Yale NUS College

All incoming Yale-NUS students cannot enter Singapore without the Ministry of Education (MOE)’s approval. To request entry approval, follow these steps:

1. For entry to Singapore, students should first enter their intended travel details in the NUS Overseas Travel Declaration (OTD) system.
2. When the OTD has been completed, the NUS Registrar Office (RO) will receive an alert and proceed to apply for the entry approval through MOE. Please note that each application will be assessed by MOE on a case-by-case basis, and approval is not guaranteed.
3. Once MOE receives an application via NUS RO, the first step in the approval process is that the student will receive a form to apply for a Provisional Entry Approval (PEA). In this form, the student will be asked to acknowledge the necessary requirements for serving their Stay-Home Notice (SHN) in Singapore – including a mandatory COVID-19 swab test. They will also be asked to choose a suitable place of residence for their SHN.
   • Students in Group 1, who had remained in Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Hong Kong, Japan, Macao, Mainland China, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Taiwan or Vietnam in the last consecutive 14 days prior to entry to Singapore will be given options to stay at various types of accommodation but should ONLY choose the MOE-designated hostel option.
   • Students in Group 2, who had travelled to other countries not listed above (including during transit) will only have the option to stay in a SHN-dedicated facility (SDF) as mandated by the Government.

   The form will then be submitted back to MOE for their consideration on granting a PEA to the student.

4. Those who are granted a PEA will receive a follow-up notification from NUS RO. At this point, the student will be required to make payment for both their stay at the SHN facility chosen in Step 3 and the swab test.
5. Once the student is redirected to the payment page, they should use any one of the payment options available to complete the transaction. Students may then seek reimbursement from the College later. Students who are not able to pay upfront during this stage of the process should reach out immediately to studenthelp@yale-nus.edu.sg.
6. Once all the necessary documents and payments have been submitted as required, an Entry Approval Letter will be sent to the student’s NUS email account. This Entry Approval has a validity period of two weeks from the date of issuance. The student will need to arrive into Singapore before the expiry date of the Entry Approval.
   • E.g. if approval is granted on 12 May 2020, the student will have to arrive in Singapore by 25 May 2020.
7. Along with the Entry Approval, the student will also receive a follow-up email from Yale-NUS Student Services seeking the student’s confirmed flight details.
8. If the student is unable to arrive into Singapore within the given timeframe, the student must alert NUS Registrar Office (RO) immediately and submit a new application via Step 1.
9. Students should not attempt to enter Singapore without the Entry Approval Letter from MOE or use an Entry Approval Letter that has lapsed/expired. Those who fail to comply will not be allowed to clear immigration and will be required to fly out of Singapore within 48 hours, at their own cost.
10. Before arrival in Singapore, students must submit a health and travel declaration using the SG Arrival Card (SGAC) e-Service: https://eservices.ica.gov.sg/sgarrivalcard
11. As of now, it is mandatory for all overseas arrivals (Singapore citizens, permanent residents or long- term pass holders) to serve a 14-day Stay Home Notice (SHN). For FAQs on SHN-related matters, please refer to Ministry of Health’s FAQ page at https://www.moh.gov.sg/covid-19/faqs and contact them directly if you need further clarification.

Additional notes:

• MOE will only process applications for entry approval about two weeks before the intended travel date. We understand that the timeframe between the proposed travel date and MOE’s processing of the Entry Approval could be challenging for students to make travel plans. However, this instruction is determined by MOE’s current procedures on re-entry approvals for students. As the COVID-19 situation continues evolving, we will update you if we hear from MOE that there are changes to this process.
• Students may also refer to the following sites for more information:

1. https://emergency.nus.edu.sg/advisory.html
2. http://nus.edu.sg/registrar/docs/info/academic-activities/registration/FAQ_for_Entry_Approval.pdf
3. https://www.ica.gov.sg/covid-19
4. https://www.gov.sg/article/questions-about-the-dedicated-shn-facilities-for-returnees-answered

Students should research viable flight options and enter the flight itinerary that they intend to book if MOE approval is received.

Students should enter “ASAP – within two weeks” in the flight details field and must be prepared to enter Singapore within two weeks of the date of the Entry Approval. E.g. if approval is granted on 12 July 2020, you will have to arrive in Singapore by 25 July 2020.

