Undergraduate FAQ

SoH Professional Attachment Programme 

1) How does Professional Attachment (PA) / Internship work? 

Professional attachment or internship has become an integral part of undergraduate training in NTU. Students value the experience as the exposure helps them with their transition into the working world. 

Internship is compulsory for new students enrolling in Nanyang Technological University (NTU) from academic year 2021/2022 onwards. 

They will need to successfully complete a 10-week or semester long work stint as part of their graduation requirements. The 5 Academic Units (AUs) earned will be used to fulfil the ICC-Foundational Core for 10-week attachment and additional 7 Academic Units (AUs) for Broadening & Deepening Electives (BDEs) for semester long internship . Students are eligible to embark on their internship from Year 2 onwards. 

2) Will I be attached to the company/(s) of my choice under the PA Programme? 

School of Humanities will work with the Career & Attachment Office (CAO) to source for suitable internship opportunities. Selection will be based on interviews and the selection criteria by participating organizations offering internship opportunities. Placement will be based on student’s own merit and organisation’s discretion to offer. Students may also source for placements themselves. Such self-source placement will be subjected to school’s and/or CAO’s approval. To be recognised as credit bearing and awarded the AUs successfully, the placement must be coordinated through CAO and will be subject to the same procedure & fulfilment criteria for supervision and assessment. 

3) What is the minimum requirement to pass PA? 

Upon registration for PA as a course and with successful placement, students must complete 10 weeks of attachment to be considered for a "pass" in PA. 

Students who have been given approved leave of absence must also complete minimum 8 weeks of attachment to qualify for a "pass" for PA. Prior approval of leave of absence must be obtained from CAO and the attachment organisation. 

If the internship is terminated prematurely without approval from the school, the student concerned will be deemed to have "failed" his/her attachment and the "FAIL" grade will be reflected in his/her transcript. 

4) Under PA, what will my allowance and working hours be like? 

The monthly stipend is between $800 to $1200 per month. Employers are exempted from making CPF contributions on student's allowance. 

Students will follow the normal working hours of the organisation on a five-day or five-and-a-half day week basis. 

Exchange Programmes 

Students must complete at least one year of study in NTU before going for an overseas exchange programme. 

NTU offers enriching student mobility programmes with more than 350 premier partner universities in more than 40 countries through its Global Education and Mobility (GEM) initiatives such as GEM Explorer and GEM Discoverer. 

1) What is GEM Explorer and how does it work? 

GEM Explorer programme offers students opportunities to spend a semester abroad either to pursue courses or conduct research. About 95% of GEM Explorer participants embark on coursework and a minority of students pursue exchange via research. 

NTU partners with more than 350 universities in over 40 countries around the world. 

Here are some of the benefits of participating in an exchange programme: 

• Experience Diverse Academic Teaching 
• Experience a new culture or learn a new language 
• Build global networks and forge meaningful relationships across the world 
• Earn academic units (AUs) 
• Develop cultural intelligence 
  

2) What is GEM Discoverer and how does it work? 

GEM Discoverer offers a plethora of opportunities for NTU undergraduates to experience the world. There is a variety of study abroad options to suit your study plan and academic goals. They include Summer/ Winter studies at one of our partner institutions abroad, language immersion programmes, and thematic studies in ASEAN countries and key Asian markets. 

All programmes are credit-bearing and take place over the university's vacations. You will earn academic units towards your degree whilst immersed in a whole new landscape. 

3) May I know how Singapore Universities Student Exchange Programme (SUSEP) works? 

A reciprocal agreement has been made with NUS, SMU and SUTD to offer student exchange programme. Through this programme, students at the 4 institutions are able to study and experience student's life at a host institution while pursuing their degrees in their university. In NTU, SUSEP is administered by the Office of Academic Services and supported by the Schools. 

The following options are available for students (NUS or SMU or SUTD) participating in the programme: 

• Partial Exchange Take a few approved courses in NTU and the remaining in your home university. Students are to ensure that the courses and examination timetables for the NUS/SMU courses they wish to take will not clash with those that they are taking in NTU. 
• Full Exchange Do one semester of studies of approved courses entirely at NTU. 

What is Art History? 

