NTU 2027 Undergraduate Applications Open on October 15, Deadline for Gaokao Students is March 19

2026-10-04 · Guides

Nanyang Technological University (NTU) undergraduate applications for the 2027 intake open on October 15, 2026. The deadline for most international curricula is January 20, 2027, while Gaokao, A-Level, and IB applicants have an extended deadline of March 19. This article outlines the application timeline, English language requirements, 2026/27 tuition fees, the 3-year work obligation for the MOE Tuition Grant, and key points regarding the Student's Pass.

Undergraduate applications to Nanyang Technological University (NTU) for Fall 2027 intake will open on October 15, 2026. For students applying with the Chinese Gaokao, the deadline is March 19, 2027; for most other international qualifications, the deadline is January 20, 2027. Gaokao applicants must submit an English proficiency score, with an overall IELTS requirement of 6.5.

Based on information from the NTU website, the following sections detail the application timeline, English requirements, tuition fees, and financial aid.

Background: QS World University Rankings 2027

In the QS World University Rankings 2027, released in June 2026, both Singaporean universities rank in the global top 15:

National University of Singapore (NUS): Ranked 10th globally, down 2 places from the previous year, and remains 1st in Asia.
Nanyang Technological University (NTU): Ranked 12th globally, unchanged from the previous year, and 3rd in Asia.

Rankings should only be used as a reference. When choosing a university, students should also consider their major, curriculum, costs, and post-graduation plans.

NTU 2027 Application Timeline

NTU divides application windows based on the high school qualifications held by applicants. The opening date for all windows is October 15, 2026, with two different deadlines:

Qualification Type (Partial)	Application Period
Chinese Gaokao (PRC Gao Kao)	2026-10-15 to 2027-03-19
UK A-Level / Cambridge Pre-U	2026-10-15 to 2027-03-19
IB Diploma	2026-10-15 to 2027-03-19
US High School Diploma (including AP)	2026-10-15 to 2027-03-19
Hong Kong DSE	2026-10-15 to 2027-03-19
Australian State High School Certificates, Canadian Ontario/BC High School Diplomas	2026-10-15 to 2027-01-20
Other international qualifications not listed above	2026-10-15 to 2027-01-20

A few important notes:

All documents must be submitted within 3 days after the deadline. Upload documents according to the NTU checklist; incomplete applications after the deadline will not be accepted.
Definition of "Gaokao applicants": Students enrolled in the Gaokao curriculum who switch to taking AP or SAT exams, or who do not take the Gaokao, cannot apply under the Gaokao category. They must apply under the "Other international qualifications" category, with a deadline of January 20.
A-Level subject requirements: NTU requires at least 4 A2 subjects in a single exam series. Applicants with only 3 subjects may apply and will be assessed on a case-by-case basis; however, this flexibility does not apply to international students applying for government-subsidized tuition places.
IB students must authorize the IBO to send their scores directly to NTU.

English Proficiency Requirements

Gaokao applicants must submit an English proficiency score before the deadline of their chosen application window. Late submissions are not accepted. Common standards listed by NTU include:

Test	Overall Score	Subscores
IELTS Academic	6.5	Writing 6.5, Speaking 6.5
TOEFL iBT (including Home Edition)	90 or 4.5 on the new scale	Writing 25 or 4.5, Speaking 25 or 4.5
PTE Academic	55	Speaking 55, Writing 59
C1 Advanced	170	Writing 170, Speaking 170

IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, and C1 Advanced scores must be obtained within two years prior to the application deadline. NTU also accepts SAT, ACT, and other scores; specific score requirements are subject to the official website.

Timeline planning: The deadline for Gaokao applicants is March 19, and English scores must be obtained before this date. If your IELTS or TOEFL scores are not yet up to standard, the period from November 2026 to February 2027 is a realistic sprint phase. It is best to leave room for one retake.

NUS Application Timeline

Undergraduate applications for international qualifications at the National University of Singapore (NUS) typically open in December. For the specific opening and closing dates for the 2027 intake, please refer to the official NUS Admissions website. Students applying to both NUS and NTU should have their English scores ready before December.

