The National University of Singapore  Background Information

The National University of Singapore

About the University

Starting out in 1905 as a small medical college, the National University of Singapore (NUS) is today internationally acknowledged as a global university of high standing. Its rich heritage and achievements over a century are captured in broad strokes in the sections on the succession of Chancellors and Vice-Chancellors who have helmed the University, and the NUS Milestones.

A leading global university centred in Asia, NUS offers a global approach to education and research, with a focus on Asian perspectives and expertise. Its transformative education includes a broad-based curriculum underscored by multi-disciplinary courses and cross-faculty enrichment, as well as special programmes which allow students to realize their potential. Over 30,000 students from 100 countries further enrich the community with their diverse social and cultural perspectives, making campus life vibrant and exciting.

Its 14 faculties and schools across three campus locations in Singapore – Kent Ridge, Bukit Timah and Outram – provides a broad-based curriculum underscored by multi-disciplinary courses and cross-faculty enrichment. NUS’ transformative education includes programmes such as student exchange, entrepreneurial internships at NUS Overseas Colleges, and double degree and joint degree programmes with some of the world’s top universities, offering students opportunities and challenges to realize their potential. The learning experience is complemented by a vibrant residential life with avenues for artistic, cultural and sporting pursuits. Over 30,000 students from 100 countries further enrich the community with their diverse social and cultural perspectives.

A culture of excellence thrives within the academic and research community fostering a stimulating intellectual environment. Research activities are strategic and robust, and NUS is well-known for its research strengths in engineering, life sciences and biomedicine, social sciences and natural sciences. Integrating its core competencies of education and research with an entrepreneurial dimension, NUS strives to create a supportive and innovative environment to promote creative enterprise within its community.

Faculties and Schools

NUS has 14 faculties and schools, including a music conservatory. Currently, it has five overseas colleges at major entrepreneurial hubs in Silicon Valley, Bio Valley, Shanghai, Stockholm and Bangalore.

International Cooperation and Exchange

NUS strives to be outward-looking and globally-connected in its pursuit of becoming a leading global university. The University's courses feature a strong global dimension, which is accomplished through overseas student exchanges, attachments and joint teaching programmes with some of the world's leading institutions. NUS shares a close affiliation with 22 university-level, 16 national-level and more than 80 faculty-based research institutes and centres, such as University of Pennsylvania, Stanford University and Fudan University, etc.. Three Overseas Schools have also been set up in the three cities where the above universities are situated. In recent years, NUS and many universities in China (e.g. Peking University, Tsinghua University, Nanjing University) have had cooperation at different levels and in different areas.

NUS is actively involved in international academic and research networks such as the Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU) and International Alliance of Research Universities (IARU). This global networking further enhances its international presence.