CSE Engineering Exchange: Singapore

Singapore is a vibrant city state and one of the safest, cleanest, and most well-connected countries in the world. As Asia's major commercial hub, it attracts many multinational corporations and talent. With English as one of the official languages, Singapore is an excellent entry point into Asia for English speakers.

A leading global university centered in Asia, the National University of Singapore (NUS) was founded in 1905 as a medical college for 23 students, but today it is Singapore’s flagship university which spans three campuses and is widely seen one of the best universities in Asia and the world.

CSE partners with NUS Engineering (Design and Environment) to facilitate exchanges between our two universities. Because of this partnership, exchange students must take 70 percent of their classes in engineering. Students may take one to two classes across NUS's disciplines.

Exchange students take a standard full-time course load of 12-18 credits per semester (NUS credits transfer back to UMN at a rate of one-to-one). Higher level undergraduate courses (e.g. module code starting from 4000 and above) have very limited supply and are usually NOT available to exchange students.

Courses/classes/modules are all taught in English. For more information about classes offered to exchange students, read Step 3: Modules for Exchange Students on the NUS website.

• IE 3011 Optimization I (IE2110 Operation Research I)
• IE 3012 Optimization II (IE4210 Operations Research II)
• IE 4011 Stochastic Models (IE2100 Probability Models with Applications)
• IE4511 Human Factors (IE2150 Human Factors Engineering)
• ME 3332 Fluid Mechanics (CN2122 Fluid Mechanics)
• ME 3333 Heat Transfer (ME2121 Engineering Thermodynamics)

Always double check the updated course availability on the NUS website.

Courses with passing final grades from CSE exchange partners transfer back to UMN as transfer credit (T). Transfer credit does not affect overall GPA.

You should work with the CSE International Programs team, your academic adviser, and your department to create an academic plan that works for you. Begin your academic planning on CSE Learn Abroad's plan ahead page.

View a sample academic plan that includes study at NUS.

CSE strongly encourages students to request the on-campus housing options as those are affiliated with and vetted by the partner institution. Students who are interested in on-campus accommodation should indicate ‘YES’ on their initial exchange application when asked if they need on-campus accommodation. Even though indicating ‘YES’ on the initial exchange application does not guarantee placement on campus, this step helps NUS in gauging the demand for on-campus accommodation for the next semester.

Accommodation placement is not guaranteed given the limited supply of accommodation at NUS. The acceptance email/letter from the NUS Registrar’s Office will include instructions on how and when to apply for accommodation along with the updated instructions and deadlines. For a range of the on-campus accommodations available, see NUS's Office of Student Affairs' Residential Services page.

Fall / Spring Semester: $9,150 + $8,615 in estimated additional expenses (Fall 2021/Spring 2022)

Academic Year: $16,800 + $15,415 in estimated additional expenses (Academic Year 2021-2022)

Total costs of participation can be found on the U of M Abroad website.

Most financial aid may be applied to study abroad. University of Minnesota students are eligible for education abroad scholarships. Visit the U of M Abroad Financial Aid and Scholarships pages for more information.

CSE students in good academic standing, sophomores and above.

First Semester (Fall Semester): Late July – Early December (including orientation and examinations)

Second Semester (Spring Semester): Mid-January – Early-May (including orientation and examinations

Program dates are subject to change. Contact our office or refer to acceptance materials for arrival information before arranging any flights.     

For NUS's academic calendar, read Step 2: Academic Calendar on the NUS website.

Interested students must be nominated by CSE prior to formally applying for exchange.

To be nominated, first have a conversation with CSE International Programs about your interest in the program. Then, email a copy of your passport to cseabroad@umn.edu, stating the program and term you would like to be nominated for. After your nomination is accepted by the host institution, you will receive instructions on how to complete their application. Students accepted by the host institution will also be prompted to complete the University of Minnesota application and confirmation procedure. 

Seeking nomination from CSE International Programs should be done in advance of the host institution's nomination deadline listed below.

Nomination deadlines:  March 15 (fall & academic year); September 1 (spring)

Application deadlines:  April 15 (fall & academic year); October 1 (spring)

Completion of application early is highly recommended.