NUS and NTU Scholarships for International Students Explained

University scholarships versus the ASEAN and general awards

Beyond the regional ASEAN Undergraduate Scholarship and the general funding picture, NUS and NTU each offer their own named scholarship schemes. Some are open to international undergraduates; others are restricted to Singapore citizens.

This guide focuses on the university-run schemes and how they work. Read it alongside the ASEAN scholarship guide and the broader scholarships overview, so you can see where each award fits.

The key habit throughout: check each scheme's eligibility before you get attached to it, because the name alone does not tell you whether an international applicant can apply.

Named schemes — and why eligibility matters

NUS runs schemes such as the NUS International Undergraduate Scholarship and the Science & Technology Undergraduate Scholarship (aimed at international students from Asia in eligible science and technology courses), among others. Some other NUS awards — for example the NUS Global Merit Scholarship — are open only to Singapore citizens.

NTU offers schemes such as the CN Yang Scholars Programme Scholarship (open to strong applicants across nationalities in science, technology and mathematics) and other named awards, alongside the ASEAN Undergraduate Scholarship.

The lesson is simple: a prestigious-sounding name may or may not be open to you. Always confirm on the official page which nationalities and courses a scheme covers before applying.

• NUS: e.g. NUS International Undergraduate Scholarship; Science & Technology Undergraduate Scholarship (international/Asian applicants).
• NUS Global Merit Scholarship is for Singapore citizens only — not international students.
• NTU: e.g. CN Yang Scholars Programme Scholarship (open across nationalities in STEM).
• Always confirm nationality and course eligibility on the official page.

How these scholarships are awarded

Many university scholarships are considered automatically when you apply for undergraduate admission, so applying to the university can also put you in the running for its awards. Others need a separate application, essays, references or an interview.

Because the process differs by scheme, read each award's page to see whether you are considered automatically or must apply separately, and note the deadline — which often aligns with the admission deadline.

Do not assume the process from one scheme applies to another; confirm each one on the official university page.

Coverage and service bonds

Coverage varies from partial fee support to more comprehensive awards that may include an allowance. Amounts and exactly what is covered differ by scheme and year, so do not rely on unofficial figures — read the current coverage on the official page.

Bonds are a critical detail. International recipients who take up the MOE Tuition Grant sign its service bond, and some university scholarships carry their own service bond that can be longer than the standard Tuition Grant bond. The exact length depends on the scheme.

Check each award's bond terms carefully before accepting, because the obligation to work for a Singapore-registered company for a set period is a real, multi-year commitment.

Where to apply and how to stay safe

Apply only through the official NUS or NTU admissions and scholarship channels. Start early, identify the schemes you are genuinely eligible for, and prepare the documents each requires well before the deadline.

No scholarship is guaranteed, and legitimate awards are never sold. Any service that promises a "guaranteed" scholarship or an admission-plus-funding package for a fee is a scam — walk away.

This is general information, not financial advice. For specifics, contact the university's admissions or scholarships office directly, and verify all eligibility, coverage and bond details on the official website.