Important! – If your travel plans have changed (e.g. you have cancelled/postponed your trip back to Singapore), please amend your travel plans declaration in the Overseas Travel Declaration system immediately and ensure it reflects your latest travel plans.

Entry Approval applications that have not been approved will continue to be re-submitted to MOE once a week. Students are advised to update their OTD with the most accurate flight information available at the time of submission.

Unfortunately, at this moment, entry approvals are not guaranteed. We do not have any information about the criteria used for approvals.

Please contact Yale-NUS Student Services for additional advice at studenthelp@yale-nus.edu.sg.

The College will cover SHN and government-mandated swab tests for all incoming first year students.

We encourage students to pay for the cost of the test upfront and request for a reimbursement via an Request for Payment (RFP) form once they arrive on campus.

Students who have difficulty with the upfront payment should approach Student Services (studenthelp@yale-nus.edu.sg) immediately for further instructions.

Please note that the College will only cover the cost of compulsory COVID-19 swabs as mandated by the Singapore Government. If you are required to pay for a swab test at an overseas location, the College will not cover that cost.

For student entry approvals granted on or after 16 June 2020.

• Students who had remained in Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Hong Kong, Germany, Japan, Macao, Mainland China, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Taiwan and Vietnam for the past 14 days, can serve their SHN at either:
  • A place of residence that they or their family members own or are sole tenants of, or a hotel (private room with an ensuite bathroom) at their own cost.
  • An MOE-designated hostel location at a cost covered by the College. While MOE will endeavour to allocate students who choose this option to single rooms, students may be assigned to shared rooms, students have no choice in the allocation.
  • Students may also appeal to serve their SHN at a place of residence wholly rented by them and at their own cost. This place of residence must meet predefined criterion, and provide documentation (e.g., ensuite bathroom, tenancy agreement showing that the place of residence is wholly rented by the student).
• Those who have been in any other countries for the past 14 days will serve their SHN with possibility of room sharing; students have no choice in the allocation at a SHN-dedicated facility (SDF).

All 3 meals a day will be provided throughout the entire duration of your 14-day SHN. If you are feeling unwell or have any urgent concerns, please ring the emergency hotline number outlined on your SHN letter.

Please note that all information outlined is based on prevailing immigation processes and policies and may be subject to change as the Singapore Government continues reviewing its travel policies. Stay up to date with the latest news on SHNs via https://www.ica.gov.sg/covid-19.

More FAQs are also available via https://www.ica.gov.sg/docs/default-source/ica/covid-19/faqs-on-new-border-control-measures.pdf.

In the meantime, you are encouraged to spend time during the 14 day SHN getting to know other fellow students who may be serving their SHN too through social media platforms or Zoom. The Yale-NUS College Orientation team will also be in touch with you at regular intervals to ensure you are ready for your transition to life on campus after the SHN period (more details below!).

In order for an SHN to be covered by the College:

• Students who are arriving into Singapore from Group 1 (Low-Risk) countries must only select the MOE-designated hostel option.
• Students who are arriving into Singapore from Group 2 (High-Risk) countries must only select the cheapest SHN-dedicated facility (SDF) available to them.

These options will be made available to you once you have received the form to apply for a Provisional Entry Approval (PEA). Please note that the College will also not pay for the “difference” between a higher priced facility and the MOE-designated hostel/SDF should you knowingly opt for it.

You must only select the cheapest SHN option available to you or risk not having the cost of your SHN being covered by the College.

Singapore is a thriving city state in Southeast Asia. It is a thriving global financial hub and described as one of Asia’s economic “tigers”. The currency of Singapore is the Singapore Dollar (SGD). Singapore has a population of over 5 million, primarily comprising Chinese, Malay, and Indian ethnic groups. With such a large diversity of ethnic communities, common languages include: English, Malay, Mandarin, and Tamil. Singapore ranks high on its national social policies, leading Asia and 11th globally, on the Human Development Index (UN), notably on key measures of education, healthcare, life expectancy, quality of life, personal safety, housing. Changi Airport is the international airport of Singapore and is one of the largest transportation hubs in Southeast Asia.Depending on your home country, Singapore may have a multitude of cultural norms and practices that may differ from your own. We recommend reading local websites and blogs to learn more before you arrive.

