🦁National University of Singapore

Singapore, Singapore

QS World 2026 · #8

Asia's top-ranked university, broad across every major discipline.

About NUS

NUS consistently ranks as Asia's top or near-top university and offers an unusually wide breadth of disciplines, from Medicine and Law to Computing and Design — most students apply directly to a specific faculty rather than a general arts/sciences track.

Why students choose it

  • Consistently Asia's top-ranked university (QS)
  • Broad faculty range — Medicine, Law, Computing, Business and Design all under one roof
  • Extensive exchange partnerships with top global universities

🎓 Free application support for NUS

Submit a free enquiry and Tutopiya's admissions team will guide you through your application to NUS — personal statement, interview prep and deadlines — at no cost, no obligation. Application fees are typically waived through our university partnerships.

📝 Already decided? Apply now — it's free

Typical entry grades

A*AA (A Level)  ·  IB 38

Top tier · indicative for the flagship courses below — always verify per-course requirements directly with the university.

Tuition (international, per year)

S$50,000+/yr

premium tier for Singapore — figures are typical ranges, not this specific university's published fee.

Language of instruction

English

Campus

campus campus, Singapore

🏆 Scholarships to look into

Informational only — scholarship amounts, deadlines and even which schemes are running change often (sometimes per intake), so treat this as a starting point, not a guarantee. Always confirm current details directly with the scholarship provider or NUS's financial aid office.

Singapore's scholarship landscape has an important nuance most students don't expect: several of the largest awards (and the government Tuition Grant that substantially lowers fees) come with a bond — a requirement to work for a Singapore-based company for a fixed number of years after graduating.

  • ASEAN Scholarship / country-specific scholarships: Government or agency-funded, generally for outstanding students from specific countries, usually bonded to Singapore-based employment for several years after graduation.
  • MOE Tuition Grant: Not a scholarship itself, but a government subsidy that substantially reduces tuition for eligible students (see the citizenship/PR fee note above) — international (non-PR) students who take it up are bonded to work for a Singapore-registered company for a set period.
  • University merit scholarships: NUS, NTU and SMU each offer their own merit-based international scholarships, varying in whether they carry a bond — check each one individually.

Always check whether a Singapore scholarship carries a work bond before accepting — it's a genuine multi-year commitment, not a formality.

Want help figuring out which of these you'd actually qualify for? Talk to a free Tutopiya counsellor.

Popular courses

Medicine

⏱️ Typical duration: 5–6 years where entered straight from school (UK, Ireland, Australia, NZ, Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong); typically a 4-year postgraduate MD entered after a Bachelor's (US, Canada)

📝 Apply for this course →

Typical entry: Requires Chemistry + Biology · BMAT (NUS/Duke-NUS pathways) — confirm current requirement, this changes between cycles · Interview (MMI)

Law

⏱️ Typical duration: 3 years for an undergraduate LLB (UK, Ireland, Australia, NZ, Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia); typically a 3-year postgraduate JD entered after a Bachelor's (US, Canada)

📝 Apply for this course →

Engineering

⏱️ Typical duration: Often 4 years rather than the country's standard Bachelor's length, especially where the programme includes an integrated Master's (e.g. UK MEng) or an industry placement year

📝 Apply for this course →

Typical entry: Requires Mathematics + Physics

Business

⏱️ Typical duration: 3–4 years, depending on the course and university

📝 Apply for this course →

Typical entry: Mathematics helps but usually isn't required recommended

Computer Science

⏱️ Typical duration: 3–4 years, depending on the course and university

📝 Apply for this course →

Typical entry: Requires Mathematics

Artificial Intelligence

⏱️ Typical duration: 3–4 years, depending on the course and university

📝 Apply for this course →

Typical entry: Requires Mathematics

Durations are typical for Singapore — always confirm the exact length (including any placement or integrated Master's year) on the course's own page before applying.

Not sure which course fits your grades and interests? Run the full shortlist builder →

How to apply

Main intake(s)
August
Typical deadline
Late February – March for international applicants
Note
NUS, NTU and SMU each run their own portal and timeline — check the specific university.

English language requirements

IELTS: 6.0–6.5 overall

Most universities waive this requirement if you've completed 2+ years of English-medium schooling (e.g. IGCSE / A Level / IB) — always confirm the specific university's waiver policy before booking a test. NUS/NTU/SMU each set their own threshold.

See where NUS ranks on your personal shortlist

Enter your grades and budget in the free Singapore University Shortlist Builder to see whether NUS is a reach, target or safety for you — alongside every other Singapore university that matches.

Build my Singapore shortlist →

More Singapore universities

NUS FAQ

Quick answers about grades, tuition, deadlines and applying to NUS as an international IGCSE / A Level / IB student.

What grades do I need to get into NUS?

As a typical benchmark for international entry, NUS expects around A*AA at A Level or 38 points on the IB Diploma. This is indicative for NUS's flagship courses — competitive subjects like Medicine and Law usually sit above this baseline, and the exact requirement varies by course, so always confirm the specific figure on NUS's own admissions page before applying.

How much does NUS cost for international students?

International tuition at NUS typically falls in the S$50,000+/yr range (premium tier for Singapore). This is a typical range for the university's tuition tier, not NUS's specific published fee for every course — confirm the exact figure for your intended programme directly with the university.

When is the application deadline for NUS?

NUS follows Singapore's typical intake calendar: August, with applications generally due late february – march for international applicants. NUS, NTU and SMU each run their own portal and timeline — check the specific university. Always verify the exact date on NUS's own admissions page, since deadlines can shift year to year.

What IELTS score do I need for NUS?

Singapore universities, including NUS, typically ask international applicants for 6.0–6.5 overall. Most universities waive this requirement if you've completed 2+ years of English-medium schooling (e.g. IGCSE / A Level / IB) — always confirm the specific university's waiver policy before booking a test. NUS/NTU/SMU each set their own threshold.

What is NUS known for?

Asia's top-ranked university, broad across every major discipline. NUS consistently ranks as Asia's top or near-top university and offers an unusually wide breadth of disciplines, from Medicine and Law to Computing and Design — most students apply directly to a specific faculty rather than a general arts/sciences track.

Can I apply to NUS with IGCSE, A Level or IB qualifications?

Yes — NUS accepts applicants from IGCSE-to-A-Level, IGCSE-to-IB-Diploma, and directly from the IB Diploma. Tutopiya's free Singapore University Shortlist Builder matches your predicted or actual grades against NUS and every other Singapore university we track, tagging each as reach, target or safety.

Need help applying to NUS? Get free application support.

Practice with AI-powered topic quizzes — 100% free