Welcome to the College of Design and Engineering — a vibrant hub where creativity meets innovation, shaping the educational journey of tomorrow!
Here at CDE, we offer 15 undergraduate degree programmes spanning Design, Architecture, and Engineering. Each programme is carefully crafted to cater to the diverse passions and ambitions of our students, setting you on a path to fulfil your academic and professional dreams.
Yours sincerely,
Professor Teo Kie Leong Dean
NUS emerged eighth in the latest UK-based Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings 2025
NUS is the highest-ranked Asian university and the first from Asia to place among the top 10 institutions in the world. That’s not all — CDE also shines in the subject-specific rankings.
8th
1st in the world in asia
When you pursue a four-year direct Honours degree at CDE, you gain breadth, depth and flexibility through a combination of the common curriculum; a major of your choice; and a wide range of unrestricted electives
Majors and Minors
2024 QS World University Rankings By Subject
Unrestricted Electives can expand your horizons, with over 4000 options across CDE and NUS at your fingertips.
Primary Major offers in-depth education in your chosen discipline and set yourself up for future success, wherever your passions take you!
CDE has been ranked ninth in the world for Engineering in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2025 by Subject.
THE’s ranking, which focuses on academic and research excellence, is a testament to the hard work of the CDE community, which continues to inspire, innovate, and transform our world for the better.
9th in the world for Engineering
Common Curriculum gives you a solid foundation so you can maximise opportunities to advance your career, regardless of your discipline.
Common Curriculum — Ten pillars to give you a solid foundation so you can maximise opportunities to advance your career, regardless of your discipline. We emphasise instilling lifelong skills in data and digital literacy, design thinking and critical thinking.
Direct Admissions
• Architecture (BA)
• Landscape Architecture (BLA)
• Industrial Design (BA)
• Computer Engineering (BEng)
Common Admissions (Engineering)
• Biomedical Engineering (BEng)
• Chemical Engineering (BEng)
• Civil Engineering (BEng)
• Electrical Engineering (BEng)
• Engineering Science (BEng)
• Environmental and Sustainability Engineering (BEng)
• Industrial and Systems Engineering (BEng)
• Infrastructure and Project Management (BEng)
• Materials Science and Engineering (BEng)
• Mechanical Engineering (BEng)
• Robotics and Machine Intelligence (BEng) *New
• Industry Experience: Gain practical skillsets by learning outside the classroom. Take on local or overseas internships or attachments to apply theoretical knowledge in realworld settings and enhance your professional network.
• Second Major: Master dual disciplines by pursuing a second major suiting your professional goals. Note: it is a non-honours major with a lower unit requirement than that of your primary major.
• Minor: Intrigued by more than one programme? Take a minor (or two!) to explore an additional area beyond your major, within or outside of CDE.
• Specialisation: Deepen your knowledge and focus on a particular niche in your chosen field. Combine it with another specialisation or minor to tailor your education to your needs.
• Research Experience: Step beyond the four walls of the classroom and learn by doing when you engage in cutting-edge research and innovation projects within CDE.
• Design Your Own Course (DYOC): Flex your creativity by choosing what you want to learn, how you want to learn it, and who you will learn from.
In CDE’s interdisciplinary learning environment, your possibilities are limitless.
Landscape architects plan, design, and manage outdoor spaces such as parks, gardens, waterfronts, and urban plazas to create functional, sustainable, and aesthetically pleasing environments.
Environmental and sustainable engineers draw from the science of biology, chemistry, ecology, and hydrology, to devise sustainable solutions to improve our quality of life, while maintaining a clean and healthy environment.
Architects plan the future as well as design places for purpose and inspiration.
Civil engineers plan, design, construct, maintain, and operate a liveable city while ensuring human safety, climate resilience, and environmental sustainability.
Materials engineers design, develop, and enhance materials to solve challenges in technology, sustainability, and everyday life, enabling advancements across industries.
Project managers apply their knowledge in the areas of engineering, management, finance and law to manage a variety of construction and infrastructure projects and systems in the built environment and other sectors.
Computer engineers design and build computing systems at all scales, from microcircuits to large-scale intelligent systems. They innovate in energy-efficient devices, advanced communication networks, and smart technologies, driving digital transformation across industries globally.
Electrical engineers are innovators and problem solvers who design and optimise systems powering modern technology. Their expertise advances communication networks, AI solutions, energy systems, and medical technologies, driving progress across industries like electronics, aerospace, and robotics.
Robotics engineers design and build robots and automated systems for applications across many industries, including defence, manufacturing, logistics, healthcare, and consumer electronics.
Engineering scientists use mathematics and science to create practical solutions for complex problems that involve multiple areas of engineering.