You can also follow us on our various official college social media accounts (Instagram and Facebook) to browse through content on campus life!

Please reach out to our Student Services hotline number +65 6601 5556 during office hours, and +65 6601 4945 or
+65 6601 3647 after office hours.

No, you may only serve your SHN at dedicated facilities clearly outlined by the Singapore Government and MOE.

If you are serving your SHN at an SDF, dedicated transport will be provided.

If you are serving your SHN at a non-SDF accommodation (e.g. self-sourced hotel, MOE- managed hostel, private accommodation), you are required to find your own transport via taxi or any other private transportation. You should not be taking any public transit. Yale-NUS will not reimburse students for transportation costs.

During the period of the SHN, you are required to remain in your SHN accommodation at all times during the 14-day period. If you do not comply with the SHN, you may be prosecuted under the Infectious Diseases Act and/or have your STP cancelled. More details are available at https://www.moh.gov.sg/covid-19.

Our Orientation Group Leaders (OGLs) and Orientation Committee members (O’Comm) have planned various virtual activities for you to get involved while on SHN! Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube to stay up-to-date with all the latest activities.

Generally, you are allowed to purchase items online and have them delivered to the SHN location. If you are staying in the SDF or student hostel, please ensure that the items are fully paid for and to inform the admin office on the purchase.

You will be required to download the Homer mobile application, which will be used to report your health status and location. This app is only used as part of the Quarantine Order or Stay-at-Home Notice. Homer is available on both iOS and Android operating systems. For more information, please go to www.homer.gov.sg. If you do not have a Singapore-registered mobile number, your Department/Faculty will be contacting you regularly to ensure you are at your SHN accommodation.

No. Students will be required to pay for these costs at their own expense.

All incoming travellers, including SCs, PRs and STP/STP-IPA holders entering Singapore after 17 June 2020, 2359 hours are required to undergo a mandatory COVID-19 swab test before the end of their SHN, typically Day 11. Either MOE or NUS will inform you of the swab appointment and testing location by SHN Day 8. You will be informed on the test outcomes via SMS approximately 2 to 3 days later.

Should you receive an inconclusive outcome, your SHN may be extended, and you may be sent for subsequent retests.

All Persons under SHN (PSHNs) must do their swab tests towards the end of their SHN. Testing capacity is tight and appointment schedules are booked in advance. We thus seek your cooperation in adhering to the appointment schedule.If you have extenuating reasons for not being able to attend the appointment at the stated date and time, please inform NUS via email at regenquiry@nus.edu.sg. We will strive to rebook another appointment of another date subject to availability but do note that your SHN stay may then be prolonged at your own expense.

If the pooled swab test results is positive, you will be required to go for additional testing to confirm the diagnosis. Another appointment will be made for you at the earliest opportunity. Meanwhile you should continue to self-isolate until the retest results are known.

If the individual swab test is positive, the medical team will contact you and inform you on the next steps, including hospitalisation.

You can email MOE at MOE_STP_Request@moe.gov.sg

Orientation is the official start to your Yale-NUS College education and the chance to get to meet your classmates and immerse yourself into the community and the larger campus life, and learn about the resources at Yale-NUS College. Orientation programmes will involve Rectors, Assistant Dean, Dean’s Fellows, and faculty members. Certain days will be devoted to introducing you to the resources on/off campus, while other days are devoted to social and community activities. Details, including a schedule, can be found on the Orientation website.Note: In light of the current COVID-19 pandemic situation, Orientation 2020 will be held with modified arrangements. More information on the website and be sure to follow our Orientation Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube to get the latest updates!

Moving-in to college is an important landmark as you will be embarking on a brand new journey in a different living and learning environment. As such, we understand that many parents and family members hoped to be present during such an important moment in their transition to higher education.As part of risk mitigation measures, the College is closed to any external visitors. Parents/Family members who are currently residing in Singapore will be allowed to drop off their child at designated zones on move-in day (1st or 2nd August).

Parents/Family members who are not Singapore residents are not allowed to enter Singapore due to ongoing travel restrictions. Current entry information for travelers are outlined here: https://www.ica.gov.sg/covid-19.

When students arrive on campus, members of the Orientation Team will be on hand with trolleys to assist students with moving their belongings. Students are advised not to bring too many items for move-in and will have the opportunity to purchase additional items locally at any time after the start of the semester.

