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National University of Singapore
Universiti Nasional Singapura  (Malay)
新加坡国立大学  (Chinese)
சிங்கப்பூர் தேசிய பல்கலைக்கழகம் (Tamil)
NUS coat of arms.svg
Former names
Straits Settlements and Federated Malay States Government Medical School (1905–1921)
King Edward VII College of Medicine (1921–1949)
University of Malaya, Singapore campus (1949–1962)
University of Singapore (1962–1980)
Nanyang University (1956–1980)
Type Public research university
Established 3 July 1905; 120 years ago (1905-07-03) (as King Edward VII College of Medicine)
8 August 1980; 44 years ago (1980-08-08) (as National University of Singapore)
Academic affiliations
ACU, IARU, APRU, Universitas 21, GEM4, AUN, ASAIHL, APSIA, UAiTED
Endowment S$6.46 billion (2020)
(US$4.81 billion)
Chancellor President of Singapore
President Tan Eng Chye
Provost Aaron Thean
Academic staff
2,555 (2018)
Students 35,908 (2018)
Undergraduates 27,604
Postgraduates 8,304
Location
Queenstown, Singapore

1°17′44″N 103°46′36″E / 1.29556°N 103.77667°E / 1.29556; 103.77667
Campus Urban, 150 ha (370 acres)
Colours NUS Orange, NUS Blue
         
NationalUniversityofSingapore.svg

The National University of Singapore (NUS) is a big public research university in Singapore. It was officially created in 1980. This happened when two older universities, the University of Singapore and Nanyang University, joined together.

NUS offers many different study programs for students. These include subjects like science, medicine, law, arts, engineering, business, and music. The main campus of NUS is in Queenstown, near Kent Ridge. There are also other campuses for specific schools, like the Duke–NUS Medical School in Outram and the Faculty of Law in Bukit Timah. Many smart people, including Nobel Prize winners, have taught or studied at NUS.

History of NUS

University Hall, National University of Singapore, February 2020
University Hall

The idea for a medical school in Singapore started in 1904. A leader named Tan Jiak Kim asked the governor to create one. People in the community raised money to help. On July 3, 1905, the medical school officially opened. It was first called the Straits Settlements and Federated Malay States Government Medical School.

In 1912, the school received a large donation from the King Edward VII Memorial Fund. Because of this, its name changed to King Edward VII Medical School in 1913. Later, in 1921, it became the King Edward VII College of Medicine. This new name showed that it was a proper college.

In 1928, another school called Raffles College was started. It focused on arts and social sciences.

Joining Forces: University of Malaya

On October 8, 1949, Raffles College and King Edward VII College of Medicine combined. They formed the University of Malaya. This merger helped provide more higher education for the region.

The University of Malaya grew very quickly. By 1959, it had two main parts: one in Singapore and one in Kuala Lumpur.

New Universities in Singapore

In 1955, Nanyang University (also known as Nan-tah) was created. It was important for the Chinese community in Singapore.

In 1960, the governments decided to make the two parts of the University of Malaya into separate national universities. So, on January 1, 1962, the Singapore part became the University of Singapore.

How NUS Was Formed

The National University of Singapore (NUS) was finally created on August 6, 1980. This happened when the University of Singapore and Nanyang University merged. The government wanted to combine their resources to make one strong university. They also wanted to encourage English as the main language for education in Singapore. The old symbol of Nanyang University, with three rings, became part of the new NUS symbol.

Most of the university's departments moved to the Kent Ridge campus. This move started in 1969 and finished in 1986. NUS also began to focus on helping students become entrepreneurs (people who start their own businesses) in the 1980s.

Today, NUS has 17 different schools and faculties. They are spread across three campuses in Singapore: Kent Ridge, Bukit Timah, and Outram. NUS also works with many famous universities around the world, like Harvard University and Yale University. Many students and teachers at NUS come from different countries. This makes NUS a very diverse place.

NUS Symbol: Coat of Arms

The symbol, or coat of arms, of the National University of Singapore was chosen in 1980. It was updated in 2001. It combines symbols from the University of Singapore and Nanyang University.

