About GEM Trailblazer
Accommodation
Living in Singapore
1. What are the types of exchanges available at NTU?
2. What is the language of instruction at NTU?
All our courses are delivered in English.
3. Where can I find information on the courses that are available in NTU?
You may find more information on our Undergraduate and Postgraduates courses here.
4. Where can I find information on the different courses offered at a glance?
Visit here for more information.
5. Can I take any of the courses offered in NTU?
No, there is a list of restricted programmes that are unavailable to exchange students.
6. Where can I view the latest academic calendar?
Undergraduate and Postgraduate
7. What is the workload for an exchange student per semester?
For Undergraduates:
A maximum of 20 AUs is recommended per semester. This translates to approximately 4-5 courses.
There is no stipulated minimum number of AUs a student must take per semester as long as he/she is able to fulfil the academic requirements of their home university.
However, we do recommend that you take at least 2 courses when here on exchange.
For Postgraduates:
Postgraduates students are to take a minimum of 2 courses and a maximum of 5 courses.
8. How does NTU assign credits for courses?
NTU uses the Academic Unit System. For further information, please visit here.
9. Is the GEM Trailblazer Work Experience Programme (WEP) open to all students?
The GEM Trailblazer WEP is open to undergraduate students only. For more information, please download the WEP Information Sheet or refer to our Career & Attachment Office website.
10. Am I eligible for International Internship?
You must be a nominated student from Ithaca College, Cornell University and University of Missouri-Columbia to be eligible for the International Internship.
11. Can I apply for any scholarships while I am on exchange at NTU?
There are currently two types of scholarships available. Please click here to see if you are eligible for scholarship.
12. Can I still come to NTU on exchange even though I was not nominated by my home university?
Yes, you can still come to NTU as a fee-paying student. This would be handled by the Office of Academic Services. You may find more information here. Please consult the OAS site for additional information or email Undergraduate.
For graduate students, please email us for more information.
13. My home university does not have an exchange agreement with NTU, can I still come on exchange?
Yes, you can still come to NTU as a fee-paying student. This would be handled by the Office of Academic Services. You may find more information here. Please consult the OAS site for additional information or email Undergraduate.
For graduate students, please email us for more information.
14. I am a postgraduate student. Am I allowed to take undergraduate courses?
Yes, you are allowed to apply for both undergraduate and postgraduate courses. However, you shall NOTbe given priority for undergraduate courses. Undergraduate courses will only be registered for you during the add/drop period.
15. I am pursuing a Masters degree at my home university but have not yet received my Bachelor’s degree. How should I apply?
Unless you have completed at least 7 study semesters at your home university, you are only allowed to apply as an undergraduate.
Should you not have 7 study semesters completed prior to coming to NTU and you apply as a postgraduate, your application will be delayed.
16. I am a Singaporean studying in an overseas institution. Can I apply for exchange at NTU?
In spirit of exchange, we do not accept any local students to come on exchange to NTU.
However, we do encourage you to come as a fee-paying student and join us at NTU should you still be interested.
17. When will I receive the E-Welcome package?
An E-Welcome package will be sent via email directly to the student. Students coming on exchange in Semester 1 (Fall) can expect their E-Welcome packages by May/June. Students enrolled in Semester 2 (Spring) can expect their E-Welcome package by October/November. Exchange Students' home institutions will also be notified of acceptance by email.
18. Once I receive my E-Welcome Package, who should I contact for further details such as visa application?
You can contact the International Student Centre (ISC) for information.
19. When and how will I receive my academic transcripts?
Your academic transcripts (both hard and soft copies) will be mailed directly to your home institution within (02) months after the release of exam result.
20. May I have a copy of the latest updated Nanyang Exchange Info Sheet and Guide Book for International Students?
Please download our latest GEM Trailblazer Information Sheet and 2012 Guide for New International Students.
21. Where is the application link to apply for exchange at NTU?
Nominated students can apply via our Online Application System. Please refer to the Application Procedure Website for more information.
