1. What is the maximum candidature of the MSc (STO) programme? What is the general duration student can complete?

The maximum candidature for Full-Time students is 2 years. Generally, student can complete in 1 or 1.5 years.
The maximum candidature for Part-Time students is 4 years. Generally, student can complete in 2 or 2.5 years.

2. How many admission intakes are there for the MSc (STO) programme?

Currently we are offering only 1 intake per academic year. Candidates will be admitted at the beginning of semester of the academic year that is in August.

3. If I am successful in my application, can I defer admission?

MSc applicants are usually not considered for deferment of admissions.  You are to reapply for the subsequent admissions exercise or when circumstances permit. New students who have completed their registration formalities (Part 1 & 2) may request for leave of absence for up to 1 semester online through MyEduRec.

4. I am an international applicant. Can I apply for Part-Time programme?

International applicant is only eligible to apply for the Full-Time programme, unless the applicant has valid employment/work pass issued by Ministry of Manpower (MOM) to remain in Singapore. If the employment/work pass has to be surrendered, the student will have to convert to full time programme and apply for a student pass, in order for student to remain in Singapore legally to pursue his studies at NUS.

5. I missed the application deadline. Can I still apply?

No. Please apply for the next available intake instead.

6. Is there an acceptance fee?

Yes. Successful applicants will be required to pay an acceptance fee upon accepting the offer for admission to the programme. Do note that the acceptance fee is non-refundable and non-transferable. You may refer to the ‘Fees and Financial Information’ ECE webpage for more details.

7. When will I know the outcome of my application?

The outcome of the application will be released in batches from start of application period to April (for August intake). Successful applicant will be given approximately 12~14 calendar days to decide if to accept the offer.

8. Can I provide additional supporting documents after I’ve submitted my application?

Due to the high volume of applications received, we are unable to accept any requests for uploading documents and/or updating of particulars. Applicants are responsible to ensure that all details are accurate, and all required documents are uploaded correctly before making a submission online. Applicants may be contacted by email should NUS require further documentary evidence.

9. Why is my application not successful?

There are several factors that are considered for admission such as relevant academic qualifications, relevant work experience (if required), capacity of the programme etc.  Applications are assessed on a competitive basis based on merit for the whole intake.

1. Can I do internship or attachment?

There is an optional 15-week internship component which carries 8 units. Student may choose this option instead of project component. Internship is eligible for full time candidate only.

2. Can I work while holding a student pass?

Yes, but only on part-time basis and limited to maximum 16 hours per week during term time.  This is in accordance with the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) and Ministry of Manpower (MOM) regulations. Students should note that commitments from part-time employment will not be accepted as valid reasons for absences, uncompleted work, late submission of work, or poor performance, and may lead to exclusion from certain full-time programmes.

3. How many courses can I read in a semester?

A Full-Time student is allowed to read a minimum of 4 Units and up to a maximum of 20 Units, including Project or internship course in a semester.

A Part-Time student is allowed to read a minimum of 4 Units and up to a maximum of 12 Units, including Project course in a semester.

Students will be limited to a maximum of 40 units in their overall candidature. Exception may be granted for students who are repeating a failed course or taking an alternative course to earn the units of the failed course(s), or for students who did not maintain the minimum GPA and falls under an academic warning/probation status.

4. Can a Part-Time student complete the degree requirement early?

The student can submit an appeal to request for early completion of the degree requirement but will still be subjected to maximum workload of 12 Units per semester. It will be reviewed and subject to approval on case-by-case bases. The student is also expected to pay 100% tuition fee.

5. Can I attend lessons online?

All students (unless restricted by immigration) must be in Singapore during term time. NUS is complying with all government directives and safety measures related to the pandemic and student health and safety is our top priority. Based on the prevailing safe management measures (SMMs), NUS will hold in person classes if possible.

In the situation where classes or assessments are conducted in-person, students who are not in Singapore after Semester has begun, may find themselves unable to complete their courses and may be required to drop courses or take Leave of absence (LOA). No special arrangements will be made for remote learning or online assessments/exams if the default mode is in-person classes/assessments.

For registered students (upon card activation), fees paid will not be refundable. This applies to request to take LOA or withdrawal of candidature after the 2^nd instructional week of the semester.

6. What happen when student received a "Unsatisfactory" grade for the EEK5888 internship compoment?

If student received a (U) Unsatisfactory grade, this means student have not passed this course and credit will not be counted towards graduation requirement. Student will have to make up the equivalent course units to fulfil the programme requirement in subsequent semester, but still within the maximum candidature.

1. Are there rebate for Singapore Citizen, Singapore Permanent Resident, and/or NUS Alumni? 

Yes.  Rebate will be given for Singapore Citizen, Singapore Permanent Resident, and/or NUS Alumni.  The rebate amount will be published at the Fees and Financial Information page for the relevant intake, and this will be offset for students from their programme fee.

2. Does the rebate apply to miscellaneous student fees or other academic fees? 

No. The rebate does not apply to miscellaneous student fees or other academic fees.

3. Can the rebate be combined with other scholarships or financial assistance?

The rebate cannot be combined with other scholarships, study awards, grants, sponsorships, bursaries, or other types of financial assistance. If you are a scholarship or financial aid recipient, you may contact your programme administrator for more information about how you will be billed.

4. How do I know if I am considered an NUS Alumnus?

You are an NUS alumnus if you have graduated from the National University of Singapore, or one of its five predecessor institutions i.e. King Edward VII College of Medicine, Raffles College, University of Malaya, Nanyang University and University of Singapore. All graduates awarded with an undergraduate or postgraduate degree, or graduate diploma are accorded alumni status.

5. Can a student request for changes in the instalment plan?

No. Students are to adhere to the installment plan as stated in the Fees and Financial Information page.

6. Will a student be charged additional tuition fees, if student spend more semesters to complete programme?

No further tuition fees will be charge if student has fully paid up the programme fees as per the payment schedule, that is either 2 semesters payment for full time candidature or 4 semesters payment for part time candidature. This is provided student complete their programme requirement within the maximum candidature. However, a student is still liable to pay the Miscellaneous Student Fee (MSF) in each active semester.

7. If I need to apply Leave of Absence (LOA) during my 2^nd or 3^rd semester, do I continue paying the instalment for the semester that I am on LOA?

Students who require leave of one semester (term) or more should obtain approval in advance of the semester. The installment tuition fee payment will continue upon your return in the next semester.

But if a student applies for semester (term) leave of absence after Instructional Week 2, he/she is liable to pay fees (tuition and miscellaneous) for the entire semester. Not having attended any class or not having utilised university's resources are invalid reasons for exemption from fee payment.

8. Will a Full-Time/Part-Time student be charged additional tuition fees if the maximum candidature is exceeded?

Note that the extension of the candidature is normally not allowed. It may be considered only for very exceptional circumstances for genuine reasons. In that case, an additional tuition fee is chargeable based on prevailing rate.