The symbol shows a lion, an open book, and three interlocking rings.

  • The lion represents NUS as a university in Singapore.
  • The open book stands for knowledge.
  • The three rings show the university's goals: creating new knowledge, sharing it, and using it in real life. They also represent creativity, new ideas, and starting businesses.

NUS is one of two public universities in Singapore that has its own coat of arms. The other is Nanyang Technological University.

University Rankings

University rankings
Global – Overall
ARWU World 68 (2024)
QS World 8 (2026)
THE World 17 (2025)
THE Reputation 19 (2025)
USNWR Global 22 (2024)
Regional – Overall
QS Asia 1 (2025)
THE Asia 3 (2023)
USNWR Asia 2 (2024)

How NUS Ranks Globally

NUS is known as one of the top universities in the world.

NUS has been in the top 15 worldwide by QS since 2016. THE has ranked NUS among the top 30 globally since 2013. NUS was also named the world's 10th most international university by THE in 2023. Many NUS researchers are listed among the world's top 2% scientists by Stanford University.

Top Subjects at NUS

NUS is highly ranked in many specific subjects.

  • In 2024, QS World University Rankings by Subject placed NUS in the global top 10 for 19 different subjects.
  • For example, it ranked 14th globally for its Global Executive MBA program in 2024.
  • In the 2024 Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings by Subject, NUS was 11th in Computer Science and 9th in Engineering. It was also 11th in Law and 15th in Business & Economics. For all these subjects, NUS was the top university in Singapore.
  • The 2023 Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU) showed NUS in the global top 30 for 22 subjects.

NUS's Business School also performs well in the Financial Times rankings. For example, its EMBA program was ranked 11th globally in 2022.

Getting a Job After Graduation

NUS graduates are highly sought after by employers.

  • In 2022, NUS graduates ranked 8th worldwide in the Times Higher Education's Global University Employability Ranking.
  • They also ranked 17th worldwide in the QS Graduate Employability Rankings for 2022.

How NUS is Organized

NUS uses a system where undergraduate courses are divided into semesters and modules. It combines ideas from both British and American education systems. This means students have regular lectures and also smaller group discussions called tutorials. NUS has 17 faculties and schools, including a music school.

Special Programs

  • NUS College: This is a special program for top students. It focuses on global citizenship and includes exchange programs in Southeast Asia. It was formed by combining the University Scholars Programme (USP) and Yale-NUS.

Faculties and Schools

NUS has many different schools where students can study specific subjects.

Business

The NUS Business School started in 1965. Today, it has many teachers and thousands of students.

Computing

The School of Computing opened in 1998. It has departments for Computer Science and Information Systems and Analytics.

Dentistry

The Faculty of Dentistry began in 1929. It offers a four-year program to become a dentist.

Design and Engineering

The College of Design and Engineering (CDE) was created in 2021. It brought together the School of Design and Environment (SDE) and the Faculty of Engineering (FoE). The Faculty of Engineering is the largest school at NUS.

Humanities and Sciences

The College of Humanities and Sciences (CHS) was formed in 2020. It includes the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences and the Faculty of Science.

  • The Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences offers many subjects like English, History, and Economics. It also teaches 13 different languages.
  • The Faculty of Science has many departments for natural and applied sciences.

Law

The NUS Faculty of Law started in 1956. It moved to the Kent Ridge campus in 1980 but returned to the Bukit Timah campus in 2006. It offers various law degrees.

Medicine

The Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine started in 1905. It offers a program to become a doctor. It also has programs for nursing and other medical sciences.

Duke–NUS Medical School

The Duke–NUS Medical School is a graduate medical school. It was set up in 2005. It's a partnership between Duke University in the US and NUS.

Music

The Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music (YSTCM) is Singapore's first music conservatory. It started in 2001. It was renamed after a generous gift from the family of Dr. Yong Loo Lin.

Public Health

The Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health is Singapore's only school for public health. It started in 1948.

Public Policy

The Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy was established in 2004. It teaches about public policy and works with Harvard University.

