Policies and Procedures
Check this page regularly! Information will be updated throughout the semester.
To stay on track, use the self-check at the end of each phase.
Access important NTU links and resources and get to know the place you’ll be calling home for the next semester in the Singapore Resources section.
———– START PHASE ONE ———–
Confirm Your Participation: Due Within 2 Weeks of Admission
- Log in to your online application and confirm your participation in the program. Then complete the checklist of items on the “Pre-Departure Documents” tab.
- Once you complete the pre-departure process, and when registration opens, our office will register you for this program with a placeholder block of credits.
Please take the time now to review our website for details about the cost of your program. You may find our budgeting worksheet to be an important planning tool. We also encourage you to consider applying for study abroad scholarships as early as possible.
Watch the Pre-departure Roadmap
We understand that preparing for your time away can seem overwhelming because of the abundance of information being shared with you. We have designed this online presentation to communicate general pre-departure information that applies to all BU Study Abroad programs, and help you navigate the pre-departure preparation process.
Select Potential Courses at NTU: Due Mid-SEPT
Course Search
You should review all of NTU’s undergraduate course information to ensure that you are well informed of their policies and procedures. You must list your course preferences at NTU as part of the online application due October 10. Therefore, you should spend time exploring the course options available at NTU before submitting your online application, so that you can make an informed decision about your schedule and have your courses pre-approved by your BU Academic Advisor. NTU’s list of undergraduate courses is available online. When searching for courses, note that the semesters are numbered at NTU: Fall is Semester 1 and Spring is Semester 2. So, while searching for Spring 2022 courses, you should look for “Acad Yr 2022-23”. If Spring 2023 courses are not yet posted, you can select from last spring’s list (Acad Yr 2021-22). If you would like more information about any particular course, you can often find it through each school or department’s website (Art, Design & Media; Communications; Humanities and Social Sciences). It may be helpful to have more detailed course descriptions when discussing your intended schedule with your BU academic advisor.
NTU’s step-by-step course selection instructions are as follows:
- Select the respective academic year and semester, i.e., Acad Yr 2021-22 or Acad Yr 2022-23, if it has been posted
- Choose the program that you would be interested in from the drop down box, (Remember it should be within HASS, eg., Art, Design & Media Year 2)
- Load Content of Courses (the list of courses will appear)
- Select the modules that you are interested in by entering the subject code and subject title, eg., DA2001 – Painting
- Compile a list of 10 courses in order of preference for NTU faculty to review and approve (subject to vacancies and pre-requisites). Exchange students are required to list 10 courses on their NTU application.
Note: Some courses are restricted to exchange students, please review course restrictions here.
Registration
When you submit your application to NTU, your list of selected courses will be carefully analyzed and you will be either approved or denied for each course. NTU will register you into some of your approved courses during the registration period in late October/November. They will make every effort to register you according to your preferences, but your registration will be subject to course availability and schedule conflicts. After you have been officially admitted by NTU, you will be able to log in to their Web Portal to review your course registrations and schedule. You can make adjustments to your schedule during Add/Drop at the start of the semester. You can review NTU’s Course Selection > Approval > Registration process here.
Credits and Grades
Classes at NTU are worth either 3 or 4 credits. You must take a minimum of 12 credits and no more than 20 credits per semester at NTU; for most students, this means between 3 and 5 courses per semester. The grades you earn at NTU will be reported to BU and will be represented on your BU transcript and factored into your BU GPA.
Transcripts
After the end of each semester, NTU will send a copy of your official transcript to BU Study Abroad. Transcripts are usually sent 1-2 months after the end of the semester. In most cases, your BU transcript will be updated about 3 weeks after your official transcript has arrived from abroad.
Submit NTU Application: Due OCT 10
Prepare required documents
NTU has an online application that you must submit prior to their deadline of SEPT 30. As part of this online application, you must scan and upload a series of documents as listed below. Please prepare these in advance so they’ll be ready to submit to NTU by the application deadline:
- List of 10 courses you would like to take at NTU in order of preference. PDF format.