Tuition Fees: 2026/27 Academic Year Standards

NTU undergraduate tuition fees are fixed by the intake cohort: tuition remains unchanged for students in the same cohort throughout the normal duration of their program. The table below shows the annual tuition fees for the 2026/27 intake for general programs (excluding separately priced programs such as business and medicine), in SGD. Prices for international students include the 9% Goods and Services Tax (GST):

Student Category	Annual Tuition
Non-ASEAN international students, accepting MOE Tuition Grant	S$21,400
Not accepting grant, lab-based programs	S$40,600
Not accepting grant, non-lab-based programs	S$36,350

Programs such as business and medicine have separate fee structures; please check the NTU tuition fees page. NTU has not yet published the full tuition figures for the 2027/28 intake; please refer to the official website when available. Additionally, miscellaneous fees are charged separately.

MOE Tuition Grant: Requires 3 Years of Work in Singapore

The difference between "accepting the grant" and "not accepting the grant" in the table above is about double, with the difference covered by the Ministry of Education (MOE) Tuition Grant. This funding comes with obligations:

Service Obligation: Permanent residents and international students accepting the grant must sign a Tuition Grant Agreement and work for a Singapore entity for 3 years after graduation.
How to apply: Check the box to apply for the grant in the admission application form. After receiving an offer, choose to accept it "with grant" or "without grant" before the July deadline.
Post-enrollment registration: After receiving your student ID, Student's Pass, and Singpass, register online and sign the agreement on the MOE website starting in September.
Guarantors: Two guarantors are required, aged between 21 and 65, of any nationality. Specific conditions are subject to MOE guidelines.
Consequences of late submission: Failure to complete registration and signing within the specified period will result in the requirement to pay the full tuition fee. Late submissions will not be processed.

MOE guidelines also state that programs at private institutions are not covered by the Tuition Grant.

How to decide? For students planning to work in Singapore after graduation, accepting the grant can significantly reduce tuition costs. Students planning to return home, pursue graduate studies, or work in other countries after graduation should carefully evaluate the restrictions imposed by the 3-year work obligation. This decision must be made when accepting the offer in July, so it is advisable to discuss it thoroughly with your family in advance.

Key Points for the Student's Pass

International students admitted to public universities in Singapore must apply for a Student's Pass from the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA). Key points outlined on the ICA website include:

Application period: Submit online at least 2 months and no more than 3 months before the start of the course.
Fee: Processing fee of S$45, non-refundable.
Processing time: Generally within 1 week; within 2 weeks for nationalities requiring a visa, excluding the day of submission. Some applications may take longer.
Required documents: Letter of confirmation of registration issued by the school, passport bio-data page, personal educational and work history, proof of financial resources, family member information, residential address in Singapore, and a digital passport-sized photo taken within the last 3 months. Non-English documents must be accompanied by officially certified translations.
No need to wait in Singapore: You do not need to be in Singapore while the application is being processed. ICA recommends completing the process before entering the country, as your stay cannot be extended during processing.

According to NTU, after new students complete their Student's Pass formalities and biometric registration on campus in August, ICA will issue an electronic Student's Pass. Only then can they register for Singpass and proceed to apply for the Tuition Grant.

Timeline Overview

October 15, 2026: NTU 2027 undergraduate applications open.
Around December 2026: NUS applications typically open; subject to the official website.
January 20, 2027: Deadline for most international qualifications at NTU.
March 19, 2027: Deadline for Gaokao, A-Level, IB, and other qualifications at NTU; English scores must also be submitted by this date.
July 2027: Accept offers before the deadline and decide whether to accept the Tuition Grant.
2–3 months before classes start: Apply for the Student's Pass.

This article is for informational purposes only. For application details, please refer to the latest updates on the official websites of NTU, NUS, MOE, and ICA.

Need Help?

If your child plans to apply for undergraduate programs in Singapore for the 2027 intake, you can learn more about our Singapore university admissions services; if their English scores are not yet up to standard, check out our IELTS preparation or TOEFL preparation courses. You are also welcome to book a consultation directly.