1. What are the course exemptions available for polytechnics student in Year 1?

You may refer to Annex A for the list of Diplomas offered by the respective Polytechnics which are eligible for the course exemption at http://web.nbs.ntu.edu.sg/undergrad/common/moss/courseexemptions/docs/AnnexA.pdf.

We do not consider course exemption by modules covered in the Diploma.

 

2. Will I be considered for more than one course exemptions for similar modules undertaken at Singapore Polytechnic on account of good grades?

No. The School limits the number of exempted courses to only one course for Diploma holders except for Ngee Ann Poly students who have obtained a Diploma Plus Certificate in Quantitative Methods and Economics programme on top of their Diploma.

Although we understand that polytechnics provide in-depth training to the diploma holders, the courses covered in poly are radically and substantially different from what is covered at the University in terms of pedagogy and content.

 

3. I'm a graduate from Ngee Ann Polytechnic and have taken Economics under the Diploma Plus Scheme. Which course am I eligible for an exemption?

You may refer to Annex A for the list of course exemption to the corresponding diploma offered under Ngee Ann polytechnic at http://web.nbs.ntu.edu.sg/undergrad/common/moss/courseexemptions/docs/AnnexA.pdf.

You are eligible for an exemption from HE9091 Principles of Economics on top of that related to your diploma if you have completed Economics under the Diploma Plus Certificate in Quantitative Methods and Economics programme and have scored a grade A and above for it.

 

4. I'm a graduate from Ngee Ann Polytechnic and have scored a grade A and above for my Economics under the Diploma Plus Scheme. What is the procedure to apply for the course exemption from HE9091 Principles of Economics?

We would appreciate if you could send us a scanned copy of your transcript for the Diploma plus programme to Ms Tham Li Yu via email to thamly@ntu.edu.sg for our review and consideration. We will then inform you the possible exemptions (if any) which can be awarded. 

 

5. Will the exemption of HE9091 Principles of Economics have a positive impact on my GPA? Considering if the remaining modules are difficult and this economics module is relatively easy, will non-exemption help in pulling up my GPA?

Once exempted from the course,

• You are deemed to have fulfilled the requirements for HE9091 and the 3 Academic Units (AUs) will be awarded to you
• You need not replace the credit earned for the exempted course
• You can make use of the free slot to register for electives during the add/drop period
• Exempted courses are not graded and thus will not count towards your CGPA, Hence, your honours classification will also not be affected.

 

6. I would like to enquire about the syllabus of HE9091 Principles of Economics before I decide on the exemption of this course. Will there be a lot of additional contents between the course taught in University and A Levels?

Students may refer to HE9091 Course Outline for more information on the course.

 

7. If I am being exempted from a course which is required under the streaming criteria, e.g. AB1501 Marketing in Year 1, does it mean that I will not qualify to specialize in marketing when I am in Year 2?

By exempted from the course means you have fulfilled the course requirement. As such, it will not affect your streaming into the specialization of your interest. i.e. by exempting from AB1501 Marketing, it will not deplete you from streaming into marketing specialization. 

 

8. Given that I am exempted from one of the Year 1 foundation courses, can I use the free time slot to take up another Core or GER-Core instead of an elective?

You are not encouraged to do a core in replacement for the following reasons:

• We do not recommend that first year student take on another core course as they would then be out of sync with their tutorial group mates.
• Taking another core course not allocated to them will also introduce complications to the OAS system and thereby affect the time-table allocations for them in semester 2.
• You may explore the URLs below for the wide selection of GER-PE and Electives available at NTU.
  
  GER-PE: https://wish.wis.ntu.edu.sg/webexe/owa/aus_subj_cont2.main
  
  NTU-wide Menu of Electives: https://wish.wis.ntu.edu.sg/webexe/owa/aus_subj_cont.main

 

9. The exempted course is not allocated in my semester 1 timetable, do I have to apply for exemption now (at the start of the semester in August) or can I delay my decision to the next semester when the exempted course is allocated in my timetable to decide if I want to take up the course or to be exempted ?

Course exemption is only offered ONCE at the start of the Academic Year to all year one students. As such, you are required to decide before the end of add/drop period within that semester to take up the course exemption offer.

 

10. What are the pros and cons for taking up the course exemption?

There are no absolute pros and cons to opting out, but if you choose to opt out, you may make use of the time to take other courses or to concentrate more on your Year 1 courses.

If you choose NOT to opt out, you stand a chance to help boost your GPA if you do well. Conversely, your GPA will be pulled down if students slacken and obtain grades which are less than ideal at the end of the semester. 

 

11. What can I expect following the exemption being granted?

• The exempted course will be dropped from your timetable - students will receive an e-mail notification once this had been done.
• You can then make use of the free time slot to register for electives during the add/drop period.
• The courses that you have been exempted from and the academic units earned arising from the exemption will be reflected in your degree audit after the release of the Semester's examination results
• If you are scheduled to read the exempted in next semester (i.e. your Year 1 Sem 2), the exempted status (EX) will be reflected in your degree audit after the release of the Semester 1 examination results.

 

12. What is the following action after exemption is granted?

• You are deemed to have fulfilled the requirements for the exempted course and the corresponding number of Academic Units (AUs) will be awarded to you.
• You need not replace the credits earned for the exempted course
• You can make use of the free timeslot to register for electives during the add/drop period.

 

 

13. By exemption, is it possible for a direct entry to 2nd year courses?

You may like to note that we do not allow direct entry to 2nd year for Diploma holders. Please refer to Annex A for the courses exemption granted to the relevant Diploma in the respective Polytechnic via

http://web.nbs.ntu.edu.sg/undergrad/common/moss/courseexemptions/docs/AnnexA.pdf

For more details, please visit -

http://www.nbs.ntu.edu.sg/Programmes/Undergraduate/Pages/CourseExemptions.aspx

 

14. Does the exempted course(s) count towards my cumulative grade point average(CGPA)? Will it affect honours classification?

Exempted courses are not graded and thus will not count towards your CGPA. Hence, your honours classification will also not be affected.

 

15. I am not taking the exemption course this semester. Can I still opt for exemption?

Students can still opt to be exempted. The exempted course will not be allocated to you in the next semester.

 

16. Is it a must to take up electives/GER-PEs/UEs if I am exempted?

It is not compulsory to take up electives. Students may use their free time to focus more on their Year 1 courses. However, if they feel they have the capacity to do one more course, they can take an elective but not a core course.

 

17. The course is still reflected in my timetable as a registered course. How would I know whether the Academic Units (AUs) would be given to me?

The exempted course and the awarded AUs will be updated in the degree audit by end of the semester.

 

18. Is the opt out permanent? Can I choose to take up the course again after I opt out?

The opt out is permanent, and students cannot take up the course again after opting for the exemption.

 

19. Can I just find out if I were to take up the course as a refresher course, does it also mean that I will have to take the exam on the course and if I were to perform badly in the exam, I will have to forfeit my AUs?

Yes, students who choose NOT to be exempted will have to attend all classes and sit for exam at the end of the semester.

Students who do not perform well will have their GPA adversely affected. However, the Academic Units (AUs) will still be awarded to students who have registered and passed the course.

 

20. I am a transfer student from another University to a non-NBS programme in NTU and have taken modules that are similar to the General Education Requirement Prescribed Electives (GER-PE) and Unrestricted Electives (UE) courses offered by NBS. Can I apply for exemptions for these courses?

Course exemption requests for GER-PE or UE for non-NBS students are handled by the parent programme. Students should approach their own School for such requests.