UPIP FAQ

For Cohort AY2020/2021 and before:

You must have declared a Science subject as your first major and completed at least 3 regular semesters and a minimum of 32 Units in this major at time of application. You are allowed to do XX3310, XX3311, XX3312, XX3313 once each during your candidature. Please refer here for more information.

For Cohort AY2021/2022 and after:

Please refer here for more information on the UPIP course codes based on your term of study.

You do not register for the course through CourseReg. Instead, you will be assigned the course once your internship has been confirmed and approved. The Science Dean’s Office will invite students via emails to register for UPIP.

You can participate in UPIP as long as you fulfil the following requirements:

For Cohort AY2020/2021 and before:

• Are a Science major
• Have completed at least 3 regular semesters and 32 major-related Units (excluding SU or F courses)
• Are not in Year 4 or in your graduating semester
• Are not doing your Honours Year Project
• Are not on Leave of Absence

For Cohort AY2021/2022 and after:

• Are a Science major
• Have completed at least 2 regular semesters
• Have not completed 32 Units under UPIP
• Are not on Leave of Absence

If you wish to take UPIP during the semester, you are strongly encouraged to plan out your studies properly. Students on full scholarship need to be especially aware that should total candidature exceed 8 semesters, your scholarship will expire and you may have to pay fees. There will be no waiver of fees for the extension.

No. The Faculty/Department does not assign you an internship, but assists to source for internships through our partnership with employers. You will be able to view a list of pre-approved internship positions through NUS TalentConnect > Faculty Internships – Science during the application phase. You need to make your own applications via the employer contact provided and go through the employer’s selection process.

Should you need assistance in sourcing Major-relevant UPIP positions, please consult the UPIP Department Coordinators, who are the liaison contacts  between departments and UPIP Administration at the Science Dean’s Office. You can also look out for emails highlighting internship opportunities from your Career Advisor.

Yes, you are allowed to source for your own internship. All internships under UPIP, nevertheless, must be approved by the department hosting your major. Therefore, you are advised to discuss this intention early with UPIP Administration at sciupip@nus.edu.sg.

Students participating in UPIP during the semester are not subjected to the minimum workload requirement of 18 Units.

Taking of course(s) during UPIP is subjected to UPIP Team’s approval. Please send over all of the following to the UPIP Team in order for us to process appeal.

1. Course code(s)
2. Timetable
3. Reason(s) for taking the course(s) during UPIP
4. Employer’s approval in written form, with clear consent that you are reading course(s) while on internship
5. Course coordinator’s approval(s) in written form with clear consent that you are reading their course while on internship

Do note that neither course coordinator(s) nor employer are obliged to make special arrangement for UPIP students. For day course(s), student will need to have approval from employer to take time-off or make up for the time for your classes.

Students going for Student Exchange Programmes are not allowed to sign up for UPIP in the same semester.

Students doing Undergraduate Research Opportunities Programme in Science (UROPS) are not allowed to take part in UPIP at the same time.

For students to benefit most from a structured internship under UPIP, advice and guidance from a faculty member serving as an Academic Advisor (AA) is essential. The AA’s responsibilities include:

• Advise and discuss your interest and plan.
• Evaluate and approve your work plan, weekly journals and the final UPIP report.
• Establish contact with your Workplace Internship Supervisor, if needed.

Your AA may also schedule meetings with you for updates on your internship.

In principle, any faculty member in the department hosting your UPIP module may act as your AA. You should approach any lecturer/professor from your department who knows you well. Through this arrangement, we hope that you can associate more closely with a faculty member who can later act as your reference for future job applications.

We request that the employer appoint an Internship Supervisor to guide and review your internship progress. He/she will discuss with you the specifics of the internship and plan, endorse your work plan before submission, and also provide feedback on your performance once the internship is completed.

Yes, for UPIP during Semester 1 or Semester 2, you need to be registered with the University and pay tuition fees for the Units to be formally recognised. As a registered student, you retain access to NUS facilities during your internship semester e.g. medical, library, computer and sports facilities. Students taking UPIP in the Special Term need not pay course fees.

Tuition fees paid by students include the University Health Scheme as well as Personal Accident Insurance. For details, please refer here.

Employers are recommended to purchase additional insurance with a higher coverage, especially if the student intern is required to work in high-risk environments i.e. laboratories, shipyards, heavy industry environments with machinery/equipment.

For overseas internships, you and/or your employer are encouraged to purchase additional travel insurance. For details of travel insurance arranged by NUS, please refer here.

Yes, in principle. However, leave is granted at the discretion of the employer. Please seek approval from the employer in advance. However, you are responsible for the obligations set forth for the entire period of UPIP, i.e. at least 10 weeks for Special Term UPIP or at least 18 weeks for Semester UPIP.

Students who are called up for ICT during their UPIP need to inform employer and UPIP Administration (sciupip@nus.edu.sg). Students who have received call-up notification prior to accepting an internship offer must inform employer and UPIP Administration before accepting the offer.

Students may request from UPIP Administration an internship support letter as a supporting document for their application for deferment. Please note that deferment is subjected to MINDEF’s approval.

For UPIP, the Science Dean’s Office issues internship support letter for CPF exemption and funding applications purposes.

To request an internship support letter request, please ask your employer to write to SCIUPIP@nus.edu.sg after successfully registered for UPIP. 

Yes. According to CPF policy, registered students from tertiary institutions undergoing training programmes in Singapore, approved by NUS, are exempted from CPF contributions. Please refer to CPF website.

No. You are exempted from a work permit for UPIP. According to the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), a work pass is exempted for foreign students if:

• The internship gains Unit and contributes towards graduation requirements;
• The student is a full-time matriculated or registered student with NUS; and
• The student holds a Student Pass issued by the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA).

Please refer to MOM website.

The Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS) advises that foreign students who are participating in internships may be taxed as non-residents, depending on duration of work in Singapore. The guidelines are available on IRAS website.

You should immediately seek assistance and advice from your Academic Advisor, UPIP Administration, Career Advisor or Department UPIP Coordinator. If there is a need, they may visit the company as a mediator to resolve the situation. At all times, you should not confront the employer and take matters into your own hands.

Yes. There is a possibility that a student will receive a “Completed Unsatisfactorily” grade for UPIP should any of the scenarios below happen:

• Feedback on unsatisfactory performance by the employer, e.g. student is always late for work or is absent without official leave.
• Student withdraws from the company without the consent of the AA and the Faculty.
• Student fails to submit all required components within the stipulated time frame.
• Student has serious disputes with the employer.