- Official transcript, ordered directly from the Registrar and scanned.
- One color passport photo, saved as a JPG file.
- Color scan of your passport signature/photo page(s)
Submit NTU application
Submit the NTU online application according to the detailed instructions provided by NTU.
You will receive your official admissions email from NTU in early or mid-November. You may want to use NTU’s Post-Application Checklist to keep track of the next steps in the admissions and pre-departure processes.
Complete the Phase 1 Self Check
Have you completed everything in Phase 1? Here is a self-check to make sure you’re on the right track. Make sure you’re keeping track of any upcoming deadlines and budgeting enough time to complete them on-time. If you missed a deadline, be sure to check in with you Program Manager and complete that task right away.
You should have completed:
- Confirmed your participation via your BU Study Abroad Application, paid your program deposit, and filled out the accompanying online forms.
- Watched the Pre-departure Roadmap Webinar
- Prepared NTU Course List – SEPT 15
- Submitted NTU Application – SEPT 30
———– END PHASE ONE ———–
———– START PHASE TWO ———–
Apply for NTU Housing: Due NOV 9
University Housing
Exchange students are eligible to apply for on-campus accommodation at NTU, but placement in on-campus housing is not guaranteed.
After your acceptance by NTU, you will receive an email with information about on-campus accommodation and instructions for the online housing application. You must apply online for housing prior to the deadline specified in the email through NTU’s online Exchange Portal and not through the Office of Housing and Auxiliary Services website. Housing is allocated through a random balloting system. If you are successful in your application for on-campus housing, you will learn of your assignment directly from NTU. You will pay your housing deposit and fees directly to NTU for the semester.
Off-Campus Housing
If your application for on-campus housing is not successful, you should be prepared to search for off-campus accommodation in Singapore.
Dining
NTU does not provide student meal plans, so you will pay for your meals individually. There are many dining options on campus, and you can also try any number of restaurants in the surrounding area.
Payments
You will pay your housing fees directly to NTU. You will receive information from NTU on the cost, payment procedures, and payment deadlines. Questions about your housing at NTU should be directed to NTU Undergraduate Housing.
Pre-Departure Conference: NOV 19
There will be a pre-departure conference held on-campus at the CGS Building on Commonwealth Ave., on November 19. An invitation with specific time will be e-mailed to admitted students.
Please also note that this meeting is intended for participants of the program only. Due to FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act), parents/guardians are not permitted to attend this session. In the event that any parents do come to the meeting, we will kindly ask them to exit the room regardless of how far they may have traveled to get to the meeting. Therefore, please plan accordingly. We do, however, encourage you to share relevant information about the program with your parents, as we understand that they may be curious about what to expect with your experience abroad.
Confirm SOLAR Information & Print eForm 16: Due NOV 30
One of the most vital tasks in preparing for your study abroad experience is to apply for a visa, which is required for American students studying abroad in Singapore. The type of visa you’ll be applying for is a Student Pass. You will not actually apply for and receive your Student Pass until you arrive in Singapore, but there are a number of things you must do in advance in order to enter Singapore legally at the start of your semester abroad.
NTU will send you detailed instructions about all of the immigration procedures described below. The information here serves as a general reference and advance notice, so you’ll know what to expect when entering Singapore. You can also find further details here.
Definitions: eForm 16, IPA Letter, and Student Pass
These are the three documents that will be part of your immigration procedure for Singapore. The eForm 16 may be combined with the IPA Letter, both described below, to act as a single-entry visa into Singapore for American citizens.
- eForm 16 is part of your visa application.
You will print it yourself from the Singaporean online immigration system, called SOLAR, and carry it with you during travel to Singapore. - The IPA letter is an important document that provides the foundation for your actual visa.
U.S. citizens will receive the IPA letter after approval of their Student’s Pass application. Some international students will receive the IPA letter by email before traveling to Singapore and will use it, along with eForm 16, as their single-entry visa into Singapore. Others will receive the letter after they arrive at NTU. - The Student Pass is the name of the visa you will all eventually obtain.
