are given many opportunities to explore many disciplines outside their own domain of study.

How is NTU-USP different from other Premier Scholars Programmes?

NTU-USP has a multi-disciplinary focus on its curriculum structure, which differs from the other Premier Scholars Programmes. For example, Renaissance Engineering Programme (REP) focuses on Engineering, CN Yang Scholars Programme (CNYSP) on Science, Turing AI Scholars Programme (TAISP) on advance AI research  and NTU-NIE Teaching Scholars Programme (TSP) on education. NTU-USP is suitable for students from all Colleges except the College of Medicine, while the other programmes are focused on specific Colleges.

How does NTU-USP differ from other programmes in NTU?

NTU-USP is not a programme on its own. Scholars remain in their home programme while concurrently pursuing NTU–USP curriculum and co-curricular enrichment activities.

Admissions

Which programme is compatible with NTU-USP?

All five Colleges’ programmes, except Medicine and most double degree programmes, are eligible to apply for NTU-USP. Please refer to our website for the full list of eligible programmes here.

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?

You should apply immediately after you have received your A-level results by indicating your interest in the scholarship programme when submitting your NTU applications. Application to NTU-USP is by invitation only, and shortlisted applicants will be contacted directly via email and/or WhatsApp.

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?

There will be no written test during NTU-USP interview. However, all shortlisted applicants are required to submit online an essay by a stipulated deadline.

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?

Yes, NTU-USP admits international students.

Scholarships

What is the difference between Nanyang Scholarship and NTU-USP Scholarship?

The NTU-USP Scholarship is unique. It is a programme that takes in a small number of academically excellent students with monetary and non-monetary benefits. Compared to the Nanyang Scholarship that NTU offers, the NTU-USP Scholarship comprises the same benefits with subsidised Study Abroad opportunities and more.

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?

Yes, you are welcome to apply to NTU-USP with an external scholarship.

Is there a bond for the scholarship?

No bond is attached to the NTU-USP Scholarship for Singapore citizen. However, a three-year bond is applicable to all Singapore PRs and international students under the MOE Tuition Grant Scheme.

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

How many modules do I need to complete as a NTU-USP student?

Each NTU-USP student must complete 4 core modules and 2 or 4 prescribed electives, depending on their chosen programme.

What are some of the modules I can take as an NTU-USP scholar?

Please refer to our website for the listing here.

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)?

Yes, in general you will still be able to take othe Non NTU-USP electives for most courses.

Will NTU-USP modules lead to an increased workload that affects my grades?

Generally, no. The NTU-USP modules do not add to your workload as the total number of AUs required for you to graduate will be the same as students who are not part of NTU-USP and in the same home programme as you. However, there are a few exceptional programmes where NTU-USP students may need to clear additional AUs.

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

What is Study Abroad about?

It is a heavily-subsidised programme where NTU-USP will cover for the student to spend a semester away in one of the seven overseas university partners to gain a global edge, global networking, invaluable insights and experience a new culture.

Who are our partner universities?

Our current partner universities are:

  1. Australian National University (AU)
  2. University of Melbourne (AU)
  3. University of Edinburgh (UK)
  4. King’s College London (UK)
  5. University of St Gallen (CZ)
  6. University of Pennsylvania (USA)
  7. Bryn Mawr College (USA)

What is the difference between Study Abroad and Semester-long Outbound Exchange Programme?

Study Abroad is an NTU-USP exclusive programme where scholars enjoy a heavily-subsidised semester offshore at one of our 7 partner universities.

International Exchange Programme, however, is open to all NTU students where our scholars are given priority placement ahead of other students. 

Apart from Study Abroad, what other travel opportunities do you have?

All Year 1 NTU-USP scholars will undertake a core module called Fieldwork and Documentation: Topics in Sustainability – Travel Overseas Programme for Scholars (TOPS). This module allows first-year scholars to investigate multi-disciplinary issues in another country, usually regional. You will also have the chance to travel the second time for TOPS if you apply and are selected as a Student Mentor the following year. 

In addition, you may also travel for NTU-USP electives and overseas leadership symposiums.

 

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

Am I guaranteed hall stay for the entire duration of my education in NTU-USP?

Yes. Although guaranteed, you will need to make a formal application for the hall stay.

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

How does NTU-USP value add to my resume for future job opportunities?

Aside from NTU-USP’s interdisciplinary programme, NTU-USP also offers diverse opportunities to students and encourages them to explore beyond their comfort zones and hone leadership skills along the way. With these exposures, we hope that our students grow to become independent, thought-provoking leaders of the future.

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.