Yale-NUS College

The Yale-NUS College was a special college started in 2013. It was a joint project between Yale University and NUS. It was an independent college within NUS. Students who graduated received a degree from NUS.

In August 2021, NUS announced that Yale-NUS College would merge with the University Scholars Programme to form the new NUS College. The last group of students for Yale-NUS College started in 2021. The college will continue to operate until all its students have graduated.

Teaching and Research Centres

NUSHighSchool-entrance-20081201
NUS High School of Mathematics and Science Campus

NUS has many centres that help with teaching and learning. These include:

  • Centre for Development of Teaching and Learning (CDTL)
  • Centre for Instructional Technology (CIT)
  • Centre for English Language Communication (CELC)
  • Institute of Systems Science (ISS), which offers IT training.

NUS High School of Mathematics and Science

This is a special school for students who are very good at math and science. It provides education for secondary and pre-university students.

Research at NUS

NUS focuses on research in many important areas. These include medical science, engineering, new materials, information technology, and social sciences.

Biomedical Engineering

One key research area at NUS is bioengineering. This includes studying how to create images of body parts and how to grow new tissues.

NUS has received grants from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation for research. This research includes developing vaccines, improving water treatment, and using mobile devices in healthcare.

Research Institutes

NUS has 21 research institutes and centres (RICs). Four of these are special "Research Centres of Excellence" chosen by the Singapore government. These include the Cancer Science Institute of Singapore and the Centre for Quantum Technologies.

NUS also works with other universities to create research centres. For example, The Logistics Institute – Asia Pacific is a partnership with the Georgia Institute of Technology.

Entrepreneurship

NUS helps students learn how to start their own businesses. In 1988, it set up a centre for managing new ideas and technology businesses. This centre is now called the NUS Entrepreneurship Centre (NEC). It helps with education, turning new ideas into products, and supporting new businesses.

The NUS Overseas Colleges (NOC) program started in 2001. It lets students live, work, and study in places known for new businesses. Students spend 6 months or a year overseas, taking courses and working at start-up companies.

The NUS Industry Liaison Office (ILO) also helps create new technology companies. It manages the university's inventions and helps researchers work with industries.

Campus Life and Facilities

NUS's main campus is in the southwest of Singapore, covering a large area. The Duke–NUS Medical School is in Outram, and the Faculty of Law is at the Bukit Timah campus.

Technology and Computing

University Cultural Center, NUS, February 2020
University Cultural Centre

NUS has its own computer network called NUSNET. It is used for research, teaching, and managing the university. In 2004, NUS set up a large computer network that connected over 1,000 computers.

Libraries

The NUS Libraries have seven different libraries. They hold millions of books, journals, and digital resources. These include the Central Library, Law Library, and Music Library.

Digital Gems: Old Newspapers and Documents

The NUS Library created "Digital Gems." This is an online collection of old newspapers and documents. It includes Chinese newspapers from Southeast Asian countries from the 19th and 20th centuries. It also has English and Malay newspapers from Singapore and Malaysia.

You can find other historical documents too. These include old medical journals, Malay literature, and historical maps of Singapore. Many of these documents are free to read and download online.

How to Use Digital Gems

To use Digital Gems, go to the NUS Library website. Click on "Digital Gems" and then choose the type of newspaper or document you want to see.

Website Link

Digital Gems Website

University Town (UTown)

The NUS University Town (UTown) opened in 2011. It's located on the Kent Ridge campus. UTown has student housing, research centres, lecture halls, restaurants, and shops.

Getting Around Campus

NUS has a free shuttle bus system. These buses travel between the Bukit Timah and Kent Ridge campuses. In late 2022, the university started using electric buses.

Student Housing

NUS offers different types of places for students to live. There are halls of residence, student residences, and residential colleges. About 6,000 students live in halls and student residences. Another 4,100 students live in residential colleges.

Halls of Residence

NUS has seven halls of residence. These halls have about 3,000 places for students. Students are chosen based on their activities and leadership roles. Each hall has its own clubs and events. Halls also compete against each other in sports.

