The International Student Exchange Programme (INSTEP) is a reciprocal exchange student programme established to enable students of NTU to pursue part of their studies at an overseas university for a limited period.
INSTEP provides opportunities for students to develop global perspectives and connect with different people in diverse cultures, thus broadening and enriching their learning experience.
NTU through INSTEP has collaborated with more than 150 universities across 30 countries to allow its students to study at the participating universities on an exchange basis for one or two semesters. The programme allows students to transfer academic units back to their curriculum in NTU.
INSTEP is administered by NTU International Relations Office (IRO) and is supported by the various schools.
Download the INSTEP brochure and learn about this programme, the selection criteria, partner universities, exchange co-ordinators 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: instep@ntu.edu.sg
Web: www.ntu.edu.sg/iro/exchange
Who Can Apply
You can apply if you are / have -
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a full-time NTU undergraduate
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completed at least one year of study or two semesters upon admission to the host university
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a recommended GPA of 3.5 or above
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Minimum financial resources for the duration of INSTEP. It may range from S$5,000 to S$15,000 per semester, depending on the current living costs of the host country, living preferences and personal budget. Budget planning is strongly advised before you embark on INSTEP. (for a list of NTU and external financial assistance schemes / scholarships, click here)
Do consult your exchange coordinator further on your INSTEP application if you are / have –
- Applying for INSTEP in partner universities that are located in your home country. This is generally not allowed in the spirit of the exchange program.
- In your final semester of your degree program/the graduating cohort. Delays in overseas transcripts back to NTU may delay your convocation. Affected students may still apply but please speak to your exchange coordinator first so that you are aware of the possible implications and plan in advance.
- Scheduled for an academic program (FYP, IA, etc) so that it clashes with the exchange period.
How To Apply
A call for application will be announced via email and a series of info-sessions before the INSTEP intake begins. During the application period, you may apply by clicking www.ntu.edu.sg/iglobal or via your StudentLink (go to section ‘Academic Matters’ -> ‘Student Exchange’).
You can choose up to 5 host universities in your online application. All applications will be ranked, and INSTEP offers will be made to successful applications via email in about 4 - 5 weeks from the date you made the first application.
Exchange Coordinators
Who to look for when in doubt?
Please discuss your INSTEP plans with your School's Exchange Coordinator(s) found in the list below. Their advice and approval should be sought for subject matching matters.
Financial Aid
There are various financial schemes to help you go on an INSTEP program. The following links provide information on the various awards, scholarships and loans offered by NTU and various external agencies.
Interested applicants must abide by the respective terms and conditions and submit all supporting documents stipulated along with their applications by the deadlines indicated.
If you know of any other financial aid schemes not listed here, drop us a note at instep@ntu.edu.sg!
A. Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) DUO Fellowship
B. International Enterprise (IE) Singapore Asian Business Fellowship (ABF)
C. Defence Science & Technology Agency Academic Exchange Scholarship (DSTA ACE)
D. Economic Development Board Academic Exchange Award
E. Italian Scholarships
F. Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO)
G. Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI) Singapore Foundation Scholarship
H. Fulbright Association (Singapore) Student Exchange Award
I. Dr Lee Shiu Scholarships for Hong Kong and South-east Asia Academic Exchange (University of Hong Kong)
J. The Endeavor Program
K. German Scholarships
L. Jonkoping University Scholarship
M. Overseas Student Exchange Programme (OSEP) Loan
A. Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) DUO Fellowship
This award is offered once a year for students from ASEAN-member countries going for exchange in the European Union (EU) and vice versa. For more information on the application procedures and the award, please refer to www.mfa.gov.sg/duo.
Students who are offered a placement for exchange in Europe are to submit the application form with supporting documents to IRO (date to be advised by IRO nearer the date).
Congratulations to our proud recipients for AY2007-2008
B. International Enterprise (IE) Singapore Asian Business Fellowship (ABF)
Undergraduates who are interested to participate in student exchange programmes, internships or industrial attachments in the supported markets of China, India, the Middle East or Vietnam can apply for sponsorship through their respective universities. The cost of living allowance will be co-funded by IE Singapore and the university.
Applicants of this programme must be a Singapore Citizen or Permanent Resident. Please click here for background.
Details of ABF application procedures will be announced when ready.
C. Defence Science & Technology Agency Academic Exchange Scholarship (DSTA ACE)
This scholarship is offered to Singapore citizens only. You need to obtain a CAP of 4.2 or equivalent during application. Applicants should be a second-year engineering, computing and science undergraduates who have the interest to pursue their third year studies in France/Germany/Sweden/the Netherlands/Poland/Hungary/Czech Republic (preferred SEP countries)
Applications will be open in March 2007. Please click here for more details.