You will be notified of the Student’s Pass application procedures via the GEM Trailblazer Exchange/Study Abroad Portal. NTU will help all students to get the Student Pass during orientation using the documents listed above.
Read the steps below carefully to make sure you understand the process.
Step 1: Read Your NTU Admissions Email Carefully
It is essential that you read your entire admissions email, along with the Notes on what to do after being offered admission document, very carefully as these will contain important instructions and deadlines for your immigration procedures and other essential tasks.
Step 2: Confirm your Details in SOLAR (eForm 16)
NTU used your online program application materials to begin your Student Pass application for you. They did this by entering your information into Singapore’s national online registration system, called SOLAR. The NTU Registrar’s Office will send you an email in mid-November asking that you confirm the accuracy of your details in SOLAR before they submit the application on your behalf. Make sure you check your email (and spam box) regularly and reply to this email as quickly as possible so that your SOLAR registration will not be delayed. You will have to pay three different fees in the SOLAR system: a visa fee (S$30), a processing fee (S$30), and an issuance fee (S$60).
Step 3: Print eForm 16
Print out eForm 16 from SOLAR after you have completed and confirmed all of your information.
Step 4: Enter Singapore Using Passport, Disembarkation card, and eForm 16
U.S. citizens will use only their passports, eForm 16, and the airplane disembarkation card to enter Singapore. These documents enable you to enter Singapore one time; do not plan to travel in and out of the country until you have the Student Pass in your possession.
Some international students (non-U.S. citizens) will need the IPA letter in advance in order to enter Singapore. If that is the case, NTU will send you the IPA letter by email before your scheduled departure date. You will then use that IPA letter along with your passport, eForm 16, and disembarkation card to enter Singapore.
Step 5: Receive the IPA Letter
U.S. citizens will receive their IPA letter from NTU during registration. Non-US Citizens will receive their IPA Letter in advance by email from NTU.
Step 6: Convert your IPA Letter to a Student Pass
Representatives of the Singapore immigration authority will come to the NTU campus during the orientation/registration period and you will apply with them for your Student Pass. In order to get the Student Pass, you will need your passport, the IPA letter, one passport photo, eForm 16, and any other documents listed on the IPA letter. NTU will inform you of the date, time, and location of your application appointment. The NTU International Office will be able to assist you with this application process and can answer any specific questions you have about it.
Note: This information has been prepared by Boston University Study Abroad based on the most recent information provided by the relevant immigration agency (E.G. consulate, embassy, etc.). It is each student’s responsibility to compile and apply for their visa based on their specific citizenship. Visas are granted by foreign governments only, Boston University does not play a role in visa issuance, nor can we influence immigration policy. While we do our best to keep instructions as up-to-date as possible, visa requirements are subject to change without our knowledge. Ultimately obtaining a visa in a timely manner, and related costs incurred, are a student’s responsibility. Failure to acquire a visa will preclude participation in the program.
Review Arrival Information and Book Your Flight: Deadline DEC 22
Flight Information
There is no group flight for this program, so each student will book his or her own travel to and from Singapore. Keep in mind that late arrivals and early departures are not permitted. NTU advises students to arrange their flights only when their Student’s Pass application has been approved. Once you have confirmed your independent travel, make sure to report your flight information to the Independent Flight Form and the Boston University International Travel Registry.
Arrival Information
Arrival date: A mandatory orientation is usually scheduled for the Thursday or Friday of the week prior to the term commencement day on January 9. Do not make flight arrangements until these dates have been announced. Details about Orientation can be found in the GEM Trailblazer Exchange/Study Abroad Portal under ‘Notifications‘. If you will be living in one of the University residences, make sure to plan your arrival in accordance with the move-in hours for your residence. If you plan to move in outside of normal business hours, you must arrange this in advance with your residence.
Return date: Final exams end on May 5, 2023. Please book your return flight for May 6 or later, so that you can be sure you will be present for all of your final exams.