• Art History involves the study of art objects (or, in some cases, human creative expression in the form of sound, performance, and other ephemeral or time-based media) in the context in which they were created, displayed, written about, or collected. It involves understanding circumstances that that affected art production or gave rise to movements in a specific location or around the world at a specific time, but also how to look closely at individual artists and works of art to see how they do or do not fit into movements, styles, or other categories. 
• An important part of Art History involves developing skills that are specific to learning with art objects and images, especially visual analysis and iconography. 
• Another aspect of Art History involves seeing artistic production as part of the larger stories of visual culture, material culture, history, politics, and literary production. 
• The art history we teach at NTU acknowledges the origins of the discipline and its previous focus on attribution, classification, stylistic and formal developments, and the study of master artists and masterworks. We also acknowledge the field’s ongoing evolution to include a broader set of questions about how art functions as part of a cultural continuum. 
  

What does the Art History Programme offer? 

Our programme comprises core courses covering introductions to Western and Asian art histories followed by an introduction to Southeast Asian Art History and an introduction to visual culture. The remaining courses are divided into four broad areas of study: 

• Global Art Histories 
• Contemporary Art and Theory 
• Archaeology, Curatorial, Heritage, and Museum Studies 
• Asian Art Histories 

Art History double majors take at least one class from each of the above areas, and choose one as an area of specialty. Art History double majors also often pursue research as part of the URECA programme. 

How is Art History at NTU different? 

• We are the only Art History department in Singapore that offers an undergraduate double major in Art History as well as a second major and minor. 
• Based on our location and the strengths of our faculty members, we are uniquely equipped to study the modern and contemporary global art history centered on Asia. 
• Our department also benefits from close connection with the School of Art, Design, and Media and the NTU Centre for Contemporary Art Singapore, as well as being part of the growing arts ecosystem in Singapore. 
• Our faculty members have experience as curators and critics as well as in the more traditional arenas of art history. 

What are the readings and writing assignments like? 

• Readings vary by class, but usually include a mix of primary and secondary source material related to art history along with material from other fields that is applicable to the topics and art contexts at hand. 
• Assignments vary, including group projects, presentations, and research papers. In some courses there are short-answer exams. Field trips and guest speakers are often integrated into a course, and are usually accompanied by a response paper or another assignment to reflect upon the experience or new point of view that was introduced. 
• Students are encouraged to meet with their professors for consultation regarding assignments. 
• Writing assignments are intended to help students practice and hone their analysis and arguments, while applying visual analysis techniques to specific works of art and developing critical readings of historical or theoretical texts. 
• The quantity of texts varies with each class, and often figure into class lectures and discussions. It is expected that these readings will be completed in advance of the class for which they were assigned so that students may then fully benefit from lectures and actively participate in discussions or other hands-on activities. 
• Texts include books, book chapters, journal articles, newspaper articles, web resources, etc. 

What is the emphasis of the Art History Major at NTU? 

While the purview of the art history is global, there is special emphasis on the art and material culture of Asia, and specifically Southeast Asia, as well as East-West interactions and encounters. The time periods covered by many upper-level courses focus on the art of the 19th, 20th, and 21st centuries including contemporary Singapore. Art History at NTU is actively put in conversation with curatorial practice, heritage, and the history of exhibitions. 

What can I do with a degree in Art History? 

• Art History does not lead to a specific job or profession; we have had students enter a variety of professions in the public and private sector; these include art-related fields including arts education, research, libraries and archives, arts administration, auction houses, and involvement in curating or management in a either a gallery, museum, or arts festival setting. There are also many students who pursue non-art related fields including journalism, foreign service, public relations, publishing, and heritage consultancy. Many students go on to pursue advanced degrees in Art History or another field. 
• We believe art history creates an ability to gather and synthesise information from images or other sources, analyse and report on one’s findings, and make cogent arguments; these are skills that are useful almost anywhere; it also teaches you to look at new material and come up with appropriate questions for learning more about that material, find meaningful ways to compare and contrast works of art from different historical circumstances, and to communicate your research, inferences, and opinions effectively. It also provides specific knowledge about art that is foundational to careers in the cultural field. 

I am applying to do a Major in another discipline in SoH or College, but I am interested in Art History, and would like to do a Second Major in History. What are the requirements for a Second Major in History? 

Minimum 4.0 GPA after first year 

Is it an advantage to have studied Art History at A-Level? 

