Frequently Asked Questions

Click on headers to view frequently asked questions about Tembusu College.

General

What is a residential college?

What is the similarity between College of Alice & Peter Tan (CAPT), Residential College 4 (RC4) and Tembusu College?

What is the difference between Ridge View Residence College (RVRC) and Tembusu College?

What is the difference between the halls/residences and the residential colleges?

How do I know if I should apply or will fit in to Tembusu College?

What is a Rector and what they do for students? How do Professor Tommy Koh, Former Minster Mrs. Lim Hwee Hua associate with our Tembusu College?

Is there any financial aid or scholarship that I can apply for?

Admissions

How do I apply to UTCP/Tembusu College?

How are students selected?

Can I go on Student Exchange Programme (SEP)?

Do we need to participate in interest groups to secure my stay? How does the College decide on who to retain beyond the second year?

I am serving National Service (NS) and will only matriculate in 2 years’ time. Can I still apply to the UTCP?

Can I apply to the UTCP and campus accommodation at Halls of Residence or Student Residences concurrently?

What is the University Town College Programme (UTCP)?

What are the courses under the UTCP like?

How are the college courses counted towards graduation?

I’m a double degree student. Can I apply? Do I have to read all courses in the UTCP?

I'm a student from the College of Humanities and Sciences (CHS). Can I apply? Do I have to read all courses in the UTCP?

I’m a Polytechnic student with course exemptions. Can I apply? Do I have to read all courses in the UTCP?

Is it stressful to read the UTCP? Isn’t a Hall/Residence better since I don’t need to read any courses?

I am an incoming freshman. Will I be eligible for the grade-free semester if I participate in the UTCP?

Accommodation / Meal Plan

How much does it cost to stay at a College?

Room Rental Fees

What is the meal plan? Can I have meals outside the College?

Do I get to choose my room and/or suite mates?

Who can enter Tembusu? Can I bring my friends and family into the College? Can my friends stay over or study here?

Can I go home in the middle of the week?

Do I clean my own room/corridor/suite/toilet/laundry?

Can I bring in electrical appliances like a refrigerator for my room?

The Tembusu (Fagraea fragrans) is a large evergreen tree in the family Gentianaceae. It is native to Southeast Asia. Its trunk is dark brown, with deeply fissured bark, looking somewhat like a bittergourd. It grows in an irregular shape from 10 to 25m high. Its leaves are light green and oval in shape. Its yellowish flowers have a distinct fragrance and the fruits of the tree are bitter tasting red berries, which are eaten by birds and fruit bats.