NTU-University Scholars Programme Scholarship: 2025 Profile & Prep Guide
Download printable cheat-sheet (CC-BY 4.0)03 Oct 2025, 09:10 Z
TL;DR
NTU-USP Scholars receive full tuition, living allowances, and priority overseas exposure to pursue an interdisciplinary honours curriculum—surface intellectual range, community leadership, and readiness for a rigorous residential experience.
Scholarship Snapshot
- Status: Application Cycle Closed (last checked 2025-10-03)
- Official Portal: NTU University Scholars Programme Scholarship
- Who It Targets: Incoming freshmen accepted into NTU's University Scholars Programme from ‘A' Level, IB, NUS High, or Polytechnic backgrounds
- Eligibility: Singapore Citizens, PRs, and international students with stellar academics (top 5–10%), evidence of interdisciplinary curiosity, and sustained service leadership
- Tenable Institution: Nanyang Technological University (all undergraduate programmes with USP enrolment)
- Bond: None beyond completing NTU-USP academic and residential requirements
Award Components
- Full tuition fees (subsidised rate) plus mandatory fees for the standard programme duration
- Annual living allowance (approximately S$6,000) to defray accommodation and enrichment costs
- One-time computer or start-up grant
- Guaranteed overseas experience—summer schools, research attachments, or semester exchange—funded by USP grants
- Access to USP-exclusive seminars, industry labs, and one-on-one faculty mentorship
Eligibility Checklist
- Offer of admission to NTU with concurrent NTU-USP invitation
- Academic profile featuring perfect or near-perfect grades in core subjects, plus evidence of breadth (electives, competitions, research projects)
- Strong co-curricular track record: leadership, community service, or national/international competitions
- Reflective essays that demonstrate how you thrive in interdisciplinary, residential learning
- Willingness to complete USP core modules, capstone, and overseas exposure within candidature
Application Roadmap
- Apply to NTU and indicate interest in the University Scholars Programme in the admissions portal.
- Respond to USP invitation with portfolio materials—résumé, personal statement, recommendation letters, and short reflective prompts.
- Shortlisted interview involving a panel dialogue, article critique, or seminar-style discussion.
- Scholarship offer arrives in tandem with USP placement; confirm acceptance and hostel allocation.
- Onboarding includes USP orientation, mentor assignment, and planning for overseas enrichment (typically Year 2).
Selection Tips
- Integrate disciplines: cite projects where you bridged science with humanities or technology with social impact.
- Discuss curiosity: highlight books, research, or debates that shaped your intellectual identity.
- Show service leadership: quantify beneficiaries or initiatives (e.g., “Led a 40-member tutoring collective serving 120 lower-sec students”).
- Prepare for dialogue: practise discussing current affairs articles and articulating contrarian yet reasoned views.
- Highlight resilience: describe how you balance heavy academic demands with co-curricular commitments.
Living & Development Expectations
USP scholars stay in Crescent or Pioneer Halls, complete interdisciplinary seminars, and plan overseas exposure. Expect to contribute to USP events, mentor juniors, and undertake leadership roles in the residential community.
