Academics
It is important to be as flexible as possible with your courses as you cannot count on being able to enroll in the classes that you propose.
You will list 10 classes in ranked order of preference on your NUS application. NUS will pre-enroll you in classes based on that list. Students typically get into 2 to 4 of their top courses and then will participate in one or more rounds of open enrollment to get into other classes that still have space to round out their schedule.
Course Selection & Enrollment
- You can review the List of courses available to undergraduate exchange students (updated in April for the following year) and review the course descriptions (updated in August). To find a course description, put the course code in the module code text box (ex. GEH1061). You will then put in the appropriate academic year and the semester you are taking the course (ex. semester 2 for spring semester)
- Course Restrictions
- Business courses are only available to students in the Dyson school on the Dyson exchange.
- Law courses are not open to study abroad/exchange students from Cornell.
- Students who are not majoring in Economics, Psychology, Computer Science and Computing (Information Sciences) will be unable to take courses in those fields, and majors may find that courses are unavailable.
- 4000 level modules are typically not available exchange students.
- Modules at the 5000 level (graduate classes) are NOT available to exchange students.
- Class & Examination Timetables - update in July or August
- Students may take modules across disciplines (with the exception of business and law).
- The ability to register will depend on a student's prerequisites, the availability of the module, and if the module will fit within a student's timetable (schedule) without overlapping other modules. Students typically register for modules in the 1000-3000 levels. Modules are graded on a bell curve. Students must be prepared to study independently and participate in class.
- In NUS, generally the faculties tend to prioritize their courses for applicants are from the same majors back at their home universities. If there are surplus places, those may go to student applicants of other majors, subject to fulfillment of prerequisites.
- For assistance in selecting courses, see your faculty or college advisor. (Note: You may earn elective, distributional, minor or major credit depending on your major and college.)
- You may need to look at courses from a previous semester (i.e.: the most recent spring semester if you want to select classes for a future spring abroad)
- Language study is not required. Since English is one of the four official languages in Singapore, Cornell students are not required to enroll in a language course at NUS. However, there are language courses available through the Centre for Language Studies (CLS) if you are interested.
Research Opportunities
Students interested in pursuing research are able to do so through the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Programme in Science (UROPS). Students must be supervised by a faculty member and are expected to proactively reach out to faculty members regarding supervision for the semester. Students participating in the UROPS program typically earns 4 NUS credits (basically one course) and are able to register for up to four more regular semester courses. The research is unpaid and students will not receive financial sponsorship.
Course Load & Credits
- A normal full load equivalent to 15 credits is five courses. At NUS this is 20 units. Special permission from your college is required to take fewer than 15 credits.
- Decisions on the final allocation of credit are made upon successful completion of the course (must earn grade equivalent of a “C” or higher—all courses must award a letter grade).
- For more information on courses and credits from abroad, including policies regarding start/end dates, refer to the Academic Policies page on the Education Abroad website.
Cornell Transcript & Grades
- Grades will appear on the Cornell transcript in the same format as they are recorded on the original transcript generated by the host institution. Grades are not factored into the Cornell GPA.
- For information on how grades appear on the transcript and frequently asked questions, including transcript dates for graduating seniors, please refer to the Transcripts and Credits page on the Education Abroad website.
- NUS does not send a hardcopy transcript or official electronic transcript to Cornell after you complete your study abroad experience. You do not need to order a transcript, just follow the steps below:
- In EduRec, add "abroad@cornell.edu" under the ‘Other’ email address.
- Two separate emails will be sent to student’s personal and other email addresses (if recorded in EduRec). You will not be copied in the email sent to ‘other’ email address.
- The electronic transcript sent to non-graduating exchange students who have completed programme is free of charge for the initial time. Subsequent requests for official transcripts, either softcopy or hardcopy, are chargeable. Please refer to this website for application details and prevailing charges.
- Transcripts can be purchased in advance of the complimentary transcript issuance via the Online Transcript Request. Transcripts will be charged at $5 per copy (excluding GST) per email address provided in the request form. For hardcopy transcripts, courier charges will apply.