NUS Global Merit Scholarship: 2025 Profile & Strategy
Download printable cheat-sheet (CC-BY 4.0)03 Oct 2025, 09:40 Z
TL;DR
NUS Global Merit Scholars enjoy full tuition, living support, and priority access to overseas enrichment and leadership tracks—build a sharp narrative that fuses academic excellence with community impact and a global outlook.
Scholarship Snapshot
- Status: Application Cycle Closed (last checked 2025-10-03)
- Official Portal: NUS Global Merit Scholarship
- Who It Targets: Singaporean freshmen across all NUS faculties with top-tier academics and leadership achievements
- Eligibility: Top percentile grades, extensive co-curricular leadership, community service, and clear alignment with NUS priorities (innovation, sustainability, social impact)
- Tenable Institution: National University of Singapore (all undergraduate programmes)
- Bond: None; scholars commit to enrichment milestones and maintaining CAP requirements
Award Components
- Full tuition and compulsory fees for the normal programme duration
- Annual living allowance (≈ S$6,000) and book allowance (≈ S$200)
- One-time computer grant (~S$2,000)
- Guaranteed funding for global programmes: exchange, NUS Overseas Colleges, summer schools
- Exclusive NUS Scholars Programme access, faculty mentorship, leadership seminars, and networking with alumni
Eligibility Checklist
- Singapore Citizen with confirmed NUS offer
- Straight As at ‘A' Levels / IB 41+ / Polytechnic GPA ≥ 3.9 (or equivalent distinction)
- Demonstrated leadership with measurable legacy—student government, national sports, start-up founder, or community initiative lead
- Sustained community contribution (service-learning projects, volunteering, social enterprises)
- Ability to articulate long-term ambitions aligned with NUS's role in national development
Application Roadmap
- Apply to NUS and select scholarship consideration within the admissions system.
- Upload supporting documents: résumé, testimonials, personal statement, and achievements.
- Shortlisting round: NUS Admissions reviews academic transcripts and leadership portfolio.
- Scholarship interview: panel discussion (faculty + alumni) featuring behavioural questions, policy caselets, or scenario prompts.
- Offer package: recipients confirm acceptance, review CAP maintenance clause, and sign the scholars' agreement.
Selection Tips
- Quantify your impact: cite numbers (funds raised, beneficiaries reached, competitions won) to anchor your achievements.
- Future vision: explain how NUS resources (research labs, incubators, global networks) accelerate your specific goals.
- Reflect on values: share lessons from setbacks or community work that shaped your leadership philosophy.
- Stay current: be prepared to discuss national issues, sustainability, and tech trends relevant to your discipline.
- Ask purposeful questions: show you researched NUS scholars' programmes, special research tracks, or cross-faculty minors.
Scholar Experience & Expectations
Global Merit Scholars join a tight-knit leadership community, attend the annual NUS Scholarship Retreat, and receive dedicated mentorship. Expect to maintain CAP ≥ 4.0, complete a compulsory overseas stint, and contribute to community outreach or scholar-led initiatives.
