National University of Singapore (NUS): Admissions, Tuition, Tuition Grant & Scholarships Guide for International Students

The National University of Singapore, or NUS, is Singapore's oldest and largest comprehensive university, a public research university whose roots go back to 1905. It ranks 10th in the QS World University Rankings 2027, the only university in Asia inside the global top ten, though it slipped from its previous position. NUS is highly selective, teaches in English, and offers undergraduate, master's, and doctoral degrees in dozens of fields, from business and computing to medicine, law, music, and the sciences. For international students its most important feature is the pricing system: fees depend on whether you accept a government tuition grant that carries a work obligation in Singapore. This guide covers exactly what National University of Singapore international students need to know: ranking and programs, admissions, the AY2026/27 fee table, the Tuition Grant and its three-year obligation, scholarships, living costs, and what happens after graduation.

Quick facts snapshot

• Institution: National University of Singapore, a public research university in Singapore, tracing its origins to 1905
• QS World University Rankings 2027: #10 globally, and Asia's only top-ten university
• Undergraduate fees for international students admitted in AY2026/27, per year including GST, with the MOE Tuition Grant: Business S$21,150, Computing S$18,050, Design and Engineering S$18,050, Humanities and Sciences S$18,050, Law S$27,750, and Medicine (Nursing) S$19,800
• Without the Tuition Grant, for non-ASEAN international students: Business S$33,400, Computing S$39,700, Humanities and Sciences S$36,650, Law S$44,450, Medicine (Nursing) S$38,750, and Medicine and Dentistry S$190,150
• Tuition Grant obligation: accepting the grant carries a commitment to work in Singapore for three years after graduation
• Graduate examples for AY2026/27: MSc Data Science and Machine Learning S$58,860, MSc Public Health S$71,500, and the MBA at about S$106,850 before GST for the August 2027 intake
• Scholarship: the NUS International Undergraduate Scholarship covers 100% of subsidised tuition after the Tuition Grant, and recipients must take up the grant
• Admissions: holistic and highly competitive, and the MBA requires at least two years of work experience and a GMAT or GRE score

Rankings and reputation

NUS is Singapore's flagship university, and its QS position of 10th in 2027 places it alongside the world's leading research universities, with particular strength in engineering, computing, business, medicine, and the sciences. It dropped from a higher previous position, but it remains the top-ranked university in Asia by QS. A very high overall ranking does not guarantee that every course is equally strong, so check subject rankings and the specific programme's content. Also compare NUS with Nanyang Technological University, which ranks 12th in the same QS table, and with Singapore's other publicly funded universities.

Academics and signature programs

NUS teaches through faculties and schools that include Arts and Social Sciences, Business, Computing, Design and Engineering, Dentistry, Law, Medicine, Music, and Science, and it also offers an interdisciplinary college model and joint or double degrees. Programs are demanding and research-oriented, and many students take internships or overseas exchange terms. Professional degrees such as medicine, dentistry, and law carry licensing conditions in Singapore and elsewhere, so confirm how they apply to international graduates.

Admissions and international eligibility

NUS assesses applications holistically and is highly selective, and applicants are generally expected to have outstanding academic records. International applicants apply with qualifications such as the International Baccalaureate, A levels, or national high school qualifications, and many courses ask for additional evidence such as tests, portfolios, or interviews. NUS does not publish a single acceptance rate, and competition varies by course. Graduate programs set their own requirements, and the MBA requires at least two years of full-time work experience after a bachelor's degree and a GMAT or GRE score, with competitive applications often showing a GMAT of 670 or above.

English language requirements

• Applicants whose education was not in English must submit an accepted English test score
• Requirements vary by faculty and programme, so check the requirement for your course
• IELTS, TOEFL, and other tests are typically accepted at published minimums
• Ask NUS whether a waiver applies if your school instruction was in English

Application checklist

A typical undergraduate application includes school results, predicted or final examination results, a personal statement or short essays for some courses, references, and passport details. Scholarships have separate deadlines, so check the important dates for the intake you want.

Tuition, the Tuition Grant, and living costs

NUS's AY2026/27 fee table for new undergraduates uses a cohort-based system and shows fees per year including 9% GST. International students who accept the Ministry of Education's Tuition Grant pay much less: for Business S$21,150, for Computing, Design and Engineering, and Humanities and Sciences S$18,050 (S$21,400 for ASEAN nationals without the grant), for Law S$27,750, and for Medicine (Nursing) S$19,800. Students who do not receive the grant pay far more: for example S$33,400 for Business, S$39,700 for Computing, S$36,650 for Humanities and Sciences, S$44,450 for Law, S$38,750 for Medicine (Nursing), and S$190,150 for Medicine and Dentistry, with ASEAN nationals paying somewhat less. Fees are payable in two equal instalments each year, and third-party sources quote the grant-adjusted Business and Computing figures around S$33,050 and S$39,200, which differ from the official table, so use NUS's own fee document for your cohort and course.

