NUS CDE PROGRAMMES CDE.NUS.EDU.

SG

ADMISSION FAQ
REQUIREMENTS 1. Are there any new courses or combinations offered? Do

prospective students still apply to CDE directly?
Please refer to
https://cde.nus.edu.sg/undergraduate/apply-to-cde
The details can be found here
https://www.nus.edu.sg/oam/apply-to-nus.

7. Is a background in Physics still a requirement for

for more details. Engineering courses?
‘Singapore-Cambridge International NUS High School Test or The only pre-requisite for the Engineering courses is
Course GCE ‘A’ Level Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Interview
Diploma 2. What will an education at CDE entail?  H2 Mathematics for Singapore-Cambridge GCE ‘A’ level
An education at CDE will be an exciting, interdisciplinary applicants. However, if you have also taken H2 Physics, it
Pass in H1 Chemistry or Pass in SL Chemistry or MAA Good Major CAP in experience for students where their learning journey would be an advantage for you.
Mathematics or Physics; or or Physics; or HL MAI. Mathematics or Physics or takes centre stage. We are equipping students with an
Architecture Yes
pass in ‘O’ level Additional Chemistry
Mathematics. adaptable toolbox of skills across disciplines, moving them Some of our higher level engineering modules in certain
beyond a knowledge-based education to a mindset-based engineering majors do require H2 Physics as a prerequisite.
‘Pass in H2 Mathematics or Pass in HL MAA; and HL Good Major CAP in
Further Mathematics; and Physics or Chemistry or Mathematics and either approach to problem-solving. The CDE common curriculum Students without Physics would therefore need to do
Computer Engineering No provides a broad intellectual foundation on which you can bridging modules on their own whilst in NUS. Hence,
either H2 Physics, Chemistry Computer Science. Physics or Chemistry
or Computing continuously upgrade, evolve and re-pivot in a fast-changing students with a pass in H2 Mathematics would have
world. Our majors build on top of the common curriculum to greater flexibility.
Biomedical Engineering
Chemical Engineering
allow you to explore your chosen field, and our unrestricted
Civil Engineering elective space gives you the freedom to customise your 8. What does “build your own degree” mean?
Electrical Engineering educational experience. The new curriculum structure includes ten modules of
Engineering Science Pass in H2 Mathematics or Good Major CAP in Unrestricted Electives (UE), which you can use to decide how
Pass in HL MAA No
Environmental Engineering Further Mathematics Mathematics 3. What is the difference between common admissions and broad, deep or integrated you want your education to be. If
Industrial & Systems Engineering
Infrastructure & Project Management
direct admission courses? you wish to go deeper within your chosen discipline, you can
Materials Science & Engineering The common admissions “Engineering” course has a single opt to read a specialisation (or two) within your UE space. If
Mechanical Engineering set of entry requirements. If you are admitted to this common you prefer instead to broaden your knowledge and skills in a
admissions you have access to any one of the 10 majors in complementary or contrasting area, consider taking a minor
the common admissions pool; which one you choose is up to or second major.
Pass in H1 Mathematics or
Pass in SL MAA or Physics or Good Major CAP in you. In contrast, each of our direct entry courses have their
Physics or Economics or Art;
Industrial Design
or pass in ‘O’ level Additional
Economics or Visual Arts; or Mathematics or Physics Yes own admissions requirements. If you gain admission to one of 9. Am I allowed to read second majors and minors
HL MAI. or Arts our direct entry courses this will predetermine which degree outside CDE?
Mathematics
programme you will follow, be it Architecture, Computer Yes, certainly. NUS is a comprehensive university, and you will
Pass in H1 Chemistry or
Engineering, Industrial Design, or Landscape Architecture. have access to all second majors and minors offered by our
Good Major CAP in various Faculties and Schools.
Mathematics or Physics; or Pass in SL Chemistry or MAA
Landscape Architecture Mathematics or Physics or Yes 4. If I select Engineering common admissions, will a major
pass in ‘O’ level Additional or Physics; or HL MAI.
Chemistry
Mathematics be assigned to me? 10. Do I have to decide on a second major or minor at the
Double Degree in: If you select Engineering as one of your choices, you will then point of application, or can I decide later?
Engineering & Business Administration Minimum prevailing admission criteria of both courses No be asked to declare a preferred major. Alternatively, you can A short list of curated double major and major-minor
Engineering & Economics also choose “Major to be Decided” and decide on your major combinations is available at the point of application.
Double majors & minors in Engineering Minimum prevailing admission criteria of the Engineering course No at the point of matriculation. However, this list contains only a small fraction of the 1000+
possible combinations that are available. Upon matriculation,
Special Programmes: 5. If I select Engineering common admissions, is my choice you are welcome to declare or apply for a second major or
Engineering Scholars Will be considered if admitted to the Engineering course Yes
of major guaranteed? minor, up until your fifth semester of study.
Engineering & Medicine Track
Yes, if you are admitted to the Engineering common
admissions course you can choose any one of those 10 majors 11. I am a polytechnic diploma holder and I wish to join NUS
and will have a place in the major of your choice. with advanced placement credits / receive exemptions.
Polytechnic graduates with an accredited diploma can apply. Please visit How will this new curriculum affect me and will I benefit
https://www.nus.edu.sg/oam/apply-to-nus/polytechnic-diploma-from-singapore/admissions-requirements. 6. What subjects should I take to get into CDE? from it?
International applicants with international qualifications can also apply. Please visit: This depends on two things, your pre-university qualification All students have 40 Modular Credits (MCs) of Unrestricted
and which of our degree programmes you are interested Electives (UEs). Polytechnic intake students are exempted
https://www.nus.edu.sg/oam/apply-to-nus/international-qualifications/admissions-requirements. in. For our Engineering common admissions course, A-level from 20 MCs of UEs, so you will still have 20 MCs left to
students should take H2 Mathematics, and IB students should obtain a minor or specialisation without extending your
Footnote for IB applicants
MAA = Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches
take HL Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches. Polytechnic candidature. You may also be eligible to receive additional
MAI = Mathematics: Applications and Interpretation students should have an accredited diploma. Our direct exemptions for Common Curriculum or major requirements,
Applicants with IB Diploma obtained in Nov 2020 or earlier, please visit: https://www.nus.edu.sg/oam/apply-to-nus/international-baccalaureate-(ib)-diploma/subject-pre-requisites admissions courses have different admissions requirements. depending on your polytechnic diploma.

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