UPIP FAQ

UPIP (Undergraduate Professional Internship Programme), helmed by the Science Dean’s Office, gives Science undergraduates practical on-the-job training through structured internships during their undergraduate study. Students learn about career preparation and job-seeking processes, apply their discipline-related knowledge and professionalism in a working environment, and hone their interpersonal, communication, business etiquette and other soft skills. 

In order for an internship to be considered for UPIP, it needs to fulfil the following criteria:-

• Full time (number of weeks is subject to whether it is semester or special term). 
• Job scope needs to be related to major of study and able to add value to your degree programme.
• The internship needs to be paid to qualify for consideration under UPIP.

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 need to bid 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.

To register your internship for UPIP, the following documents will be required: 

• A company offer letter (in english) which specifies the employment period, working hours, monthly salary and benefits. 
• The job scope of the internship position.

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

• Are a Science major
• Have completed at least 2 regular semesters
• Have not completed 32 Units under UPIP
• Are not doing your Honours Year Project /Thesis /Capstone Project
• 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 may source your own internship, either locally or overseas, subject to UPIP requirements and approval.

For overseas internships, prior approval from the UPIP team is required before the internship can be registered under UPIP. You will be asked to provide the following information:: 

1. Job description
2. Official internship offer letter
3. Will a visa be required for your internship? If so, who will be responsible for the application/payment process? (company or you?)
4. Will the company provide transportation and lodging? If not, how do you plan to manage your expenses?
5. What is the reason for choosing an overseas internship over a local one?

As overseas internships require additional review and approval, you are strongly advised to discuss your plans with UPIP Administration early at sciupip@nus.edu.sg before accepting or committing to the internship

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

However, we strongly advise against enrolling in other courses while undertaking a UPIP internship, as the internship is a full-time commitment.

In exceptional circumstances, you may appeal to take up to a maximum of 8 Units of courses during your UPIP internship. Approval is not guaranteed and each appeal will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

To submit an appeal, please provide the UPIP Team with all of the following:

1. Course code(s)
2. Timetable
3. Reason(s) for taking the course(s) during UPIP
4. Written approval from your employer, clearly stating that they consent to you taking the course(s) while on internship
5. Written approval from the course coordinator(s), clearly stating that they consent to you taking the course(s) while on internship

Please note that course coordinators and employers are not obliged to make special arrangements for UPIP students. For courses that require attendance during working hours, you must obtain your employer’s approval to take time off or make up the hours required for classes.

Students should therefore carefully consider their ability to manage the academic workload alongside a full-time internship before submitting an appeal.

No. Students going on a Student Exchange Programme (SEP) are not allowed to participate in UPIP during the same semester, even if the exchange programme starts later in the semester.

This is because UPIP is a full-time internship commitment, and students are expected to complete the internship for the required duration within the semester.

If you are planning to go on exchange, please do not register for UPIP in the same semester as your SEP.

Students who are doing the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Programme in Science (UROPS) are not allowed to participate in UPIP concurrently

Your UPIP Academic Advisor (AA) is a faculty member who provides academic guidance and support throughout your internship to help you make the most of your UPIP experience.

Your AA’s responsibilities include:

• Discuss and advise you on your internship interests and plans.
• Review and approve your work plan, weekly journals and final UPIP report.
• Liaise with your Workplace Internship Supervisor, where necessary.
• Provide guidance on your internship progress and learning experience.

Your AA may also schedule meetings with you during the internship to check on your progress and discuss any issues or concerns.

In principle, any faculty member in the department hosting your UPIP course may act as your Academic Advisor (AA). You should approach a lecturer or professor from your department who knows you well and is familiar with your academic interests and plans.

We encourage you to choose an AA with whom you can build a meaningful academic relationship. Your AA may also be able to provide a future academic reference or support for job and further study applications.

Your Internship Workplace Supervisor is appointed by your employer to guide and support you throughout your UPIP internship and provide feedback on your performance. 

The Internship Workplace Supervisor’s responsibilities include:

• Discuss the internship scope, responsibilities and learning objectives with you.
• Guide you in carrying out your internship duties and provide support where necessary.
• Review and endorse your work plan before you submit it.
• Provide feedback on your progress and performance during or at the end of your internship.
• Complete the required Supervisor Evaluation at the end of your internship.

