What is unique about the program?

A leading global university centered in Asia and a Cornell Global Hub, the National University of Singapore (NUS) offers a global approach to education and research with a focus on Asian perspectives and expertise. NUS was founded in 1905 and is today Singapore’s flagship university, widely seen as among the best universities in Asia and the world. According to the Times Higher Education World University Ranking, NUS is 3rd in Asia and 25th in the world. 

NUS offers a distinctively Asian and global experience that is grounded in maximizing the potential of students. Take advantage of attending a comprehensive university with 14 faculties (colleges) offering courses from Food Science to Entomology and Business or by taking courses outside your major, including in Asian languages, cultures and history. NUS also has three Research Centres of Excellence (RCE) and 23 university-level research institutes and centers. The student body consists of approximately 27,500 undergraduate and 10,000 graduate students, and over 2,300 faculty members.  

What is unique about Singapore?

Singapore, is a city-state and a gateway to South East Asia, with Indonesia to its East and Malaysia directly north. Singapore has four official languages: English, Malay, Mandarin, and Tamil. English is the common language of the nation and is the language of business, and education. Singapore is the world's fifth-leading financial center, a global commerce, finance and transport hub, and its port is one of the five busiest in the world. While it is one of the smallest countries in Southeast Asia, it is also one of the most prosperous. Students have also enjoyed the fact that it is possible to drive 10 minutes from the city center to trek through a tropical rainforest, with more species of flora than in the whole of North America.

What is unique about Cornell Global Hubs?

The National University of Singapore (NUS) is a Cornell Global Hub partner university. Global Hubs are Cornell's collaborative centers of engagement around the world. Hubs will give students exciting opportunities for semester-long and short-term study abroad, field experience, participation in faculty-led research, curricular pathways through majors, internships, and more.

Academic Calendar

• Fall: Early August -  Early December
• Spring: Mid-January - Early May

For specific date information, consult NUS' academic calendar

Accommodations

NUS has a shortage of housing and is unlikely to be able to provide housing to exchange students. NUS provides information on non-NUS accommodation (off campus). Housing is extremely limited in Singapore, so students should plan to be very proactive in securing their own housing.

Things to consider before applying:

• Browse the list of modules (courses) that are potentially available and review the course syllabi. Note many courses lack sufficient space for exchange students, so it is essential to be flexible.
• Review the information on the Education Abroad Office’s Get Started page for important considerations on academics and finances, and a guide to next steps
• Still have questions?  Visit the Get Advice page and learn how to connect with an Education Abroad Advisors
• Want to keep up to date with Cornellians Abroad? Follow Education Abroad on social media, @cornelliansabroad

How do I apply?

As an exchange student, you must be nominated by the Office of Global Learning before you can complete the NUS Non-Graduating Exchange Student application.

1. For Cornell Approval, click on the "Apply" button on this webpage. Applications are approved by the Office of Global Learning on a rolling basis until the application deadline listed on this page.  This will enable the Office of Global Learning to nominate you.
2. For Program Admission, use the link to Apply on the NUS website for Incoming Exchange students after you have been nominated by Cornell.  Make sure to follow their directions and deadlines.