You are responsible for securing your own transportation to your residence in Singapore. Before traveling to Singapore, make sure you know the address of your residence and how to reach it by public transportation. Alternatively, you can take a taxi directly to your residence from the airport. The NTU International Relations Office will provide you more information on how to get to your residence upon arrival. As a reminder, you should confirm your residence’s move-in schedule in advance and plan your arrival in Singapore accordingly.
You are expected to be familiar with all of the information in the NTU E-Welcome Packet before arriving in Singapore.
Review International Insurance Coverage
International Health Insurance and Evacuation Coverage
All students participating in a BU Study Abroad program will be automatically enrolled in the BU Chubb International Travel plan which includes comprehensive health and evacuation insurance. Policy information will be sent to you via email approximately two weeks prior to your program start date. In the meantime, we encourage you to review the insurance information we provide on our website.
Domestic Health Insurance
Participants are required to retain their existing health insurance: study abroad insurance does NOT replace comprehensive, US-based health insurance as required by Massachusetts and US law. You may not participate in BU Study Abroad programs without certifying that you have US-based coverage or are purchasing the BU Student Health Plan.
Plan for Medications, Prescriptions and Healthcare Abroad
MEDICATIONS & PRESCRIPTIONS:
If you take regular medications, the best course of action is to bring enough medication to last the duration of your program (if allowable). Consult with your doctors prior to departure to obtain the necessary supply of your medications, as well as copies of the written prescriptions. Many insurance companies offer vacation waivers to accommodate being out of the country for several months.
If for any reason you cannot be prescribed or transport a full supply of your medication, you will need to see a doctor in your host city to be re-prescribed. Keep in mind that you should not plan to mail any medications due to customs regulations.
International SOS can help you manage your plan for your healthcare abroad with expert advice on how to navigate the local healthcare system and with personalized recommendations based on your specific medical needs. Students should contact the International SOS 24/7 Assistance Center at +1 215-942-8478 or via the International SOS Assistance App. ISOS can assist you to find out whether your medication is available in your host country and make a plan to avoid any disruption of care, including planning for healthcare needs and connecting you to quality healthcare professionals abroad.
DOCTORS & SPECIALISTS:
If you see a doctor or mental health provider for regular care in the United States, you will want to meet with your provider to discuss continuing your care abroad. As part of this conversation you may need to contact ISOS directly to find local medical providers.
ISOS can provide assistance with planning for your medical needs abroad, including:
- Availability of meducation, including shipment options and costs
- Standards of local medical care
- Confirming coverage of specific conditions or treatments
- Confirming insurance benefits
- Appointment scheduling assistance
- Filing a claim, or status of a filed claim
- Setting up guarantees of payment or direct payment to in-network doctors.
If you have any questions or need assistance preparing for your individual medical needs abroad, please contact Katie Mungovan, Assistant Director of Enrollment Services, at katiedoh@bu.edu. During your on-site orientation, you will also receive detailed information about how to access local health resources and what to do if you get sick.
GENERAL HEALTH PREPARATIONS:
Study abroad can be mentally and physically challenging, so it is important for you to prepare as much as possible now for your health and safety during your time abroad. We recommend that you consider the following:
- Make an appointment with your doctor for a checkup and discuss any medications you take.
- If you are experiencing any emotional, eating, or substance abuse issues, seek professional counselling and consider deferring your participation in an overseas program, if necessary.
- If you have had difficulties coping with change, stress or anxiety in the past (whether or not it was professionally diagnosed), or are hoping that time spent overseas will help you solve a problem facing you at home, or on campus, you should talk to a medical professional before studying abroad.
- If you anticipate needing any dental, optical, or other procedures, plan to have them completed before departure. If you wear contacts or glasses, plan to bring enough with you to last the full program.
- Take the time now to read the BU Study Abroad Health and Safety webpage.
- Consult the CDC website (specifically for "Extended Stay/Study Abroad" travelers) for country-specific health information. The CDC recommends being up to date on all routine immunizations for any travel abroad, and you should ask your doctor about any recommended vaccines or medications you may need based on your destination. Be sure to discuss these recommendations, as well as any other health conditions you may have, with your doctor before you depart.
