Quick Summary
Public in Singapore, Singapore — National University of Singapore (NUS), est. 1905. Ranked #8 globally by QS World University Rankings 2026, it enrolls 40165 students including 24% from outside Singapore. Known for strengths in Petroleum Engineering, Computer Science, Civil Engineering, it maintains an acceptance rate of 7%.
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Institutional Profile
Who they are
Through its Overseas Colleges program, NUS students intern at startups in Silicon Valley and Beijing while still earning credit toward their degree — a structural bet on global exposure that few Asian universities offer at this scale.
Subject Strengths
Petroleum EngineeringComputer ScienceCivil EngineeringChemical EngineeringLawArchitecturePharmacy
Founded1905
TypePublic
Total Students40165
Intl Students24%
Faculty Ratio15
CampusUrban
Campus Size150 hectares
Affiliated HospitalsNational University Hospital (NUH)
AccreditationAACSB,EQUIS,Washington Accord
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Global Standing
Three independent ranking systems
QS World 2026
#8
Quacquarelli Symonds
Times Higher Ed
#19
THE World University
ARWU Shanghai
#71
Academic Ranking
03
Academics & Research
What you can study
Undergraduate,Graduate,PhD,Executive Education,Continuing Education
Programs
Available
PhD Programs
Available
Online Programs
Cancer Science Institute of Singapore,Centre for Quantum Technologies,Mechanobiology Institute,Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences
Research Centers
Extremely high research output, with a QS rank (8th) built substantially on research citations per faculty, though its ARWU position (71) trails its QS standing, reflecting ARWU's heavier weight on Nobel- and Fields Medal-level breakthroughs.
Research Output
AACSB,EQUIS,Washington Accord
Accreditation
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Admissions Brief
What it takes to get in
Entry Requirements
Acceptance Rate7%
IELTS6.5
TOEFL92
Min GPA3.8
GRERequired for most research programs (320+)
GMATRequired for MBA (650+)
SAT1450
ACT33
Key Dates
FALLApplication Deadline · February 21 (International/Local Undergraduate)
SPRINGApplication Deadline · September 15 (Graduate Programs)
MAR-APRDecisions Released
Required Documents
TranscriptsSOPEnglish ScoresLORsPassport
Insider Tip
Beyond GPA and A-level results, NUS admissions officers weight leadership and entrepreneurial experience heavily for competitive tracks like the Overseas Colleges program — a strong personal statement matters more here than at most peer universities.
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Cost Ledger
Amounts in Singapore Dollar
UG Tuition
S$37,500/yr
per year · SGD
Living Cost
S$15,000/yr
per year · SGD
PG Tuition
S$47,000/yr
per year · SGD
Application Fee
$15
one time · USD
Total Estimated Annual Cost
S$55,000/yr
tuition + living + essentials · SGD
Scholarships AvailableAvailable
Avg Scholarship$7,500
Financial AidAvailable
Work-StudyAvailable
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Featured & Popular Programs
A sample from Undergraduate,Graduate,PhD,Executive Education,Continuing Education programs total
| Program | Level | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | BACHELOR | 3-4 YRS |
| Business Administration | MASTER | 1-2 YRS |
| Medicine | PHD | 3-5 YRS |
| Law | MBA | 12-24 MO |
| Data Science | BACHELOR | 3-4 YRS |
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Career Outcomes
Where graduates land
$48,000
Average Salary After Graduation
93%
Employment Rate
Internship PlacementStrong (90%+ via NUS Centre for Future-ready Graduates)
Industry Connections
Strong links with multinational corporations in the Marina Bay Financial District and Biopolis.
Notable Alumni
Lee Kuan Yew,Tony Tan,Goh Chok Tong,Mahathir Mohamad,Margaret Chan
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Campus & Student Life
Life beyond lectures
Housing
On-campus available
Sports Facilities
University Sports Centre,Olympic-sized Swimming Pool,Rock Climbing Walls,Synthetic Track
Student Clubs
200
Library Resources
NUS Central Library,CJ Koh Law Library,Medical Library,Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music Library
Exchange Programs
Yes (NUS Student Exchange Programme - SEP)
Summer Programs
Yes (FASStrack Asia, NUS Enterprise Summer Programme)