Exchange @ National University of Singapore
National University of Singapore (NUS) Leading global university centered in Asia Founded in 1905 as a medical college All classes use English as medium of instruction except foreign language classes Vibrant campus life and wide variety of campus services and facilities Ranked 24 th in the world and top in Asia (QS World University Ranking 2013) Ranked 26 th in the world and 2 nd in Asia (Times Higher Education World Ranking 2013-4)
National University of Singapore (NUS)
Where is NUS? Singapore is only 710.2 km 2 in area NUS 40 minutes on taxi from Changi Airport to NUS The nearest train station is Kent Vale MRT station Campus map: http://map.nus.edu. sg/
Have I made the right choice?
Based on survey conducted in AY2012/13, approximately 80% of incoming exchange students selected NUS as their first choice for exchange 94.8% were either satisfied or extremely satisfied with their exchange at NUS 98.1% would recommend NUS as an exchange destination to their peers
Important and Essential Things to do AFTER YOU HAVE APPLIED FOR EXCHANGE
After you have applied for exchange Start to check your emails regularly You will be informed by the NUS Registrar s Office via email on: Missing documents to support application, if any Reselection of modules if you failed to obtain at least three modules per semester to support the application of student pass Letter of offer includes information on the weblink to the modules you have secured, NUS registration guide, oncampus accommodation application and visa arrangements. Letter of offer will be sent in mid- June (August intake) or mid- November (January intake)
Modules for Exchange Students List of modules for exchange students Module restrictions: Business, Economics and Law modules are restricted to Business, Economics and Law major students Other restrictions Core modules are usually reserved for full-time NUS students Approval for modules is decided by relevant academic coordinators based on fulfillment of pre-requisites, availability and no clash in class schedules and examination dates Refer to NUS Bulletin for module description Refer to timetable builder Secure at least three modules (or 12 modular credits) per semester to be eligible for student pass Changes to the allocated modules can be done in the first two weeks of each semester during Add/Drop period.
Modules for Exchange Students Regardless of whether the modules are set to audit or examinable Maximum 5 modules (or 20 modular credits) per semester All allocated modules in offer letter are automatically set to examinable Student have to indicate whether the additional modules which they have added during the add/drop exercise are examinable or set to audit Change of module from examinable to audit is subject to the approval of your home university. Check with your home university before you submit the request to the NUS Registrar s Office. Change of modules from audit to examinable is subject to the approval of NUS faculty. Modules dropped after stipulated deadlines will be give a W - Withdrawal grade or a F Fail grade Please read the NUS Registration Guide
On-Campus Accommodation Various types with different costs (http://www.nus.edu.sg/osa/housing/general/rates.html) Compulsory Meal Plans or not at all Different culture in each residence or hall On-campus accommodation and preferred room types is not guaranteed Check-in is ONLY available on weekdays from 9am to 5pm Types of Accommodation available: Prince George s Park Raffles Hall Temasek Hall King Edward VII Hall Eusoff Hall Kent Ridge Hall Sheares Hall U-Town Graduate Residence U-Town Residential Colleges Angsana, Cinnamon, Tembusu, Khaya
On-Campus Accommodation If you have indicated yes for housing in the online application, the accommodation application information will be included in the letter of offer. On-campus accommodation and your preferred room type is not guaranteed. Any request for a change of assigned room is subject to the evaluation on needs basis by the following offices: Room Change (within the same hostel/residence) Subject to approval of the respective hostel/residence management office Inter-Hostel/Residence Transfer Angsana, Cinnamon, Tembusu Residential College Respective college administrative office Halls Hall Management Office Prince George s Park, Graduate Residence, Khaya Residence Office of Student Affairs
On-Campus Accommodation You are required to pay an application fee of S$26.75 Make advance payment of S$200 to secure the on-campus accommodation allocated to you before the stipulated deadline mentioned in the application portal. If you do not wish to stay on-campus, you may like to refer to http://www.nus.edu.sg/osa/housing/others/longtermstay.html to make you own arrangements.
Immigration Matters Please check with your embassy on whether you need an entry visa to Singapore If entry visa is required, NUS Registrar s Office will liaise with Singapore Immigration and Checkpoint Authority (ICA) to obtain the In-Principal Approval (IPA) letter which will act as an entry visa to Singapore On your assigned date of registration in NUS, the ICA officers will be on-campus to stamp the IPA letter for you to support your Student Pass application. If you do not need an entry visa, you are required to report on your assigned date of registration in NUS to get the stamped IPA letter to support your Student Pass application. Please refer to the NUS Registration Guide for the assigned date(s) of registration Full year exchange student are required to submit medical report Admission is subject to successful application of student pass
Insurance Matters It is compulsory for all incoming exchange students to purchase the NUS Group Medical Insurance Scheme Annual premium: S$117.70; semester premium: S$58.85 The insurance scheme does not cover: i. medical expenses incurred due to a relapse of pre-existing health conditions while you are on exchange in NUS ii. travel to and from Singapore as well as personal vacation taken outside of Singapore while you are on exchange Check the coverage of the insurance bought in your home university/country Purchase your own health insurance Purchase separate travel insurance to cover lost luggage, trip cancellation, lost travel documents, etc.
