This section contains important information ranging from making a GSS application, academic and financial issues, etc. Please read the following FAQs carefully before making an application.
General
1. What is Global Summer Studies (GSS)?
2. What are the GSS participating countries?
3. I'm an international student. Can I apply to a university located in my home country?
4. Who is my exchange coodinator?
Application and Selection
5. Why can’t I find the latest details of some programs?
6. How do I apply for GSS?
7. Why can't I submit/complete my application?
8.How should I make the selection?
9. What if I miss the deadline?
10. What are the selection criteria?
11. What if I opt for a fee-paying program?
12. Can I apply for INSTEP at the same time?
13. What happens if my application gets rejected?
14. Am I guaranteed a spot once my application is approved and I have accepted the offer from NTU?
15. Can NIE Students apply?
16. What happens if I withdraw from GSS?
Academic Issues & Language Proficiency
17.Will academic units be given upon completion of GSS?
18. Am I able to attend two GSS programs and how many AUs will be awarded?
19. Can I clear core and/or prescribed electives?
20. Do I need to do course-matching for GSS?
21. How many courses could/should I submit for approval?
22. What if I cannot find course information for a required field?
23. Can I earn letter grades for courses taken overseas?
24. What is the medium of instruction during GSS?
25. Can I apply for GSS if I am scheduled to participate in other academic activities such as IA/PA?
26. What should I do upon completion of the program to process the credit transfer?
Financial Issues & Fee-Paying Institutions
27. I did not get an exchange placement. Which institutions accept fee-paying applications?
28. I wish to apply as a fee-paying student. Can I enroll in a summer program not currently endorsed by GSS?
29.I’m a non-NBS student. Can I apply as a fee-paying applicant to NBS-specific partners?
30. Are tuition fees payable?
31.Is there a class limit for courses offered?
32. How much does it cost to go for a GSS exchange?
33. How do I apply for financial assistance from the university?
34. I am a scholarship holder. Can I apply for GSS?
35. Am I expected to take a minimum number of classes/credits?
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 host university and country in which it is located.
Summer programs are classified by its focus in:
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Academic Coursework (A),
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Cultural Immersion (C),
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Language Instruction (I)
or a combination of the above. Work-related attachments are currently unavailable for GSS.
First and final year students may also apply, subject to host university's admission criteria. To download the GSS 2010 mailer, click here.
2. What are the GSS participating countries?
Americas - United States & Mexico
Europe - Austria, Denmark, France, Germany, Norway, United Kingdom
Asia - China, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Taiwan
3. I'm an international student. Can I apply to an university located in my home country?
As GSS aims to provide participants with a meaningful overseas experience, applicants will be not allowed to select an university located in their home country. This applies to both exchange and fee-paying applications. If participants proceed to apply to universities in their home country, NTU reserves the right to terminate any credit transfer arrangement and not recognize the courses taken for credit overseas for such participants.
4. Who is my exchange coordinator?
Please click here for a list of NTU exchange coordinators.
Application and Selection
5. Why can’t I find the latest details of some programs?
Details for some programs may not be made available to NTU by our host universities at your time of application. For unfinalized programs, you may refer to last year's program as a guide for planning. Normally, the dates will be similar. IRO will post latest updates on the website as they come in.
6. How do I apply for GSS?
GSS 2010 will open for application from 11 – 25 January 2010 (both dates inclusive.
First and final year students may also apply. All applications are to be made online via StudentLink (Academic Matters -> Student Exchange) during the application period. Your application is not valid unless you have successfully completed the entire application, able to view a printable confirmation page and receive an acknowledgment email as receipt of your application to your NTU email address. Shortlisted applicants will be notified so please stay contactable via your contact details listed in the application form.
7. Why can't I submit/complete my application?
When you apply, ensure that you use a compatible version of Internet Explorer. Alternatively, you may visit any one of the PC terminals on campus to submit your application. You should receive an acknowledgment email upon completion of your application process. Email GSS@ntu.edu.sg promptly for assistance if you do not receive the acknowledgment or if you cannot complete the online application so that assistance can be provided during the online application period.
8. How should I make the selection?
In your online application, you can select up to three GSS programmes. You may wish to 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.
9. What if I miss the deadline?
No applications for exchange placements will be accepted after the stipulated GSS application deadline.
Applications can still be made after the deadline for fee-paying programs. For more information, visit the FAQ section on Financial Issues and Fee-Paying Institution.