• Courses are structured and taught in such a manner that A-Level Art History students can build on their foundation, but it is unlikely they will have a special advantage. 
• The programme also offers a wide array of courses which do not constitute part of pre-University Art History curriculum; 

If I attended a Polytechnic rather than a JC, will I have difficulty with the coursework? 

We have students from the polytechnics very successfully taking the double major in English Literature and Art History. Our first-year compulsory courses are all introductory in nature, and are designed specifically to prepare all students for the more advanced courses in their later years. What matters too, is that you are interested in the subject matter and motivated to learn. For many students, University is the first opportunity they have to study Art History, so the curriculum does not assume prior exposure to the discipline. 

What is Chinese? 

Chinese promotes the study and appreciation of Chinese language and culture. It provides multiple local and global perspectives, broadening students’ knowledge of the contemporary world, and making them adaptable and culturally attuned to regional and international environments. 

What is the emphasis of the Chinese Major at NTU? 

The Chinese programme at NTU will equip students with a strong foundation in the reading of classical and modern texts, a deeper understanding of the Chinese language, and a broad perspective on Chinese History and the Chinese Diaspora in Southeast Asia. 

We offer four areas of specialisation: 

• a. Chinese literature and culture
• b. Chinese history and thought and China Studies 
• c. Linguistics and Chinese linguistics
• d. Studies of Ethnic Chinese 

How is Chinese at NTU different? 

• Chinese at NTU offers you a variety of courses. We not only teach courses such as Chinese literature and thoughts that fit your interests in Chinese traditional culture, but also diverse courses on historical and contemporary issues, ethnic Chinese, and so on. Students in the Chinese programme are not only bilingual, but also bicultural; 
• Chinese provides two unique minors, namely creative writing in Chinese and translation. The two minors which broaden our students’ learning and career opportunities, are highly attractive to students from both Chinese and other majors. 
• The faculty in the Chinese programme come with different backgrounds and research interests. They are established, friendly and dedicated to teaching and research. 
  

What can I do with a Chinese degree? 

Students in the Chinese programme at SoH NTU do not only focus on Chinese language and culture, but also contemporary China issues, involving interdisciplinary study – economics, politics, culture, history, philosophy, linguistics, etc, which are relevant in today’s world and fit the needs in job market. In addition to the Chinese major, students can also flexibly plan for a second major or a minor based on their interests and needs. 

The employment rate of our Chinese graduates has remained high over the years. Our alumni have established their careers in a variety of industries, including public services, education, media, international business, advertising, public relations, journalism, publishing, translation, theatre and arts, consultant/advisory role, etc. 

Will I be in a disadvantageous position after learning Chinese for four years, while the working language in Singapore is English? 

NTU adopts broad-based undergraduate education. That is, approximately one third of your curriculum is devoted to Broadening courses, General Electives and Minor courses, which are mainly conducted in English language. In addition, our Chinese programme offers Minor in Translation, where you can develop skills and knowledge in both Chinese and English. In a market where demand for Chinese remains high, being a Chinese major who is bilingually and biculturally equipped will actually put you in an advantageous position. 

Will I have the opportunity to study abroad? 

Yes. Many of our students apply for exchange in top universities in Mainland China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. Our students can also broaden their experiences if they are interested in other countries or regions, such as Korea, Japan, Europe, and US. 

I am reading Chinese/Higher Chinese at A level. Do I have an advantage in doing the Chinese Major? 

A background in Chinese/Higher Chinese at A level is certainly helpful to a certain extent. However, the Chinese Major at NTU requires more critical thinking and analytical skills in your approach. You will gain a wider range of knowledge including literature, linguistics, history, philosophy, and regional studies, and develop critical thinking and analytical skills. 

Does the Chinese Major accept international students? 

Yes, we do. In general, around 20% of NTU’s intake is made up of international students. 

Can I complete the programme in less than 4 years? 

Yes, you can. 

