Top tips for studying at NUS

by Reuben Passi, National University of Singapore (NUS), Singapore

Studying at NUS can be daunting due to some of the cultural differences and the way classes can be delivered as well as all of the paperwork and other details in order to get here but believe me it really is so worth it! So here are a few tips that I think will help with studying at NUS. 

Firstly the course registration can seem a bit daunting as you are not guaranteed to get any of the modules you put down however there are multiple course rounds so if you don’t get what you need right away chances are you will be able to find something very easily in the second or third round of course applications! 

Secondly, on the topic of course registration, there is a website called NUSMODS which allows you to see what time and date your lectures and seminars will be each week. This website was really helpful for me when choosing my modules as you can then design your timetable to fit into whatever schedule you like. So, if you plan on travelling a lot it would be best to use NUSMODS so that you can plan your timetable to have Fridays and/or Mondays off which is what I have done! 

Thirdly, make sure in your first couple of weeks to plan your deadline and work timetable before planning any trips. Of course plan as many trips as you can but I personally found that knowing when I had deadlines due in advance rather than finding out/starting a few days before was super beneficial in actually enjoying my holidays. This way if you know you have an essay due on Sunday at midnight 4 weeks in advance then you’re not scrambling to write it just before you leave for a trip/even on the trip which is what some people end up having to do!! 

Be prepared for the workload at NUS! For me personally and nearly everyone that I have spoken to, the amount of work that you have to do in comparison to your home university can be quite a bit more. However, I would say don’t be put off by this as although there is often more to do, I have found it to be relatively straightforward to complete and achieve sufficient grades without too much difficulty. So, as long as you stay on top of your deadlines you really will not have any problems with this. 

Finally, I would 110% recommend applying for student accommodation on-campus over private as on-campus accom is subsided in Singapore making it extremely affordable which people don’t usually suspect of Singapore! Living in halls can cost less than £3000 for the entire year (not including meal plans depending on the hall/residence) which is considerably cheaper than private accommodation in Singapore (often between 7-12k!!) and even accommodations in Manchester!  

Overall, putting these ideas into practice will make sure that you’re able to fully enjoy your time in NUS and Singapore as a whole whilst also saving money that can then be used to travel and explore instead!