Health Preparations for Singapore
Although there are no required immunizations for your time in Singapore, we recommend that you consult the CDC website for Singapore (specifically for study abroad/extended stay travelers). They recommend being up to date on all routine immunizations, and recommend a few more. Be sure to discuss these recommendations and any other health conditions you may have with your doctor before you depart. Please note Zika outbreaks have recently been reported in Singapore. In most cases Zika is a mild disease, but it’s always a good idea to be aware of it and take preventative measures. The CDC provides some useful information and preventative steps to follow. For more information, see Zika Virus in Singapore. We recommend bringing sunscreen and bug spray with you.
Request Academic Accommodations & Additional Support
If you have a mental health, emotional, learning, or physical disability that would require reasonable accommodations in order to complete the requirements of the program, you must obtain approval from the BU Disability and Access Services office (DAS), even if you've worked with their office previously. To initiate the approval request process, contact DAS at access@bu.edu or by phone at 617-353-3658. Please note that certain accommodations that you receive on your home campus may not be available at your program site, so the earlier that you are in contact with their office for advising, the better. The process for arranging accommodations may take several weeks. Please note that we are unable to accommodate emotional support animals in our international programs.
If you are currently consulting with a mental health professional, you must seek their counsel about the advisability of your participation in a study abroad program, especially as related to your adjustment to new cultural, academic, and housing environments and the availability of therapeutic or medical support while you are away from your home campus. If you have questions about the support available at your program destination, please contact your Program Manager.
Complete the Phase 2 Self Check
Have you completed everything in Phases 1 and 2? Here is a self-check to make sure you’re on the right track. Make sure you’re keeping track of any upcoming deadlines and budgeting enough time to complete them on-time. If you missed a deadline, be sure to check in with you Program Manager and complete that task right away.
You should have completed:
(From Phase 1)
- Confirmed your participation via your BU Study Abroad Application, paid your program deposit, and filled out the accompanying online forms.
- Watched the Pre-departure Roadmap Webinar
- Prepared NTU Course List – SEPT 15
- Submitted NTU Application – SEPT 30
(From Phase 2)
- Applied for NTU Housing – NOV 9
- Attended your pre-departure conference – NOV 19
- Confirmed SOLAR information and printed eForm 16 – NOV 30
- Booked flight and your travel plans via the International Travel Registry – DEC 22
- Made any necessary doctors appointments and located your nearest travel clinic for immunizations.
- Made a plan for any medications, prescriptions or healthcare needs abroad
- Contacted BU Disability & Access Services to plan for academic accommodations and other support services (if necessary)
———– END PHASE TWO ———–
———– START PHASE THREE ———–
Billing: Deadline Early Dec. for BU and mid-Jan. for Non-BU
BU Students:
The Spring 2025 payment deadline will be early December. You will use the StudentLink “Money Matters” tab to view and pay your bill, as usual. Any questions regarding your bill or making payments should be directed to BU Student Accounting Services at studenta@bu.edu.
Non-BU Students:
Banking Abroad
It’s essential that you call your bank and credit card companies to let them know you’ll be studying abroad. You’ll need to tell them what country (or countries) you’ll be visiting, and the dates you’ll be away. If you don’t let them know, they may freeze your accounts, assuming your card has been used fraudulently. When you call your bank, you should ask them about the fees you may incur when using your debit/credit cards internationally.
Singaporean Bank Account
You will be eligible to open a Singaporean bank account while you are abroad and you will learn more about this during NTU orientation. If you choose to open a Singaporean account, be sure to close it before leaving Singapore at the end of the semester.
Using your American account abroad
Many students choose to continue using their American accounts rather than opening an account with a Singaporean bank. Citibank customers in the U.S. have the option of opening a Singaporean Citibank account after arriving in Singapore, which allows free transfers between the American and Singaporean accounts for free and is a very convenient way of managing money while abroad.
Singapore is a more cash-based society than the U.S. so plan to carry small amounts of cash with you while you’re abroad rather than relying too heavily on credit or debit cards for daily funds.