Health and Special Needs Full year exchange students are required to submit a medical report for the application of Student Pass NUS University Health Center (UHC) provides the following services: Counselling and Psychological Services Health Services management of acute and chronic illnesses immunization health screening and vaccination medical check-up minor procedures and treatments, X-ray and laboratory services.
Health and Special Needs NUS process all applications equally but would like to inform all students that NUS does not have a Disability Support Office For student with special learning needs, please inform NUS during application if you require NUS to provide special assistance. You have to send a medical evaluation and diagnosis report together with a letter of recommendation from home physician to NUS. An extension of examination time is possible for students with supporting documents on special learning needs. NUS UHC cannot guaranteed that all required special support will be available and in some cases, student needs to be evaluated onsite immediately upon arrival to see if he/she is suitable for the exchange in NUS.
Estimated Monthly Costs of Living Item Estimated Costs in SGD On-campus accommodation S$400 S$750 Food (3 meals a day) S$400 S$800 Public Transport S$100 S$150 Books & Stationery (depend on courses) S$100 S$300 Personal Expenses S$200 S$350 Total S$1,200 S$2,350 This is an estimated expenditure a student may likely incur during his or her stay in Singapore. These amounts will vary accordingly depending on the student s personal needs and lifestyle.
Mandatory Miscellaneous Fees Miscellaneous Student Fees (MSFs) Student Services Fee (SSF) Health Service Fee (HSF) Amount (per semester) in SGD S$30.81 S$58.85
Office of Student Affairs Provide services to all international students Meet and Greet services Orientation Immigration matters University support services Campus facilities and amenities Introduction to Singapore Many other events and programmes to help you. Visit http://www.nus.edu.sg/osa/international/svcs/index.html Read the International Students Guide: http://nus.edu.sg/osa/images/iss/downloads/issguideng13-14.pdf
Let the fun begins WHEN YOU ARE ON CAMPUS
Academic Calendar AY13/14 Semester 1 Mon 5 August Sat 7 Dec 2013 Orientation Week: Mon 5 Aug Sat 10 Aug 2013 Instructional Period: Week 1 to Week 6 Mon 12 Aug Fri 16 Aug 2013 Recess Week: Sat 21 Sep Sun 29 Sep 2013 Instructional Period: Week 7 to Week 13 Mon 30 Sep Fri 4 Oct 2013 Reading Week: Sat 16 Nov Fri 22 Nov 2013 Examination: Sat 23 Nov Sat 7 Dec 2013 Vacation: Sun 8 Dec 2013 Sun 12 Jan 2014 Semester 2 Mon 13 Jan Sat 10 May 2014 Instructional Period: Week 1 to Week 6 Mon 13 Jan Fri 17 Jan 2014 Recess Week: Sat 22 Feb Sun 2 Mar 2014 Instructional Period: Week 7 to Week 13 Mon 3 Mar Fri 7 Mar 2014 Reading Week: Sat 19 Apr Fri 25 Apr 2014 Examination: Sat 26 Apr Sat 10 May 2014 Vacation: Sun 11 May Sun 3 Aug 2014
Learning Style and Class Culture in NUS For level 1 and level 2 modules, there will be lectures of about 200 students For level 3 and 4 modules, the tutorials are usually conducted in smaller classes of about 30 students Attendance at lectures and tutorials is expected Participation at group projects is expected Self study after class is expected Attendance during examination is compulsory unless supported by medical certificate Online IVLE portal which is accessible with NUS ID and password to download lecture notes and tutorial assignments
Assessment Mode Depends on the programme coordinator E.g. 20% attendance 30% class participation 20% project work 30% final examination Possible moderation of grades for some modules
Vibrant Campus Life Make friends with over 37,000 full time students from 100 countries and another 1,900 exchange students from 300 partner universities Choose from 80 student clubs and societies and 18 performing groups under the realm of the NUS Students Union Get involved in over 100 community projects including NUS annual Rag and Flag Day
Examples of Student Clubs Astronomical Society Entrepreneurship Society Motoring Club Original Music Society Outdoor Activities Club Photography Club Comic & Animation Society Electronic Gaming Society Scuba Diving Club and many more.
