Overseas Programmes

NUS provides many opportunities for students to embark on global programmes, including:
  • Student Exchange Programme (SEP)*
  • Summer/Winter Programmes*
  • NUS Overseas College (NOC)*
  • Study Trip for Engagement and EnRichment (STEER) 
  • Overseas Internships
  • Research Attachments
  • Joint/Double/Concurrent Degree Programme
  • Special Global Programmes
*popular / common options.
MSE SEP Coordinator:
Dr. Tan Swee Ching - [email protected]

I. Student Exchange Programme (SEP)

Relevant links 
Introduction 
The Student Exchange Programme (SEP) is the largest and most established global programme offered by NUS Global Relations Office (GRO) to undergraduates. It is usually a semester to one year long, and there are up to a few hundreds of schools across the globe for you to choose from! If you are intending to go on SEP, plan ahead as soon as possible as there is a lot of information that you need to take note of!

Find out more on how you can prepare yourself before going for SEP here! You can also attend the annual Study Abroad Talks or SEP Drop-in Clinics. Alternatively, you can email [email protected] if you already have a location in mind and a Peer Advisor will be assigned to help you out!

Procedure
Application Process:
  • Usually happens a year (two academic semesters) in advance. During this period, you can apply for both Semester 1 & 2 for the next academic year. 
    • For example, in Y2S1, you can apply for Y3S1 and Y3S2. 
  • For applications sent in only one semester in advance, places will be extremely limited.
  • Prepare a 1500-character statement.
  • Choose a minimum of 3 and maximum of 5 schools from 3 different continents. 
  • Make sure those schools have undergraduate MSE programmes and modules since MSE modules can be niche and unavailable in some schools.

Module Mapping:
  • Happens after you have accepted a SEP internal offer form NUS.
  • You CANNOT map General Education courses.

Sample of past course mappings for reference: ​https://cde.nus.edu.sg/mse/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/09/Sample-Exchange-Mapping.pdf​

II. Summer/Winter Programmes

Summer/Winter Programmes which take place during vacations are shorter in duration than the Student Exchange Programme (SEP), and offer students the opportunity to explore non-traditional destinations in East Asia, Europe and beyond.
​
Why choose Summer/Winter Programmes?
They are suitable for students who wish to have an overseas experience but:
  • Cannot be as flexible with their academic plan due to double major/ double degree commitments
  • Are on accelerated degree programme and have to take core modules within a fixed candidature
  • Do not wish to commit too much time and money overseas
  • Want to have a taste of studying overseas but are not eligible for SEP

List of partner universities ​
Click here to find out more!

III. NUS Overseas College

The NUS Overseas College (NOC) programme provides you with the overseas experiential learning and entrepreneurial development that you need to kickstart your own entrepreneurship journey. NOC is either a full year or short (6-month or 3-month) programme that allows students to gain access to over 25 global innovative hotspots and attend entrepreneurship courses at NOC’s renowned partner universities.

ApplicationNOC applications are open twice a year - in April and October. Click here for more information on the application timeline and requirements.

Find out more about NOC here!