The halls are:

  • Eusoff Hall
  • Kent Ridge Hall
  • King Edward VII Hall
  • Raffles Hall
  • Sheares Hall
  • Temasek Hall

Student Residences

NUS has two student residences: Prince George's Park Residences and UTown Residences. These are for both undergraduate and graduate students. They have single rooms grouped together with shared kitchens and bathrooms. UTown Residences also has apartments.

Residential Colleges

Residential colleges at NUS are like smaller communities within the university. They have their own activities and special academic programs. These programs often involve small group discussions.

Cinnamon College/West Wing

Cinnamon College used to house the University Scholars Programme (USP). Now, it will house the NUS College starting from the 2022 student intake. It will also include the former Yale-NUS College Campus, which is now called the "West Wing."

Starting from the 2025 academic year, Cinnamon Wing will also be home to Acacia College. This new college will focus on artificial intelligence.

Tembusu College

Tembusu College was the second residential college in NUS University Town. It mainly houses first and second-year students.

College of Alice & Peter Tan

This college focuses on helping students become active citizens and get involved in the community. It offers a two-year academic program.

Residential College 4

Residential College 4 (RC4) focuses on systems thinking. Students in the Engineering Scholars Programme can live here.

Ridge View Residential College

Ridge View Residential College, National University of Singapore, February 2020
Ridge View Residential College

Ridge View Residential College (RVRC) was created in 2014. It is the only residential college not located in University Town.

University Leaders

Here are some of the past leaders (Presidents/Vice-Chancellors/Principals) of NUS and its earlier forms:

National University of Singapore
Period President/vice chancellor/principal
2018–present Tan Eng Chye
2008–2017 Tan Chorh Chuan
2000–2008 Shih Choon Fong
1981–2000 Lim Pin
1980–1981 Tony Tan Keng Yam
University of Singapore
Period President/vice chancellor/principal
1975–1980 Kwan Sai Kheong
1968–1975 Toh Chin Chye
1963–1967 Lim Tay Boh
1962–1963 Baratham Ramaswamy Sreenivasan
University of Malaya (Singapore Division)
Period President/vice chancellor/principal
1961–1962 Baratham Ramaswamy Sreenivasan
1960–1961 Alexander Oppenheim
1959–1960 Arthur Anantharaj Sandosham
University of Malaya
Period President/vice chancellor/principal
1957–1962 Alexander Oppenheim
1952–1956 Sydney Caine
1949–1952 George V. Allen
Raffles College
Period President/vice chancellor/principal
1948–1949 George V. Allen
1946–1948 W E Dyer
1938–1941 George McOwan
1937–1938 Alexander Keir
1935–1937 Frederick Joseph Morten
1932–1934 James Watson
1928–1931 Richard O Winstedt
King Edward VII College of Medicine
Period President/vice chancellor/principal
1947–1949 Desmond William George Faris
1929–1947 George V. Allen
1918–1929 George Hugh K MacAlister
1909–1918 Robert Donald Keith
1905–1909 Gerald Dudley Freer

Famous People Who Studied at NUS

Many famous people from Singapore and Malaysia have studied at NUS since 1905. These include two Singapore prime ministers and four Singapore presidents. Also, two Malaysian prime ministers and many other important politicians, judges, and business leaders.

Some well-known graduates include:

Many business leaders in Singapore also came from NUS. These include Olivia Lum, CEO of Hyflux Group, and Ho Ching, former CEO of Temasek Holdings.

In international affairs, NUS graduates include Margaret Chan, former head of the World Health Organization. Also, Kishore Mahbubani, former president of the United Nations Security Council.

NUS was Singapore's only law school for 50 years. Many of Singapore's judges and lawyers studied there. This includes K. Shanmugam, Singapore's Minister for Law, and Sundaresh Menon, the current Chief Justice of Singapore.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Universidad Nacional de Singapur para niños

  • Education in Singapore
  • National University Hospital
  • Nanyang University
  • Universiti Malaya
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