(Admissions 2026) NUS College of Design & Engineering - College of Design and Engineering

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Day in the Life of a CDE Student

Watch our students’ Day in the Life videos from Admissions 2026

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.

Singapore's premier architectural programme

The spark of technology and innovation

Leading at the intersection of engineering, management, finance and law

Impacting lives with healthcare technology

When learning is grounded in science and engineering

Connecting nature, place and people

Chemical engineers make molecules do the waltz

Saving the planet through technology... and more!

From molecules to materials to (engineering) masterpieces

Build the world, shape the future

Innovating for humanity

Powering a world in motion

Designing intelligence, transforming the future

Nuturing holistic engineers to drive change

Transforming our world with intelligent machines

Singapore's premier architectural programme

Chemical engineers make molecules do the waltz

Designing intelligence, transforming the future

When learning is grounded in science and engineering

Innovating for humanity

From molecules to materials to (engineering) masterpieces

Nuturing holistic engineers to drive change

Impacting lives with healthcare technology

Build the world, shape the future

The spark of technology and innovation

Saving the planet through technology... and more!

Leading at the intersection of engineering, management, finance and law

Connecting nature, place and people

Powering a world in motion

Transforming our world with intelligent machines

Programme brochures

Explore our programme brochures

Programme brochures

Explore our 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.

Learn More

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.

Learn More

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!

View Example Combinations

Hear from our CDE students!

Hear from our students from Admissions 2026 about their respective programmes, where they give insights into their undergraduate journeys.

View Important Milestones*

*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.

Innovation & Robotics Showcase

Our robotics projects were also showcased at Open House 2026. Find out more about these projects here.

Human-in-the-Loop Evaluation of Autonomous Vehicles in Human-Centric Traffic Environments

Civil & Environmental Engineering

Step into the driver’s seat and explore how autonomous vehicles (AVs) interact with human drivers in real traffic scenarios. In this simulated urban environment, participants drive alongside AVs while the system records their interactions. The findings help researchers design AVs that are safer, more comfortable, and better aligned with human expectations.

Members:

A/Prof Kaidi Yang (Principal Investigator)
Yan Longhao (PhD candidate)
Chen Tianxiang (PhD candidate)
Guo Jianyi (MSc student)
Li Jiahui (PhD candidate)

Build In VR

Civil & Environmental Engineering

Virtual reality is useful in construction as it lets people explore buildings before they are built and practice safety training.

Workers can learn what to do without real-life danger.

Hexapod & Legged Dogs

Mechanical Engineering

Two approaches for learning agile legged locomotion. KiVi is a bio-inspired framework that combines visual look-ahead with fast proprioceptive stabilisation, enabling robots to anticipate terrain and safely traverse challenging structures such as large steps, gaps, and obstacles.

Members:

A/Prof Guillaume Sartoretti (Principal Investigator, CDE, Mechanical Engineering)
Prof Auke Jan Ilspeert (EPFL the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology at Lausanne)
Prof Zhu Qiuguo (Zhejiang University)
Dr Sun Ge, Dr Cao Yuhong, Dr Zhang Yifeng
Li Peizhuo, Shivam Sood (PhD student)
Yang Xinrong (MEng student)
Li Hongyi, Ma Yuxuan, Chang Linnan, Peng Yifeng (MSc student)

Humanoid Robots

Electrical & Computer Engineering

General-purpose systems that can seamlessly operate in a human environment. In this exhibition, we will demonstrate a state-of-the-art AI system that can make a humanoid assist with everyday tasks, such as towels and clothing folding for household applications.

Members:

A/Prof Fan Shi (Principal Investigator)
Zhou Bingyang (PhD student)
Liu Xin (Visiting PhD student from Shanghai Jiao Tong University)

Robotic Semantic Navigation & Lidar Mapping

Built Environment

Detect humans in GPS-denied, cluttered environments for safer navigation.

Members

A/Prof Vincent Gan (Principal Investigator)
Jey Chandar Kannivadi Ramkanth (Research Assistant)
Li Jingxuan (Research Assistant)

Life As A…

Biomedical Engineering

With Singapore’s ageing population, there is a need for engaging tools to support cognitive health.

Our project, “Life As A,” is a serious game designed to make cognitive training accessible and enjoyable for older adults.

Click to find out more!

Members:

A/Prof Bina Rai (Principal Investigator)
Cathlin Theophilus (Class of 2025)
Shannon Xin Ying Lim (Class of 2026)
Kareeb Rahman (Research Engineer)
Dr Alexandria Marie Remus (Consultant)
Kwek Siong Peng (Consultant)

Aerial Manipulator

Electrical & Computer Engineering

Aerial manipulators integrate a multi-rotor drone with robotic arms for tasks such as transportation, installation, and contact-based inspection, but its coupled dynamics make control highly challenging.

Whole-body control (WBC) is a control paradigm that coordinates all available degrees of freedom to achieve multiple objectives simultaneously.

Members:

A/Prof Zhao Lin (Principal Investigator)
Dr He Lei (Research Fellow)
Neow Bo Kai, Tang Yongxin, Li Mingrui (MSc, Class of 2025)
Emil Koh Tze Ping, Wu Peijin (MSc student)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Getting into CDE

What is the difference between common admissions and direct admission degree programmes?

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.

Do I need to have a background in Physics to apply for an Engineering common admission degree?

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.

What do I need to prepare when I apply for Architecture, Landscape Architecture or Industrial Design? Do I need to have a portfolio?

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.

Does CDE consider applicants on discretionary criteria beyond academic performance?

How can I assess my admission prospects?

How do I get Advanced Placement Credits (APC)?

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

Do I have to declare a major at the point of application, or can I decide later?

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.

If I select Engineering common admissions, will my preferred major be secured?

After I declare my major, can I still change my mind?

Applying for scholarships and financial aid

What are the different types of scholarships I can apply for?

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.

When should I apply for scholarships?

Building your CDE degree

What does an education at CDE entail?

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.

What is Build Your Own Degree? How do Unrestricted Electives work?

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

What courses do we need to take each year in CDE? Is there a curriculum schedule assigned to students?

What are the other opportunities available to CDE students?

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?

Programme related

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 major/Minor related

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

Scholarship related

For any other enquiries, you may contact us here.

*The information presented in these e-open house videos are accurate as of 2026 and subject to changes for 2027.