The MOE Tuition Grant and its work obligation

The Tuition Grant is a Singapore government subsidy available to international students at the country's publicly funded universities, including NUS, NTU, SMU, SUTD, SIT, and SUSS. It reduces fees substantially, but it comes with a commitment to work in Singapore for three years after graduation for a Singapore-registered company. Students who leave early or do not meet the obligation may owe a penalty, so read the terms carefully, consider how they fit with your career plans, and ask NUS about exceptions. For students who want to return home directly after graduating, the non-grant fee is a real alternative, though it is much higher.

Estimated living costs in Singapore

• Singapore is among the most expensive cities in Asia for housing, although NUS hostels and residences can lower costs for undergraduates
• Student's Pass applicants may need to show they can afford their stay
• Public transport is efficient and relatively affordable
• Medical insurance is required for international students, so check what it covers
• Food from hawker centres is inexpensive compared with restaurants

Scholarships and financial aid

The NUS International Undergraduate Scholarship supports exceptional international students from all countries except Singapore and covers 100% of subsidised undergraduate tuition after the MOE Tuition Grant, and recipients must take up the grant with its work obligation. Other scholarships, bursaries, and financial aid exist for undergraduates, and postgraduate students may receive research scholarships. Competition is intense, and scholarship applications have their own deadlines, so plan early and treat funding as a bonus rather than a certainty.

Campus life and student support

NUS's main campus at Kent Ridge is large and green, with faculties, libraries, sports facilities, hostels, and hundreds of student groups, and students can take advantage of Singapore's compact size and connectivity. The university provides orientation, wellbeing services, career support, and international student services.

Career outcomes and post-study work rights

NUS graduates are widely recruited in Singapore and across Asia, in finance, technology, consulting, engineering, healthcare, and public service. Singapore has no automatic post-study work visa for foreign graduates, so employment depends on securing a job and the appropriate pass, and the Tuition Grant obligation adds a specific commitment for grant recipients. Ask NUS for graduate employment statistics by course and for how many international graduates stay in Singapore.

Work and pass options after graduation

International graduates of Singapore universities who want to stay generally need a job offer and a work pass such as the Employment Pass or S Pass, subject to salary and other criteria that change periodically. Some graduates may qualify for a short-term visit pass to look for work, but conditions vary, so check the current rules with Singapore's Ministry of Manpower and Immigration and Checkpoints Authority. Grant recipients have the extra obligation to work in Singapore for three years.

Health insurance and pre-arrival preparation

Students need a Student's Pass, medical insurance, and proof of funds. Budget for the pass fees, flights, and a housing deposit, and apply for hostel housing early if you want it.

What to expect in your first months

The first weeks involve orientation, settling into hostel or off-campus housing, and adjusting to a fast-paced academic culture. Courses are demanding and grade-competitive, so students who build good study habits early and use academic support tend to do better.

A realistic budget

With the Tuition Grant, a three-year Business degree costs about S$63,450 in tuition and a four-year Computing degree about S$72,200, before living costs, and a scholarship could cover much of that. Without the grant, a four-year Computing degree costs about S$158,800 in tuition. Add living costs, insurance, and pass fees, and weigh the work obligation.

Questions to ask before you accept an offer

• Which fee applies to my nationality and course, and does it include GST?
• Should I accept the Tuition Grant, and what are the exact terms of the work obligation?
• Is my course eligible for a scholarship, and what are the deadlines?
• What are the requirements and typical grades for my course?
• What hostel housing is available for international students?
• What are my options for staying in Singapore after graduation?

Who NUS suits best

NUS suits academically strong students who want a top-ten global university in Asia, are comfortable with a competitive environment, and either want to work in Singapore or can fund the higher non-grant fee. It may suit less well students who want to leave Singapore immediately after graduation on a low budget, or those who prefer a smaller, less competitive campus.

NUS or another Singapore university?

Singapore has several publicly funded universities with different strengths: NUS is the broadest, NTU is strong in engineering and computing, and SMU focuses on business and social sciences in a city-centre campus. Compare the course, the fee, the grant terms, and the campus before applying.

Step-by-step application roadmap

1. Choose your course and check the entry requirements for your qualification.
2. Check the English requirement and book a test if needed.
3. Apply within the deadline with results, essays, and references.
4. Apply for scholarships and decide on the Tuition Grant.
5. Accept your offer and apply for your Student's Pass.
6. Arrange hostel or private housing and attend orientation.

Preparing your documents early

Gather certified transcripts, test results, references, and identity documents, and keep copies of everything. Ask NUS to confirm fees, the grant terms, and the scholarship conditions in writing.

Frequently asked questions