Mechanical engineers use the principles of motion, force and energy to design, develop and manufacture mechanical devices and thermal systems, creating technologies that meet human needs.
Industrial and systems engineers solve problems in multiple domains, backed by scientific approaches in data analytics, systems modelling, decision-making, and management.
Biomedical engineers design innovative solutions to improve patients’ lives and elevate the quality of care.
Chemical engineers transform molecules and materials from nature, including living matter, into a wide range of products that shape our modern lives, from medicines and cosmetics products to fuels and computer chips.
Industrial designers create new products, services, spaces, apps, experiences, and businesses that people need and love.
Examples
Architectural Project
If you want to become an Minor in Project Management Minor in Cities Architecture Common
Manager
Medtech
Entrepreneur
Second Major in Innovation and Design
If you want to become a Biomedical Engineering
Pharmaceutical Industry
If you want a career in the Minor in Pharmaceutical Science
Specialisation in Biopharmaceutical Engineering Chemical Engineering
Specialisation in Digitalisation in Urban Infrastructure
Digital Civil Engineer
If you want to become a Civil Engineering Minor in Computing (Design and Engineering)
If you want to become a
Healthtech
Engineer
If you want to become an
AI/Data
Engineer in the Electronics Sector
Specialisation in Internet of Things Minor in Public Health Computer Engineering
Electrical Engineering Minor in Data Engineering
Specialisation in Advanced Electronics
If you want a career in
Data Analytics
Engineering Science Second Major in Statistics
If you want a career in Major in Sustainable Urban Development
Environmental and Sustainability Consultancy
Environmental and Sustainability Engineering
Minor in GIS
Common Curriculum
If you want to become a Common Curriculum
Creative
Technologist
Minor in Computing (Design & Engineering) Specialisation in Product Innovation Industrial Design OR Minor in Public Health
In our Architecture programme, you can build a broad and strong knowledge base through three years of design studio and other essential courses, then furnish it with a fourth year of elective courses.
If you want to become a Industrial and Systems Engineering
Supply Chain Consultant
Minor in Management Specialisation in Supply Chain Analytics
Common Curriculum
If you are keen on further training and aim to become a practising architect, you can enter the Master of Architecture programme.
Imagine revolutionising healthcare by pioneering advanced medical technologies that diagnose, treat, and even prevent diseases. If you’re passionate about designing innovative solutions to improve patients’ lives and elevate quality of care, our Biomedical Engineering programme will empower you to turn that vision into reality.
Sustainable Project Manager
If you want to become a Infrastructure and Project Management Common Curriculum
Electives in Project Management Specialisation in Sustainable Green Buildings
If you want to become a Minor in Economics
Sustainability Consultant
Materials Science and Engineering
Common Curriculum
By offering a wide range of opportunities and comprehensive training in both discipline-specific and essential skills, our programme prepares you to be able to navigate a complex and multivariate future.
Our graduates are geared towards becoming influential citizens and visionary thought leaders, not only within architecture but also in various other domains. Our students will benefit from a top-notch education from the world’s 5th best and Asia’s best architecture programme.
You will master essential skills in design thinking, mechanical design, electronics, programming, and machine learning, while gaining expertise in emerging fields like digital health, regenerative medicine, nanotechnology, medical robotics, and AI-powered healthcare.
Hands-on medical device design projects, clinicalneeds-driven research, and industry internships are integral to your journey. These experiences will equip you with the foundation and versatility to tackle real-world biomedical engineering challenges with confidence and creativity.
If you want to become an Mechanical Engineering
Aerospace Engineer
If you want to become an
Environmental Robotics Engineer
Second Major in Sustainable Urban Development Specialisation in Aeronautical Engineering
Common Curriculum
Robotics and Machine Intelligence Specialisation in Robotics
Step onto a campus dotted by award-winning architecture and design solutions, including net-zero energy buildings SDE1 and SDE4. These buildings showcase how ideas of sustainability can be brought to life without compromising on other architectural values of experience, comfort, and aesthetics. Inspired by these surroundings, you, too, can imagine new ways to tackle the problems that contemporary society faces today.
With the flexibility to shape your education around your career aspirations, you can specialise in areas such as Robotics, Biomedical Materials, Tissue Engineering, or Community Healthcare and Technology.
Common Curriculum
Contact Department of Architecture
College of Design and Engineering
Website: cde.nus.edu.sg/arch
Tel: +65 6516 8736
E-mail: askdoa@nus.edu.sg
Focus on the healthcare challenges that matter most to you and create solutions that transform lives and redefine quality care! Contact
Tel: +65 6516 3553
E-mail: biesec@nus.edu.sg
Chemical engineers make molecules do the waltz
Chemical Engineering involves the transformation of molecules and materials from nature, including living matter, into a wide range of products that shape our modern lives, from medicines and cosmetics products to fuels and computer chips.
