The A-Z of a vibrant uni life

by Derek Rodriguez / Visuals by Vivian Lim + GPT Image 2

Apparel

Some wear it to class and some wear it to sleep. Some wear it overseas and others… never seem to take it off. We’re talking about the NTU tee. Somewhere along the way, it becomes a little piece of NTU that follows you wherever you go. New colours and limited-edition designs drop regularly, including in HEY! giveaways and roadshows, so keep your eyes peeled and your socials subscribed to the NTUsg accounts.

 

Bunkmates

Freshmen at NTU are guaranteed a hall room in their first two years of study. Roommates often become lifelong buddies, and friendships are forged over late-night suppers and hall games. With the Residential Education programme, your hall is also your classroom. Learn how to tend to herbs, take cooking lessons, practise your dance moves and more, without venturing far from your room.

 

Care, Serve, Learn

It’s in giving that we receive. And from this semester, undergraduates will earn academic credits through NTU’s Care, Serve, Learn courses, which combine structured learning with community service and project work. Students can choose from courses focused on active ageing, children and teens, or people of diverse abilities.

 

Dance

The annual Hall Olympiad Closing Ceremony brings the buzz of Broadway to the Nanyang Auditorium. Every hall puts up an original musical production, complete with elaborate costumes and dramatic storylines. The best part? You don’t need any dance experience to join, and many participants call the months rehearsing for it a highlight of their university life.

 

Entrepreneurship

Dare to dream big. Because at NTU, the half-formed idea that’s been floating about in your head could become a real product. If you don’t know where to begin, head to the Innovation Port at The Arc or Wee Cho Yaw Plaza. There, you can get support at every stage of the journey, from refining concepts and building prototypes to securing grants and finding mentors. Countless startups have emerged from NTU, including a unicorn. The next one could be yours.

 

Foodie paradise

Whether you’re from engineering, the sciences or business, food is probably one of your favourite subjects. With 14 food courts and more than 30 restaurants and F&B outlets, you’re always spoilt for choice. Venture beyond the main academic blocks and you’ll find gems like xiaolongbao, ramen and ayam penyet that are well worth the detour.

 

 

Google AI tools

Build your own artificial intelligence (AI) agents to support your learning and projects throughout your university years, and take them along with you when you step into the working world. At your disposal is a suite of premium Google AI tools, including Gemini Enterprise and Google AI Studio. As part of your curriculum, you’ll learn how to create and deploy AI agents as research assistants, study buddies and productivity tools tailored to your needs.

 

Holistic education

At NTU, you’ll be prepared for what’s next, whether that’s working with AI or other emerging technologies. You’ll build critical thinking, adaptability and interdisciplinary skills that stay relevant in a rapidly changing world. A digital companion will support this journey by helping you identify skill gaps and stay aligned with in-demand industry roles. An expanded FGO (Flexible Grading Option) also gives you the freedom to explore courses that catch your interest without worrying too much about the impact on your grades.

 

Internships

Internships aren’t just a way to pad your resume. Exploring different sectors helps you discover the career path that suits you. NTU students have interned at companies such as Micron, Shopee, EY, GlobalFoundries, Singapore Airlines and DBS, while others gain international exposure through internships at startups around the world.

 

Jobs

Want to earn some extra cash while studying? There are many job openings on campus. Through the Work Study Scheme, you can get experience in areas such as finance, marketing, event planning, information systems management, and more. You could even help tell NTU’s stories as a HEY! student writer.

 

Kinetic energy

NTU is always buzzing with activity. Students build race cars in garages, document biodiversity across campus, help design satellites with profs, and produce original works of art, science and media. Many of these projects go far beyond NTU’s 200-hectare campus. They are showcased at festivals, exhibitions and competitions around the world, dazzling audiences worldwide.

 

 

Lyon

NTU’s cuddly mascot is always ready to cheer you on. Spot him at events such as the Freshmen Welcome Ceremony and on some of NTU’s most popular merchandise. The red-and-blue-maned lion was created by a computer science undergraduate in 2013 and chosen from more than 80 student submissions. As part of NTU’s 30th anniversary celebrations, Lyon was given a new look that reflected the University’s youthful energy.

 

Merch

Since opening last year, the NTU Gift Shop has been a hit. Visit the store at the UOB Innovation Hub to pick up exclusive T-shirts, tumblers, pins, plushies and more. Look out for limited-time promotions and contests inviting you to submit designs or ideas that could be turned into products sold at the gift shop.

 

NTU2030

Big things are ahead. NTU’s five-year roadmap will bring more overseas internships, global experiences and opportunities to learn from some of the brightest minds in the world. You’ll build future-ready skills, including AI fluency, and enjoy more vibrant spaces on campus designed for connection, collaboration and community.

