Graduate Certificates in Computing Foundations
About the Programmes
The Graduate Certificates in Computing Foundations (GC in CF) are essential certification programmes pivotal in meeting the needs of working professionals who wish to embark on conversion to the computing field.
These certification programmes provide a systematic pathway for applicants with insufficient computing background to acquire core competencies in computing. They may support learners who are considering progression to the relevant NUS School of Computing (SoC) Master of Computing (MComp) programmes. Through a carefully selected set of foundation courses, participants can develop essential computing knowledge that serves as a bridge to more advanced study. The courses offered in these graduate certificate programmes are instrumental in either conversion to a computing career or career advancement, even without embarking on the MComp programme.
In these programmes, courses will be conducted by our faculty members who are scholars, researchers, and thought leaders in their field of expertise. Computing Foundation courses will be taught at an accelerated pace.
Progression Opportunities
The Graduate Certificate in Computing Foundations I and/or II programmes are designed to support professional development and may also serve as a pathway for further studies.
Students who have completed the Graduate Certificate(s) may apply to use the set of foundation courses completed to meet up to 24 Units of the essential course requirements of the Master of Computing (General Track) programme, subject to approval by the School.
Certificates for Enrolment
Candidates who enrol in the Graduate Certificate in Computing Foundations I and II will need to complete three courses for each respective programme as indicated below.
- Graduate Certificate in Computing Foundations I (GC-CF I)
- Graduate Certificate in Computing Foundations II (GC-CF II)
Candidates need to complete the GC-CF I programme before they can continue with the GC-CF II.
Duration and Workload
Candidates who enrol for the certification programme must complete the programme within 36 months from the point of admission.
All candidates will be admitted to the graduate certificate programme on a part-time basis. The maximum and minimum number of courses a candidate can take per semester are three (12 units) and one (4 units) course(s) respectively.
Courses Details and Schedule
All lectures, labs, tutorials, assessments/examinations will be held on campus and all students are required to attend in person.
For details of the courses and its requisites, please refer to the following Annex A (GC-CF).
For details of the August 2026 intake (AY2026/2027, Semester 1) course schedule, please refer to the following Annex B (SoC GC-CF).
Admission Requirements
These programmes are open to those with a bachelor’s degree. Candidates with other qualifications and related work experience may also apply for the programmes. Each application will be reviewed by the Admissions Committee.
The above are minimum requirements and do not guarantee admission.
Application Information
There are two application cycles in each Academic Year:
| Intake | Application Period | Outcome | Semester Period |
| January 2026 (AY2025/2026, Semester 2) | 4 Oct – 3 Nov 2025 | End Nov 2025 | 12 Jan to 9 May 2026 |
| August 2026 (AY2026/2027, Semester 1) | 4 May – 1 Jun 2026 | End Jun 2026 | 10 Aug to 5 Dec 2026 |
^Please refer to the University’s Academic Calendar for details on the semester and examination period.
To apply, please submit your application via the Online Applications Portal.
Required Supporting Documents
- A copy of bachelor’s degree certificate
- A copy of official transcript for bachelor’s degree
- A copy of identification document/ citizenship certificate/ passport/ documentary proof of permanent residence status as well as valid work pass
- Any other supporting documents such as CV or professional certificates
- Brief statement of objective/purpose for applying to this programme
- A copy of e-certificate and/or transcript for students who have previously completed the Graduate Certificate in Computing Foundations I
Programme Structure
To be awarded the graduate certificate, the candidate must complete three courses (12 units) listed in the respective graduate certificate course listing, and obtain at least a GPA of 2.5.
Graduate Certificate in Computing Foundations I
Complete three courses listed below:
- Compulsory course:
- IT5001 Software Development Fundamentals
- Choose any two of the following courses*:
- IT5002 Computer Systems and Applications; or
- IT5003 Data Structures and Algorithms (Pre-requisite: IT5001 Software Development Fundamentals); or
- IT5004 Enterprise Systems Architecture Fundamentals
*Students should attain a minimum grade of C in IT5001 to continue in the GC-CF I programme.
Graduate Certificate in Computing Foundations II
Upon completion of GC-CF I, students may proceed to enrol for GC-CF II.
Complete three courses listed below:
- Choose one course (not taken in GC-CF I):
- IT5002 Computer Systems and Applications; or
- IT5003 Data Structures and Algorithms; or
- IT5004 Enterprise Systems Architecture Fundamentals
- Choose at least two courses:
- IT5005 Artificial Intelligence
- IT5006 Fundamentals of Data Analytics
- IT5007 Software Engineering on Application Architecture
- IT5008 Database Design and Programming
Students who have completed the certification programme(s) may wish to apply for the MComp (General Track) programme, subject to admission on a competitive basis.