The ability to engineer molecular transformation places chemical engineers at the very frontier of modern technology in developing solutions to global challenges ranging from climate change to clean energy, air and water.
You will build on your knowledge of chemical, physical, biological and mathematical sciences to marshal the reactivity and transformation of invisible molecular building blocks in clean, efficient, scalable and economical ways.
Along the way, you learn about dynamical systems, heat and mass transport, molecular thermodynamics, catalysis and reaction engineering, advanced automation and AI/datadriven process control.
From a career perspective, the sheer breadth and depth of the discipline places you squarely at the crossroads of modern technological challenges — where you can transform the world from the molecular level!
Build the world, shape the future
Civil engineers plan, design, construct, maintain, and operate a liveable city, while ensuring human safety, climate resilience, and environmental sustainability. From the iconic skyscrapers that define city skylines; the superhighways connecting communities; the utilities powering our daily life; to the coastal defence structures protecting us against climate change – civil engineers are the visionaries behind these transformative developments.
Our world-renowned programme equips you with a solid foundation in essential areas such as structural design, sustainable materials, geotechnical engineering, and smart transportation. You will also explore critical topics like urban policy, sustainable infrastructure systems, and construction management, which empower you to address engineering challenges in innovative, efficient and sustainable ways.
After building a strong foundation, you may specialise in Digitalisation in Urban Infrastructure to integrate digital technologies into the built environment, or strengthen leadership and financial acumen through a minor in Infrastructure Management and Finance. To drive sustainability in urban environments, you may also opt for a second major in Sustainable Urban Development.
Our programme is dedicated to nurturing future leaders who deliver innovative, sustainable solutions and shape the future of our world!
Designing intelligence, transforming the future
Embark on an exciting journey with the Bachelor of Engineering (Computer Engineering) programme at CDE, where “design intelligence” is the key to creating innovative computing solutions that shape and transform the world.
This multidisciplinary programme blends electrical engineering, software design, and hardwaresoftware integration to equip you with the skills to build computing systems across scales. From designing component-level circuits to integrating intelligent systems for energy management, communications, and monitoring, you’ll address real-world challenges and unlock new opportunities for innovation across industries.
Jointly hosted by the Electrical and Computer Engineering and Computer Science departments, the programme offers access to diverse resources, curated courses, and exclusive opportunities to enhance your learning experience.
Broaden your horizons further with specialisations like Advanced Electronics, Robotics, and Space Technology, or pursue a second major or minor in fields such as Innovation and Design, Data Engineering or Management.
Discover the future of intelligent design with us — and shape a smarter, more connected world.
Contact
Department of Chemical and Biomolecular
Engineering
College of Design and Engineering
Website: cde.nus.edu.sg/chbe
Tel: +65 6516 3835
E-mail: chbeug@nus.edu.sg
Contact Department of Civil and Environmental
Engineering
College of Design and Engineering
Website: cde.nus.edu.sg/cee
Tel: +65 6516 4270
E-mail: ceebox3@nus.edu.sg
Contact
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
College of Design and Engineering
Website: cde.nus.edu.sg/ece
Tel: +65 6516 2109
E-mail: askCEG@nus.edu.sg
Electrical engineering underpins many modern technologies, from renewable energy systems and medical devices to communication networks and intelligent infrastructure. At CDE, the Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical Engineering) programme equips you with the technical expertise and problem-solving skills to drive meaningful change.
Our curriculum ensures a strong foundation across core areas like circuits, systems, electromagnetics, and control, while introducing cutting-edge advancements in fields such as robotics, energy management, and intelligent systems. This blend of fundamentals and emerging technologies prepares you to propose innovative solutions to real-world challenges with confidence and creativity.
As you progress, you’ll explore specialisations like Advanced Electronics, Robotics, or Space Technology, or broaden your career prospects with a second major or minor in fields such as Computing, Data Engineering, or Management. Through hands-on projects, industry partnerships, and research opportunities, you’ll graduate as a versatile professional ready to tackle complex societal challenges — from sustainable energy solutions to smarter cities.
Join us at CDE and shape the technology of tomorrow while building a rewarding and impactful career.
Contact
+65 6516 2109
E-mail: askECE@nus.edu.sg
Hey there, future engineer! What’s in store for you today? Perhaps it’s using nanoparticles to improve medical imaging or training advanced machine learning models. Maybe you envision discovering cleaner forms of energy or enhancing the security of global communication systems!
With a Bachelor of Engineering (Engineering Science) as your foundation, you’ll gain the knowledge and skills to address today’s challenging engineering problems. This multidisciplinary programme blends science and mathematics with engineering principles, preparing you to work within fields such as electrical, mechanical, and physical sciences, and at their intersection. You’ll be equipped to tackle complex problems that require innovative, cross-disciplinary solutions to create meaningful outcomes.
