National University of Singapore

A leading global university centred in Asia, provides a global approach to education and research, with a focus on Asian perspectives and expertise

Dean

Professor Tan Eng Chye

Academic staff

1,000 - 20,000

Students

41000

Locations

Queenstown, Singapore Suzhou, China

Established

1905

Afiliations

ASEAN University Network (AUN), Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU), International Alliance of Research Universities (IARU), Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU) Global Alliance of Technological Universities (GlobalTech), Worldwide Universities Network (WUN) Universitas 21 (U21)

Address

21 Lower Kent Ridge Road Singapore 119077

Social Media

URL

Summary

The National University of Singapore (NUS) is a public research university located in Singapore. Founded in 1905 as the Straits Settlements and Federated Malay States Government Medical School, it is the oldest higher education institution in Singapore.

Today, NUS is a comprehensive university with 17 faculties and schools offering undergraduate and graduate degrees in a wide range of disciplines, including arts and social sciences, business, computing, dentistry, design and engineering, law, medicine, music, public health, public policy, science, and continuing and lifelong education.

NUS is consistently ranked among the top universities in Asia and the world, with a global MBA ranking of 14th in the Financial Times Global MBA Rankings 2021 and 11th in the QS World University Rankings 2022.

The university has a strong focus on research and is home to numerous research institutes and centres, including the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies, the Asia Research Institute, and the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy. NUS also collaborates with industry partners to promote innovation and entrepreneurship and has established several research and technology hubs, including the NUS Smart Nation Cluster and the NUS Suzhou Research Institute in China.

NUS has a diverse student body of more than 40,000 students from over 100 countries and offers a range of international programmes, including study abroad opportunities, research attachments, and overseas internships. The university also has a strong alumni network, with more than 300,000 graduates around the world, and offers lifelong learning opportunities to alumni through its continuing and lifelong education programmes.

History

The National University of Singapore (NUS) is the oldest and largest university in Singapore, with a rich history dating back to 1905.

The idea of establishing a university in Singapore was first proposed by Sir Stamford Raffles, the founder of modern Singapore, in 1823. However, it was not until 1905 that the Straits Settlements and Federated Malay States Government Medical School was established, which later became known as the King Edward VII College of Medicine.

In 1928, the Raffles College was established, providing courses in the arts and sciences. This was later merged with the King Edward VII College of Medicine in 1949 to form the University of Malaya, which was located in both Singapore and Kuala Lumpur. In 1962, the University of Malaya was split into two separate institutions, with the Singapore campus becoming the University of Singapore.

The University of Singapore continued to expand and develop, with the establishment of new faculties and departments, and the addition of new buildings and facilities. In 1980, the University of Singapore merged with Nanyang University to form the National University of Singapore. This merger brought together the strengths of both institutions, creating a comprehensive university that offered a wide range of academic disciplines and research areas.

Since the merger, NUS has continued to grow and evolve, expanding its research capabilities and international partnerships, and developing a reputation as one of the top universities in Asia and the world. Today, NUS is home to 16 faculties, schools and colleges, offering over 4,000 modules each semester, and providing a global and Asian experience that is broad, deep and rigorous.

NUS has a 20-year enrolment system, which means that an NUS education is valid for 20 years from the point of undergraduate admission. Alumni are automatically eligible for lifelong learning courses, reflecting NUS's commitment to providing a holistic and lifelong education that prepares students for the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century.

Courses

The National University of Singapore (NUS) offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate courses across various fields of study. Here are some of the courses offered by NUS:

Arts and Social Sciences: The Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences offers courses in anthropology, economics, English language, history, philosophy, political science, psychology, sociology, and other related fields.
Business: The NUS Business School offers undergraduate, graduate, and executive education programmes in accounting, finance, marketing, management, and other business-related areas.
Computing: The School of Computing offers courses in computer science, information systems, and information security.
Dentistry: The Faculty of Dentistry offers undergraduate and graduate programmes in dentistry, dental surgery, and oral health.
Design and Engineering: The Faculty of Engineering offers courses in engineering, design, and technology. The School of Design and Environment offers courses in architecture, industrial design, and urban design.
Law: The Faculty of Law offers undergraduate, graduate, and executive education programmes in law.
Medicine: The Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine offers undergraduate and graduate programmes in medicine, surgery, and public health.
Music: The Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music offers undergraduate and graduate programmes in music performance and composition.
Public Health: The Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health offers undergraduate, graduate, and executive education programmes in public health, epidemiology, and biostatistics.
Public Policy: The Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy offers graduate and executive education programmes in public policy, governance, and international affairs.
Science: The Faculty of Science offers courses in biology, chemistry, mathematics, physics, and other natural sciences.
Continuing and Lifelong Education: The Centre for Continuing and Lifelong Education offers short courses, part-time degree programmes, and executive education programmes across various fields of study.

In addition to these courses, NUS also offers interdisciplinary programmes such as the NUS College and Yale-NUS College, as well as various research programmes and centres. The university is known for its strong focus on research and innovation, and many of its courses incorporate hands-on learning and research opportunities. NUS also offers study abroad programmes with partner universities around the world, allowing students to gain a global perspective and expand their academic and cultural horizons.

Global MBA rankings

The National University of Singapore (NUS) is consistently ranked as one of the top universities in Asia and the world, and its business school is no exception. The NUS Business School offers a variety of MBA programs, including the NUS MBA, the NUS Executive MBA, and the UCLA-NUS Executive MBA.

In the most recent rankings by the Financial Times in 2022, the NUS MBA was ranked as the 18th best MBA program in the world, up from its previous ranking of 22nd. It was also ranked as the best MBA program in Singapore and the 5th best MBA program in Asia.

The NUS Executive MBA program was also ranked by the Financial Times and was ranked as the 16th best Executive MBA program in the world in 2021. It was also ranked as the best Executive MBA program in Singapore and the 3rd best Executive MBA program in Asia.

Job integration rate

The National University of Singapore (NUS) has a strong track record of integrating graduates into the workforce, with an impressive employment rate for its graduates. According to the latest Graduate Employment Survey, NUS graduates have an overall employment rate of 89.8%, with an average monthly salary of SGD $3,942.

NUS has a dedicated Career Services Office that offers a range of career-related services to its students and alumni, including career counselling, workshops, job fairs, and networking events. The office also has a strong relationship with a wide range of employers in various industries, both locally and globally.

NUS has a comprehensive range of undergraduate and graduate programmes across a wide range of disciplines, including business, engineering, law, medicine, and the sciences. This diversity of programmes ensures that graduates have the necessary skills and knowledge to excel in a variety of industries and roles.

NUS also offers students numerous opportunities to gain work experience through internships, co-op programmes, and industry attachments. This practical experience, coupled with the academic rigour of NUS programmes, ensures that graduates are well-equipped to enter the workforce and make a meaningful contribution to their chosen field.