GSS is a “study-n-play” programme that gives NTU undergraduates a dual opportunity to travel overseas during their summer break (May-July) for about four to six weeks and at the same time earn academic credits.
The programme encourages students to take opportunity of their summer break to join an overseas university to participate in programmes that could be related to academic coursework (A), cultural immersion (C) or language instruction (L).
Unlike INSTEP or GIP, GSS is open to all undergraduate students regardless of their year of study. So, if you are in your first year or final year and would like to use your summer break gainfully, GSS might be just the programme for you.
Summer studies are being held at selected partner universities around Asia, Europe and Americas.
Some of the benefits of GSS include:
- Earning as many as 8 academic units.
- An immersive experience of the academic culture and heritage of the university and country.
- An opportunity to gain global exposure and network with peers and professors at other prestigious universities.
- No limits on vacancies at universities under GSS (USA)
- Open to First Year or Final Year students.
Participants (except those going to US) do not need to pay additional tuition fees to partner universities. They are only required to cover their travel and personal expenses for which financial assistance is available through the Overseas Student Exchange Program (OSEP).
Download the GSS brochure and learn about this programme, partner universities, and more.
For more information, please visit us at
International Relations Office
International House, #01-01
36 Nanyang Avenue, Singapore 639801
Tel: 65 6790 5551 • Fax: 65 6792 6911
Email: gss@ntu.edu.sg
Web: www.ntu.edu.sg/iro/summerstudies [will this link be kept?]
GSS Americas
Program at a Glance
Name of Host University : University of California, Berkeley
Location : San Francisco, California
Duration : 21 May to 29 June
Number of Vacancies : Any
Academic Focus : A
Recommended Credit Transfer : 8AUs in all subject categories
URL : summer.berkeley.edu
Program Cost : (excluding airfare & personal expenses)
- US$480 (Application Fee)
- US$1500 (2 courses of 6 AUs)
- US$1450 - 2255 (Housing & meals)
- US$200 (Visa)
- US$700 est (Airfares)
Total: US$4300 - 5105 or S$7095/8423 est
Program at a Glance
Name of Host University : University of California, Los Angeles
Location : Los Angeles, USA
Duration : 25 June - 3 August
Number of Vacancies : Any
Academic Focus : A
Recommended Credit Transfer : 8AUs in all subject categories
URL : http://www.summer.ucla.edu/
Program Cost : (excluding airfare & personal expenses)
- US$300 (Application Fee)
- US$1648 (2 courses of 6 AUs)
- US$1451 - 2491 (Housing & meals)
- US$200 (Visa)
- US$700 est (Airfares)
Total: US$4148 - 5339 or S$6372 - 8202 est
Program at a Glance
Name of Host University : University of California, San Diego
Location : San Diego, USA
Duration : See 2006 program for reference
Number of Vacancies : Any
Academic Focus : A
Recommended Credit Transfer : 8AUs in all subject categories
URL : http://extension.ucsd.edu/Department/ELP/Programs/summersession.html
Program Cost (excluding airfare & personal expenses)
- US$2500 (Application Fee + 2 Courses of 6 AUs)
- US$1230 - 1462 (Housing & meals)
- US$200 (Visa)
- US$700 est (Airfares)
Total: US$4630 or S$7119 est
Program at a Glance
Name of Host University : Monterrey Tech System
Location : Monterrey, Mexico
Duration : 1. Monterrey & The Mayan Route (27 May - 22 June)
2. 5-week Summer Programs in Monterrey (22 May - 4 July)
Number of Vacancies : Any
Academic Focus : A, C, L
Recommended Credit Transfer : 3 AUs / UE
URL : http://www.mty.itesm.mx/rectoria/pi/internationalstudents/Verano/Ingles/mty6.htm
Program Cost : (excluding airfare & personal expenses)
- Monterrey & The Mayan Route (27 May - 22 June)
US$245 (Host Family) or 285 (University Dorm)
US$370 (Meals)
US$265 (Sightseeing)
US$880 to 920 (Total)
- 5-week Summer Programs in Monterrey (22 May - 4 July)
US$361 (Apartment) or 686 (Host Family with meals) or 722 (Hall)
US$368 (Apartment & Hall)
Program at a Glance
Name of Host University : Universidad Panamericana
Location : Guadalajara, Mexico
Duration : 9 July to 28 July
Number of Vacancies : Any
Academic Focus : A, C, L
Recommended Credit Transfer : 3 AUs / UE
URL : http://www.up-international-office.com/iss/
Program Cost : TBC
(excluding airfare & personal expenses)
GSS Asia
Program at a Glance