Hands-on experimentation and design projects are key components of this programme. You’ll develop expertise in disciplines such as electronics, mechanics, physics, computing, and mathematics while honing your ability to innovate and think critically.
As a graduate, you’ll be ready to lead groundbreaking advancements in areas such as computational engineering, medicine, sustainable energy, and nanoscience, shaping industries and improving lives around the world.
How will the global community safeguard nature and the lives of the future generations?
If this mission resonates with you, this programme is the perfect fit.
Both developing and developed countries need skilled environmental engineers to address the demand for cleaner air, water, land, and alternative energy sources.
Over the next four years, your training will shape you into a changemaker, enabling you to make significant contributions to the sustainable development of society.
You will take courses such as Bioenergy, Environmental Impact Assessment and more, to build a strong foundation and equip you with the knowledge to analyse and address pressing environmental problems.
Thank you for your commitment to making a difference and saving the planet!
Industrial Design is the discipline that specialises in designing for humanity.
Industrial designers create new products, services, spaces, apps, experiences, and businesses that people need and love.
Every creation from an industrial designer is anchored on a deep understanding of how people perceive, adopt, and use solutions, including identifying the tangible and intangible resources that make these solutions a reality.
If you consider yourself a mix of an artist, techie, maker, communicator, and entrepreneur, well, then this programme is for you!
You will study the design fundamentals and learn to manage a comprehensive design process from research to execution.
Students here delve deep into the arts and technology, have a penchant for questioning the status quo and ultimately dream of breaking new ground across sectors.
With almost no exams or essays, your learning comes through an immersive, hands-on environment akin to a bootcamp or hackathon.
Leading at the intersection of engineering, management, finance and law
What happens when you integrate engineering, management, finance and law? You get our Infrastructure and Project Management programme!
This interdisciplinary programme centres on honing built environment professionals with T-shaped skills that are in high demand in the industry.
Here, you gain a good grasp of cross-disciplinary topics such as Sustainable and Digital Technologies, Cost and Contract Management, and Asset and Facilities Management, complemented by a strong emphasis on project management skills.
Our graduates are highly agile and adaptable thanks to their varied knowledge base and skill sets. Like them, you will have the potential to pursue career pathways not only in the built environment industry but also in business, data analytics and consultancy.
The ability to think critically and apply your skills across different sectors will position you as a valuable asset in today’s rapidly changing job market, where interdisciplinary knowledge is increasingly in demand!
Contact
Department of Mechanical Engineering
College of Design and Engineering
Website: cde.nus.edu.sg/esp
Tel: +65 6516 5408
E-mail: engscience@nus.edu.sg
Contact
Department of Civil and Environmental
Engineering
College of Design and Engineering
Website: cde.nus.edu.sg/cee
Tel: +65 6516 4270
E-mail: ceebox3@nus.edu.sg
Contact
College of Design and Engineering Website: cde.nus.edu.sg/did/ Tel: +65 6516 7758
E-mail: askID@nus.edu.sg
Contact
Department of the Built Environment
College of Design and Engineering
Website: cde.nus.edu.sg/dbe/ Tel: +65 6516 3413
E-mail: ipm@nus.edu.sg
Industrial and Systems Engineering is about solving challenging problems in fields such as supply chain management, business, finance, sustainability and healthcare services in the three high-growth areas of the digital, green and care economies.
You will be trained in methodologies based on applied mathematics, data analytics, and computer science to design smart, data-driven solutions that positively impact society across diverse fields of work.
Our programme combines broad-based learning with three possible specialisations — Supply Chain Analytics, Analytics and Decision Intelligence, and Sustainability Analytics.
With a focus on theoretical mastery and extensive hands-on learning through industry attachment, design projects and research opportunities, our students will be wellequipped with both versatile skills and in-depth knowledge of emerging areas.
Whether pocket parks or city masterplans, landscape architects work in various scales to create life between buildings and breathe excitement into cities.
We are involved in a wide range of projects to improve conditions of the built environment through the artful provision of green infrastructure and ecosystem services. If creating life between buildings is an exhilarating prospect to you, then look no further than our Landscape Architecture programme.
This four-year Honours programme entails the study and practice of designing environments by blending aspects of art, architecture, climate, technology and sociology.
You will learn in a unique educational setting that promotes imagination in design yet remains grounded in achieving action-oriented outcomes that are relevant to real-life issues.
Sounds overwhelming? Don’t worry — we’ve got you covered. From tropicality and site specificity to multifunctionality and placemaking, our programme’s comprehensive lectures and integrated learning platforms in design studios delve into all these. Ultimately, you will be able to address multifaceted socio-ecological issues in Asia through critical thinking, analytical inquiry and creative expression.