More information on move-in day guidelines will be released several weeks prior to the start of the semester.

Students can register up to two ‘helpers’ who can assist with the move-in process. Helpers should register through SafeEntry and NUS Visitor Online Registration when arriving on campus and can stay for a maximum of two hours. They will also have their temperature taken and will be issued a sticker if temperature falls outside the range of a fever.

For Singapore residents, you will be required to move-in on either 1st or 2nd August, between 9am and 4pm. You will be provided with an allocated time slot for you to arrive on campus and complete your move-in. Students will be required to check-in at staggered allocated intervals. More information on this arrangement will be released by the Dean of Students Office several weeks prior to the start of the semester. Students arriving in Singapore from overseas will be required to serve Stay Home Notice (SHN) in a government designated location for 14 days. You are encouraged to plan for your arrival in Singapore between 17-18 July. However, we understand that flight schedules may be limited and will allow our international students to arrive into Singapore as early as 11 July to begin serving their 14-day SHN.

Detailed schedule on the Orientation website.

We highly encourage first year students to arrive in Singapore by 17-18 July so that they would be able to move in by the time Orientation starts.

However, we recognise that there may be difficulties in getting approvals, booking flights, etc and are prepared to support our students as needed. As such, if you are unable to move in on your assigned day, kindly email the Dean of Students (deanofstudents@yale-nus.edu.sg) so that we can follow up accordingly.

As the COVID-19 situation in Singapore is improving, calibrated steps are being taken to resume activities and operations throughout the country. This is a strategic process that will ultimately depend on the number of COVID-19 cases confirmed in Singapore in the weeks and months to come. For those reasons, we do not have confirmation of how quickly Yale-NUS students will be permitted entrance into Singapore. This will be determined by prevailing government travel restrictions.

Anyone unable to arrive in Singapore by 31 August will be able to take Semester 1 classes online from their home for the duration of the first semester with the intention of arriving on-campus for Semester 2 (January).

The address is 16 College Avenue West, Singapore 138527. For detailed directions, kindly refer to https://admissions.yale-nus.edu.sg/visit-us/.

For international students serving SHN, a member of the orientation team will reach out to you to confirm the details of your arrival and assist you as needed!

IMPORTANT: Please bring all important documents including your passport (bring both if you have dual citizenship) and ensure it is valid for the next 6 months. Bring identification cards, citizenship certificates, and any other relevant documents (e.g. letters of admission, originals of education and qualification certificates, vaccine info) to facilitate the immigration process.

Some useful items: Singapore weather can be described as hot and rainy. Average day temperatures throughout the year are in the low 30 °C to high 20 °C. We recommend bringing summer clothes, but do pack a shawl or light jacket as this comes in handy at the movies, dinner or any air-conditioned areas such as the lecture halls and classrooms on campus. Do try to pack an adequate amount of clothes. Pillows and bed linen are not provided in the residence so bring a set of your favourite sheets, or you can buy a set of new ones here.

Umbrella: A must have in Singapore, keep it with you all the time because the weather here is rather fickle. It can be scorching hot one moment, and then thunderstorm the next. Not many people wear raincoats here.

Shoes: Open-toed shoes such as sandals and flip-flops are comfortable and suitable. A good pair of walking shoes will be very useful when walking around the city. Even though it rains a lot, there is no need to bring rain boots. Note: Flip flops/Shoes only go up to US size 10 (Men), 9 (Women) in most stores.

Formal Clothes: There will be several Yale-NUS functions and events throughout the year (Opening Dinner, semester celebrations, etc.), so do pack a few nice, semi-formal outfits.
You can basically find anything in Singapore so do not worry too much! However, there are items that are harder to come by or more expensive.

Expensive Items in Singapore

• Vitamins, supplements
• Hydrocortisone
• Sneakers/athletic shoes (large sizes are hard to find, size 10+)
• Sunscreen
• Special health food items
• Certain cosmetic items can be more expensive here compared to your home country
• Electronics! Amazon has started delivering some items to Singapore if you purchase anything above $125. Electronics that require a battery do not fall in that category so you may want to purchase your gadgets. However, remember to bring an adaptor.

Difficult to Find Items in Singapore

• Specific prescription drugs for the first few months.