Name of Host University : Wuhan University 武汉大学
Location : Wuhan, Hubei, PR China
Duration :
- Chinese Traditional Culture & the Rise of Central China
3 June to 30 June 2007 (First Session)
- Chinese Traditional Culture
1 July – 15 July 2007 (Second Session)
Number of Vacancies : Any
Academic Focus : C
Recommended Credit Transfer : 3 AUs / UE
URL : http://fao.whu.edu.cn/news/180/
Program Cost : NA (Accom covered by host univ)
(excluding airfare & personal expenses)
Program at a Glance
Name of Host University : Shandong University 山东大学
Location : Shandong, PR China
Duration : International Summer School (ISS) – China Studies,
7 July – 4 August 2007
Number of Vacancies : 1
Academic Focus : C
Recommended Credit Transfer : 3 AUs / UE
URL : http://www.ipo.sdu.edu.cn/iss2007.htm
Program Cost : US$380
(excluding airfare and personal expenses)
Program at a Glance
Name of Host University : Akita International University (AIU)
Location : Akita, Japan
Duration : 25 June to 3 Aug 2007
Number of Vacancies : 6
Academic Focus : L
Recommended Credit Transfer : 3 AUs / UE
URL : http://www.aiu.ac.jp/is/summer_program/index.html
Program Cost : 50,000 Yen (admission fee payable only)
(excluding airfare & personal expenses)
Program at a Glance
Name of Host University : Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK)
Location : Hong Kong, PR China
Duration : 27 June to 6 August 2007
Number of Vacancies : TBC
Academic Focus : A, C
Recommended Credit Transfer : 8 AUs in all subject categories
URL : http://www.cuhk.edu.hk/osp/a/a.html
Program Cost : (excluding airfare & personal expenses)
- US$300/HK$2,340 (Administrative fee)
- US$250 / HK$1,980 (Accommodation at CUHK from 25/6 – 7/8/2007)
- HK$450 (Caution Money. Refundable)
- HK$500 (Hostel Deposit. Refundable)
Total: HK$5270 (HK$950 is refundable)
Program at a Glance
Name of Host University : Yonsei University
Location : Seoul, South Korea
Duration : 21 June - 3 August 2007
Number of Vacancies : Any
Academic Focus : A
Recommended Credit Transfer : 8 AUs in all subject categories
URL : http://summer.yonsei.ac.kr/
Program Cost : KRW 1,260,000 est
(excluding airfare & personal expenses)
GSS Europe
Program at a Glance
Name of Host University : University of Technology of Compeigne & Troyes (UTC / UTC)
Location : Compiegne & Troyes, France
Duration : 19 May - 17 June 2007
Number of Vacancies : 20
Academic Focus : L, C
Recommended Credit Transfer : 3AUs / UE
URL : Check out http://www.ntu.edu.sg/iro/summerstudies/wherecanigo.htm for 2007 program update
Program Cost : EUR 795 est.
(excluding airfare & personal expenses)
Program at a Glance
Name of Host University : Institut National des Télécommunications (INT)
Location : Evry, France
Duration : 19 June – 13 July 2006 ('07 program to be similar)
Number of Vacancies : 5 to 8
Academic Focus : A, C
Recommended Credit Transfer : 3 AUs / UE
URL : http://www.int-evry.fr/international/summerprogram/
Program Cost : EUR 1000 to EUR 1250 est.
(excluding airfare & personal expenses)
Program at a Glance
Name of Host University : Grenoble Institute of Technology (INPG)
Location : Grenoble, France
Duration : 18 June – 13 July, 2007
Number of Vacancies : 8 to 15
Academic Focus : A, L
Recommended Credit Transfer : 3 AUs / UE
URL : http://www.inpg.fr/75508019/1/fiche___pagelibre/
Program Cost : EUR 1200
(excluding airfare & personal expenses)
Program at a Glance
Name of Host University : École d'Ingénieurs des Technologies de l'Information et du Management (EFREI)
Location : Villejuif – Paris, France
Duration : 4 June – 29 June, 2007
Number of Vacancies : 10 to 15
Academic Focus : A, L
Recommended Credit Transfer : 3 AUs / UE
URL : Download program schedule from http://www.ntu.edu.sg/iro/summerstudies/wherecanigo.htm
Program Cost : EUR 500 - EUR 700
(excluding airfare & personal expenses)
Program at a Glance
Name of Host University : Group of French Aerospace Engineering Schools (GEA)
Location : Toulouse, Paris, Poitiers, and Basque, France
Duration : 4 June - July 13 2007
Number of Vacancies : 2
Academic Focus : C, L
Recommended Credit Transfer : 3 AUs / UE
URL : www.enac.fr/asp2007/index.htm
Program Cost : EURO 625 (Deposit upon application)
EURO 1875 (Program fee)
(excluding airfare & personal expenses)
Program at a Glance
Name of Host University : Technical University of Darmstadt
Location : Darmstadt, Germany
Duration : 14 May - 8 June
Number of Vacancies : 10
Academic Focus : C, L
Recommended Credit Transfer : 3AUs / UE
URL : Obtain from IRO