10. What are the selection criteria?
For programs with limited vacancies (ie. exchange placements), applicants will be assessed in the same manner as INSTEP. Four main criteria will be used -
a. Academic Performance. The cutoff GPA for exchange placements is 3.6. You need not apply if your latest GPA score is under 3.6.
b. Overseas Exposure Record with NTU. E.g. if you have participated in GIP/INSTEP/Overseas Attachment, you will be placed on a lower priority.
c. Ambassadorial Qualities. You will be asked to complete a short online essay in your online application.
d. Priority will be given to Singaporeans and Singaporean Permanent Residents.
11. What if I opt for a fee-paying program?
For GSS (USA) and other fee-paying programs, you do not need to be ranked as there are no vacancy caps. However, an approval email from your individual school is still required. For more details, please read FAQ #27.
12. Can I apply for INSTEP at the same time?
Yes, you may. However you cannot accept both if they are offered to you even if the time of the programs does not clash. If you accept both, IRO reserves the right to withdraw you from both programs and you will not be allowed to proceed with any one program at all. If two offers are issued, you must decide which one you like to accept within the stipulated accept/reject period. Please note that this does not apply to fee-paying applications (GSS or INSTEP). For example, you may go for a fee-paying GSS program and participate for an INSTEP exchange program.
13. What happens if my application gets rejected?
Other GSS programs will also accept fee-paying applications. Interested applicants or those who failed to secure an exchange placement may indicate their interest with IRO on assistance regarding application procedures and related matters.
14. Am I guaranteed a spot once my application is approved and I have accepted the offer from NTU?
Approval and acceptance of offer from NTU does not guarantee you a spot in the host university. Students are still subjected to the entry requirements and selection criteria of the host university. Acceptance is only confirmed when students receive the acceptance package from the host university. It is the students' responsibility to be aware and ensure that they at least meet all entry requirements of the host university before making an application to IRO.
15. Can NIE Students apply?
Yes. Applications are open to NIE students we well. However, the academic units (AU) awarded for each program applies only to NTU students. NIE students are not allowed to transfer credits back to NTU. Hence, all participation regardless of host universities' program will be considered as a form of your own personal enrichment.
16. What happens if I withdraw from GSS?
IRO reserves the right to impose a S$300 penalty should you withdraw after your formal acceptance without a valid reason. This applies to fee-paying programs. In addition, please note that your host university may impose high cancellation fees, which IRO has no control or influence over.
Please inform IRO immediately if you need to cancel your participation, especially for those nominated as exchange students so that the placement can be passed on to the next worthy candidate. All candidates are strongly advised not to withdraw as exchange spots are limited. GSS programs are also only offered once a year.
Please note that IRO also reserves the right to cancel, withdraw or postpone any program without prior notice or consultation with its participants at its discretion.
Academic Issues & Language Proficiency
17. Will academic units be given upon completion of GSS?
Generally, GSS participants will obtain 3 AUs or 6 AUs towards the UE upon successful completion of the program depending on the intensity of the course(s). As a guiding principle -
At least 80 Contact Hours – 6 AU Awarded towards the UE
Less than 80 Contact Hours – 3 AU Awarded towards the UE
The credit transfer guideline is given in each program summary. AUs will only be granted if you complete the program successfully.
18. Am I able to attend two GSS programs and how many AUs will be awarded?
You may attend 1 Exchange and 1 Fee-Paying programs or 2 Fee-Paying programs if the dates do not clash. Participation will be subjected to your school's approval. The maximum AUs that will be awarded is 8AUs regardless of the number of programs attended.
For example, a student going to UC Berkeley (up to 8 AUs towards all course categories) and LSE (up to 3AUs towards UE only) will receive up to 8AUs towards all course categories, subjected to your school's approval.
19. Can I clear core and/or prescribed electives?
Certain summer programs offer extensive course offerings up to a maximum of 8 AUs awarded in all course categories, subjected to your school's internal guidelines and approval. These institutions are UC Berkeley, UC Los Angeles, UC San Diego, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Yonsei University and Korea Advanced Institute of Science & Technology.
Please note that if you participate in programs that award 3 or 6 AUs towards the UE, the AUs can only be used to fulfil your UE course requirement and cannot be transferred to other course categories like PE.
20. Do I need to do course-matching for GSS?
No, this is not needed if you participate in programs that grant you 3 or 6 AUs towards the UE. Upon successful completion, the AUs will automatically be updated into your degree audit.
If you apply to institutions that grant you up to 8 AUs in all course categories, you are expected to submit a course matching request as part of your online application. Please research on the following information, which will be asked for to support the course matching process -
a. Overseas course information such as title, code and syllabus
b. Number of contact hours
c. Prescribed textbooks and chapters covered
d. Mode of assessment
e. Number of credits awarded by Host University
f. Teaching staff details
21. How many courses could/should I submit for approval?
You may submit more course matching requests as a form of back-up for your school's approval (if class limit for other course(s) is reached or if the class is cancelled, etc). However, please note that the school's approval is not an absolute guarantee that the AUs will be transferred back to your course of study. Failed courses or those which exceed the maximum number of AUs (this is normally 8AUs) will not be recognized for credit even if they have been approved.