Note: Prescription and over-the-counter drugs: Advil, Tylenol, Aleve, Benadryl, etc. are only available through a doctor’s prescription and some brands may be available under alternate names. Please check HSA for the current guidelines on bringing personal medications into Singapore.

What Not To Bring?

• Illegal items include: chewing gum, chewing tobacco, anything of pistol or revolver shape, firecrackers, controlled drugs, among others. Find more information here.
• Large electronic items (e.g. TVs, microwaves)
• Appliances: The voltage in Singapore is 220 V (US is 110V) and the plugs are different. Unless your electrical equipment is ‘multi-region’ or you can switch the voltage between 110 and 220 it is best to plan on buying new when you get here.

Note: High wattage items require big and expensive converters that you can buy here if you must bring them with you. All Apple items have dual voltages and are fine.

• Large/heavy books. You’ll probably be able to find them here and shipping/carrying them back will be a pain.
• Winter clothes! However, as mentioned before, please bring a few sweaters for over air-conditioned rooms.

Please note that there are stores that students can visit to purchase essentials. There is an IKEA near campus as well as several other large stores and a mall down the road, all easily accessible by public transport or taxi.

Note: Some retail stores may not be open due to COVID-19. However, the Orientation Committee is looking into the possibility of bulk ordering from IKEA – details on the process, etc. will be given at a later date.

You can purchase one in Singapore. However, if you already have an unlocked cell phone, please bring it with you. As for SIM cards, you have two options: a pre-paid top-up sim card plan or a monthly phone plan. The four telecomm providers are: Singtel, StarHub, Circles.Life, and M1.The first option is a pre-paid SIM card, easily procured at the Cheers Convenience store in University Town (UTown) or other convenience stores and markets. The cost of one ranges from S$8 to S$10 or S$15 to S$18 for a 3G-enabled card. Some SIMs may cost more – it is S$38 for a nano SIM. This option works on a top-up basis, meaning you put more money on the card once your credit runs out. You will need your Passport to purchase a sim card if you are an international student.

If you foresee heavy phone usage, we advise you to look into a phone plan with one of the telecomm providers. Many of the plans involve a monthly payment, a 1-2 year commitment, and can include cellphone updates. Their plans are all very similar. You will need your Passport and Student Pass to get a cell phone plan. You can sign up with any of these companies on your own at the mall closest to campus, the Clementi Mall.

It is very common to use a top-up plan as many students only use data and a smartphone app called WhatsApp to text each other. However, please use the option most suited to your mobile needs.

Daily meals are provided on-campus, but if you plan to occasionally eat off-campus, grab a cup of coffee, or shop – you may want between S$50-S$100 per week. Most banks allow you to use an international network of ATMs, so you may be able to withdraw funds from your current account at any of the ATMs on campus. You can also bring currency to exchange in the airport (no transaction fees) or use an international credit card at stores and restaurants. Please check with your bank regarding international transaction and ATM fees.

All Year 1 students will be pre-allocated with the following common curriculum modules for the first semester. Please refer to this Reading List for the required list of texts.

• YCC1111 Literature and Humanities 1

• YCC1113 Philosophy and Political Thought 1

• YCC1121 Comparative Social Inquiry

• YCC1122 Quantitative Reasoning

Literature and Humanities 1 (YCC1111), Philosophy and Political Thought 1 (YCC1113) and Quantitative Reasoning (YCC1122) require students to use set texts in specific editions (check the ISBN numbers). Some of these books are only available in hard copy, which are difficult to obtain in a timely manner in Singapore, and the NUS campus bookstore and campus library carry limited copies. The faculty of these courses strongly advise that you acquire your texts well in advance of your arrival on campus.

You may be also able to obtain second-hand copies of these books from older students through social media or other informal channels, but please be prepared for your first day of class by having the correct editions of all set texts in hand!

Please contact the Financial Aid office at financialaid@yale-nus.edu.sg.

There are grocery and convenience stores within walking distance of campus. There is also an IKEA within a ten-minute bus ride from Yale-NUS. Additionally, there are two malls within five-minute bus rides from campus.

Note: Some retail stores may not be open due to COVID-19.

Most of the international banks have branches in Singapore and some of them have ATMs on campus. We advise you check with your home bank to see if you can use their services here. Some banks will also allow you to open up an international account prior to arriving in Singapore.

