CN Yang Scholars go through a specially-designed programme aimed at building competence across a range of foundational scientific disciplines, and exposing them to research early in their academic journey.

The programme has the following components:

1. Foundational Courses in Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Earth Sciences, taken in Year 1. These courses are specially curated for CN Yang Scholars, replacing the equivalent course requirements of the degree programmes.
2. Additional Coursework in writing, ethics, academic research practices, and maker skills.
3. A 10-day Overseas Learning Trip to an international center of research excellence, during the Year 1 Special Term.
4. A one-year Research Attachment at NTU, in Year 2.
5. A 5–8 month Overseas Final Year Project (or, if preferred, a Final Year Project at NTU), in Year 4. 

In addition, CN Yang Scholars must complete other requirements set by their undergraduate degree programme or the Honours College, including:

• NTU's Interdisciplinary Collaborative Core (ICC) courses.
  (Certain ICC courses are replaced by CN Yang-specific equivalents; see below.)
• Core modules, prescribed electives, and other requirements of the degree programme.
• Courses for scholars administered by the Honours College.