IRO Peer Advising Programmes Pre-arrival: Assist you with your enquiries. like them on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/nuspeeradvising During your stay: Welcome party, Dragon Boat, Pulau Ubin trip, Peer-Advising Exchange Fair & Farewell Party! Upon returning home: Connect with us via PALs Facebook SEP Student Ambassador Training Programme Attend before you leave NUS Visit Student Services by IRO http://www.nus.edu.sg/iro/sep/pals/events.html
Campus Services and Facilities On-campus facilities 24/7 wireless connectivity Computer labs 6 libraries Museums Canteens and cafes ATMs Medical & Dental Centre/Pharmacy Travel Agency Postal & telecommunications services Bookstores & gifts shops 24-hour security Internal shuttle bus Sports & Recreation Centre (pool, tennis and basketball courts, running track, football field)
What about Singapore? Cosmopolitan garden city Multi-racial, culturally diverse melting pot Approximately 5 million population with approximate two-third Singaporeans Predominantly English speaking country Reliable internet connectivity island-wide 4 th leading financial centre, top 3 oil refining centre, top 5 busiest ports, top logistics hub etc. Enviable variety of cuisine Extensive and efficient public transport and healthcare system Quality nightclubs, pubs, restaurants, performing arts events
All the things to do if you are in Singapore Get close to our national symbol the Merlion Go Wild @ the Night Safari Watch the F1 night race! Celebrate Singapore s ethnic diversity! Sample our local cuisine! Shop till you drop! Visit the world s largest flyer!
NUS Code of Student Conduct http://www.nus.edu.sg/osa/images/so/downloads/guidelines/nuscodeofstudentc onduct.pdf Academic Integrity (cheating, plagiarism, violation of intellectual and copyright laws) Vandalism, mutilation and theft Inappropriate behaviour (threats, intimidation, drunkenness, lewdness, etc.) Smoking is prohibited on NUS campus Alcohol should not be sold or consumed on NUS campus unless in approved food outlets or during approved events Trafficking, manufacturing, importing and exporting of drugs carries a death penalty. Unauthorised consumption carries heavy penalty
NUS Code of Student Conduct Solicitation of students by anyone (including NUS students) without approval of the University authority is prohibited IT resources in NUS should not be used for transmission of obscene or inflammatory information nor should they be used for personal and/or private monetary profits Gambling or the playing of any game of chance is improper within NUS campus, including on-campus student accommodations Subletting and unauthorised occupation of hostel rooms are not allowed as the resident students safety could be compromised Not allowed to download or distribute copyrighted materials over NUS network by any means or methods. Penalties range from fines to other more serious disciplinary actions
Finally IN SUMMARY
IRO Global Education (GE) team What do we do? Identify partner universities and secure exchange agreements Negotiate for exchange places annually Identify service gaps and suggest solutions which are within our control Involve in the operations and the administrations of the exchange programme WE CAN BE YOUR FIRST STOP for enquiries on student exchange matters
NUS Team Serving Exchange Students Process all housing applications submitted through the UHMS Buddy system Meet and greet service Process SEP Application Send notice on Module registration Process Student Passes Print Transcripts University Health Centre Office of Student Affairs (OSA) Registrar s Office (RO) Runs i.care project (International Connect And Relations Enthusiasts) Runs Host Family & cultural awareness programmes International Relations Office (IRO) - GE Provide help with visas Faculties and Schools in NUS Select applicants Decide on modules and quota Approval of modules Provide module descriptions Set examination and class schedules Transfer of credits
Planning Tips Do your research early Try to complete most core modules at home university and leave elective modules for exchange in order to increase flexibility Engage your academics and SEP coordinator in your Study Plan Prepare your budget Note the deadlines Check your emails regularly Get support from your family, loved ones and doctor(s) (if necessary)
Please do Check your emails regularly Do your research Read instructions given to you Respect deadlines Get to know the functions of different offices which support exchange students Understand NUS Code of Conduct, rules and regulations Ask IRO if still in doubt Make friends with students from NUS and other universities Enjoy the exchange and embark on the journey of selfdiscovery
Useful References 1. Predarture Departure Guide 2. Journey Beyond Your Shores 3. Step-In 4. Information Sheet
Be mentally, physically, emotionally, financially, academically ready for the exchange adventure!
Global Education (SEP) International Relations Office National University of Singapore Website: www.nus.edu.sg/iro 24/7 Self-service online FAQ portal: http://nusiro.custhelp.com/app/home