If you don’t already have an account with a bank that allows international ATM usage, it makes sense to get a local account. DBS, OCBC, and UOB are the biggest local banks and all have ATMs on campus. DBS has the most ATMs on campus. One perk of a local bank is NETS, essentially a debit card which allows your ATM card to serve many other functions, including paying for all bus fares and MRT (subway) fares. Please note that you only need your IPA letter and your passport to open a bank account – so you can open your bank account before you get your student pass.

It is advisable to arrive in Singapore with enough cash for the first 1-2 weeks for any personal expenses, while you await your Student Pass. For many of these banks, they will require your Student Pass, Passport, and a Yale-NUS proof of residence letter in order to open an account.

To get your Yale-NUS proof of residence letter, email deanofstudents@yale-nus.edu.sg.

Our campus is designed to be a 24/7 residential community, with all amenities and conveniences you will need. There is a dining hall, laundry facilities, a student-run cafe (butteries), and common rooms in each of the three Residential Colleges. There is also an on-campus cafe, performing arts spaces, a gym, a comprehensive Learning Commons, and a Multi-Purpose Hall. In addition, there are plenty of communal study and activity spaces. All Yale-NUS courses will be taught within the campus. You are also able to use the public facilities at NUS with an NUS matriculation card, such as: the UTown pool, recreation centre, food courts (FoodClique and Fine Foods among others), library, and museum.

Note: Due to COVID-19, there may be restrictions for certain facilities. More information will be in an FAQ on the student portal, accessible after students arrive on campus.

Social interactions on campus will largely depend on the prevailing advisories from government agencies. It is possible that the College will restrict social interactions to only small groups of students. Large community events will likely be postponed until further notice. General social distancing measures are likely to remain in place in order to continue mitigating the risk of spread. More information will be in an FAQ on the student portal, accessible after students arrive on campus.

You will have a single room that comes with a bed (standard single size mattress – est 188 cm(L) x 91cm(W), bedside table, desk, chair, tall shelf, wardrobe, AC and ceiling fan. Each room has a big open window and the walls are white so you will have plenty of opportunity to decorate and make it your own space. The rooms are situated within 4- or 6- person suites that overlook a sky garden. There is one shared bathroom with two sinks, a shower, and a toilet. First-year students are assigned to their Residential Colleges and their suites before their arrival.

Additional information including a 3D virtual tour is available via the Yale-NUS Housing page.

There is wireless access throughout the campus and NUS campus. In addition, there will be one network port per suite located at the common hall.

Yes! Students will need to purchase air conditioning credits for their individual rooms. Estimated approximate cost for nominal usage of aircon is about S$20-30 a month. More information will be shared during Orientation.

Common spaces around campus, including study areas, dining halls, and the learning commons are also always air-conditioned.

There are multiple single stall (not gender specific) restrooms throughout campus. These include:

• Cendana Tower A, Floor 1
  • Walk past the elevators, and make a right into the hallway. The door will be on your left.
• Saga College
  • Walk to the bottom of the Saga courtyard. Make a right at the laundry room/vending machines. Make a left into the next hallway, and the stalls will be there.
  • Next to Classroom 5
• HR/Admissions building all floors
  • The building is located at 16 College Avenue West. To get there from Saga/Elm, exit the Elm gate towards the library, and make a left. Continue on the path until you reach the building. To get there from Cendana, walk towards the library, and either follow the stone pathway or the main path to get to the fountain. The building is on your left.
• Residential College offices

Students can mail packages addressed to themselves at their Residential College Office:

Saga: 10 College Ave West, #01-101, Singapore 138609
Elm: 12 College Ave West, #01-201, Singapore 138610
Cendana: 28 College Ave West (RC3), #01-501, Singapore 138533

You will receive an email if you have a package waiting for you.

Eating is a major bonding activity at Yale-NUS and you will have a full meal plan (19 meals/week – 3 on weekdays, 2 on the weekends) in the dining hall. More information, including weekly updated menus, are available here. The overall dining experience on campus is overseen by our Dining Experience Team.

It is buffet style and there are no limits to how much they can take. There are a variety of different cuisines offered in the dining hall, including Indian, Chinese, Malay, and Western and on some occasions, Japanese, Thai, and Korean. There are also live stations!

And for students who are in rush, there are Grab N Go options available.

