Planning your next academic chapter after A-Levels or Polytechnic? NTU (Nanyang Technological University) is a top pick for STEM-focused students and those who thrive in research-driven environments. Use this guide to understand admissions, campus life, insider tips, and the unique opportunities that await.

Why Students Love NTU

• Ranked among Asia’s top universities, especially for engineering, life sciences, sustainability, and tech
• Largest campus in Singapore (200 hectares) with nature-filled architecture and cutting-edge labs
• Strong partnerships with MIT, major tech firms, and global research institutions

Also read: The Ultimate Guide to NUS – All You Need to Know

Understanding NTU Admissions & IGPs

Admissions are based on Indicative Grade Profiles (IGPs), updated yearly. Highly competitive programmes like Medicine, Computer Science, and Double Degrees demand near-perfect grades, while Engineering and Social Sciences typically have more attainable cut-offs.

Remember: lower IGPS don’t reflect teaching quality—many faculty have world-class labs and industry partnerships regardless of intake size.

• View the latest NTU IGPs for A-Level students
• View the latest NTU IGPs for Polytechnic diploma holders

Freshie Tips for NTU Life

1. Halls of Residence

With 24 halls hosting over 12,000 students, on-campus living is the norm—especially since NTU sits in the far west. Research hall cultures, facilities, and locations early.
Guide: Best NTU Halls for You

2. Campus Shuttle Buses

NTU operates four campus routes (Red, Blue, Green, Brown). The Green route links Pioneer MRT to campus, making it the primary commuter choice. Plan your travel: Campus shuttle information

3. Leverage MOOCs

NTU’s MOOC initiative lets you take pre-approved courses on Coursera, FutureLearn, and edX—and transfer credits into your degree audit (GER PE, GER UE, Major PE).
Learn more: NTU MOOC Credits

4. Follow the NTU Subreddit

Want unfiltered student perspectives? Join the lively r/NTU subreddit for news, exam talk, internship gossip, and fun campus hacks.

Getting Around NTU

• Green Shuttle: connects Pioneer MRT to North/South Spine
• Red & Blue Shuttle: best for travelling between halls and classrooms
• Weekend Rider (Brown): perfect for weekend outings

Track bus ETAs on NTU’s shuttle map to avoid peak-time bottlenecks.

Research Centres to Watch

NTU is a research powerhouse. Students can intern, volunteer, or do Final Year Projects within institutes such as:

• Earth Observatory of Singapore – volcano and climate research across Southeast Asia
• NTU Cybersecurity Research Centre – trains future InfoSec experts for government and industry
• Ageing Research Institute for Society & Education (ARISE) – tackles public policy questions around Singapore’s ageing population

Comparing NTU to Other Local Universities

University	Strengths	Campus Vibe
NUS	Broadest mix of courses, strong medicine/law	Urban & central
NTU	Engineering, life sciences, sustainability	Self-contained, nature-filled mega campus
SMU	Business, law, social sciences, internships	Downtown, seminar-style

Handy Links Before You Apply

• NTU Admissions Portal
• Hall of Residence Info
• Degree Audit Resources
• NTU Research Institutes

Whether you’re eyeing Engineering, Business, or a double major, NTU has plenty to offer. Start early, plan your grades around the IGP, explore hall life, and tap into Tutopiya’s personalised coaching to keep your academics on track.

FAQs

1. Is NTU good for engineering?
Yes—NTU is consistently ranked among the world’s top engineering schools and partners with institutions like MIT for joint labs.

2. How competitive are the IGPs?
Medicine, Computer Science, and Double Degrees are the toughest. Other programmes still require solid grades but offer more flexibility.

3. Can I get into NTU from Polytechnic?
Definitely. NTU publishes IGPs for diploma holders, and many courses accept strong polytechnic graduates with relevant portfolios.

About the author

Nuha Gouse is the Co-founder of Tutopiya (Imperial College, London alumna). Her mission: make personalised learning accessible to students globally.