Frequently Asked Questions for Students Admitted from AY2021-22

General

1. Students from Cohort AY2020-21 and before read only 5 GE courses, but the GE curriculum is different for me. Why?

Students admitted from AY2021/22 onwards (except students from Law, Medicine, Dentistry) will experience a new curriculum introduced by the GE Reform, which aims to ensure that the GE curriculum continues to provide a unique and relevant learning experience for students to thrive in today’s rapidly-changing world. The new curriculum features the following six pillars:

  • Data Literacy
  • Digital Literacy
  • Critique and Expression
  • Cultures and Connections
  • Singapore Studies
  • Communities and Engagement

Students are required to read one course from each pillar, to fulfil their GE requirements.

Students from College of Humanities and Sciences and College of Design and Engineering will satisfy GE requirements with courses within their common curriculum.

Students who are enrolled in the University Scholars Programme (USP), University Town College Programme (UTCP), or Ridge View Residential College Programme (RVRC) may not be required to read all six GE pillars. For the GE pillar(s) not satisfied within these programmes, students are required to read one GE course from the outstanding GE Pillar(s).

2. Do I need to read 24 Units of GE courses every year, or is the 24 Units requirement for the entire programme?

You need to read 24 Units of GE courses throughout your entire programme.


Cohort-specific

1. I am confused by the different course prefixes. What are the differences?

Courses with prefixes such as GEH, GEQ, GER, GES and GET are read by students admitted before AY2021-22.

For students admitted from AY2021-22, they will read a course each with the following prefixes:

  • GEA – to fulfil the Data Literacy pillar
  • GEI – to fulfil the Digital Literacy pillar
  • GEX – to fulfil the Critique and Expression pillar
  • GEC – to fulfil the Cultures and Connections pillar
  • GESS – to fulfil the Singapore Studies pillar
  • GEN – to fulfil the Communities and Engagement pillar

Up to 8 Units of GE requirements may be double counted with a Major requirement. GE requirements may also be double counted with Second Major, Minor and Specialisation requirements, subject to the Second Major, Minor and Specialisation double counting rules.

Please refer to this link for the list of courses approved under the six GE pillars.

Fulfilment of GE Requirements

1. I am a polytechnic diploma holder – which GE course am I granted Advanced Placement Credits (APCs) for?

Students who have been granted APCs towards a course that satisfies a GE pillar will be granted exemption from the GE pillar.

2. I am going for a Student Exchange Programme/Summer Programme/Winter Programme/Study Abroad Programme. Can I take courses from the overseas/Partner University, and have them counted as GE courses? What is the procedure for doing so?

Students who have been granted transfer credits from Student Exchange Programmes towards a course that satisfies a GE pillar, will be granted exemption from the GE pillar and will be considered to have fulfilled the GE pillar.

Students are advised to submit their course mapping requests in EduRec before going for their exchange programmes. Students will receive an email on the outcome of the mapping. If the mapping is approved, students can request for credit transfer after they return from the exchange programmes.

Registering for GE Courses

1. How do I register for GE courses?

You can register for GE courses via Course Registration at Education Records System (CourseReg@EduRec) (Navigation: Academics > Course Registration). Students admitted from AY2021/22 onwards should not register for GE courses coded with GEH, GEQ, GER, GES and GET prefixes to fulfil their GE requirements.

Students should also ensure that they have not exceeded the limit of Level-1000 courses. (Note: The limit on the number of Level-1000 courses to be counted towards fulfilment of graduation requirements is 60 Units for 160 Units-programmes.)

When registering for GE courses, it is the responsibility of students to check the class and examination timetable, and ensure that there are no timetable clashes.

2. I did not manage to get the GE course that I wanted to read this semester. Are all GE courses offered every semester?

Not necessarily. Some GE courses are offered only in Semester 1, while others may be offered only in Semester 2.

3. Where can I find the timetables for the GE courses?

Please refer to NUSMods for all class schedules.

4. I understand that we are not allowed to exceed a certain number of Units per semester. What is the maximum number of Units I can take?

Please contact your Faculty Dean's Office for clarification.

5. How do I know if my GE course has tutorials?

Please refer to NUSMods.

6. Can I read excess GE courses, after completing 24 Units of the General Education requirements?

Yes, excess GE courses can be counted towards your Unrestricted Elective requirements.