| University Scholars Programme | |
|---|---|
| Motto | Curiosity Wanted |
| Established | 2001 |
| Director | Prof. John Richardson |
| Location | Singapore, Singapore |
| Colors | Blue (colour) and White |
| Website | usp.nus.edu.sg |
The University Scholars Programme (USP) is a faculty of the National University of Singapore (NUS).
USP is an honours programme admitting 180 students each year, and offers the freedom to explore across disciplines, a wide range of extracurricular and overseas opportunities, and a community of exceptionally motivated and talented students.
Students apply to join USP. Application is by transcript, essay, and interview with USP professors. Students are admitted based on their academic potential and co-curricular achievements, together with their passion, motivation, and curiosity.
USP is not a scholarship disbursement programme. USP students may however apply for NUS scholarships, or can be recipients of other scholarships. Upon successful completion of USP requirements and an honours programme, USP students graduate with an honours degree from their faculty or school, and a certificate that recognises them as University Scholars.
USP provides an environment for exploration, collaboration, and creative discovery. Its unique modules are designed to develop interdisciplinary thinking. Learning extends beyond the classroom through a wide range of research, internship, community involvement, and study abroad opportunities. USP aims to produce graduates with the intellectual rigour, initiative, and innovational spirit to make significant contributions to society.
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USP was formed from in July 2001 from the merger of two previous programmes in NUS: the Talent Development Programme (TDP), and the Core Curriculum Programme (CCP).
The TDP had its first intake in 1996 to train leaders who wanted intellectual width and excellence in their undergraduate studies. TDP students were given opportunities to pursue enhanced or specialised courses through independent study and research in their fields of study, within their respective faculties.
The CCP was launched in 1999, modeled after Harvard's Core Curriculum programme, and focused on writing and critical thinking, and an awareness of the interconnectedness between disciplines.
As such, it should not be surprising to hear the terms TDP and CCP when meeting USP alumni.[1]
To prepare for the transition to the Residential College, the Administration at USP has implemented the Pilot Programme as a way to test the implementation of the Residential College.
Come August 2011, USP will offer students an integrated living and learning experience when they move to the USP residential college at the NUS University Town.
Students admitted to USP are concurrently enrolled in one or more of six faculties or schools in NUS. These partner faculties or schools are Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Faculty of Science, Faculty of Engineering, NUS Business School, School of Computing, and School of Design and Environment.[2]