We have designed the meal plan to accommodate a variety of palates and dietary restrictions. Please let the Dean of Students office know if you have any serious dietary restrictions and we will do our best to assist.

The Islamic Religious Council of Singapore has officially certified the dining vendor at Yale-NUS as a provider of Halal service following several months of close observation of food sourcing and preparation and the Saga buttery is halal-friendly. Halal food options are available in a dedicated section in each Dining Hall. Please approach the staff members on duty for additional information.

Vegan & Vegetarian food is available at all 3 dining halls for all 3 meals a day.

You will be asked to tap your access card each time you take a meal at the dining hall, so don’t forget to keep your card with you at all times.

There are plenty of food options in University Town and a number of hawker centres nearby. Each Residential College also has a student-run buttery which will be open on certain nights during the week.

You will receive a unique user ID during online pre-registration. This is the user ID that you will use to log in to all portals and platforms at Yale-NUS.

Although there are multiple computer labs for student-use on campus, we highly encourage you to bring your own laptop for personal use at school. Either Mac or PC is fine. You may also opt to purchase a new computer from the NUS Co-Op, which entitles you to a 10% discount and pre-loaded basic software. Some of the brands that Co-Op has are Apple, HP, Acer, Lenovo and Microsoft. Singaporean students usually get their laptops here when they matriculate and the computers are very affordable with all the software perks. Singapore has many technology-related shops, so if you are feeling adventurous, you can check out the various options available here.

There is no need for you to bring your own printer (although feel free to do so). There is on-campus printing throughout the campus. These network printers also allow you to scan and make copies. You can also use the printers at the nearby Education Resource Centre (ERC) in UTown, open 24/7. It costs 4c to print one A4 page in grayscale.

Wireless connection is available across campus including residential lounge, classrooms and your suite. The wireless connection includes the NUS campus as well.

During Orientation, you will meet with your academic advisor (your Assistant Dean) and your faculty advisor. Both advisors offer guidance with regards to your curricular choices. However, all first-year students are enrolled in the Yale-NUS Common Curriculum for their first semester. Students will have the option to add one elective course in the second semester of their first year. There will be many opportunities to consult with your advisors as you make that decision.

You can refer to this link for a visual diagram of a typical academic journey at Yale-NUS.

One of the most exciting aspects of college is the opportunity to join and lead student organisations. Yale-NUS is home to over 50 different student organisations and athletic teams/clubs, and it’s possible to pitch ideas for new groups throughout the year. Yale-NUS students are also able to join NUS student organisations.

The best way to get around is using the public transportation system. Yale-NUS is located on several bus lines that can take you directly to many areas downtown. The 196 bus will take you to the Buona Vista MRT (subway) station while the 96 bus will take you to the Clementi MRT station. Both stations are located on the East-West line.To use the bus or subway, you can pay with cash or with an EZ-Link card. (All students will receive an EZ-Link card during Orientation). Once you set-up a bank account here, you can also enable your bank card to pay for the MRT or bus. Public transport is very inexpensive and there are several different smartphone applications you can use to monitor the bus schedules and routes.

Taxis are another popular way to get around Singapore. You can often flag a taxi down from Dover Road or summon one via text message or smart phone app to pick you up at the Yale-NUS entrance. Taxis in Singapore are less expensive than many major cities, but the fees can add up – especially if you use one at night.

You can also use transportation apps such as Grab which allow you to book taxi’s on-demand but also provide the option of private cars and online payment.

Your Student’s Pass entitles you to seek part-time jobs and internships in Singapore. You can work outside the College, but there are many positions available at Yale-NUS College and greater NUS. Students are hired to assist with faculty research, work in administrative offices, and plan events, among others. For more information, visit the On-Campus Jobs page: https://cipe.yale-nus.edu.sg/career-services/on-campus-jobs/. 

As a Yale-NUS student, you are enrolled in the NUS Student Undergraduate Health Scheme. The insurance plan includes general outpatient care at the NUS University Health Centre (UHC) and specialist and inpatient care at public hospitals throughout Singapore. 

For emergency situations, students are typically taken to National University Hospital (NUH). When travelling outside of Singapore, students are covered on a reimbursement basis for accidental medical issues.  When travelling on a Yale-NUS programme, students are provided with additional travel and liability insurance.  