Programme Fees
The fee for the following courses below is $5,014 each (inclusive of prevailing GST):
- IT5001 Software Development Fundamentals
- IT5002 Computer Systems and Applications
- IT5003 Data Structures and Algorithms
- IT5004 Enterprise Systems Architecture Fundamentals
The fee for the following courses below is $6,322 each (inclusive of prevailing GST):
- IT5005 Artificial Intelligence
- IT5006 Fundamentals of Data Analytics
- IT5007 Software Engineering on Application Architecture
- IT5008 Database Design and Programming
All enrolled candidates will also be required to pay the Student Services Fee of $25.70 (inclusive of prevailing GST) per semester.
Eligible Singapore Citizens and Singapore Permanent Residents enrolled may be given tuition fee subsidy by SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG).
Fees applicable to IT5001, IT5002, IT5003 and IT5004
Per Course Basis | International Participants | Singapore Citizens | Singapore PRs | Enhanced Training Support for SMEs2 | |
| 39 years old or younger | 40 years old or older1 | ||||
| Per Course Fee, excluding prevailing GST | $4,600.00 | $4,600.00 | $4,600.00 | $4,600.00 | $4,600.00 |
| Less: SSG Funding Eligible for Claim Period 1 Oct 2024 to 30 Sep 2027 | $0.00 | $3,220.00 | $3,220.00 | $3,220.00 | $3,220.00 |
| Nett Per Course Fee | $4,600.00 | $1,380.00 | $1,380.00 | $1,380.00 | $1,380.00 |
| 9% GST on Nett Per Course Fee | $414.00 | $124.20 | $124.20 | $124.20 | $124.20 |
| Total Per Course Fee Payable, including prevailing GST | $5,014.00 | $1,504.20 | $1,504.20 | $1,504.20 | $1,504.20 |
| Less Additional Funding, if eligible under various schemes | $0.00 | $0.00 | $920.00 | $0.00 | $920.00 |
| Total Per Course Fee Payable, including prevailing GST, after additional funding from the various funding schemes | $5,014.00 | $1,504.20 | $584.20 | $1,504.20 | $584.20 |
Fees applicable to IT5005 and IT5006
| Per Course Basis Applicable to: IT5005 (TGS-2021009142) IT5006 (TGS-2021009144) | International Participants | Singapore Citizens | Singapore PRs | Enhanced Training Support for SMEs2 | |
| 39 years old or younger | 40 years old or older1 | ||||
| Per Course Fee, excluding prevailing GST | $5,800.00 | $5,800.00 | $5,800.00 | $5,800.00 | $5,800.00 |
| Less: SSG Funding Eligible for Claim Period 1 Oct 2024 to 30 Sep 2027 | $0.00 | $4,060.00 | $4,060.00 | $4,060.00 | $4,060.00 |
| Nett Per Course Fee | $5,800.00 | $1,740.00 | $1,740.00 | $1,740.00 | $1,740.00 |
| 9% GST on Nett Per Course Fee | $522.00 | $156.60 | $156.60 | $156.60 | $156.60 |
| Total Per Course Fee Payable, including prevailing GST | $6,322.00 | $1,896.60 | $1,896.60 | $1,896.60 | $1,896.60 |
| Less Additional Funding, if eligible under various schemes | $0.00 | $0.00 | $1,160.00 | $0.00 | $1,160.00 |
| Total Per Course Fee Payable, including prevailing GST, after additional funding from the various funding schemes | $6,322.00 | $1,896.60 | $736.60 | $1,896.60 | $736.60 |
For details of the various schemes, please refer to:
1Mid-Career Enhanced Subsidy (MCES)
2Enhanced Training Support for SMEs (ETSS)
Note:
Eligible applicants may use SkillsFuture Credit to pay for the programme and eligible organizations (excluding government entities) may apply for the absentee payroll funding via SkillsConnect. For more information, visit absentee payroll funding. Please note that SkillsFuture Credit may not be used to pay for Student Services Fee.
Only courses taken on graded-basis are eligible for SSG funding.
SSG will only fund a course once per eligible student. In the event that a student wishes to retake a course, the student will not be eligible for SSG funding for that course again.
The University reserves the right to review and adjust the course fees and make changes to the programme structure and requirements as necessary and accordingly without prior notice.