Programme FAQ

NUS recognises that environmental issues are global, interconnected and in desperate need of solutions. There is a compelling need for new educational models, such as the BES, to nurture graduates who can think broadly and deeply, and who come away prepared to effectively address environmental issues in a way that is grounded in science but takes the needs of society into account.

No, BES is a 4-year direct honours programme. It is a Cross-Disciplinary Programme (XDP) that focuses on the tight integration of knowledge from multiple disciplines which include courses in biology, chemistry, economics, geography, law, management, policy, public health, and statistics.   

The specially designed ENV courses adopt diverse pedagogical approaches. This design reflects the varied backgrounds of the faculty members who teach the BES programme. You can expect some traditional lectures and tutorials, as well as case studies, small group discussions, field studies and research projects.

BES accepts applicants with any full-time Diploma from a local Polytechnic. Successful candidates need to read the bridging course LSM1301 – General Biology in Year 1, except for the Diplomas listed under Table 5 at this URL: https://chs.nus.edu.sg/prospective-students/#subject-prerequisites. (Select Bachelor of Science and choose the Polytechnic Bridging Modules option)

You may refer to this site for more information. 

If you hold an accredited Polytechnic diploma and are accepted to the BES programme, you may be granted advanced placement credits for up to a maximum of 20 CUs (Credit Units)  to fulfil your Unrestricted Elective requirements.

If you have an aptitude and passion for environmental issues and challenges, you can consider transferring to the Bachelor of Environmental Studies (BES). Applicants for the cohort AY2023/2024 who do not have a pass in H2 Biology or equivalent are to read the bridging course, LSM1301 General Biology, upon successful admission to the programme.

You can read more information about the transfer application at this link https://nus.edu.sg/oam/apply-to-nus/transfer-applicants

This is a very broad-based programme. So, your instructors are very diverse. You will be taught, first and foremost by our BES faculty members, and read modules taught by educators from the Faculties of Science, Arts & Social Sciences, Law, the School of Design and Environment, NUS Business School, Faculty of Engineering and the Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health.

The XDP programme incorporates new curricula arising from CHS while maintaining its fundamental structure of geography, biology and interdisciplinary courses across the Humanities and Social Sciences offered by the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, and Science and Mathematics offered by the Faculty of Science.

Students will acquire knowledge in multiple disciplines such as geography, biology, economics, law and public health. This enables them to view environmental impacts through different lenses and to apply the integrated knowledge to address complex and multifaceted environmental issues.

Global education and experiential learning are also key to many courses. Apart from in-classroom training, the programme exposes students to a variety of learning opportunities such as internships, student activities, field trips and research projects.

The introduction of communications courses through the CHS curriculum, combined with existing courses and overseas field trips, equip students to better understand the global environment, and to be able to identify, analyse and solve the complex environmental challenges of today.

There is a good mix of labwork, lectures, tutorials, readings, and seminars.

Certainly, but be aware that all undergraduates who live in UTown have to undertake five compulsory courses as part of the residential programme. These courses are in addition to the BES programme requirements.

BES cannot be taken as a Second Degree. For Double Degree students, BES has to be taken as the First Degree. You should also know that BES is not among the specially-designed double degree programmes (DDPs) that are offered for direct admission to the first year at NUS.

That said, you can take a DDP as long as (1) you complete your studies within five years and (2) the curriculum of the second degree and BES do not overlap by more than one-third. Take note that BES cannot be taken with Pharmacy or Law as a Double Degree.

If you are interested in pursuing your own double degree combination, you need a minimum CAP of 4.0 after completing between 60 and 80 units (excluding units earned from student exchange programmes or advanced placement credits). You also need written approval to embark on the DDP from the relevant Faculties. You must also seek advice and get approval from the BES academic advisors before applying to read a DDP.

For more details on DDPs, please refer to this website.

BES cannot be taken as a Second Major. For Double Major students, BES must be taken as the First Major. All BES students can declare a Second Major, but only after completing the first year of studies. Please refer here for the list of available second majors:

http://www.nus.edu.sg/registrar/academic-information-policies/undergraduate-students/special-programmes/double-major-programmes.  

Yes, you can declare up to two minors anytime starting in the first semester of your first year. For more information on minor programmes, please refer to http://www.nus.edu.sg/registrar/academic-information-policies/undergraduate-students/special-programmes/minor-programmes.

The Student Exchange Programme (SEP) is the largest and most established global programme in NUS. You are able to choose from over 300 partner universities in more than 40 countries to broaden your horizons and gain essential soft skills in preparation for the world after graduation. You can refer to https://www.nus.edu.sg/gro/global-programmes/student-exchange/outgoing-exchangers for more information.