22. What if I cannot find course information for a required field?
Refrain from writing to the host universities directly. You should contact GSS office for further assistance. If you do not have information for any of the required category above, input a 'dash' in the online course matching portal to move the page forward or you can exit the page and return to complete the blanks at a later date.
23. Can I earn letter grades for courses taken overseas?
Letter grades earned during all overseas study programs will not be transferred. Your GPA and honors classification will not be affected.
24. What is the medium of instruction during GSS?
All GSS programs are taught in English. Where a language course is taught, it will be in the native language and prior knowledge of the language may not be necessary.
25. Can I apply for GSS if I am scheduled to participate in other academic activities such as IA/PA?
Do not apply if you are already scheduled for other academic activities or personal commitments during the period of the summer program. Examples include, Design Innovation & Project (DIP), Industrial Attachment/Orientation (IA/IO) and Reservist Training.
Plan in advance and select a summer program that does not clash. Requests for early release/deferment will not be entertained.
26. What should I do upon completion of the program to process the credit transfer?
If you receive a transcript or certificate of participation directly from the host university, submit a copy to IRO General Office promptly to facilitate credit transfer. You can keep the originals.
If the transcripts are mailed to IRO General Office directly, IRO will contact participants to collect their transcripts. The transcripts will then be handed over to Office of Academic Services (OAS). OAS will process the credit transfer. Please contact OAS for issues related to credit transfer.
Financial Issues & Fee-Paying Institutions
27. I did not get an exchange placement. Which institutions accept fee-paying applications?
You can enroll in a fee-paying program if you fall into one of the following categories -
a. You were not offered an exchange spot for a particular program and would like to enroll as a fee-paying applicant instead.
b. You were not offered an exchange spot for a particular program. Consequently, you like to enroll in a different program as a fee-paying applicant.
c. You are only interested to participate in a particular fee-paying program.
If you fall under (a) or (b), please check if the institution/program accepts fee-paying applicants.
Institutions that accept fee-paying applications include –
GSS Americas - UC Berkeley, UC Los Angeles & UC San Diego
GSS Asia – Akita International University, KAIST, Yonsei University and Chinese University of Hong Kong, Seoul National University
GSS Europe – Norwegian School of Management, Berlin School of Economics & London School of Economics.
Please read the relevant registration brief carefully as an application guide –
28. I wish to apply as a fee-paying student. Can I enroll in a summer program not currently endorsed by GSS?
GSS comprises unique, one-to-one agreements with reputable universities around the world. NTU participants are granted a reduced program fee and/or a certain known number of AUs upon successful completion of the summer program. Participants who wish to enroll in a summer program not currently managed by GSS should gain approval from at least the School's Chair OR deputized nominee.
Submit your request to gss@ntu.edu.sg as well as your exchange coordinator(s) for guidance if you wish to enroll in a program that is not currently under the GSS portfolio.
29. I’m a non-NBS student. Can I apply as a fee-paying applicant to NBS-specific partners?
Yes except for Vienna University of Economics & Business Administration.
30. Are tuition fees payable?
Fee-paying applicants pay tuition fees charged by host universities. Some institutions charge tuition fees according to the number of academic units you take like UCLA. Hence, the more courses you take, the higher the course fees. Refer to host university websites for details on tuition fees.
31. Is there a class limit for courses offered?
Fee paying students should also take note of the class limit set by the host university. This is usually stated on the online course catalog. Generally, you should apply early to avoid disappointment as course enrollment are on a first-come-first-serve basis.
You should not apply if classes are due to start in a month as you need time for visa/flight arrangements.
32. How much does it cost to go for a GSS exchange?
Refer to the program summaries listed in the GSS website.
The program fees for exchange placements usually cover room/board, meals, field trips, and other special curricular features. In your budget, include return air-tickets and personal expenses.
For fee-paying applications, you may be expected to bear additional costs associated with housing, meals, and other academic fees. Refer to the host university website for details.
33. How do I apply for financial assistance from the university?
Check out NTU financial assistance schemes from the Office of Admissions and Financial Aid (OAFA). You are eligible for the overseas student program (OSP) loan. You may make an online application via StudentLink during the loan application period. For more details, click here.
For more information on scholarships or if you know of any other financial aid schemes not listed here, drop us an email at gss@ntu.edu.sg!
34. 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.
35. Am I expected to take a minimum number of classes/credits?
Currently, only UCLA requires a minimum of 8 units to be taken.