National University of Singapore

I’m from RC4 and honestly, at the end of the day, it doesn’t matter which RC you choose. Go in with an open mind and willingness to participate. RC4 has a solid arts scene with an annual Arts Night and we were part of Residance. Systems Thinking is just a concept for UTCP courses—pretty simple, just give the teachers what they want. Don’t worry about the social vibe; with 500+ students, you’ll find your group. For the essay, don’t write something generic; stand out.

I did the Accountancy and IS double degree at NUS. The pros are real: you get a wider career scope in fields needing both skills, and you can code a lot. The campus layout helps—Biz and SoC are next to each other, so moving between classes was easy. But the workload is heavy. You'll need to plan your modules carefully and liaise a lot with faculty. I still managed to go on exchange and summer school, and I did my 232 MCs in 4 years. It's doable if you're organized, but definitely less DDP-friendly than SMU.

As an alumnus who started during COVID, I'll be honest: you're here to learn, not make friends. Most students are hi-bye friends for the semester, and I had to evaluate if talking to some peers was worth it since useless ones drag your grades down. But I do have a close group I still meet. My advice: be yourself, don't try too hard. Maybe watch something during break and let common interests spark conversation. Also, if your mind is a mess, consider a counselor before friends.

Architecture is poorly paid and underappreciated in Singapore. I took an advanced diploma in interior architecture but decided against a degree because the time and cost weren't worth it. I switched to IT project management and now work in the built environment sector. My current salary matches peers with engineering degrees and exceeds those with architecture degrees. My advice: branch out into related fields like sustainability or IT instead of just pursuing an architecture master's and license. Companies want versatile talent.

I appreciate that all course info and study plans are available on the website, and NUSmods provides module reviews. But it's frustrating that many professors are on holiday during term. On the plus side, the old Branchistone problem has been resolved.

NUS coursework is heavier than what I've seen at other universities, especially in SoC. You really need to finish work weekly or you'll fall behind and only get surface-level understanding, which caps you at a B-. This snowballs into higher modules like CS2040. I learned the hard way that CS is unforgiving if you slack early. Talk to your tutors and profs to fill gaps, and don't overload during internship sem—it's not worth the stress.

The campus buses at NUS are really hit or miss. The BYD electric buses are fine, but most of the fleet are Zhongtong buses which are awful to ride. The acceleration is jerky and the brakes are unpredictable, especially on steep slopes. It makes for a very uncomfortable trip. I understand the drivers aren't to blame, but the university should invest in better buses. It really spoils the campus experience.