中文主修(荣誉)文学士课程-常见问题及解答 

南大中文系主修课程的重点是什么？ 

中文系的课程包括古典与现代作品的阅读，以及中国文学、语言、文化、历史、思想方面的基本知识。我们提供四个专业领域的课程，让你能够根据兴趣深入了解。这四个专业领域是： 

1. 文学与文化 2. 中国历史、思想与中国研究 3. 语言学与汉语言学 4. 海外华人研究 

南大中文系有什么特别？ 

在南大，你可以有更多样化的选择！如果你对中国传统文化感兴趣，想了解更多中国的经典，我们有传统的文学、历史、思想等方面的课程供你选择。如果你有兴趣了解更多目前中国的情况，我们也有课程供你讨论最热门、最新鲜的课题。如果你对海外华人有兴趣，我们也有相关课程。我们的目标是培养双语双文化人才。 

此外，我们中文系设有两个很特别的副修：华文创意写作和翻译。这两个副修相当热门，不但中文系的许多同学会选择，还吸引了很多外系甚至外院的同学。 

我们中文系的老师相当国际化，有着广泛的研究兴趣。他们也非常鼓励并欢迎有兴趣的同学们一起讨论或参与研究。 

还有值得一提的是，我们中文系一直以来不仅同学之间相当友爱，师生之情也十分融洽浓厚。你来了后，一定能感受到我们中文系大家庭的温馨。 

我很喜欢中文，可是，我也必须考虑现实的问题。拿中文文凭有什么的工作前景呢？ 

别担心，你不必为了现实的考虑而放弃中文。我们在中文系不仅仅学习汉语语言和文化，也注重当代问题，强调跨学科学习，包括与经济学、政治学、文化、历史、哲学、语言学等的结合，这样的跨学科训练高度迎合当前市场需求。在南大，我们的课程组合很有弹性，你可以按照个人兴趣及实际需要修读双主修，或者一主一副，如中文与经济、中文与传播学等等。历年来，中文系毕业生的就业率很高，我们的校友分布在各行各业，包括公共服务、教育、媒体、国际商务、广告、公共关系、媒体、出版、翻译、戏剧与艺术、咨询等等。 

读了四年中文系，会不会和英文脱节？新加坡的主要工作语言是英文，中文系毕业生会不会吃亏？ 

这一方面，你一点都不需要担心。南大为学生提供全面的教育，我们的主修课程中，有大约三分之一是通识课程、自由选修单元以及副修课程。这些课程大部分是用英语进行教学的。 

此外，如果你想增强你的中英双语能力，我们非常鼓励你修读翻译副修课程和华文创意写作副修（也由中文系开办）。具备双语、双文化能力之后，你将会有更多更好的就业机会。 

我有没有到外国大学浸濡学习的机会？ 

当然有啦！南大非常鼓励学生到外国的大学浸濡学习。我们系的很多同学申请去中国大陆、香港、台湾等地的知名学府交换。我们也有学生通过交换，去韩国、日本、欧洲、美国等地丰富自己的人生经验。 

我修读高级水准的华文/高级华文，来到南大中文系有没有优势？ 

这些课程让你接触一些古典与现代的文学作品，也提供一些中国文化历史方面的背景知识。作为一个开始，的确是有些帮助。不过，在全球化与资讯科技发达的年代，拥有批判思维能力与分析技巧是非常重要的。这不只是南大中文系主修课程的宗旨，也是我们对你的要求。 

不过，你不用担心，通过修读南大中文系的课程，你就会逐渐掌握这些技能，并且学到更深更广的知识，包括文学、语言学、历史、思想、区域研究等等。 

我可以在不到四年的时间之内修完所有课程吗？ 

南大的课程是四年制课程。不过，做好充分准备的学生可以有计划地缩短修业时间。他们可以每学期多修一些科目，也可以在两个正式学期之间的短学期选修额外的科目。 

南大中文系接受外国学生吗？ 

有啊，南大目前的学生之中，有两成左右是来自世界各地。 

What is English? 

The world of literary studies is broad and diverse. We do not engage in rote memorisation but train you in creative and critical thinking. We believe that the most valuable aspect of literature is found in your interpretation of the text, and we will provide you with the training required to express your views with confidence and skill. 

We study literature from around the world and engage with a range of cutting-edge themes and issues such as gender, postcolonialism, and eco-criticism, across a range of forms including novels, films, theatre, and poetry. Literature helps to stimulate our imagination and see the world in a new way! 

What does the English Programme offer? 