Contact
Department of Industrial Systems Engineering and Management
College of Design and Engineering
Website: cde.nus.edu.sg/isem/
Tel: +65 6516 2203
E-mail: ug_isem@nus.edu.sg
Materials Science and Engineering (MSE) is a dynamic and multidisciplinary field that lies at the heart of technological innovation. It focuses on understanding the fundamental structure and properties of materials and how these can be manipulated to create solutions for diverse applications.
In MSE, you will bridge science and engineering, to create materials with tailored properties for virtually any need.
Tap into your creative potential to develop materials for:
• Healthcare: E.g. titanium alloys for implants
• Energy: E.g. efficient solar cells
• Aerospace and Automotive: E.g. advanced alloys to improve performance and fuel efficiency
• Sustainability: E.g. biodegradable polymers
From designing self-healing materials to creating quantum dots for cutting-edge electronics, you will be at the forefront of solving modern challenges.
The diversity and adaptability of materials in MSE make it an indispensable discipline, whether it is innovating new materials or improving existing ones, it offers endless opportunities to shape a better future!
Fascinated by aircrafts, curious about intelligent robots, passionate about sustainable energy, keen to build autonomous vehicles or eager to create life-enhancing medical devices? Then Mechanical Engineering is just the degree for you!
Mechanical Engineering is one of the broadest and most versatile of the engineering disciplines, involving the design, analysis, manufacture and operation of objects and systems in motion. Virtually every aspect of modern life is touched by mechanical engineering, from personal electronic devices to space exploration vehicles, including even the human body.
Learn to apply the principles of motion, force and energy to design, develop, build and test mechanical and thermal devices and sensors.
Understand how individual components come together as systems, and how to manufacture products to make them safe, economical and sustainable to use.
Soon you will be turning your ideas into reality!
Contact
Department of Architecture
College of Design and Engineering
Website: cde.nus.edu.sg/arch
Tel: +65 6516 8736
E-mail: askdoa@nus.edu.sg
Contact
Department of Materials Science and Engineering
College of Design and Engineering
Website: cde.nus.edu.sg/mse
Tel: +65 6516 4672
E-mail: askmse@nus.edu.sg
Contact
Department of Mechanical Engineering
College of Design and Engineering
Website: cde.nus.edu.sg/me
Tel: +65 6516 2212
E-mail: enquire_me@nus.edu.sg
From complex robotic arms that carry out minimally invasive surgeries to bio-inspired robotic jellyfish cleaning up marine debris, robots offer unique solutions to global challenges of an ageing population and climate change by extending our human capabilities and furthering our reach into environments inaccessible or hazardous for us.
Robotics engineering combines knowledge and skills from mechanical, electrical, and computer engineering with the application of data science and artificial intelligence. The interdisciplinary curriculum provides you not only with the fundamentals of mechanics, electronics, control and programming, but also training in data analytics and machine learning. Integrating artificial intelligence with robotic hardware equips you with the skillsets to design intelligent, more autonomous and adaptable robots.
The expertise you gain makes you suited not only for a career in robotics but also for roles in automation, testing, and controls, which are found in industries as diverse as defence, manufacturing, logistics, healthcare, and even consumer electronics. Be at the forefront where robots are transforming how we live, work and play!
*Top students in Robotics and Machine Intelligence can consider applying for the NUS AI Talent Scholarship.
• 100% of tuition fees for four years*
• Subsidised on-campus accommodation for two years
• Living allowance for four years
• One-time computer allowance
• Subsidies for overseas experiential programme
*Students pursuing a Master of Architecture will enjoy an additional year of tuition fee support.
Singapore citizens presenting local qualifications, applying to any CDE degree programme.
• Receive close mentorship from a carefully selected pool of worldclass professors
• Enjoy exclusive opportunities to network with alumni and industry leaders
• Join a close-knit community of like-minded individuals
• One-semester exchange at our international partner universities
• Priority consideration for NUS Overseas Colleges (NOC)
The Engineering Scholars (E-Scholars) Programme aims to help train future leaders in engineering and innovation, to prepare them in tackling big global problems like protecting the environment, promoting sustainable development, preparing for pandemics and promoting long and healthy lives.
The premier programme provides a fouryear runway that fully supports the scholars’ educational pursuits, including overseas experiential learning and Master’s studies.
Programme Structure
Complete an accelerated Bachelor of Engineering degree in just three years. You can utilise the fourth year to pursue a Master’s degree (3+1) or engage in other academic pursuits such as a Double Degree Programme.