Mobile Phones & Internet Access
Mobile Phones
- Make sure you have a local number for emergencies and ease of use
- Local pay-as-you-go plans are the easiest and most economical. You can either get a whole new cheap phone, or just a new simcard.
- Most students purchase a phone after arriving in Singapore to use for local calls/texts
- T-Mobile offers good options in Singapore
- Keep your current smartphone on “airplane mode” and use apps (WhatsApp or Viber) on Wi-Fi when it’s available.
- US-based international mobile phone plans are more expensive and often don’t work.
Communication With Home
Communication with Home
As you prepare to leave, you’ll want to think about your current communication habits with your loved ones, and plan ahead for how those routines may change while you’re abroad. Many students find that, due to their new schedules, travel, etc. that they do not call home as often as they would on their home campus. We recommend that you discuss this with your family and friends and make a plan that you can sustain while abroad BEFORE you leave:
Most students use internet-based apps to call or message people in the US or their home country. More information on suggested apps can be found above. Know that internet access and speed may be different while you’re abroad, and you’ll need to be flexible.
It is especially critical to explain that you will likely not have phone or internet access for several hours after arriving in Singapore. It’s equally important to let family and friends know if you’re going to miss a scheduled call – they may worry about your safety or well being as a result.
Packing List and Tips
All students should bring:
- Passport with eForm 16 (and IPA letter for non-US citizens)
- Flight itinerary (include NTU acceptance letter if you booked a one-way ticket)
- All medication you will need for the duration of your program
- NTU contact details and directions to your housing
Recommended packing list:
- Handbooks and emails from NTU
- Clothes for hot, humid weather
- Light jacket/sweaters to layer
- Waterproof rain jacket
- Comfortable shoes
- Rain boots
- Bath Towel
- Pillow and bedding (or plan to buy in Singapore)
- Sunscreen and Bug spray
- Laptop
- USB drive for backing up academic work and for printing
- 3-prong plug adapter (UK-style) and voltage converter (if needed)
- Ibuprofen: requires a prescription and can be expensive in Singapore, so bring it with you if you want it
What NOT to bring:
- US-based international cell phone plan
- Conspicuous clothing or electronics
- Sentimental/valuable items you could do without
- Personal appliances (hairdryers, straighteners, shavers)
Withdrawals: Deadline DEC 28
Have You Changed Your Mind?
If you are considering withdrawing from your Study Abroad program, please thoroughly review the Boston University Study Abroad Policy on Refunds. Please keep in mind that at any time after your admission to the program there may be non-recoverable costs associated with withdrawing from the program. Examples of non-recoverable costs for which you may be financially responsible may include, but are not limited to, charges related to housing, flights, academics, internships, or program-related activities.
It is important to note that the program starts on January 5 and is more than 12 weeks long. The last day to notify our office in writing of your withdrawal prior to being responsible for a portion of the program fee is December 28.
Complete the Phase 3 Self Check
Have you completed everything in Phases 1, 2 and 3? Here is a self-check to make sure you’re on the right track. Make sure you’re keeping track of any upcoming deadlines and budgeting enough time to complete them on-time. If you missed a deadline, be sure to check in with you Program Manager and complete that task right away.
You should have completed:
(From Phase 1)
- Confirmed your participation via your BU Study Abroad Application, paid your program deposit, and filled out the accompanying online forms.
- Watched the Pre-departure Roadmap Webinar
- Prepared NTU Course List – SEPT 15
- Submitted NTU Application – SEPT 30
(From Phase 2)
- Applied for NTU Housing – NOV 9
- Attended your Pre-Departure meeting – NOV 19
- Confirmed SOLAR information and printed eForm 16 – NOV 30
- Booked flight and your travel plans via the International Travel Registry – DEC 22
- Made any necessary doctors appointments and located your nearest travel clinic for immunizations.
