Understanding NUS and NTU Admissions: Key Insights for 2025-26 Applicants

As the 2024 application cycle for Singapore’s prestigious universities comes to an end, NUS and NTU continue to attract top talent. Both universities recently hosted open days—NUS on March 9, 2024, and NTU on March 2, 2024—to offer valuable insights and guidance to prospective students. With applications closing on March 19, 2024, this article provides a comprehensive look at the latest updates for those applying to the 2025-26 academic year.

Admissions Events at NUS and NTU: What You Need to Know

While Singapore may not hold large-scale college entrance exam fairs like China, its universities, including NUS and NTU, conduct open days to give students ample opportunity to learn more about the schools. These events were attended by a massive number of students, offering direct access to valuable information on application processes and student life.

One standout feature: unlike in many countries, the majority of attendees were students themselves rather than parents, reflecting an encouraging shift towards student independence in education decision-making.

Competition for NUS and NTU Admissions: Is It Tough?

NUS and NTU each receive around 30,000 applications annually, admitting approximately 6,000-7,000 students. While this sounds competitive, it’s worth noting that 30% of Singaporean students—based on an annual birth cohort of 40,000 (although declining)—gain entry into these top schools. Singaporean students can pursue admission not only through junior colleges (JC) but also via O-level examinations, providing multiple pathways to these universities.

Comparing this to the competition in China for top universities like 985 institutions, applying to NUS and NTU is relatively less intense. However, some majors are more competitive than others. For instance, medicine, law, computer science, and artificial intelligence are among the most sought-after courses.

Popular Courses and Admission Score Requirements

Aside from traditional fields like medicine and law, interdisciplinary courses like business analytics, big data, and economics have seen a surge in popularity at NUS and NTU. These programs typically require top-tier grades, with 90% of students in recent intakes achieving AAA/A grades.

NUS and NTU release detailed admission score data for various courses, showing the 90th and 10th percentile scores for previous intakes. This can serve as a helpful reference for applicants. Notably, starting in 2026, the University Admission Score (UAS) will change from 90 points to 70 points, and GP (General Paper) and PW (Project Work) will no longer be included. This change is expected to benefit international students, particularly those from China.

What Does This Mean for International Students?

NUS and NTU reserve about 10% of places for international students each year, ensuring a diverse student body. These international spots are highly competitive, with students vying for scholarships and tuition subsidies offered by Singapore’s universities and Ministry of Education. Therefore, it’s crucial for international applicants to stand out in their applications by meeting or exceeding the high standards set for local students.

Final Thoughts: The Purpose of Education

In conclusion, no matter where you choose to pursue your university education, it’s important to remember the broader purpose of education. As illustrated by the pyramid of educational goals, lifelong learning and adaptability are key to maintaining competitiveness in today’s world.