Contact
Department of Mechanical Engineering
College of Design and Engineering
Website: cde.nus.edu.sg/me
Tel: +65 6516 2212
E-mail: enquire_rmi@nus.edu.sg
• Subsidy for summer/winter programme
Contact
E-Scholars Secretariat
Website: cde.nus.edu.sg/escholars/ Tel: +65 6601 6579
E-mail: escholars@nus.edu.sg
The Design Scholars (D-Scholars) Programme is a four-year enriching journey crafted for aspiring architects, landscape architects, and industrial designers ready to make a profound impact locally and globally.
At the interface between the arts and technology, this programme empowers you, our D-Scholars, to drive impactful and innovative change.
Throughout this programme, we will offer you comprehensive support, including financial aid and academic mentorship from our world-class faculty.
Embark on this path with us to cultivate your creative vision in shaping the world of tomorrow.
Programme Structure
• Architecture: Complete your Bachelor’s degree in four years and pursue a Master of Architecture.
• Industrial Design: Complete your Bachelor’s degree in four years.
• Landscape Architecture: Complete your Bachelor’s degree in four years.
Contact D-Scholars Secretariat
Website: cde.nus.edu.sg/undergraduate/applyto-cde/design-scholars-programme/ Tel: +65 6601 6579
E-mail: dscholars@nus.edu.sg
Jointly curated by CDE and the NUS School of Computing, the second major or minor in Computing (Design and Engineering) equips students with the skills and knowledge to navigate and excel in today’s fast-evolving technological landscape. Grounded in a strong computer science foundation, the curriculum covers core areas such as computer organisation, software engineering, data structures and algorithms, artificial intelligence, and more, and how they can be applied to solve problems in design and engineering. A diverse selection of applied electives allows you to customise your learning journey, aligning your studies with your interests and career aspirations. Unleash your potential with Computing (D&E) and open the door to a world of innovation and opportunities.
• Fundamental Concepts: Gain a solid understanding of core computing principles and the components driving the operation of modern computing systems.
• Problem Solving: Develop the ability to analyse complex problems and devise effective solutions using computing-based tools.
• Cross-Disciplinary Design: Apply techniques from multiple disciplines to create practical strategies for digitisation and automation.
• Emerging Technologies: Evaluate the potential impact of cutting-edge computing technologies on society and industries.
• Transferable Skills: Hone critical thinking, collaborative teamwork, and effective communication to thrive in diverse professional settings.
Open to undergraduates from all disciplines, iDP is recommended for aspiring entrepreneurs, enthusiastic problem-solvers, and those who enjoy working on hands-on projects.
iDP provides a platform for students to work in teams with peers, mentors, and industry partners from diverse disciplines to tackle real-world challenges. iDP projects span a wide range of themes such as healthcare, urban mobility, sustainability, smart solutions, immersive reality, and complex engineering systems. iDP is also home to many competition teams such as NUS Formula SAE, Bumblebee, and Calibur Robotics.
Contact Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
College of Design and Engineering
Website: cde.nus.edu.sg/ece
Tel: +65 6516 2109
E-mail: askECE@nus.edu.sg
Additionally, iDP nurtures students who are passionate about entrepreneurship. Students are encouraged to develop their projects for commercialisation through the Ideas to Start-up final year project course, while young alumni who aspire to launch their own start-up companies can join the Entrepreneur Fellowship. Contact
Discover the multifaceted dimensions of urban sustainability — cultural, socio-economic, environmental, political and social, as well as their complex interactions. Learn the ways to address sustainability issues at local and global levels using a solutions-based approach.
Do all that and more through the second major in Sustainable Urban Development, offered by the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. Stack it atop your chosen primary major and complete it in four years with no additional academic workload!
• Apply a cross-disciplinary framework to the analysis of natural and built environments in urban areas.
• Integrate economic, environmental, energy, and social theory and principles to address urban sustainability challenges.
• Use effective and practical strategies at multiple scales for urban sustainability planning, policy and regulation in the context of climate change and sustainable development.
• Gain critical thinking, perspective sharing and effective networking skills.
• Engage in collaboration, advocacy and leadership to implement transformational changes in cities for a sustainable future.
Contact Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
College of Design and Engineering
Website: cde.nus.edu.sg/cee
Tel: +65 6516 4270
E-mail: ceebox3@nus.edu.sg
Systems Engineering adopts a transdisciplinary and integrative approach to design, build, integrate, and manage systems over their life cycles. It is offered as a second major by the Department of Industrial Systems Engineering and Management.
Play an active role from start to finish and spearhead the execution of complex engineering projects. You will learn how to define problems, identify system goals, create alternative design concepts, carry out trade-offs analyses to select and implement the best design, and verify that the design is properly built and integrated to meet system goals.