Program Cost : EUR 900
(excluding airfare & personal expenses)
Program at a Glance
Name of Host University : University of Stuttgart
Location : Stuttgart, Germany
Duration : 21 May - 29 June
Number of Vacancies : 10 to 15
Academic Focus : A, C, L
Recommended Credit Transfer : 3 AUs / UE
URL : http://www.uni-stuttgart.de/ia/internat/summeruniversity/
Program Cost : EUR 750
(excluding airfare & personal expenses)
Program at a Glance
Name of Host University : Berlin School of Economics
Location : Berlin, Germany
Duration :
- European Business & Economics Program
25 June to 20 July
- Markets and Management in Europe
2 July to 20 July
Number of Vacancies : 6
Academic Focus : A
Recommended Credit Transfer : 3 AUs/ UE
URL : http://www.fhw-berlin.de/index.php?id=773&L=1
Program Cost :
- EUR 750 (European Business)
- EUR 600 (Markets & Mgt)
(excluding airfare & personal expenses)
Program at a Glance
Name of Host University : Norwegian School of Management (BI)
Location : Oslo, Norway
Duration : 23 June - 13 July
Number of Vacancies : Any
Academic Focus : A, C
Recommended Credit Transfer : 3 AUs / UE
URL : http://www.bi.no/templates/omSkolested____36661.aspx
Program Cost : EUR 680 est.
(excluding airfare & personal expenses)
Program at a Glance
Name of Host University : Vienna University of Economics & Business Administration
Location : Vienna, Austria
Duration : 9 July - 27 July
Number of Vacancies : Any
Academic Focus : A
Recommended Credit Transfer : 3 AUs / UE
URL : http://www.wu-wien.ac.at/isc/summeruniversity/isuwien
Program Cost : EUR 1090
(excluding airfare & personal expenses)
Program at a Glance
Name of Host University : Jönköping University
Location : Jönköping, Sweden
Duration : 1 June to 21 June
Number of Vacancies : 4
Academic Focus : A
Recommended Credit Transfer : 3 AUs / UE
URL : Obtain info from IRO
Program Cost : Applicants bear Housing, Travel & Insurance Expenses only
(excluding airfare & personal expenses)
Program at a Glance
Name of Host University : Italian Language School
Location : Otranto, Italy
Duration : Refer to http://www.ilsonline.it/ for course schedules
Number of Vacancies :
Academic Focus : L
Recommended Credit Transfer : 3 AUs / UE
URL : http://www.ilsonline.it/
Program Cost : Refer to http://www.ilsonline.it/ for budget
(excluding airfare & personal expenses)
Student Resources
Student Testimonials
" The new friends I have made, the many explorations I have embarked as well as the unique school environment culminate into making GSS a most memorable chapter in my life. The unforgettable lessons gained through laughter and tears will stand me in good stead in all future endeavors."
Benzei Chen
2nd year MSE Student
on his summer study stint in University of California, Berkeley
"Only one word - awesome! From being awed by German architecture and technology, to those weekend getaways to quaint German towns, downing cheap beerk and splendid German wine, to making friends with people all around the world. Wait, awesome isn't enough. Truly unforgettable and memorable, so much that I never wanted to leave Deutschland. Can't wait to go back!"
Jyotsna Nelgadde
2nd year Accountacy Student
on her summer study stint in Universitat Stuttgart, Germany
Student GSS Experience Reports (under construction as a download)
Frequently Asked Questions
General
1. What is Global Summer Studies (GSS)?
GSS is a collection of summer programs offered by reputable partner universities around the world. It aims to provide NTU undergraduates with short-term, 3 to 8 weeks exposure into the academic culture and heritage of the university and country in which it is located.
Summer programs are classified by its focus in Academic Coursework (A), Cultural Immersion (C), Language Instruction (I) or a combination of the above. Work-related attachments are currently unavailable for GSS.
2. What are the GSS participating countries?
Americas - United States & Mexico
Europe - Austria, France, Germany, Italy, Norway
Asia - China, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Taiwan
Details progams for some programs may not be available at time of application with NTU. During your NTU online application, please select a program with finalized details, ranking them highly in your preference list, and give a lower ranking of programs whose details are currently unavailable.
Doing so will allow us to be aware of your intention to be considered for such programs. IRO will follow-up with you when details come in.
