Register for the e-Open House Virtual Talks
Welcome to the College of Design and Engineering (CDE)!
Join us online to learn more about the College of Design and Engineering (CDE)—its curriculum, interdisciplinary learning, and the opportunities available to students. Hear about CDE’s academic programmes, then stay on for a live Ask Me Anything session with both CDE students and faculty, where you can get your questions answered in real time.
Register for the
e-Open House Virtual Talks
Events for CDE Admissions
2026 e-Open House
& Open House
Find out more event details about the
CDE e-Open House and Open House
Happenings at Open House
Explore the campus tours, workshops, talks and activities taking place on 7 March at Open House, across NUS University Town (UTown) and the CDE Campus (EA & SDE3).
Happenings @ UTown: Booths & Project Showcase
Happenings @UTown: Talks
Click to view the programme schedule for the respective location
Happening @ CDE Campus: Tours & Workshops
Click to view more information on the respective tours
CDE Open House Map
Refer to the map below for a quick overview of where everything is happening, from tours and hands-on workshops to programme booths across the Open House.
Discover our programmes
Here at CDE, we offer 15 undergraduate degree programmes spanning Design, Architecture, and Engineering. Each programme is carefully crafted to cater to the diverse passions and ambitions of our students, setting you on a path to fulfil your academic and professional dreams.
Discover our programmes
Here at CDE, we offer 15 undergraduate degree programmes spanning Design, Architecture, and Engineering. Each programme is carefully crafted to cater to the diverse passions and ambitions of our students, setting you on a path to fulfil your academic and professional dreams.
Programme brochures
Programme brochures
Design and engineer the degree you want.
Second Majors
Master dual disciplines by pursuing a second major that suits your professional goals!
Design and engineer the degree you want.
Second Majors
Master dual disciplines by pursuing a second major that suits your professional goals!
Minors & Specialisations
Intrigued by more than one programme? Take a minor (or two!) to explore an additional area beyond your major, within or outside of CDE. Deepen your knowledge and pick up a specialisation to focus on a particular niche in your chosen field. Combine it with another specialisation or minor to tailor your education to your needs!
Minors & Specialisations
Intrigued by more than one programme? Take a minor (or two!) to explore an additional area beyond your major, within or outside of CDE. Deepen your knowledge and pick up a specialisation to focus on a particular niche in your chosen field. Combine it with another specialisation or minor to tailor your education to your needs!
Minors
Design & Engineering Scholars Programmes
Pursue an enhanced educational experience that capitalises on both your academic abilities and personal aspirations with our Design Scholars (D-Scholars) and Engineering Scholars (E-Scholars) programmes.
Design & Engineering Scholars Programmes
Pursue an enhanced educational experience that capitalises on both your academic abilities and personal aspirations with our Design Scholars (D-Scholars) and Engineering Scholars (E-Scholars) programmes.
Career prospects as a CDE graduate
Exposure to real-world scenarios, broad domain expertise and cutting-edge research in your university education will empower you to thrive in your future professional roles.
Discover the possible combinations and personalise your own journey!
Hear from our CDE students!
Hear what our students have to say about their respective programmes, where they give insights into their undergraduate journey.
*Do take note that the example timeline shown is specific to the Engineering Common Admission. For specific timeline information, please contact the appropriate programme coordinator.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Getting into CDE
Our direct admissions degree programmes are Architecture, Computer Engineering, Industrial Design and Landscape Architecture. Each of these has its own admissions requirements and admission standards. Our common admissions “Engineering” programme, as the name suggests, has a common set of entry requirements and a single admissions standard.
If you are admitted to Engineering you have access to any one of the 11 majors (degrees) in the common admissions pool: Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Engineering Science, Environmental and Sustainability Engineering, Industrial and Systems Engineering, Infrastructure and Project Management, Materials Science and Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Robotics and Machine Intelligence; which one you choose is up to you.
No. The only pre-requisite for the Engineering programme is mathematics. For Singapore-Cambridge GCE ‘A’ level applicants we require H2 Mathematics and we have equivalent requirements for those with other qualifications. Although physics is not an admission requirement, those without H2 Physics (or equivalent) may be asked to take a bridging course to prepare for higher-level courses that require this knowledge.
Shortlisted applicants for all three degree programmes will be required to attend an interview as part of the selection process to be considered for admission. Applicants to the Architecture or Landscape Architecture programmes are strongly encouraged to submit a portfolio that showcases their creative work. For Industrial Design, a portfolio is not required. However, it is advisable to bring along a portfolio (or any creative material such as photographs, drawings, paintings, making hobbies, etc.) for the interview.
Yes. We call this “Aptitude-Based Admissions”. CDE will consider your achievements beyond your academic grades. These could be anything from work experience, leadership, community service, entrepreneurship, Olympiads or other competitions, sporting achievements or anything else you have achieved that you think we should know about.
The University provides prospective applicants with detailed information on grade profiles and programme availability, facilitating a well-informed application process. For more information, we encourage you to refer to the NUS Indicative Grade Profiles.
Polytechnic diploma holders admitted to a three or four year programme may be granted advanced credits (APC) in relevant courses for up to a maximum of 40 units. 40 units is equivalent to one year of study. The breakdown of the advanced placement credits (with effect from AY2015/2016 onwards) are as follows:
- Up to 20 placement units for Unrestricted Elective courses; and
- Up to 20 units for programme requirements
Click here for more information.
