Following are the most Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) we receive from prospective students interested in the SMU Undergraduate programmes. If you do not find an answer to your question below, please contact us.
| Q: When can I apply for the next academic year? |
| A: Please click here for more details. |
| Q: What is the Admissions Timeline like? |
| A: Please click here for the Admissions Timeline. |
| Q: I have submitted an online application for admission. I would like to cancel my application. How do I go about doing this? |
| A: Please inform us via email (admissions@smu.edu.sg) on your decision to cancel / withdraw your application. Kindly indicate your full name and application number in your email. |
| Q: If I was unsuccessful in last year's admission exercise, will I be penalised in any way if I apply again this year with the same results? |
| A: We will treat it as a fresh application each time you apply. You compete with a new pool of applicants in each admission exercise. |
| Q: What are the admissions requirements? |
A. Please click below for the admissions requirements for each respective category.
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| Q. How do I apply for admission? |
| A. You can apply for admission by submitting an online application. For details, please click here. |
| Q. Can I download and print the online application form for submission by hand/post? |
| A. Applications must be submitted online. There are no hardcopy or downloadable application forms. Applications submitted from forms that are downloaded and printed from the website will not be accepted. |
| Q. Can I apply with diploma qualifications awarded by a foreign or private institution? |
| A. For the purpose of admission to SMU, diplomas awarded by foreign or private institutions are not acceptable. |
| Q. How many degree programmes can I select in the online application? |
| A. You may select up to 5 degree programmes, in order of preference. |
| Q. Will my chance of gaining admission into my second, third, fourth and fifth choice be lower if I am not selected for my first choice? |
| A. We will consider an applicant's choices in the order of his/her preference. If you are not successful in your first choice, you will still be considered for your other choices in competition with other eligible applicants. |
| Q. What happens if my interview at SMU clashes with another commitment? |
| A. As interviews play an important role in the admissions process, it is in your interest to attend the interview as scheduled. There is a very tight schedule for the interviews, hence, please refer to the Admissions Timeline and try to keep the dates free. |
| Q. Will all applicants get a chance to be interviewed for admission? |
| A. Only shortlisted applicants are required to come for an interview. |
| Q. If I have already graduated with a Bachelor degree. Can I apply for a second degree? |
| A. Yes, you may. However, priority for admission will be given to those without a first degree. |
| Q. Can I apply for admission now and defer my studies for one year? |
| A .With the exception of full-time National Servicemen, SMU does not allow for deferment of studies. However, if you have valid reasons and would like to request for deferment, please email us at admissions@smu.edu.sg. |
| Q. Does SMU practice discretionary admissions in the same way as NUS and NTU do? |
| A. SMU recognises the value of a diverse student body and in making offers, it may consider the broad range of contributions that applicants can bring to the student community. In this respect, SMU will consider applicants who show talent and outstanding achievements in areas other than academic studies. They include those who are outstanding in sports, entrepreneurs, award-winning talents, etc. They can be considered for admission as diversity applicants. SMU will interview applicants with such outstanding achievements or talent. The applicants have to meet reasonable academic grades and if successful, will be offered admission. |
| Q. How do I apply for discretionary admission? |
| A. We do not have a separate application form for discretionary admission. There is a section to state your achievements in the online application form. |
| Q. How do I check the status of my application? |
| A. You can check the status of your application online at Applicant's Self Service. You must have a User ID and Password that are both available at the time of making an online application. |
| Q. I have forgotten my User ID and Password. Where can I retrieve the information? |
| A. You may retrieve your User ID and Password by logging on Applicant's Self Service and double-click Forgot User ID and Password on the left hand column. |
| Q. How do I know if my application fee payment and supporting documents have been received? |
| A. You can check if your application fee payment and supporting documents have been received by logon at Applicant's Self Service. |
| Q. Can I make amendment to my application form after submission online? |
| A. You can update your personal particulars (mailing address, telephone contact, mobile contact and email address) by logon to Applicant's Self Service. For other matters, please email to admissions@smu.edu.sg for assistance. |
| Q. When will applicants be notified for interviews? When will applicants be informed of their application outcome? |
| A. Only shortlisted applicants will be called up for interviews. Please click here for more information on the important dates relating to admissions. |
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| Q. Are students from the A-Level Science / Arts stream and non-business Polytechnic diplomas eligible to apply for admission? |
| A. It does not matter which stream you are from. You are welcome to apply for admission. |
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| Q. Can I combine A-Levels results from different sittings for the purpose of application for admission? |