3. Can I apply for INSTEP at the same time?
Yes, and two offers may be issued to you to participate in GSS and INSTEP consecutively. However, you should review at least the following points before accepting the offers –
a. Review overall study plan as you will be taking a number of courses overseas.
b. Timing. Ensure that the start and end dates of both programs do not clash.
b. Travel issues associated with visa, airtickets, insurance, etc.
c. Overall budget.
4. What are the selection criteria?
For programs with limited vacancies, applicants will be assessed in the same manner as INSTEP. Three criteria is used -
a. Academic Performance. The recommended GPA is 3.5.
b. Overseas Exposure Record with NTU
c. Ambassadorial Qualities. For this, a short online essay will be required in your application
For GSS (USA), you do not need to be ranked as there are no vacancy caps. You will submit an online essay, so that your school will be aware of your intention and recommend you to participate in this program.
IRO will follow-up with application procedures in due course. For more details on GSS (USA), please consult IRO directly.
Academic Issues
1. Will academic units be given upon completion of GSS?
Generally, GSS participants will obtain 3 AUs / UE upon completion of the program.
However, the following programs offer extensive course offerings and students may transfer up to a maximum of 8 AUs in all subject categories –
a. UC Berkeley
b. UC Los Angeles
c. UC San Diego
d. Chinese University of Hong Kong
e. Yonsei University
This is a broad recommendation. Your exchange coordinator will advise you on the school's academic policy and approve the appropriate credit transfer scheme. If the course matchings are approved by your school, they will be considered for credit transfer in your course of study upon completion of the program.
You are expected to conduct due research on course matchings in your online application. Subject matching approvals will be required only if you have been notified by IRO that you have been successful in your applications.
Letter grades earned during all overseas study programs will not be transferred. Your GPA and honors classification will not be affected.
2. Can the courses I take in GSS be counted as a minor even though the program provides for 3 AUs / UE?
You are advised to consult your exchange coordinator only after you have been notified by IRO that you have been successful in your applications.
If approval is granted, the original credit transfer scheme will be revised. This is on a case-by-case basis, and all approvals should be obtained from your coordinator before your departure to the host university.
3. What is the level of proficiency students must demonstrate for summer programs where language instruction is taught?
All programs are taught in English. Where a language course is taught, it will be in the native language. Prior knowledge of the language is not necessary, and interested learners are welcome to apply. Where available, intermediate language classes will be offered by your host university to match your existing proficiency level.
Applicants need not apply to programs based in their home countries.
4. Can I apply for GSS if I am scheduled to participate in other academic activities such as IA/PA?
Students scheduled for other academic activities during the period of the summer program need not apply. You can select a program that does not clash with your academic schedule.
5. What should I do upon completion of the program to process the credit transfer?
Upon successful completion of the program, submit a copy of the certificate of participation or equivalent to IRO General Office promptly when you return. This will facilitate credit transfer.
Financial Issues
1. Are tuition fees payable?
GSS applicants (except to USA) do not pay additional tuition fees to partner universities. The fees payable will be stated on respective programs' websites. The fees enable your host university to arrange for your room/board, meals, field trips, and other special curricular features.
Applicants to GSS (USA) bear the costs of the tuition fees charged by the UC Colleges. This is an additional component, and a variable cost. Tuition fees are charged by the number of academic units you take during the summer sessions. The more courses you take, the higher the fee. Refer to host university websites for details on tuition fees.
You may take one course and enter USA on a tourist visa.
2. How do I apply for financial assistance from the university?
You can check out NTU financial assistance schemes from the Office of Admissions and Financial Aid (OAFA). You are eligible for the overseas student exchange loans, and a copy of the application form may be downloaded at http://www.ntu.edu.sg/Admissions/financialassistance/overseas/
If you know of any other financial aid schemes not listed here, tell us at gss@ntu.edu.sg!
3. I am a scholarship holder. Can I apply for GSS?
Scholarship holders are advised to check back with their sponsors on possible financial aid and approval for participating in GSS.
Accommodation
1. Will accommodation be arranged for participants?
Arrangements will be made by the host university on your accommodation during the period of the summer program. This is normally mentioned in the program budget and is built into the fee payable to host university.
Where accommodation is not provided, you have the freedom to make your own arrangements based on your preferences, schedule and budget.
Application
1. How do I apply?
From 5 - 11 February 2007, log on to www.ntu.edu.sg/iglobal to apply for GSS 2007. You may select up to 3 universities in your preference list.
Shortlisted applicants will be notified, and will be required to submit a refundable S$300 bank check deposit to IRO General Office as a sign of commitment to the program. This is should done within THREE working days after your selection result.
The deposit shall be returned in full to applicants prior to their departure from Singapore. IRO reserves the right to forfeit the deposit should you submit a sudden withdrawal without valid grounds.
Interested applicants for GSS (USA) may also register with IRO after 11 Feb application deadline. This procedure is only applicable for GSS (USA).