Cities are rapidly urbanising and face increasingly complex challenges. In Singapore, where land is a scarce resource, innovative solutions have been implemented over the years to foster a high quality of life, a competitive economy, and a sustainable living environment, establishing the city as a model of liveability. NUS Cities offers a range of electives that explore how effective planning, strong governance, and cross-disciplinary collaboration among agencies and professionals contribute to creating liveable and sustainable cities like Singapore. Through these courses, students have the opportunity to engage with experienced practitioners and academics across various fields. By completing five electives, students can earn a minor in Cities, equipping them with the skills and knowledge to respond to contemporary urban complexities.
E-mail: nuscities@nus.edu.sg
Contact Department of Industrial Systems Engineering and Management
College of Design and Engineering
Website: cde.nus.edu.sg/isem/
Tel: +65 6516 2203
E-mail: ug_isem@nus.edu.sg
Visual communication has broad application across a wide range of disciplines. It is vital to empower students with the skills to develop clear and compelling communication whether it be for presentations, posters, branding, data visualisations, videography or time-based communication. The minor in Visual Communication Design will complement students’ current area of focus (major) by providing foundational visual communication strategies. It will supplement one’s intended area of study, enabling students to demonstrate a broader range of skills with more diverse employability.
For a full list of minors offered in CDE, please scan this QR code.
Contact
Website: cde.nus.edu.sg/did
Email: askID@nus.edu.sg
Curious about diving deep into a field that sparks your passion?
Our array of specialisations is as broad as it is deep, cutting across majors to mirror the real world’s complexities and the endless opportunities it presents.
Course SingaporeCambridge GCE ‘A’ Level Polytechnic Diploma
Architecture Landscape Architecture
Computer Engineering
Biomedical Engineering
Chemical Engineering
Civil Engineering
Electrical Engineering
Engineering Science
Environmental and Sustainability Engineering
Industrial and Systems Engineering
Infrastructure and Project Management
Materials Science and Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Robotics and Machine Intelligence
Industrial Design
Double Degree in:
Computer Engineering and Business Administration
Engineering and Business Administration
Computer Engineering and Humanities & Sciences
Engineering and Humanities & Sciences
Double Majors, Minors & Specialisations
Special Programmes:
Design Scholars Programme
Engineering Scholars Programme
Engineering and Medicine Track
Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma
High School Diploma
Polytechnic graduates with an accredited diploma can apply. Please scan QR for more information.
Pass in H1 Chemistry or Mathematics or Physics; or pass in ‘O’ Level Additional Mathematics All diplomas
Pass in H2 Mathematics or Further Mathematics; and either H2 Physics, Chemistry or Computing
Pass in H2 Mathematics or Further Mathematics
MAA or Physics;
in Mathematics or Physics or Chemistry
An accredited diploma. Please visit http://nus. edu/polyapply for more information Pass in HL MAA; and HL Physics or Chemistry or Computer Science Good Major GPA in Mathematics and either Physics or Chemistry
An accredited diploma. Please visit http://nus. edu/polyapply for more information
All diplomas
Pass in H1 Mathematics or Physics or Economics or Art; or pass in ‘O’ Level Additional Mathematics Pass in SL MAA or Physics or Economics or Visual Arts; or HL MAI
Minimum prevailing admission criteria of both courses Please scan QR for more information
Minimum prevailing admission criteria of the primary major
Minimum prevailing admission criteria of the primary major
International applicants with international qualifications can also apply. Please scan QR for more information.
Applicants with IB Diploma obtained in Nov 2020 or earlier. Please scan QR for more information.
Good Major GPA in Mathematics or Physics or Arts
Footnote
MAA = Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches
MAI = Mathematics: Applications and Interpretation
GPA = Grade Point Average
What is the difference between common admissions and direct admission degree programmes?
Our direct admissions degree programmes are Architecture, Computer Engineering, Industrial Design and Landscape Architecture. Each of these has its own admissions requirements and admission standards. Our common admissions “Engineering” programme, as the name suggests, has a common set of entry requirements and a single admissions standard. If you are admitted to Engineering you have access to any one of the 11 majors (degrees) in the common admissions pool: Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Engineering Science, Environmental and Sustainability Engineering, Industrial and Systems Engineering, Infrastructure and Project Management, Materials Science and Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Robotics and Machine Intelligence; which one you choose is up to you.
Do I need to have a background in Physics to apply for an Engineering common admission degree?
No. The only pre-requisite for the Engineering programme is mathematics. For SingaporeCambridge GCE ‘A’ level applicants we require H2 Mathematics and we have equivalent requirements for those with other qualifications. Although physics is not an admission requirement, those without H2 Physics (or equivalent) may be asked to take a bridging course to prepare for higher-level courses that require this knowledge.
What do I need to prepare when I apply for Architecture, Landscape Architecture or Industrial Design? Do I need to have a portfolio?
