StudyDesk Scholarships
About the scholarship
The NUS International Undergraduate Scholarship is the National University of Singapore’s flagship award for outstanding international freshmen. It is a university-level, merit-based scholarship open to citizens of all countries except Singapore who are applying for admission to a full-time undergraduate degree programme at NUS — including Double Degree and Joint Degree programmes (coverage applies to the undergraduate portion). Transfer applicants from local or overseas universities are not eligible.
The defining feature: there is no separate scholarship application. Every eligible international applicant is considered automatically through the undergraduate admission application, and shortlisted candidates are invited for scholarship selection interviews.
What the scholarship pays
- 100% coverage of subsidised undergraduate tuition fees — i.e. the tuition that remains after the MOE Tuition Grant — for the normal candidature period, transferable across programmes.
- S$5,800 annual living allowance.
- S$5,000 annual accommodation allowance.
- S$1,750 one-time computer allowance upon enrolment.
"Subsidised" is doing real work in that first bullet: the scholarship sits on top of the MOE Tuition Grant (see below), which is why the combined package is genuinely close to full funding.
The MOE Tuition Grant — read this carefully
The scholarship itself carries no bond. But recipients must take up the MOE Tuition Grant to receive the scholarship — and the grant does carry an obligation: international students (and Singapore PRs) who accept it must work for a Singapore-registered company for three years immediately after graduation. Separate, longer service obligations apply to Medicine and Dentistry. Go in with your eyes open: this is a superb deal if you are happy to start your career in Singapore, and a deal-breaker if you are not.
Eligibility
- Nationality: citizens of all countries except Singapore (Singapore Permanent Residents have a separate route).
- Study level: applying for admission to a full-time undergraduate degree programme at NUS (first degree).
- Academics: outstanding high-school results.
- Beyond grades: strong leadership qualities and potential, plus an outstanding co-curricular activities record.
- Not eligible: transfer applicants from local or overseas universities.
Documents you will need
Because consideration is automatic, the "scholarship documents" are your admission application documents, which vary by qualification route (Indian Class XII, IB, A-Levels, etc.):
- Academic transcripts and certificates for your qualifying examinations.
- Passport / identification documents.
- Records of co-curricular activities, leadership roles and achievements.
- Any additional documents the NUS admissions portal requests for your qualification group.
- Shortlisted candidates should be ready for a scholarship selection interview.
How to apply
- Check your qualification route’s window: AY2027/28 undergraduate applications open 16 December 2026; international-qualification windows close in mid-February 2027 (the exact date depends on your qualification).
- Submit the NUS undergraduate admission application through the official Office of Admissions portal before your route’s deadline — this single application doubles as your scholarship application.
- Make the application strong on leadership and CCA, not just grades — the scholarship explicitly rewards both.
- Watch for the interview invitation if you are shortlisted.
- If offered, accept the MOE Tuition Grant as part of the package — the scholarship cannot be held without it.
FAQs
Correct. The official NUS page states that candidates "will be considered and shortlisted for the scholarship through their application for undergraduate admission to NUS." One application covers both.
The scholarship itself has no bond — but you must take up the MOE Tuition Grant, and that grant obliges international recipients to work for a Singapore-registered company for three years after graduation.
It covers subsidised tuition plus the stated allowances. Anything outside the normal candidature period, or costs beyond the allowances, is on you — and the award cannot be combined with another scholarship without the university’s prior approval (per the published terms).
You can apply for admission, but note that Medicine and Dentistry carry separate, longer service obligations under the MOE framework — check the official pages for those programmes specifically.
It depends on your qualification: the main international-qualification window closes in mid-February 2027 (reported as 17 February 2027 for international qualifications; other routes differ). Confirm your exact date on the NUS admissions site.
No. This scholarship is for international students; PRs have separate NUS scholarship routes (e.g. the ASEAN Undergraduate Scholarship).
Verified 18 Oct 2026 against the official NUS page "NUS International Undergraduate Scholarship" (nus.edu.sg: eligibility — citizens of all countries except Singapore; strong leadership; outstanding CCA record; outstanding high-school results; full-time UG degree; transfer applicants ineligible; benefits — 100% subsidised tuition after MOE Tuition Grant, S$5,800 living, S$1,750 computer, S$5,000 accommodation; automatic consideration via the admission application; no bond on the scholarship itself but the mandatory MOE Tuition Grant carries a 3-year Singapore work obligation). AY2027/28 window (opens 16 Dec 2026, closes mid-Feb 2027, date varies by qualification) per Laplace Apply and Collegedunia admission trackers. Not confused with the Singapore-citizen-only NUS Global Merit Scholarship.