We have complete coverage of the traditional areas of literary study ranging from Medieval literature and Renaissance literature through to Victorian literature and Contemporary Literature. Alongside the core modules, we offer modules dedicated to literature from around the world including Singaporean literature, Latino literature, Irish literature, European literature, and Southeast Asian literature. We also offer specialist modules on a range of subject matter including Science and Literature, History of the Book, Literature and Medicine, Children’s Literature, Shakespeare, Science Fiction, and beyond! 

How is English at NTU different? 

• We are a warm and welcoming department and support our students throughout their degree. We know that you have an enquiring mind, and we are keen to help you develop your own creative and critical voice. 
• Our direct honors programme allows you to major in English from your first year; majority of the modules you take to complete the degree will be from our programme. 
• At the same time, we offer flexible programme options that allow you to shape your own education. Our students have the opportunity to undertake a second major or minor in other disciplines including Drama and Performance, Communications Studies, Environmental Humanities, Film, Entrepreneurship, and Health and Society. Our curriculum also offers students many opportunities for self-directed research so that you can pursue your own interests. 
• We are the only university in Singapore to offer complete coverage of literary history from Medieval Literature and Renaissance Literature through to modernism and contemporary literature. In addition, we also offer diverse modules such as Children's Literature, Science Fiction, Theatre of the Absurd, and Literature and Medicine. 
• Our department includes some of the most talented scholars from Singapore and the rest of the world. We are bright, energetic, and diverse department with faculty who engage in cutting edge research at the forefront of the discipline. 
• We deliver innovative teaching styles that emphasise individual voices and equip you with the skills that you need to succeed in the workplace. These include playing theatre games and working together on a public exhibition. 
• Our students also get to take advantage of internship opportunities from the second year to gain valuable work experience and skills. 

What are the assessments like? 

We offer a varied and comprehensive range of assessments. Of course, the essay remains the primary assessment method because it is the best way to develop your writing skills, critical thinking, and provides the perfect platform for engaging in deep, complex thought. By the end of the programme, you will become a master of writing and even enjoy it! But we also offer assessments such as performances, creative projects, graphics, concept mapping, online quiz, debates, and so on. These assessments bring out the best in our students and some of their work has been displayed arts festivals and public locations around Singapore. 

We have a friendly, engaging, and relatable faculty who are always keen to help you. You are encouraged to explore lots of interesting subject matter but over time, you will start to specialise. At this point, some of you will have the opportunity to work with professors on a research project of your own design. 

By the end of the programme, you will be a professionally trained writer, able to adapt to a wide range of styles and forms. 

Our students possess a love of literature and learning. They have enquiring minds and are curious about the world outside the classroom. Often, literary texts help us to understand why the world works in a certain way and challenges us to ask difficult questions. Through such questioning, we learn to change the world! 

If I attended a Polytechnic rather than a JC, will I have difficulty with the coursework? 

Every year, we accept numerous students from Polytechnics, some of whom are amongst our best and brightest! Our first-year modules are carefully calibrated for a diverse intake, and we don’t assume any knowledge in advance. We know, for instance, that NS men have had limited time for reading for two years. We make sure that everyone is trained in the basics while making sure there are opportunities for the strongest students to demonstrate what they are capable of achieving. 

What type of employment is available to someone with an English Literature degree? 

• Many fields such as Publishing, Publicity, Human Resource, Arts Administration and Management, Advertising/Marketing, Journalism/Media, and 
• Education/Training, particularly where excellent verbal and written communication is instrumental. Please visit our website where our alumni describe the diverse and exciting opportunities for graduates in English. 
• This programme equips students with outstanding communication and analytical abilities. Together with their extensive knowledge of international arts and humanities, English Literature graduates are highly valued by employers. 
• We also encourage our students to pursue internships during their studies where they have the opportunity to see how the transferable skills—creativity, communication, civic-mindedness, critical thinking—developed on the degree programme are used in today’s workplace. 
• In addition, many of our students continue their studies at some of the top international universities such as the University of Oxford, King’s College London, Ohio State University, the University of Leeds, Durham University, and the University of Cambridge. 

What is the difference between enrolling in NTU's English programme and going straight to NIE? With its comprehensive and diverse curriculum, NTU's English programme offers students an opportunity to deepen subject knowledge. In addition, it allows students to pick up a range of skills including research skills that are transferable across a wide range of industries other than education. Finally, the Ministry of Education requires applicants to complete a subject degree first before doing a Postgraduate Diploma in Education at NIE in order to teach in a junior college. 