22. Do I need to mail the application package to NTU?
ALL supporting documents are to be submitted via our Online Application System. NO mailing of original documents is necessary.
23. What procedures are there should I want to withdraw my application?
Before arrival:
Nominated students are to inform their home university and NTU Office of Global Education & Mobility about their intention to withdraw from the programme.
After arrival:
Exchange students to inform NTU Office of Academic Services, Office of Global Education & Mobility and International Student Centre as well as home university.
24. What is STARS?
STARS is short for Student Automated Registration System which is a system designed for you to register your courses. More details shall be found in your student exchange portal.
25. Is course selections guaranteed?
No, course offerings are not guaranteed. Course approvals are subjected to availability, vacancies and pre-requisites.
26. Why is it that the courses that I have applied for are reflected as ‘not registered’?
Courses offered in NTU are highly popular and competitive, and it is not always possible to be able to register for courses you expressed interest in reading due to vacancy limitations, even though they are approved by the schools. There could also be clashes in classes and/or examination timetables.
27. When is the add/drop period?
The add/drop period is usually during the first two weeks when the semester begins.
28. What must I do if I decide not to take a certain course that is successfully approved?
You MUST de-register for the course in STARS. You must do so during the add/drop period. If you registered for a course, but did not subsequently sit for the examination, will be deemed to have read and failed the course. "F" will appear on yourofficial transcript.
29. Who should I contact on issues pertaining to approval and/or reselection of courses?
The Office of Academic Services (OAS) shall liaise directly with you via email.
30. When must I submit my application for a Student Pass?
New applications for a Student's Pass must be submitted at least one (01) month and not more than two (02) months before the commencement of the course through ICA's Student's Pass On-Line Application & Registration (SOLAR) system.
31. Is on-campus accommodation provided for exchange students?
Due to limited on-campus accomodation, allocation of accomodation shall be subject to availability, through random balloting system.
On-campus accomodation is NOT guaranteed to exchange students. In the past semester, slightly more than 50% of the exchange students lived off-campus.
Upon acceptance as an exchange student (for study only), you may apply for on-campus housing through the ISC Exchange Web Portal prior to the stipulated closing date.
Should you be successful in securing on-campus accomodation, housing will be in one of our 16 Halls of Residence based on double occupancy, where only two Halls have air conditioned rooms. Exchange students are allocated proportionately to the 16 Halls and request for transfer of Halls will not be entertained.
Exchange students coming on Research or Work exchange shall be recommended for off-campus housing in view of the varied project dates.
Click here to find out more.
32. When can I move into the Hall of Residence?
(03) days before the commencement of the semester. The International Student Centre (ISC) will notify exchange students (on study exchange) on the exact check-in date in the acceptance package.
Exchange students who intend to arrive earlier than the stipulated check-in date will have to source for their own temporary off-campus accommodation. Click here to find out more.
33. I have been allocated on-campus housing. What can I expect from the room?
Rooms are furnished with basic furniture such as a bed, mattress, study table, chair, wardrobe, bookshelf and softboard. Take note that bed linens/sheets and pillows are not included.
Each room is fitted with curtains/blinds, lighting and a fan.
Click here to find out more.
34. What are my estimated expenses like in Singapore?
Click here to find out more.
35. Must I open a bank account while studying in Singapore and is there any bank on NTU campus?
The local banks (including OCBC) require the student's exchange period to be at least 6 months in order to be eligible. Hence it may not be possible for students on exchange for only 1 semester to open a bank account.
36. What are the accepted credit cards/bank cards in Singapore?
Visa/Mastercard/American Express/Diners Club/Maestro/PLUS are all accepted in Singapore. You may withdraw money from most bank machines. There are also ATM machines located around the campus.
37. I already have insurance coverage, do I still have to purchase insurance in Singapore?
Yes, all exchange students are required to purchase the NTU Group Hospital & Surgical Insurance (GHSI) even if they have already bought a similar insurance from their home country. You can find more information here.