Your Workplace Supervisor should be someone who works closely with you and is in a position to meaningfully assess your internship performance.

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, you may apply for leave during your UPIP internship. However, leave is subject to the employer’s approval and leave policies. You should seek approval from your employer in advance.

Please note that taking leave does not exempt you from fulfilling the requirements and obligations of the UPIP internship for the full duration of the programme. UPIP requires a minimum internship duration of:

• At least 10 weeks for Special Term UPIP; or
• At least 18 weeks for Semester UPIP.

You should discuss any planned leave with your Workplace Internship Supervisor and ensure that your internship commitments and required UPIP submissions can still be fulfilled.

Students who are called up for In-Camp Training (ICT) during their UPIP internship should inform their employer and UPIP Administration (sciupip@nus.edu.sg) as soon as possible.

If you have received an ICT call-up notification before accepting an internship offer, you must inform both your employer and UPIP Administration before accepting the offer. 

You may request an internship support letter from UPIP Administration to support your application for deferment. However, please note that deferment is subject to MINDEF’s approval. The Faculty cannot guarantee that your deferment application will be approved.

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

To request an internship support letter request, please complete MSform (http://www.tiny.cc/FoSUPIP). 

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.

If a dispute or concern arises during your internship, you should seek advice and assistance promptly rather than attempting to resolve the matter on your own.

You may approach any of the following for guidance:

• Your Academic Advisor (AA)
• UPIP Administration
• Career Advisor
• Your Department UPIP Coordinator

Where necessary, the Faculty may liaise with the employer or, in appropriate cases, facilitate a discussion with the employer to help resolve the situation.

You should not confront the employer or take matters into your own hands. If you encounter a serious issue, inform the Faculty as soon as possible so that appropriate advice and support can be provided.

Yes. Students may receive a “Completed Unsatisfactorily” grade for UPIP if they fail to meet the academic, professional or administrative requirements of the programme. This may include, but is not limited to, the following situations:

• The employer provides unsatisfactory feedback on your performance, such as repeated lateness, unauthorised absence or failure to fulfil your internship responsibilities.
• You withdraw from or terminate your internship without prior approval from your Academic Advisor and the Faculty.
• You fail to complete or submit any required UPIP components within the stipulated deadlines.
• You are involved in a serious dispute with your employer that adversely affects your internship or violates the expectations of the UPIP programme.

Students are expected to conduct themselves professionally throughout the internship and fulfil all UPIP requirements. Where concerns arise, you should seek advice from your Academic Advisor or UPIP Administration before taking any action that may affect your internship.

No. Once you accept an internship offer regardless via email, WhatsApp, verbally, or through a signed contract, the acceptance is binding. You are expected to honour your commitment and proceed with the internship. Withdrawing may negatively impact the company’s planning and the reputation of NUS students.

Please note:

• Students who rescind an accepted offer after UPIP registration has been approved will receive a CU grade, unless there are approved exceptional circumstances.
• Students who rescind an accepted offer before registering for UPIP and subsequently register another internship under UPIP may also receive a CU grade.

The following are generally not valid reasons for rescinding an accepted offer:

• Receiving another offer that matches your interests;
• Receiving an offer with better pay, benefits, or arrangements;
• Changes to study plans or graduation timeline;
• Accepting multiple offers and later deciding which one to keep.

The faculty will consider exceptional circumstances on a case-by-case basis. The above list is not exhaustive and may be updated from time to time.

Once the internship has commenced, students are not permitted to end their internship earlier than the date stated in the signed contract. This applies even if the minimum 10- or 18-week requirement has been met and the employer agrees to an early end. Students are expected to honour their commitment and complete the full duration of the internship.

Termination of an internship early impacts the company in terms of resource management and allocation, as well as the overall reputation of NUS students. The UPIP programme strictly does not allow early termination under any circumstances (except for compassionate reasons).

No. UPIP does not accept internships where the WFH arrangement exceeds three days per week. Internships are expected to provide sufficient in-person engagement to support meaningful learning, supervision, and workplace exposure.

Exceptions are considered only under exceptional circumstances and will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis by the Faculty.