Academic Structure + Modules





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frequently asked questions

Academic Structure + Modules > Academic structure

Academic Structure

There are two components to the studies of an undergraduate in the University Scholars Programme in NUS:

  • A concentration or major in one or more specialised field(s) with the faculty that he/she will graduate with, inclusive of the faculty and major requirements, as well as any unrestricted electives requirements;

  • USP modules in the University Scholars Programme which provide broadening across disciplines; and broadening (within domain of specialisation) within disciplines respectively.

The minimum number of modular credits required by a student to be conferred his/her degree will follow that of the respective home Faculty as required of the respective cohorts. Our partner faculties and schools have already mapped out and incorporated the University Scholars Programme requirements into that of the students' graduation requirements at the faculties or schools, be it a single degree, double degree or concurrent degree programme structure. For more details, please refer to: Fitting USP in your Curriculum.

The University Scholars Programme is a four-year Honours programme. Students in the Programme are expected to maintain consistently high standards in their academic work. If students exit the Programme, the modules read during their duration in the Programme may be mapped back to their home faculty's graduation requirements on a case-by-case basis. For more details, please refer to: Exit mapping.

Continuation Requirements

At the end of their second year, students are required to have completed at least three USP modules. Those who have not will be asked to produce justification, and a study plan on how they aim to complete the programme.

Domains and Areas of Study


University Scholars Writing & Critical Thinking
(to be read in 1st or 2nd semester of enrollment)

University Scholars Seminar
(to be read consecutively only in 2nd and 3rd semesters of enrollment)

Quantitative Reasoning Foundation
(to be read in 1st, 2nd or 3rd semesters of enrollment, applicable to 2012 cohort onwards)

Humanities & Social Sciences

Sciences & Technologies

Literary Studies

Life Sciences

Visual and Performing Arts

Nature's Laws

Philosophical Inquiries

Quantitative Reasoning

Human Behaviour

Biological & Medical Technologies

Society, Economy, Polity

Physical & Chemical Technologies

Civilizational Studies

Information Technologies

University Scholars Senior Seminar