Shortlisted applicants for all three degree programmes will be required to attend an interview as part of the selection process to be considered for admission. The interview for Architecture or Landscape Architecture also requires applicants to bring along a portfolio showcasing the applicant’s creative work. For Industrial Design, a portfolio is not required. However, it is advisable to bring along a portfolio (or any creative material such as photographs, drawings, paintings, making hobbies, etc.) for the interview.
Does CDE consider applicants on discretionary criteria beyond academic performance?
Yes. We call this “Aptitude-Based Admissions”. CDE will consider your achievements beyond your academic grades. These could be anything from work experience, leadership, community service, entrepreneurship, Olympiads or other competitions, sporting achievements or anything else you have achieved that you think we should know about.
How can I assess my admission prospects?
The University provides prospective applicants with detailed information on grade profiles and programme availability, facilitating a well-informed application process. For more information, we encourage you to refer to the NUS Indicative Grade Profiles.
How do I get Advanced Placement Credits (APC)?
Polytechnic diploma holders admitted to a three or four year programme may be granted advanced credits (APC) in relevant courses for up to a maximum of 40 units. 40 units is equivalent to one year of study.
The breakdown of the advanced placement credits (with effect from AY2015/2016 onwards) are as follows:
• Up to 20 placement units for Unrestricted Elective courses; and
• Up to 20 units for programme requirements
Scan QR for more information
Do I have to declare a major at the point of application, or can I decide later?
If you choose one of our direct admissions majors that choice is made when you submit your application. If you choose our common admissions “Engineering”, you will have the opportunity to choose your major at the point of application (called “preferred major” in the admissions portal). If you have yet to decide which Engineering major is for you, you can select “Major to be Decided” at the point of application.
If I select Engineering common admissions, will my preferred major be secured?
After I declare my major, can I still change my mind?
For the Engineering common admission courses, you can re-declare your major up until your fourth semester of study. For the direct admission courses, you can apply for a transfer in February and October each year.
What are the different types of scholarships I can apply for?
The most common scholarships are our Engineering Scholars Programme, Design Scholars Programme, the NUS Global Merit Scholarship and the NUS Merit Scholarship. There are also NUS Scholarships for those who excel in sports and performing & visual arts. Apart from NUS Scholarships, there are also donated scholarships and other scholarships administered by NUS and that are funded by external organisations.
Scan QR for more information
Yes. If you are admitted to the Engineering common admissions programme you can choose any one of those 11 majors. We will give you a place in your choice of major. There are no internal quotas; you will be placed where you want to go.
When should I apply for scholarships? Application for NUS Scholarships should be made at the same time as application for admission to NUS. You should use the same application number and admission PIN.
What does an education at CDE entail?
An education at CDE will be an exciting, interdisciplinary experience for students where their learning journey takes centre stage. We are equipping students with an adaptable toolbox of skills across disciplines, moving them beyond a knowledge-based education to a mindset-based approach to problemsolving. The CDE common curriculum provides a broad intellectual foundation on which you can continuously upgrade, evolve and re-pivot in a fast-changing world. Our majors build on top of the common curriculum to allow you to explore your chosen field, and our unrestricted elective space gives you the freedom to customise your educational experience.
What is Build Your Own Degree? How do Unrestricted Electives work?
Each of our undergraduate degrees is a fouryear direct honours degree and you need an equivalent of 40 courses to graduate. Your major is your primary area of study, comprising 20 courses. The common curriculum accounts for another 10 courses. This leaves 10 courses in the Unrestricted Electives (UE) space that you can use to decide how broad, deep or integrated you want your education to be. You can choose what you want to take from anywhere at NUS. Second majors (10 courses) and minors (5 courses) allow you to broaden your knowledge and skills in a complementary or contrasting area. A specialisation (5 courses) is a focus area within your chosen discipline. Alternatively, you can choose from over 4000 courses available across NUS as electives based on your interest.
What courses do we need to take each year in CDE? Is there a curriculum schedule assigned to students? Some courses under the common curriculum will be pre-allocated to students. Each programme also has a recommended curriculum schedule that students can use to plan the courses they need to take each semester. You may then ballot for the courses you want during the course registration exercise before each semester. The recommended schedule is available on each department’s website.
What are the other opportunities available to CDE students?
CDE and the wider NUS community offer a wide range of global opportunities and special programmes to enhance your learning experience such as the NUS Overseas Colleges, Residential Programmes, Student Exchange Programme and Summer/Winter Schools. Those interested in NUS College will be pleased to know it is compatible with all CDE degree programmes. Beyond academics, we have a vibrant College life and offer a wide range of activities from wellness workshops to cooking lessons. With NUS’ huge range of clubs and societies there is never a problem with finding your niche!