- Made a plan for any medications, prescriptions or healthcare needs abroad
- Contacted BU Disability & Access Services to plan for academic accommodations and other support services (if necessary)
(From Phase 3)
- Called your bank and credit card companies to let them know you’ll be studying abroad. Asked about any banking reciprocity agreements they may have,
as well as any fees you may incur. - Decided if you’re going to use your current mobile phone abroad, or get a new phone after you arrive in Singapore. If you’re going to use your own phone, be sure to get it unlocked at least a week ahead of departure.
- Made a reasonable communication plan with your family and friends
- Settled your Boston University Student Account – Billing Deadline DEC 15
- Reviewed your packing list and purchased any essentials
- Read your “In-Country Guide”
———– END PHASE THREE ———–
———– START CONTACT ———–
Program Contacts
As you prepare for and embark on your study abroad experience, you will be in contact with various staff members from BU Study Abroad, both in Boston and abroad. To avoid missing important information, please add “@bu.edu” to your address book. Please keep all emails in a folder for your reference as you prepare for your semester abroad. Here are the names and email addresses of some people who will be in touch with you this semester, and/or whom you may want to contact with questions.
Boston-based Staff
- Sage Suorsa, Program Manager
Sage will be your primary contact during the pre-departure process. All questions and concerns you may have should be directed to her.
Singapore-Based Staff
You can contact NTU directly with specific questions about your courses, university policies, dates, student life, and housing in Singapore.
- Office of Global Education and Mobility: +65 6790 5088
OGEM will be your primary point of contact at NTU. - GEM Trailblazer Semester Exchange (Incoming Exchange): GEM-Trailblazer@ntu.edu.sg
- NTU Accommodation Office
Your on-site contact for housing questions and information.
———– END CONTACT ———–
———– START CALENDAR ———–
Program Dates
The Spring 2023 NTU exchange program runs from January 5 to May 5. Important program dates are as follows:
- Jan 1-4 – Arrive in Singapore (Depends on testing and quarantine restrictions)
- January 5 – Mandatory Orientation
- January 9 – Classes Begin
- February 27 – March 3 – Spring Break
- May 5 – Last Day of Final Exams
Tentative Academic Calendar
The NTU academic calendar is available here.
Neither late arrivals nor early departures are permitted. We urge students to not make any weekend or mid-semester break travel plans until they arrive on site and receive the finalized course and program schedule. During the semester, students must fulfill strict attendance requirements and will be very busy with classes, program activities, and assignments. If family and friends plan to visit, please schedule trips to take place before the start of on-site orientation, during a scheduled program break, or after the semester ends. The first and last weeks of the program are critical to students’ success and require your full attention. By timing visits to coincide with scheduled program breaks, you can meet attendance requirements and take full advantage of your study abroad experience.
———– END CALENDAR ———–
———– START GUIDE ———–
Nanyang Technological University Resources
- NTU – GEM Trailblazer Exchange
- 2022-23 NTU GEM-Trailblazer Info Sheet
- NTU – After You Apply
- NTU Student Resources
- NTU FAQs
- NTU Student Stories
- NTU Campus Map
General Resources
Local Embassy
US Embassy in Singapore
27 Napier Road (for reference)
Singapore 258508
Main Tel. No: (65) 6476-9100
Main Fax No: (65) 6476-9340
More information can be found here.
“Being You” Abroad
Personal Identity and Cultural Perceptions
Identities Abroad
As you prepare for your study abroad experience, you’ll want to consider aspects of your identity and how these may be perceived and treated in the culture you’ll be spending time in. You may encounter varying and even opposing perceptions of your identity, which could include your gender, sexual orientation, religious affiliation, ethnicity, and possibly several others. Although some of this will be covered in your on-site orientation, we encourage you to do some research into social norms, cultural mores, and local practices before your program begins. We want you to participate as much as possible in the host culture and should be prepared for the experience, which can be both personally challenging and rewarding.
Explore our resources for understanding how your experience may be impacted by your identity(ies).