What is the Creative Writing minor like? 

Our Creative Writing minor is a well-established programme run by a faculty of practising writers who are familiar with the local and international publishing scenes. As such, they are able to offer guidance on both technical skills and potential publication opportunities, locally and abroad. 

In addition, NTU English partners with the National Arts Council on the Asia Creative Writing Programme, which allows us to invite practising local and international writers across the four official languages to be part of our community. These writers conduct classes for our students and are available for consultation. Past invited writers include award-winning science fiction writer Aliette de Bodard and acclaimed Irish writer Rob Doyle. More information can be found here: https://blogs.ntu.edu.sg/acwp/ 

To complete the minor, students need to enroll into the compulsory Introduction to Creative Writing module and take 4 other creative writing-related modules such as Poetry, Fiction, Non-fiction Prose, Screenwriting, Playwriting, and Advanced Creative Writing. The Creative Writing programme offers students a conducive and nurtuing environment for students to hone their writing skills. Modules take place in the form of workshops, which give students the opportunity to receive feedback from faculty and their peers. These modules are open to students from faculties across the university, allowing for interesting multidisciplinary discussions. Many of our students have gone on to publish works developed in the course of the minor on local and international platforms. 

What is History? 

• The history we teach at NTU is unlike the history you have likely learned in JC or secondary school. We are not just interested in having you memorise dates or places or people. Rather, we are interested in exploring history from a variety of different perspectives, including the perspectives of ordinary people. 
• We believe everything has a history, not just nations or countries. Land has history, religions have history, food has history, movies have a history, animals have history, and so on. 
  

What does the History Programme offer? 

Our programme is divided into four broad areas of study: 

• Global Asia, covering Asian history within a global context 
• World history 
• Interdisciplinary history – history as it relates to other subjects such as history of science, technology, medicine, business, and environment; 
• Applied history – specialised courses that develop practical skills such as mapping, programming, filmmaking, and so-on. 

How is History at NTU different? 

• We are a very young history programme with talented scholars at the cutting edge of research, so we are pushing the frontiers of history in both our research and teaching; 
• Our “global” or transnational focus sets us apart from many other places; we are not historians who specialize in “Japan” or “USA” or other specific nations; rather most of us look at connections across the globe – flows of ideas, people, objects through migration and trade; 
• Our “interdisciplinary” focus also sets us apart – we aim to engage deeply with other disciplines and other parts of the University; we are not just interested in history for history’s sake but rather in how it can impact our understanding of other fields; 
• Our “applied” history is also something unique within Singapore, specialised courses for developing skills that will be relevant in your workplace; 
• You can go directly into history from your first year (direct honours programme) 
• You can undertake a second major in other disciplines within SoH and the College of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences 
• Internship opportunities from the second year. 

What are the readings and writing assignments like? 

• They are very varied and range from traditional essay assignments to final project assignments which may comprise a report and/or presentation, poster presentation, websites, podcasts, exhibitions, creative projects from blogs to scrapbook to newsletter and audio recordings, etc. 
• Students are encouraged to meet with their professors for consultation regarding assignments. 
• Writing assignments is to allow students to practice and hone their analysis and arguments, while developing critical readings of the text 
• The quantity of texts varies with each class. 
• Texts include textbooks, books, book chapters, journal articles, web resources, reports, etc. 
  

What is the emphasis of the History Major at NTU? 

We offer courses in 3 areas: 

• a. Global Asia 
• b. Interdisciplinary History of Science, Technology, Business, Medicine, and the Environment 
• c. World History 
• d. Applied History 

What can I do with a degree in History? 

• History does not lead to a specific job or profession; we have had students enter a variety of professions in the public and private sector; these include education, foreign service, public relations, publishing, news and other interactive and innovative media including games content development, museum curating, tourism and heritage consultancy, and the service industry; 
• We believe history creates an ability to gather information, synthesise information, analyse information, and report on one’s findings; these are skills, if you think about it, that are useful almost anywhere; it teaches you to reason with large bodies of data and to communicate that information effectively; 
• Such skills as being able to evaluate good and bad information, decide what is important or relevant, formulate a coherent and reasoned argument are vital for careers and professions in today’s globalised world and knowledge-based economies 
  

I am applying to do a Major in another discipline in SoH or College, but I am interested in History, and would like to do a Second Major in History. What are the requirements for a Second Major in History? 