Singapore has a world-renowned healthcare system and offers high quality medical care. To learn more about the health insurance scheme, please review the details online.

Please log in here using your Slate ID and email address. This link is only accessible within the submission period.

Your Slate ID is the same as your applicant number, a 9-digit reference number. The Slate ID can be retrieved from the application portal.

Your Slate ID is the same as your applicant number, a 9-digit reference number. The Slate ID can be retrieved from the application portal.

The health screening can be done

• by students’ own physician in Singapore; OR
• in students’ home country; OR
• at the NUS University Health Centre (UHC)

If you choose to (a) or (b), you are required to download the Medical Examination Form. Please email the Medical Examination Form and medical reports (if any) that are completed in ENGLISH to NUS UHC at uhc_health@nus.edu.sg by the stipulated deadline.

If you have done a similar health check not more than six months prior, you must still complete and email Part 1 of the prescribed medical report form, together with documentary proof of the earlier medical examination to NUS UHC by the stipulated deadline.

Please contact NUS UHC at uhc_health@nus.edu.sg should you have further query.

Please take note that the health screening cost will be borne by the student whether it is conducted at NUS UHC or at an external clinic.

Please refer to the link here for the items to bring.

Please refer to the link here for the price guide.

You will be receiving an email with more information about the health screening from our Student Services. If you have any questions in the meantime, please contact Student Services directly at studenthelp@yale-nus.edu.sg.

You can arrange an alternative health screening slot with NUS University Health Centre (UHC) directly. However, please ensure that the health screening is completed before Registration Part 2 (Matriculation Day).

Please log in here using your Slate ID and email address. The link is only accessible within the submission period.
Your Slate ID is the same as your applicant number, a 9-digit reference number. The Slate ID can be retrieved from the application portal.

Please ensure that your photo is in JPEG format and that it adheres to the Requirements of Photograph for Online Submission given.

If the problem persists, please email a screenshot of the error to ync.matric@yale-nus.edu.sg for further assistance.

You will receive two separate emails from UGregistration@nus.edu.sg on the first day of Registration (Part One) containing your:

1. User ID (a number starting with E)
2. Password

Please contact ync.matric@yale-nus.edu.sg if you do not receive the emails.

You can update your addresses/contact numbers/emergency contact numbers by logging in to myEduRec with your NUSNET ID and password. Please note that your NUSNET account and NUS Email will be activated two days after completion of Registration (Part One). Do remember to change the default NUSNET password at outlook.com/u.nus.edu. This must be done before you can access any system that requires the NUSNET password.

If you are having any issues logging in to the system, please contact NUS IT Care at 6516 2080 or email ITcare@nus.edu.sg.

Payment address is equivalent to the billing address. You may leave it blank at this moment and log in to myEduRec later to update. The payment address can be either local or overseas home address.

International students will have to make declarations for both sections below:

1. Authorization of Medical Procedures
2. Appointment of Local representative

Students are recommended to appoint a Singapore-based representative. This is very important during an emergency when the student requires surgery/other medical procedures/treatment but is not in the capacity to make any rational decision. As such, in the scenario that you did not appoint any Singapore-based representative, but you have authorised the NUS Officer/Staff to make that decision, they will be able to do so. If the authorization is not given, the NUS Officer/Staff will have to contact your next of kin who might be overseas and unreachable at that critical point in time.

The definition for a Local (Singapore-based) representative is someone who is “above 18 years of age and who will have the authority to authorize or refuse consent to any surgery or medical procedure or treatment on the student on behalf of the student or his/her parent/ guardian”.If you do not know anyone who can act as your local representative, you can declare that you do not wish to appoint any at the point of Registration (Part One). Once you are more familiar with Singapore, you can log in to myEduRec and update the declaration.

The family gross household income is referring to monthly basis in Singapore dollars (SGD).

Please contact Yale-NUS Financial Aid at financialaid@yale-nus.edu.sg if you need to make amendments after completion of Registration (Part One).

Your NUSNET account will only be activated two days after completion of Registration (Part One).

Students who have forgotten their NUSNET password but have not changed it yet can access the Registration Part One System to retrieve their password.

Students who have forgotten their NUSNET password after changing it can seek help by sending an email to ITcare@nus.edu.sg , stating their full name and Student ID.