Curriculum

Curriculum Overview

The NUS undergraduate curriculum ensures broad-based learning combined with depth of specialisation, and comprises 3 components: Common Curriculum Requirements (include General Education Requirements), Major Requirements and Unrestricted Elective Requirements. Workload is measured in terms of Units, where each unit is the equivalent of 2.5 hours of work per week (including assignments and self-study) – most courses are typically 4 units. Degree requirements for different cohorts are listed below.

Degree Requirements (Cohort 2026/2027)

Curriculum Structure

Students should complete a total of 160 units (or the equivalent of 40 courses), comprising:

Common Curriculum: 40 units (or the equivalent of 10 courses)
Primary Major: 80 units (or the equivalent of 20 courses)
Unrestricted Electives: 40 units (or the equivalent of 10 courses)

These aim to provide CDE students with a comprehensive and well-rounded education, preparing them for success in their chosen careers and beyond.

The Common Curriculum consists of 10 carefully curated pillars to give a solid foundation in interdisciplinary skills.
We emphasise instilling lifelong skills via the following pillars:

Design Thinking
Maker Space
Artificial Intelligence
Project Management
Data Literacy
Digital Literacy
Critique and Expression
Cultures and Connections
Singapore Studies
Communities and Engagement

Degree Requirements – Matriculated in AY2026/2027

Students in the Bachelor of Engineering (Industrial & Systems Engineering) programme are required to fulfil the following requirements to graduate from the programme:

Complete	Pass	Satisfy
a minimum of 160 units with a GPA ≥ 2.0	Modular Requirements	all other requirements as prescribed by CDE or the University

Degree Requirements (Cohort 2025/2026)

Curriculum Structure

Students should complete a total of 160 units (or the equivalent of 40 courses), comprising:

Common Curriculum: 40 units (or the equivalent of 10 courses)
Primary Major: 80 units (or the equivalent of 20 courses)
Unrestricted Electives: 40 units (or the equivalent of 10 courses)

These aim to provide CDE students with a comprehensive and well-rounded education, preparing them for success in their chosen careers and beyond.

The Common Curriculum consists of 10 carefully curated pillars to give a solid foundation in interdisciplinary skills.
We emphasise instilling lifelong skills via the following pillars:

Design Thinking
Maker Space
Artificial Intelligence
Project Management
Data Literacy
Digital Literacy
Critique and Expression
Cultures and Connections
Singapore Studies
Communities and Engagement

Degree Requirements – Matriculated in AY2025/2026

Students in the Bachelor of Engineering (Industrial & Systems Engineering) programme are required to fulfil the following requirements to graduate from the programme:

Complete	Pass	Satisfy
a minimum of 160 units with a GPA ≥ 2.0	Modular Requirements	all other requirements as prescribed by CDE or the University

Degree Requirements (Cohorts 2022/2023 to 2024/2025)

Degree Requirements – Matriculated from AY2022/2023 to AY2024/2025

Students in the Bachelor of Engineering (Industrial & Systems Engineering) programme are required to fulfil the following requirements to graduate from the programme:

Complete	Pass	Satisfy
a minimum of 160 units with a GPA ≥ 2.0	Modular Requirements	all other requirements as prescribed by CDE or the University

Degree Requirements (Cohort 2021/2022)

Students enrolled in the academic year starting in August 2021 will follow a new undergraduate curriculum structure. Students will read a total of 160 units (or the equivalent of 40 courses), as shown in the following schema:

The Common Curriculum has been jointly developed with industry partners. It seeks to integrate knowledge and skillsets across the broad disciplines of engineering and design, equipping students with essential 21st century competencies. The following pillars make up the Common Curriculum, comprising 60 units (or the equivalent of 15 courses):

Find out more: https://cde.nus.edu.sg/news/engineering-education-reimagined/

Degree Requirements – Matriculated in AY2021/2022

Students in the Bachelor of Engineering (Industrial & Systems Engineering) programme are required to fulfil the following requirements to graduate from the programme:

Complete	Pass	Satisfy
a minimum of 160 units with a GPA ≥ 2.0	Modular Requirements	all other requirements as prescribed by CDE or the University

Degree Requirements (Cohort 2020/2021)

Curriculum Roadmap – Matriculated in AY2020/2021

Summary of the BEng (ISE) curriculum – Matriculated in AY2020/2021

University Level Requirements (ULR)	Programme Requirements		Unrestricted Elective Courses (UE)
University Level Requirements (ULR)	Faculty Requirements	ISE Major Requirements	Unrestricted Elective Courses (UE)
5 General Education Courses	2 Common Core Courses	Foundation Courses	Any course open to you; may be used to fulfil requirements for pathways, specialisations, majors or minors
		Major Core Courses
		Technical Electives
		Pathway Electives
		Internship*
		Design Project
20 units	6 units	102 units	32 units
Minimum required for graduation: 160 units

* IA/VIP is optional if you are a polytechnic graduate admitted directly to Year 2

IA/VIP is also optional if you are in a special programme (i.e. Engineering Scholars, double-degree, concurrent degree) – the units for IA can be utilised as UEs

Degree Requirements – Matriculated in AY2020/2021

Students in the Bachelor of Engineering (Industrial & Systems Engineering) programme are required to fulfil the following requirements to graduate from the programme:

Complete	Pass	Satisfy
a minimum of 160 units with a GPA ≥ 2.0	Modular Requirements	all other requirements as prescribed by CDE or the University

Read the details of these courses HERE.