Minimum 4.0 GPA after first year 

Is it an advantage to have studied History at A-Level? 

• Courses are structured and taught in such a manner that A-Level History students can build on their foundation, but it is unlikely they will have a special advantage. 
• The programme also offers a wide array of courses which do not constitute part of pre-University History curriculum; 

If I attended a Polytechnic rather than a JC, will I have difficulty with the coursework? 

We have students from the polytechnics taking History, and some of them are our better students. Our first-year compulsory courses are all introductory in nature, and are designed specifically to prepare all students for the more advanced courses in their later years. What matters too, is that you are interested in the subject matter and motivated to learn. 

What does an interdisciplinary FYP with a history double major look like? 

Double majors have more flexibility in their FYP proposal in terms of choosing the approach with which to answer their research questions. They can, for instance, choose literary sources to analyse a historical question (English/History), encorporate sources in multiple languages to answer a historical question (LMS/History) or probe the historicity of a philosophical problem (History/Philosophy). They can choose supervisor from among the faculty in either of their two majors. 

What is Linguistics? 

• Linguistics and Multilingual Studies allows students to explore how language works – from the properties of speech sounds to word and sentence structure, from children's language development to communication in bilingual and multilingual societies. 
• Interdisciplinary in nature, involving other fields such as psychology, computer science, cultural studies, sociology, history, etc. 
  

What is Linguistics and Multilingual Studies about? 

• This programme involves the study of the languages of multilingual individuals and of multilingual societies. This is particularly relevant to Singapore and the region, which is characterised by the widespread practice of bilingualism and multilingualism. 
• This programme will also focus on the study of language issues in countries that are of special relevance to Singapore such as China, India, Indonesia and Vietnam, amongst others. 

How is LMS at NTU different? 

We are the only institution in Singapore (and the region) to offer such a degree. 

What is the emphasis of the LMS Major at NTU? 

Our graduates will have a concrete foundation in the theories of linguistics across the many different subfields. We offer courses in 5 areas: 

• a. Language and Technology 
• b. Multilingual Societies And Multiculturalism 
• c. Language, Mind and Multilingualism 
• d. Language Structure 
• e. Special Topics in Linguistics 
  

What can I do with a degree in LMS? 

• LMS takes an analytical approach to the study of language, and LMS graduates will have acquired skills in critical thinking, data analysis, problem solving, and logical thinking that can be applied to many fields. 
• Provides students with a global perspective, allowing LMS graduates to be culturally and socially attuned and aware, making them good communicators with an international worldview. 
• The Interdisciplinary nature and global perspective of LMS, allows graduates to take on jobs that are not restricted by disciplinary boundaries. 
• May embark on jobs in publishing and communication industries, translating and interpreting, computational fields, foreign language teaching, and the teaching of English as a second language, among others. 
  

Possible Careers: 

• Computer industry 
• Education 
• Teach languages 
• Translator or interpreter 
• Work on language documentation or do fieldwork 
• Writer/editor 
• Work with dictionaries (lexicography) 
• Become a consultant on language in professions such as law or medicine 
• Marketing and advertising 

I am reading Mother Tongue/Foreign Language. Do I have an advantage in doing the LMS Major? 

Yes indeed. These are helpful as an entry point. It also helps you understand the intricacies of multilingualism in your course of study. 

If I attended a Polytechnic rather than a JC, will I have difficulty with the coursework? 

We have accepted numerous students from Polytechnics, some of whom are among our best students. Our first year compulsory courses are all introductory in nature, and are designed specifically to prepare all students for the more advanced courses of their later years. 

Will I be able to study a new language or continue studying the one I have been studying already?

The NTU Centre for Modern Languages offers courses in several languages. While not compulsory as part of your degree, we do encourage our students to take up a new language or continue studying those they have been learning already. Moreover, if you reach a high level in one of the CML language courses, you can count it as one of your MPEs. You can also consider doing a Minor in Modern Languages which may complement well your degree in LMS. 

What is Philosophy? 