 

OneNTU

The NTU campus is where more than 40,000 people from different backgrounds and countries work, live and play. Bringing this community together are the OneNTU core values of care, respect, partnership, impact, service and integrity. These values come to life in an 11-metre mural at the AIA Canopy that was designed by an NTU alumnus and lecturer, and painted by students, staff and their families.

 

Plaza

North Spine Plaza, NTU’s food and retail district, has everything you need between classes. Pick up groceries and hall essentials from Prime supermarket, or stock up on stationery at the bookstore. Foodwise, you’ll find everything from bubble tea chains and fast-food favourites to cafés and restaurants. Nearby, the Student Activities Centre is a place to rest and recharge, while One Stop@SAC can help with administrative matters. The area also hosts regular exhibitions and showcases, bringing art, creativity and culture into the heart of campus life.

 

 

Queues

Exam season may not be every student’s favourite time of year, but the exam welfare packs handed out by NTU clubs and halls are a welcome silver lining. If the photo booths, music and queues of excited students don’t get your pulse racing, the freebies – from notebooks and snacks to other study essentials – just might. Join the queues at HEY! roadshows, too. The NTU-branded giveaways tend to disappear fast.

 

Research excellence

Learning doesn’t get much more dynamic than being taught by professors who are pushing the boundaries of knowledge in their fields. NTU’s research excellence is recognised globally, with established university rankings placing its subjects among the best. According to Quacquarelli Symonds, six NTU subjects are among the world’s top five, including Communication & Media Studies, Materials Science, and Data Science & AI. ShanghaiRanking places NTU first in the world for AI, while US News & World Report ranks 10 NTU subjects among the global top five.

 

Scholarships and bursaries

NTU offers a range of scholarships and bursaries to support students, with schemes based on both merit and financial need. Financial aid is available throughout your studies and can help with more than just tuition fees. Depending on the scheme, support may also be available for overseas exchanges and other enrichment opportunities.

 

Talent Scholarship

Talent comes in many forms. The NTU Talent Scholarship is given to students with exceptional achievements beyond academics, whether in sport, entrepreneurship, the arts or leadership. Open to both incoming and current undergraduates, it includes a tuition fee subsidy and a talent development grant of up to $8,000.

 

Updates

The best parts of university life aren’t always on your timetable. Stay in the loop through the NTUsg social media channels, and turn to HEY! and NTU Vibe for everything from hidden food gems and student stories to competitions, giveaways and campus events. At some point, you’ll graduate from HEY! to U, the magazine that keeps alumni connected to the people, stories and ideas shaping NTU.

 

Village

Join a CCA and find your village. From coding to cosplay and fishing to football, meet others who share your interests and passions. Whether you’re looking to pick up a new hobby, compete at a high level or simply unwind after class, there’s a community waiting to welcome you. Click here to see how a student embraced campus life through multiple CCAs.

 

Wildlife

One of the perks of studying at NTU is having nature right on your doorstep. Bordering one of Singapore’s largest remaining forested areas, the campus is home to an astonishing variety of wildlife that adds colour and surprise to everyday student life. Keep your eyes peeled and you might spot anything from hornbills and monitor lizards to the occasional snake. And if you’re out after dark, you may be lucky enough to see nocturnal creatures such as the spotted wood owl or even the critically endangered Sunda pangolin.

 

X-change

Graduates often say going on an exchange is one of the defining memories of their university years. If you’re on the fence, don’t hesitate. With more than 350 partner universities across over 40 countries, your next classroom could be anywhere from London and Seoul to Stockholm and Montréal. Prefer a shorter experience? Summer and winter programmes held during the semester breaks are available too.

 

Yunnan Garden

Every campus needs an escape hatch. At NTU, it’s Yunnan Garden. Whether you’re taking a study break, looking for the perfect Instagram backdrop or enjoying a walk with friends, the garden offers a welcome respite. Keep an eye out for heritage landmarks as well as scenic highlights such as a 5.6-metre waterfall and themed mini gardens.

 

Zzz

A caring university makes room for rest. Head to Level 5 of the Lee Wee Nam Library and recharge at Hygge, a wellness space designed for students to unwind. One zone recreates the feel of a glamping retreat, complete with tents, a campfire setting and soothing water-ripple projections. Another offers a darker, quieter environment to power down. The same library is also home to spaces like Chatsubo, where you can bond with friends over tabletop games.

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This story was published in the Jul-Aug 2026 issue of HEY!. To read it and other stories from this issue in print, click here.