| A. Admission is considered based on examinations taken in one sitting. Applicants with combined A-Level certificates will be considered on a case-by-case basis. |
| Q. Can I gain admission if I fail the General Paper? |
| A. If you did not pass your GP, you can still apply. We will take into consideration your performance in the other A-Level subjects on a competitive and selective basis. |
| Q. Can I use my GCE A level results in 2006 which is based on the “old syllabus” to apply for admission? |
| A. Yes. You can apply for admission with results taken under the old syllabus. |
| Q. I am a private candidate who took the Singapore-Cambridge GCE A-Level examination in 2004 or earlier and do not have project work (PW). Will I be at a disadvantage when I apply for admission? |
| A. No, you will not be at a disadvantage. |
| Q. I failed my Mother Tongue Language at the A-Levels. Can I qualify for admission? |
| A. If you meet the other admissions requirements, you will be offered Conditional Admission into SMU. You must fulfill the Mother Tongue requirements before graduating from SMU. |
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| Q. I am a Polytechnic graduate. Do I need to have a Certificate of Merit to apply? |
| A. You do not need to have a Certificate of Merit to apply for admission. As long as you satisfy the basic entry requirements, you are welcome to apply. |
| Q. Will applicants applying with a full set of Polytechnic results have an advantage over the final semester Poly students who apply using their five semester results? |
| A. Both groups will not be disadvantaged. Final year students are required to submit their final semester results immediately when available. |
| Q. Does SMU accept any type of Polytechnic Diploma for the purpose of admission? |
| A. For the purpose of admission, SMU will consider only acceptable polytechnic diplomas (except Advanced Diplomas/Specialist Diplomas/Certificate Courses) from the 5 Polytechnic institutions in Singapore ?Nanyang Polytechnic, Ngee Ann Polyechnic, Singapore Polytechnic, Republic Polytechnic and Temasek Polytechnic. |
| Q. I have not taken Additional Mathematics. Does that mean I will not qualify? |
| A. As most of the subjects in our programmes are quantitative in nature, a good background in mathematics is essential to enable you to cope with these subjects. If you have not taken Additional Mathematics, you can still apply for admission. SMU will look into your mathematics background and your overall school results. |
| Q. I do not have GCE O-Level qualifications prior to my Diploma from the local Polytechnics. Can I apply for admission? |
| A. Yes, you can apply for admission, even if you do not have any GCE O-Level qualifications. |
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| Q. I am currently serving my National Service. May I still apply? |
| A. Yes, you should apply for admission. If your application is successful, we will reserve a place for you till you have completed your National Service. |
| Q. Is there an early intake for returning NSmen? |
| A. Yes, the Special Term/early intake for returning NSmen will commence in April. This will apply to NSmen who have places already reserved at SMU. |
| Q: Will all students who attend Special Term classes be able to graduate one semester earlier? |
| A: It depends on the number of modules taken per semester. Students are allowed to take 3 – 6 modules per regular term and 1 – 2 modules per special term. |
| Q: How many years can NSmen be reserved a place at SMU? |
| A: NSmen are reserved a place for the period of national service. Any offer not taken up on completion of national service will be deemed to have lapsed. |
| Q: I am going to serve National Service. How do I check if I have accepted the offer and the programme has been reserved for me? |
| A: You may confirm your acceptance via the Applicant Self Service platform. . There will not be any confirmation letter. |
| Q: I have accepted an offer from SMU. As I am going to serve National Service, what should I do next? |
| A: No further action is required from you till the completion of your National Service. SMU will contact you (via email/letter) during your year of matriculation. |
| Q: Can I change programme during my NS? |
| A: For change of programme, please write in to admissions@smu.edu.sg . The Admissions Committee will review your request. If your request is unsuccessful, the earlier reserved programme will remain unchanged. |
| Q: I wish to disrupt my NS and join the school term in August. What should I do? |
| A: Please provide the documentary evidence from your unit that you are able to disrupt your NS. You may submit your supporting document via fax to 6828 0303 or via email to admissions@smu.edu.sg. |
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| Q. Is SAT required for IB Diploma holders? |
| A. SAT is optional for IB Diploma holders. Those with strong SAT scores may submit them as an added advantage. |
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| Q. Is there a cap to the number of foreign students admitted on a yearly basis |
| A. Yes, the number of foreign students admitted each year is capped at 20% of the freshmen intake size. |
| Q. My final high school results will be released after the application deadline. Can I still apply? |
| A. Even if your final results are not available at the time of application, you can still submit an application. You must send in your high school results immediately when available. |
| Q. Is IELTS/TOEFL a compulsory admission requirement for students with overseas qualifications? |
| A. For applicants whose medium of instruction in high school is not in English, TOEFL or IELTS are not compulsory, but may be submitted on an “advantage” basis by those with good scores. IELTS or TOELF does not replace the SAT for applicants where SAT is compulsory. |
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