How to Approach Singapore University Application Essays

Unlike US or UK systems, Singapore admissions are constrained by capacity and highly evidence-driven. Essays are a way admissions tutors use to check your academic readiness and alignment with the course. They want to see that an applicant will do well in a demanding and competitive environment.

This article explains what different Singapore universities are looking for and how to approach application essays strategically.

Contents

• General Strategy Tips
• How Singapore Application Essays Work
• National University of Singapore (NUS)
• Nanyang Technological University (NTU)
• Singapore Management University (SMU)
• Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD)
• Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS)
• Conclusion

General Strategy Tips

Singapore university application essays test your ability to write clearly and concisely rather than storytelling and flair. Each response should be anchored to a concrete experience or achievement. Avoid reusing the same example across multiple prompts. Successful applicants ground the majority of their essays in academic or extracurricular achievements rather than personal hardships or circumstances. 

Many students find it helpful to use a simple framework that moves efficiently from context to action to outcome and reflection. This keeps their writing focused and prevents unnecessary exposition. The strongest essays combine “hard” achievements such as awards, research or leadership roles, with “soft” values like resilience, initiative or intellectual curiosity. One practical approach is to start with a longer draft first and then refine it aggressively. Admissions tutors expect applicants to get straight to the point and demonstrate impact clearly. 

Many families choose to combine strategic planning with essay mentoring to ensure each response reinforces the same academic narrative and conveys the student’s strengths clearly and concisely. When approached thoughtfully, Singapore university essays can become a powerful differentiator, showing admissions tutors your background, abilities and intent. 

How Singapore Application Essays Work

Each Singapore university sets its own essay questions. There is no centralised system like the UCAS or the Common App. Most prompts fall into three broad categories:

• Academic motivation and preparation

• Evidence of resilience, leadership or initiative

• Fit with the university’s values and teaching style

It is important that your responses align with your declared major(s), subject choices and overall application strategy. Admissions tutors value substance, which means including relevant evidence, such as research projects, competitions, or extended reading related to your intended degree, internships or work experience, leadership roles, entrepreneurship and community service. The key is that every essay needs to reinforce why you are suited to that specific course, not just why you are a good student. 

As an example, we will dissect the five NUS essay questions in detail. If you would like guidance on other Singapore university essays, please reach out to get in touch with an experienced essay mentor.

National University of Singapore (NUS)

NUS requires five short answer essays for all applicants, with tight character limits, so you need to be very precise in your writing. 

1. Tell us something you have done outside your school curriculum to prepare yourself for your chosen degree programme(s). (600 characters)

Here, your example must be linked to your declared major, sit outside normal schoolwork and demonstrate a combination of both achievement and learning. Remember to reflect on the skills and values you developed.

2. Describe an instance when you did not succeed in accomplishing something on your first attempt but succeeded on subsequent attempts. How and what did you learn from your initial failure, and what changes did you make to your approach to eventually succeed? (600 characters)

Here, the failure needs to be explicit and real. Admissions tutors want to see how you changed your approach and how that eventually resulted in success. Explicitly state your reflections and actions.

3. Share something that is meaningful to you and explain how it has impacted you in a concrete way. (600 characters)

“Meaningful” here could refer to an experience that changed your perspective, behaviour or academic direction. It could also be a community service experience that taught you something important. 

4. What is your proudest achievement, and how did you accomplish it with the help or inspiration from others? Please also explain how it exemplifies some of the five NUS values of Innovation, Resilience, Excellence, Respect and Integrity. (1100 characters)

This is one of the most difficult prompts. You should choose a significant achievement and discuss it in depth. Explicitly link your experience to 2-3 of the NUS values. You do not need to force all five. 

5. Is there anything about yourself which you want us to know? (600 characters)

This could be used to highlight an achievement or activity not covered previously or, in the absence of that, you can explain why you are interested in applying to this major and course. 

NUS Honours College is an additional programme for students who are interested in a more challenging curriculum. It will require an interview. The essay questions are as follows

1. How NUS College Fits into Your Plans for NUS

• Tell us in about 100 words how you hope the NUS College curriculum will enhance your degree programme in NUS.

2. Reflection on Non-Academic Activities

• Reflect on your non-academic activities, in about 350 words

Medical students will need to write an additional 500 word essay as part of their medicine portfolio

Nanyang Technological University (NTU)

NTU has no essays for general admissions. 

Singaporeans may choose to apply for Aptitude Based Admissions, which require essays for the following prompts:

1. How have your passion, and/or relevant experiences prepared you to be a strong fit for your choice programme? (not more than 200 words)

2. Can you share specific examples of challenges you have overcome that demonstrate/highlight your tenacity? (not more than 200 words)

3. What is your long-term vision for advancing your chosen field, and what key contributions do you plan to make to turn that vision into reality? (not more than 200 words)

Singapore Management University (SMU)

SMU’s essays are very short, so you would need to be concise. 

1. What would you say is your greatest talent or skill? How have you developed and demonstrated that talent over time? (Maximum 50 words)

2. What have you done to make your school or your community a better place? (Maximum 50 words)

3. Please share an experience that has challenged your comfort level or a situation where you had to lead or work collaboratively as a team. (Maximum 100 words)

4. Is there anything else you'd like us to know about you that is not mentioned anywhere else in the application? (Maximum 120 words - this is an optional question)

Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD)

All SUTD essays have a limit of 75-150 words and are heavily focused on agency. 

Essay questions:

1. What excites you most about SUTD’s approach to learning? How does this align with your personal interests and motivations?

2. Describe a time when you worked with others to achieve a common goal. How did you contribute and what did you learn from the experience?

3. Give an example of something you started or created. What motivated you and what did you learn from it?

4. Describe something you have done to improve someone’s life. What motivated you to do it and what difference did it make?

5. Describe the most daring or unconventional decision you have made. What risks did you take and what was the outcome?

SUTD scholarships additional essay questions:

1. Describe an example of your leadership efforts, and what happened to others as a result.

2. Describe a self-initiated project or effort which has made a difference to someone or the community at large.

3. Describe how you have contributed, or plan to contribute to sustainability efforts. What key lessons or insights shape your perspective and plans?

Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS)

SUSS is a university with a rich heritage in inspiring lifelong education, and transforming society through applied social sciences. We develop students and alumni to be work-ready and work-adaptive, aspiring to reach their full potential, through our 3H's education philosophy - Head for professional competency with applied knowledge, Heart for social awareness to meet the needs of the society, and Habit for passion towards lifelong learning

Drawing on your personal experiences, select the 'H' (i.e. Head, Heart, or Habit) that you relate most strongly with, and in 500 words or less, describe why the 'H' you selected is meaningful to you.

Conclusion

Singapore university application essays reward clarity, evidence and focus above all else. Unlike the narrative-driven essays favoured by US or UK institutions, Singapore admissions tutors are looking for applicants who can demonstrate academic readiness and course-specific motivation within tight word limits. Every response you write should serve a clear purpose: reinforcing why you are the right fit for that particular programme at that particular university.

The strongest applications are built on a coherent strategy, where each essay draws on a distinct achievement and collectively paints a compelling picture of your abilities and ambitions. Starting with a longer draft and refining it down is often the most effective approach, as it forces you to identify what truly matters and cut everything that does not earn its place.

If you are applying to NUS, NTU, SMU, SUTD or SUSS and would like expert guidance on crafting essays that reflect your strengths and align with each university's values, our mentors, with first-hand experience of competitive admissions processes, can help you build an application that stands out. Get in touch to find out how we can support you.