FAQ

Application Details and Admission Requirements

The Graduate Certificate in Computing Foundations programme is open to candidates with a bachelor’s degree, including degrees that are not from a related discipline. Candidates with other qualifications and/or related work experience are welcomed to apply.

Each application will be reviewed by the admissions committee. The above minimum requirements and do not guarantee admission.

Can I enroll for this programme if I have a full-time job?

All candidates are enrolled in the programme on a part-time basis, and are highly encouraged to check the schedule on our programme website for details on the courses before applying.

When do I need to submit my supporting documents?

All supporting documents are required to be submitted via the Online Applications Portal by the application deadlines stated on our programme website. The School reserves the right to defer the application for consideration to the subsequent intake if necessary documents are submitted after the application deadline.

Can I apply for the Graduate Certificate in Computing Foundations as an international student?

All international candidates are required to hold a valid work or employment pass, and be currently working in Singapore. International candidates are to ensure that the pass they are holding allows them to take up part-time studies in Singapore for the entire duration of the programme.

I noticed that we are required to rank the courses we select in our application. Does this imply that the application of the selected course(s) is not guaranteed? Can I choose to drop the course(s) after successful allocation?

Allocation of selected course(s) is not guaranteed as all applications are subject to the admissions committee’s review as well as vacancy in the course. Dropping courses after successful allocation is allowed before a stipulated deadline.

Admission & Curriculum

Will I need to complete any prerequisite courses to be eligible to enroll for courses in the Graduate Certificate in Computing Foundations if I have limited background in computing?

Please refer to the respective course descriptions listed on our programme website for any prerequisites required. Candidates are strongly encouraged to understand what each course entails prior to applying for admission into the programme.

All students in the Graduate Certificate in Computing Foundations are required to enroll for IT5001 Software Development Fundamentals in the first semester.

Where can I view the schedule of the class? Is it held during the weekends or weekdays? What is the frequency of the classes? Are the classes held at NUS Campus?

Enrolled students are required to attend classes which will be held in NUS campus. Classes can be held during weekday evenings and/or Saturdays. For GC-CF, you may refer to the schedule on our website – Annex (SoC GC-CF).

What is the mode of assessment for GC-CF courses? Is the grading based on assignments or a combination of assignments and exams? If it is the latter, what is the combination?

The mode of assessment for the courses typically consists of lab and/or written assignments and a final exam. Detailed information with regards to the course content and assessment components will be provided by the lecturers in the first lecture.

When are the intakes for GC-CF?

The intakes are in January and August.

Is there any information session for applicants to find out more about GC-CF programme?

Currently, we do not hold any information sessions for GC-CF programme. Should there be any information session scheduled, details will be published on our website.

How many courses do I need to pass in order to obtain a Graduate Certificate?

To be awarded the graduate certificate, the candidate must complete three courses (12 modular credits) listed in the GC-CF programme structure, and obtain at least a GPA of 2.5.

As the GC-CF programme is a part-time programme for working professionals, can I take it on a modular basis, ie. enroll in one course per semester due to work commitment?

Part-time students can take minimally one course per semester.

Programme Fees

Is there a difference in terms of programme fee for International Student /Singapore Citizen/ PR?

For details on programme fees, you may refer to our website – Programme Fees.

Graduate Certificate in Computing Foundations qualify for SWDA funding for Singapore Citizens and Singapore PR. How should I go about applying it?

You may refer to the breakdown of the programme fees on our website – Programme Fees. Please note that the programme fees indicated are on a per course basis. For candidates who are eligible for SWDA funding, their Student Bill will be reflected accordingly, after verifications have been completed. You may be requested to provide additional documents for verification, depending on the type of funding scheme.

Are the programme fees stated on the website for one course?

Yes.

Does the total nett programme fee payable include the Student Services Fee?

The fees payable for the courses are not inclusive of the Student Services Fee.

If I would like to withdraw from the programme, am I able to get a refund for the programme fees that I have paid?

Students who leave the University, either through withdrawal on their own accord or termination of candidature by the University, after Instructional Week 2 of the semester will be liable to pay fees for the entire semester. Requests for refund will generally not be considered. You may refer to this guideline under the Refund Policy.

Others

Are there any special terms for this programme? If not, how long is one term?

There are no special terms for this programme. This programme follows the NUS Academic Calendar (eg. Semester 1 – August and Semester 2 – January).

How will I know which courses are offered in January and August semester?

The website for the courses offered every semester will be published about one to two months before the new semester.

How long does it take for me to complete the GC-CF programme under normal circumstances?

Candidates can complete the programme between one to two semester(s), depending on individual’s time commitment. It will also depend greatly on how many courses candidates take per semester, and whether the preferred courses are being offered.

How do I locate the venue of my classrooms?

You may refer to the SoC venues page to find out the venue of your classrooms.

Do I need to obtain the Graduate Certificate in Computing Foundations to gain admission to the master’s degree programme in the School of Computing?

The GC-CF programme can help non-computing graduates develop stronger foundations that would better prepare themselves for the master’s degree programmes in computing. Students who have completed GC-CF I or both GC-CF I and II may choose to apply to Master of Computing (General Track) and upon successful admission, apply for credit transfer of eligible courses completed under the Graduate Certificate(s), subject to approval.

Please note that admission to SoC master’s degree programmes is on competitive basis and there is no guarantee of admission.

How easy/difficult is it to get admission in master’s degree programmes upon completion of Graduate Certificate?

Admission to the master’s degree programmes is on competitive basis and there is no guarantee of admission.

If I decide to embark on the master’s degree programme, am I allowed to transfer any course credits from the GC-CF programme to the master’s degree programme?

Courses completed in GC-CF are credit transferrable to the Master of Computing (General Track) programme only, subject to the school’s approval.