D. Economic Development Board Academic Exchange Award
Please click here for details.
E. Italian Scholarships
Italy is offering scholarships for each academic year to eligible Singapore citizens for research programs, university courses, post-graduate studies and special courses at universities, academies, research centres, archives, libraries and other official institutions. It is also possible to attend language and Italian culture courses at the University for Foreigners of Perugia, Siena or Roma Tre University.
You may download a copy of the Italian Government Scholarship Guidelines and Application Form for AY2007-2008 explaining in detail the conditions and procedures for the assignment and use of the scholarships.
For more information, please visit the Italian Cultural Institute of Singapore website. The application deadline is 25 April 2007.
F. Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO)
Please click here for more info on this scholarship.
G. Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI) Singapore Foundation Scholarship
Please click here for more info in this scholarship.
H. Fulbright Association (Singapore) Student Exchange Award
This award is made offered for one NTU student to a US university in AY2006-2007.
I. Dr Lee Shiu Scholarships for Hong Kong and South-east Asia Academic Exchange (University of Hong Kong)
Applicants will be invited to apply by IRO only after their exchange placements has been confirmed.
Congratulations to our NTU recipients for AY2006-2007, Semester 1 -
- Salony Kapur
- Lim Hui Shin Lynette
J. The Endeavor Program
The Endeavor Program is an Australian Government initiative, bringing together under one umbrella all of the Department's international scholarships. Various scholarships for education and research are available. Please click here for details.
Congratulations to our NTU recipient for AY2007-2008, Semester 1
- Shirlin Quek (Queensland University of Technology)
K. German Scholarships
An overview of available scholarships offered by DAAD to Singaporean nationals is published at the website: http://www.ic.daad.de/singapore/scholarships.html
For details on all scholarships provided by DAAD and other German funding organizations, check out the database www.funding-guide.de for more.
Baden-Württemberg Scholarships available for exchange to Universitat Stuttgart for AY07/08. Check out details from IRO today.
L. Jonkoping University Scholarship
The Jonkoping School of Engineering is offering 5000 SEK in scholarship for engineering students coming for the full semester. Shortlisted applicants to Jonkoping University will be notified of the details in due course.
M. Overseas Student Exchange Programme (OSEP) Loan
The OSEP Loan is here to help you take the leap!
Loans are available to students who are keen to study abroad and experience the world. The maximum loan amount is $3,000 (to date). The loan is interest free and repayment will only commence 3 months upon graduation.
The OSEP Loan are currently administered by the Office of Admissions and Financial Assistance (OAFA).
Please click here for details.
Student Testimonials
"All in all, I am really thankful for the opportunity that I get to go on an exchange. There are just so much things to learn and experience out there as an international student that you will never get to understand until you experience it for yourself. Do not let fear hinder your decision. This once in a lifetime opportunity to study a semester overseas is a truly worthwhile experience and one that you will never regret doing".
Koh Pei Li
Exchange @ Edith Cowan University, Australia
AY 2004/2005
"There is still so much for me to learn and discover, but I had to leave the place I called my second home for that 4 months. Every exchange experience is uniquely yours and I am glad I have made this correct decision".
Gan Chea Ling
Exchange @ Queen's University, Canada
AY 2004/2005
Student Exchange Experience Reports (under construction as a download)
“I’m a Survivor” – Student Guide for a Successful Exchange (under construction as a download)
Useful Links (text under construction)
Frequently Asked Questions (new text under construction)
In which year of study can I participate in INSTEP?
You should complete at least one year of study in NTU before participating in the programme.
I am an international student, can I return to my home country for exchange?
We do not encourage international students who are studying in NTU to return to their home country for exchange as this would defeat the primary objective of exchange programme.
Can I apply for exchange if the placement available in that particular university which I am keen is not relevant to my school?
On some cases, exchange is only applicable to a specific discipline. Students who are not from the stipulated discipline are not eligible to select the host university as their exchange destination.
Can I apply for INSTEP or GIP concurrently?
Yes, you may.
I am a scholarship holder. Will I be eligible to apply for INSTEP?
Scholarship holders are welcome to apply for INSTEP. However, it is advisable to obtain an in-principle approval from your sponsor concerning your participation.
Will the grades obtained overseas affect the classification of my honours?
No, your honours classification will not be affected. However, there will be credit transfer for the passed subjects.
Will the subjects taken during INSTEP be counted towards my academic unit's requirement in NTU?
Yes, if the subjects are approved by your School, they will be considered for credit transfer upon completion of your INSTEP.