Additional Resources
———– END GUIDE ———–
———– START FINE PRINT ———–
Academic Policies for Students Directly Enrolling in Courses at a Foreign University
As a student who will be directly enrolled in one or more courses at a foreign university, you are subject to a set of specific policies that apply to your classes, credits, and grades on this program. You are expected to be familiar with these policies before going abroad. Please read the academic policies below and make sure you understand them fully. You may download a copy of these policies here. Contact your Program Manager if you have any questions.
ACADEMIC POLICIES FOR STUDENTS DIRECTLY ENROLLING IN COURSES AT A FOREIGN UNIVERSITY
You will be enrolled in a course or courses at a university whose policies, teaching methods, and grading systems will differ from Boston University’s. Please read the policies outlined below very carefully and refer to your program-specific informational materials, which may include additional policies that modify or supplement the below.
- Full-time status. You are required to maintain full-time student status, equivalent to 12 or more BU credits per semester, while abroad. You may need to take more than 12 credits at your host university in order to earn the equivalent of 12 BU credits. Some foreign universities require that you take more than 12 BU credits in order to meet their requirements for full-time status.
- BU degree progress. You are responsible for verifying with your department in advance how the classes you take abroad will apply towards your major or minor degree requirements. An Academic Worksheet is available to you for this purpose.
- Auditing classes. You are not permitted to audit classes while studying abroad.
- Registering for final exams. Some universities abroad require students to register in advance for their final exams. It is your responsibility to know whether you need to register for your final exam, and to do so by the deadline. At some universities abroad, failure to register for or take a final exam results in a failing grade for that course. Although some universities abroad allow their matriculated students more than one opportunity to sit for final exams, BU Study Abroad program participants will sit the final exam only once.
- Grading Conversion and Credit Transfer. It is a student’s responsibility to understand the grading system and grade conversion scale for their host university courses. Some courses offered abroad may carry fewer than four credits.
- Grades and transcripts. Boston University cannot edit, modify or changein any way the final grades that are issued by your host institution and indicated on your host university transcript. Any questions regarding your grades should be directed to your host university faculty. All grades assigned to you by the host institution will be recorded on your BU transcript and all grades earned abroad will be factored into your GPA. You cannot opt to omit courses taken abroad and/or grades earned abroad from your BU transcript.
- Pass/Fail. No credit will be given to courses taken Pass/Fail.
- Withdrawals. If you withdraw from one of your classes abroad and a ‘W’ appears on your host university transcript, that ‘W’ will also appear on your BU transcript. However, a grade of ‘W’ will not be recorded on your transcript retroactively and post-program.
- Incompletes and Failing Grades. No grades of ‘Incomplete’ will be given; all coursework must be completed with your host institution, including the completion of all final exams before the end date of your program. You will also receive an ‘F’ on your BU transcript for any class that is ‘Incomplete’ on your host institution transcript. A failing grade earned in a class taken abroad will appear on your transcript as an ‘F’ and will count towards your GPA. In keeping with BU academic policy, you will not earn academic credit for incomplete or failed courses even though the grades appear on your transcript and impact your GPA.
Boston University Study Abroad reserves the right to rescind admission to or continuation in any program if an applicant’s academic or disciplinary record is not satisfactory. Boston University students placed on expulsion, academic suspension, or residence separation are not eligible to participate for the duration of the sanction. Deferred separation status will be reviewed on a case by case basis. Non-Boston University students are expected to verify their eligibility to study abroad with their home institution. In addition, your Boston University student account must be in good standing. University policy requires the withholding of educational services, including participation in a BU Study Abroad program from any student whose financial obligations to the university are due and/or unpaid. In completing your online pre-departure forms, there are a number of terms and conditions that you have agreed to by your electronic signature. In addition, some policies are stated on our website and linked below. We suggest that you review the following with your family, parent/guardian or other interested party: All students should thoroughly review the Boston University Study Abroad Policy on Refunds. This policy applies to all students and should be thoughtfully read when considering a withdrawal from a program. If you have questions, please contact our office. All students should review the Boston University Study Abroad Privacy Notice.The Fine Print: Policies and Procedures
Academic, Disciplinary and Financial Standing
Students’ Responsibilities While Abroad
Policy on Refunds
Privacy Notice