When considered as an academic discipline, philosophy is concerned with the study of fundamental problems such as those connected to the nature of knowledge, reality, existence, mind, language, science, and morality. It involves a broad and systematic critical examination of questions that underlie the foundations of other disciplines. 

Some of the typical questions philosophers ask are: 

• What kind of world do we live in? 
• Is there a God? 
• Is there an external world? 
• What kind of life should we live? 
• Do human beings act freely? 
• Where do moral obligations come from? 
• How do we construct a just society? 
• Where does knowledge come from and what are the limitations of our knowledge? 
  

Philosophers are also concerned with specific questions that have direct applications in other fields: 

• Do the results of quantum mechanics force us to view our relations to objects differently? 
• What does it take for your life to go well? 
• Do animals have rights? 
• What is the moral justification for using military force? 
• What kind of research ethics should medical professionals observe in their research? 
  

The study of philosophy requires a mode of inquiry that questions fundamental assumptions, argues logically, and thinks through things as comprehensively as possible. In this sense, philosophy shapes the way we think and act. It also heightens our sensitivity towards the nuances of life and at the same time enhances our ability to engage with them. When properly done, philosophy students can take on an encompassing perspective of things that makes them potentially fit for any profession. While Western philosophers are in general characterised by their analytic ability, Asian thinkers are characterised by their emphasis on self-transformation and their practical concerns for the world they live in. This is particularly the case in Chinese philosophy. Due to the comprehensive concerns of Chinese thinkers, the study of Chinese philosophy is intimately linked with the studies of Chinese literature and Chinese history. 

What do I study in the Philosophy programme? 

• Chinese Philosophy 
• Ethics 
• Political philosophy 
• Philosophy of Science 
• Philosophy of Mind 
• Epistemology 
  

How is the Philosophy programme at NTU different? 

• Established, well-rounded faculty with a strong focus on Chinese philosophy, Philosophy of Science, and Ethics 
• Interdisciplinary in nature 
• A vast range of choices 

Some examples of courses available are: 

• Logic and Critical Thinking 
• Introduction to Philosophy 
• Symbolic Logic 
• Moral Philosophy 
• Chinese Philosophy 
• Philosophy of Science 
• Philosophy of Mind 
• Environmental Philosophy 

What skills will I have with a degree in Philosophy? 

Students will develop critical thinking, reflective consciousness, and other transferable skills, which can strengthen their disciplinary studies and enable them to better adapt to changing circumstances of the world. The study of philosophy also typically cultivates the following abilities: 

• Communicate complex ideas clearly and effectively 
• Ask good questions, think independently, critically, and clearly 
• Uncover and examine hidden assumptions 
• Analyse and critically assess arguments 
• Formulate consistent, coherent, and complex arguments 
• Conceptualise and articulate difficult issues or abstract ideas 
• Apply abstract ideas to particular situations and cases 
• Examine and justify beliefs and actions 
  

What will my career prospects be when I graduate with a Philosophy degree? 

Philosophical training develops skills highly sought after by employers, such as analytical and critical thinking, the ability to quickly identify issues and to construct a coherent argument and defend it. Philosophy equips students with the ability to adapt quickly to fast-evolving circumstances and embrace change and challenges. Philosophy graduates have gone on to a range of careers including private sector management, finance, the charity sector, IT management, government, and the media. 

How will studying Philosophy benefit me? 

Among employers, the skills that philosophy teaches particularly well are in high demand. 

• In a 2009 survey on employers’ views of higher education conducted by the American Association of Colleges and Universities, 89% of over 300 employers surveyed said that colleges and universities should place more emphasis on “the ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing.” 
• In the same survey, 81% of employers surveyed said that colleges and universities should place more emphasis on “critical thinking and analytical skills.” 
  

Here are some interesting statistics 

Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) scores from 2015 to 2018 reflected that philosophy majors: 

• had the highest average number of standard deviations above the mean score for the entire exam 
• had the highest average score on the verbal and writing sections of the exam 
• had the highest average quantitative reasoning score of all humanities majors 

If I attended a Polytechnic rather than a JC, will I have difficulty with the coursework? 

No, you will not. Some of our best students are from polytechnics. Our first-year courses are mostly introductory in nature, and are tailored to prepare students for more challenging and advanced courses in the later part of their degree programme.