Navigating your first semester
Get ready to dive into your journey in NUS! Discover the must-knows that will help you gear up and glide through your very first semester with confidence and clarity.
Getting to know your degree requirements
The NUS academic year comprises two regular semesters and a Special Term. Check the key dates for each semester in the current and upcoming academic years.
The workload for course is measured in academic units which reflect the required weekly effort. Most courses carry 4 units, with a typical semester load of 20 units. Learn more about the minimum and maximum units you can take each semester.
The CDE curriculum includes the Common Curriculum, your primary major courses, and unrestricted electives. Learn more about what’s covered in the CDE Common Curriculum.
Check the graduation requirements and recommended semester plans for your CDE major, as well as any additional programmes you're pursuing such as double degree programmes, second majors, minors, specialisations, residential colleges, and NUS College.
Polytechnic diploma holders and students in the Engineering Scholars Programme may be granted advanced placement credits (APCs) in relevant courses. Check whether you are eligible for the APCs.
Engineering students without A-level H2 Mathematics or Physics (or equivalent) may need to take bridging courses. Similarly, students who score Band 1 or 2 in the Qualifying English Test (QET) may be required to take English bridging courses. Check if and when you need to register for the bridging courses.
Start of semester
NUSMods is your go-to platform for course descriptions, prerequisites, class schedules, venues, and exam dates. You can also use it to plan your semester timetable.
Before each semester, you must declare your academic plans, such as your primary major, to receive the right course registration priority. During this exercise, you can also apply to change your major (if eligible), or add/drop a second major, minor, or specialisation.
Course registration typically begins 3 weeks before classes start, while tutorial and lab slot selection happens in Week 1. Learn how to use the course registration system (CourseReg) and keep track of key deadlines for adding or dropping courses.
Find detailed instructions on how you should register for common courses in CDE such as those in the CDE Common Curriculum and bridging courses.
If you have a health, physical, or other condition that may affect your learning or assessments, you can apply for accessibility support such as extra time, a low-distraction environment, or speech-to-text tools.
During the semester
Canvas is the main platform for accessing course materials, submitting assignments, viewing course calendars, and signing up for project groups.
NUS Libraries is more than just books or a place to study — it is your gateway to knowledge, support, and more!
Get common software such as Microsoft 365 apps and reference managers, and also software for specific courses.
Unsure whether you can use artificial intelligence (AI) tools in your courses? Learn more about the guidelines on the tools of AI tools for academic work and consult your course lecturers.
Need access to fabrication equipment and services for your academic or personal projects? Find out more about the prototyping facilities and services offered to CDE students.
Learn how to take care of your health and wellbeing, and get support for your wellbeing as you navigate your way through your NUS journey.
End of semester
The NUS Student Feedback Exercise, held before final exams in each semester, collects insights on your learning experience and teaching quality. Your feedback helps enhance education at NUS.
Check the schedule and venues for final exams for each semester, along with assessment guidelines, device requirements for digital exams, open vs. closed book formats, and rules on using dictionaries and calculators.
If your exam or assessment performance is affected by serious medical or non-medical reasons, you can apply for Special Consideration. Learn when and how to apply, and what outcomes to expect.
Final grades are usually released about a month after exams. You can view them online or via the uNivUS app, and request a review if you believe there’s an error.
You can choose to keep your letter grades or use the S/U option for eligible courses, which excludes the grades from your transcript and GPA. Learn which courses qualify, the limits of the S/U option, and when to apply.
Your GPA determines your academic standing and honours classification at graduation. You must maintain a minimum GPA to continue your studies. Learn how your GPA is calculated.
Use the Graduation Audit Report and What-If Report to track your progress, explore different programme combinations, and check your graduation eligibility.
Beyond your first semester
Unlock a world of opportunities during your time at NUS! Discover exciting programmes, key policies, and everything you need to know to make the most of your journey from your first semester to graduation.
Special academic programmes
Specialisations let you dive deeper into a specific area within your major. In general, you need to complete 20 units of courses for a Specialisation. Find out more from your primary major about the Specialisations that are available, and when and how you can enrol in a Specialisation.
A Minor is an additional area of study outside of your primary major. In general, you need to complete 20 units of courses for a Minor. Find out more about the Minors that are offered in CDE and other Faculties/School, and when and how you can enrol in a Minor.
A Second Major is an additional area of study outside of your primary major which offers greater depth compared to a Minor. In general, you need to complete 40 units of courses for a Second Major. Find out more about the Second Majors that are offered in CDE and other Faculties/School, and when and how you can enrol in a Second Major.
A double degree programme (DDP) allows you to graduate with two different degrees in two disciplines from the same Faculty/School or two different Faculties/Schools within NUS within the same candidature of 4 to 5 years. Find out more about the DDPs offered within CDE as well as those offered jointly with other Faculties/Schools.
Internships, research and teaching opportunities
Sign up for UROP from Year 2 onwards if you would like to get taste of research through apprenticeship under the guidance of a CDE faculty member.
Sign up for UREx from Year 2 onwards if you are keen to propose your own independent research project, get funding for your project, receive mentorship from CDE faculty members for the project.
Interested to acquire or hone your teaching skills? Sign up for UTOP to gain experience in classroom teaching, facilitation, preparation of teaching materials, and other teaching activities under the supervision of experienced academic teachers.
Gain valuable professional and work experience through compulsory and optional internships (typically in Year 3). You may source for internship positions on our own or via the NUS TalentConnect portal.
Global experience
Participate in a student exchange programme (typically in Year 3) to broaden your horizon while fulfilling some of your courses in NUS. You can choose from over 300 partner universities in more than 40 countries, and also consider going on exchange at another university in Singapore.
Maximise your vacation periods by joining a summer or winter programme at partner universities while earning credits towards your degree programme. You can also consider summer and winter programmes if you are ineligible or unable to commit to a full semester overseas for SEP.
If you are passionate about entrepreneurship, join an NOC programme to intern at global innovation hotspots while attending entrepreneurship courses at renowned partner universities.
Important policies you should note
You may apply for LOA if you need to take some time off for medical, academic, or personal reasons. Find out more about the application process and impact of LOA on your candidature, fees, and other matters.
The normal candidature period for a Bachelor's degree programme in CDE is 8 consecutive semesters. If you need to extend your candidature, find out more about the limit for your candidature period as well as impact on tuition fees and other matters.
You must complete at least 50% of the overall units required for your degree programme in NUS (i.e. excluding APCs, exemptions, and credit transfers). Additionally, a minimum of 60% of units for a primary major, second major, minor, and specialisation must be earned from NUS courses.
Double counting rules
Where there are similarities in courses, you can use the same courses to fulfil requirements for more than one programme (major, second major, minor, specialisation). Find out more about the limits and other rules regarding double counting of courses.
You can only read a maximum of 60 units of Level 1000 courses towards your graduation requirement. Find out more about the courses that are excluded from this limit.
Slides from CDE Freshman Welcome 2025
Watch this space: slides from the talks at the CDE Freshman Welcome 2025 will be posted here after the event!