Language of instruction
The National University of Singapore was founded in 1905 as a modest college with 23 students. Today, Singapore’s flagship university spans three campuses and is widely seen as among the best universities in Asia and the world. It is ranked among the Top 25 universities worldwide.
Singapore is a dynamic city where you’ll find a harmonious blend of culture, cuisine, arts, and architecture.
Semester dates
| UQ Semester | Host Semester | Dates |
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 | January–May |
| Semester 2 | Semester 1 | August–December |
View the NUS academic calendar.
Guides and additional information
NUS has online resources to help get more from your exchange:
Campuses
NUS has multiple campuses open to exchange students:
- Kent Ridge campus (main campus)
- Bukit Timah campus (Faculty of Law, Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy and research institutes)
Exchange deadlines
Application for Exchange in UQ Semester 1:
Open: 17 May (for Semester 1 of the following year)
Close: 22 June (for Semester 1 of the following year)
Application for Exchange in UQ Semester 2:
Open: 18 October (for Semester 2 of the following year)
Close: 23 November (for Semester 2 of the following year)
Student testimonials
- B ScienceSemester 2, 2019
If you do end up coming to Singapore, don't forget to feast at a Hawker centre!
- B Advanced Finance/EconomicsSemester 1, 2019
Exchange was so shiok - cannot wait to go back lah!
- B EngineeringSemester 1, 2019
Exchange was an absolute blast and I would do it a second time in a heartbeat!
Full-time study load
16 modular credits (MCs) per semester at NUS is equivalent to 8 UQ units.
Minimum academic requirements
GPA
You will need a minimum cumulative GPA of 5.5 to study at NUS.
You must not have received any grades below 4.0 (fail grades) in your UQ Program to be eligible for exchange at NUS.
Study Options
You must choose to be nominated to the NUS Business School, School of Law, or Uni-wide stream. Further details are outlined in the Additional Academic Information section below.
Note: Host university eligibility criteria are at the discretion of the host and may change without notice.
Find courses
Please check the list of courses available to undergraduate exchange students when selecting your NUS courses.
Brief module descriptions and Class & Exam timetables are available in the NUSMods online portal
Previous semester course syllabi may be available at LumiNUS Module Search website.
For a detailed course syllabus, please visit the NUS school/faculty/department webpage. Detailed course info for Business modules may refer to here.
Search the Credit Precedent Database to find courses offered by your host university that have been previously approved for credit at UQ. The database should be used as a general guide only.
You must still check the host university course catalogue to see if courses from the Credit Precedent Database are still on offer and in the correct semester of your exchange.
Study areas taught in English
Course restrictions
Additional academic information
Exchange deadlines
Application for Exchange in UQ Semester 1:
Open: 17 May (for Semester 1 of the following year)
Close: 22 June (for Semester 1 of the following year)
Application for Exchange in UQ Semester 2:
Open: 18 October (for Semester 2 of the following year)
Close: 23 November (for Semester 2 of the following year)
Accommodation
Exchange students may apply for a place in the Student Residences. The halls and colleges are catered, and residents are required to subscribe to the meal plan. Off-campus accommodation is also available to exchange students for a short-term or long-term stay.
Exchange students are not guaranteed on-campus accommodation. Students will be invited to apply for on-campus housing if they have indicated that they would like housing in their NUS application form.
Cost of living
The cost of living while on exchange at NUS will vary depending on your choice of accommodation. The NUSGlobal Relations Office provides a list of estimated expenses on their exchange homepage (see Incoming Exchangers – After Applying – Step 5: Costs of Living) you can expect to encounter while living in Singapore.
Financial support
A range of funding for student exchange including scholarships, grants and loans are available to UQ students.
Insurance
Students approved to participate in a Semester-based Exchange are automatically covered by UQ’s Travel Insurance for the country of their host university only.
For more information, read the Student Travel Insurance Policy Summary on UQ’s Travel Insurance web page (login required).
If you plan to travel outside of your host country, you should purchase additional insurance.
All exchange students are obliged to subscribe to the university's medical insurance scheme.
Exchange deadlines
Application for Exchange in UQ Semester 1:
Open: 17 May (for Semester 1 of the following year)
Close: 22 June (for Semester 1 of the following year)
Application for Exchange in UQ Semester 2:
Open: 18 October (for Semester 2 of the following year)
Close: 23 November (for Semester 2 of the following year)
Organise your visa
It is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct visa for the country where you will be studying. As the Global Experiences team is not a visa-issuing authority we cannot provide visa advice.
NUS provides Student Pass and visa information for incoming exchange students.
Contact the Singapore Immigration and Checkpoints Authority for more visa information.
Travel risk levels
The University of Queensland cannot and does not allow students to travel to any country with a risk level of 3 (Reconsider your need to travel) or above, as assessed by the Australian Government.
If a country's risk level changes to 3 or above, experiences to that country are suspended until the risk level improves.
Find out the risk level and travel advice, and sign up to receive updates for your host country on the Smartraveller website.
Exchange deadlines
Application for Exchange in UQ Semester 1:
Open: 17 May (for Semester 1 of the following year)
Close: 22 June (for Semester 1 of the following year)
Application for Exchange in UQ Semester 2:
Open: 18 October (for Semester 2 of the following year)
Close: 23 November (for Semester 2 of the following year)