Choosing your major
If you choose one of our direct admissions major that choice is made when you submit your application. If you choose our common admissions “Engineering”, you will have the opportunity to choose your major at the point of application (called “preferred major” in the admissions portal). If you have yet to decide which Engineering major is for you, you can select “Major to be Decided” at the point of application.
Yes. If you are admitted to the Engineering common admissions programme you can choose any one of those 11 majors. We will give you a place in your choice of major. There are no internal quotas; you will be placed where you want to go.
For the Engineering common admission courses, you can re-declare your major up until your fourth semester of study. For the direct admission courses, you can apply for a transfer in February and October each year.
Applying for scholarships and financial aid
The most common scholarships are our Engineering Scholars Programme, Design Scholars Programme, the NUS Global Merit Scholarship and the NUS Merit Scholarship. There are also NUS Scholarships for those who excel in sports and performing & visual arts. Apart from NUS Scholarships, there are also donated scholarships and other scholarships administered by NUS and that are funded by external organisations.
Application for NUS Scholarships should be made at the same time as application for admission to NUS. You should use the same application number and admission PIN.
Building your CDE degree
An education at CDE will be an exciting, interdisciplinary experience for students where their learning journey takes centre stage. We are equipping students with an adaptable toolbox of skills across disciplines, moving them beyond a knowledge-based education to a mindset based approach to problem-solving. The CDE common curriculum provides a broad intellectual foundation on which you can continuously upgrade, evolve and re-pivot in a fast-changing world. Our Majors build on top of the common curriculum to allow you to explore your chosen field, and our unrestricted elective space gives you the freedom to customise your educational experience.
Each of our undergraduate degrees is a four-year direct honours degree and you need an equivalent of 40 courses to graduate. Your major is your primary area of study, comprising 20 courses. The Common Curriculum accounts for another 10 courses. This leaves 10 courses in the Unrestricted Electives (UE) space that you can use to decide how broad, deep or integrated you want your education to be. You can choose what you want to take from anywhere at NUS. Second majors (10 courses) and minors (5 courses) allow you to broaden your knowledge and skills in a complementary or contrasting area. A specialisation (5 courses) is a focus area within your chosen discipline. Alternatively, you can choose from over 4000 courses available across NUS as electives based on your interest.
Planning your CDE journey
Some courses under the Common Curriculum will be pre-allocated to students. Each programme also has a recommended curriculum schedule that students can use to plan the courses they need to take each semester. You may then ballot for the courses you want during the course registration exercise before each semester. The recommended schedule is available on each department’s website.
CDE and the wider NUS community offer a wide range of global opportunities and special programmes to enhance your learning experience such as the NUS Overseas Colleges, Residential Programmes, Student Exchange Programme and Summer/Winter Schools. Those interested in NUS College will be pleased to know it is compatible with all CDE degree programmes. Beyond academics, we have a vibrant College life and offer a wide range of activities from wellness workshops to cooking lessons. With NUS’ huge range of clubs and societies there is never a problem with finding your niche!
Who can I approach if I have a specific question?
Architecture: askdoa@nus.edu.sg
Biomedical Engineering: biesec@nus.edu.sg
Chemical Engineering: chbeug@nus.edu.sg
Civil Engineering: ceebox3@nus.edu.sg
Computer Engineering: askCEG@nus.edu.sg
Electrical Engineering: askECE@nus.edu.sg
Engineering Science: engscience@nus.edu.sg
Environmental and Sustainability Engineering: ceebox3@nus.edu.sg
Industrial Design: askID@nus.edu.sg
Infrastructure and Project Management: ipm@nus.edu.sg
Industrial and Systems Engineering: ug_isem@nus.edu.sg
Landscape Architecture: askdoa@nus.edu.sg
Materials Science and Engineering: askmse@nus.edu.sg
Mechanical Engineering: enquire_me@nus.edu.sg
Robotics and Machine Intelligence: enquire_rmi@nus.edu.sg
Second Majors:
Computing (Design and Engineering): askECE@nus.edu.sg
Innovation and Design Programme (iDP): idp-query@nus.edu.sg
Sustainable Urban Development: ceebox3@nus.edu.sg
Systems Engineering: ug_isem@nus.edu.sg
Minors:
Architectural Studies: askdoa@nus.edu.sg
Biomedical Engineering: biesec@nus.edu.sg
Cities: nuscities@nus.edu.sg
Computing (Design and Engineering): askECE@nus.edu.sg
Data Engineering: askECE@nus.edu.sg
Engineering Materials: askmse@nus.edu.sg
Infrastructure Management and Finance: ipm@nus.edu.sg
Innovation and design: idp-query@nus.edu.sg
Landscape Architectural Studies: askdoa@nus.edu.sg
Management of Technology: ug_isem@nus.edu.sg
Project Management: ipm@nus.edu.sg
Systems Engineering: ug_isem@nus.edu.sg
Visual Communication Design: askID@nus.edu.sg
Artificial Intelligence (Design and Engineering): askECE@nus.edu.sg
Hydrogen and Low Carbon Technology: chbeug@nus.edu.sg
Engineering Scholars Programme (E-Scholars): escholars@nus.edu.sg
Design Scholars Programme (D-Scholars): dscholars@nus.edu.sg
NUS AI Talent Scholarship (Robotics and Machine Intelligence applicants only): NUS AI Talent Scholarship
More information on available Scholarships here: Scholarships
For any other enquiries, you may contact us here.
*The information presented in these e-open house videos are accurate as of 2025 and subject to changes for 2026.