Overseas Entrepreneurship Programme
Programme Details
The Overseas Entrepreneurship Programme (OEP) provides a unique opportunity for NTU undergraduates to gain entrepreneurial experience outside the classroom. Students are offered internship roles in technology-based start-ups in global innovation hotspots, and work closely with founders to contribute to the business. Through OEP, students will gain a global perspective of business and markets, build valuable business contacts, and develop the skills to build and run a start-up.
NTU is an appointed partner of the Innovators Academy under the Singapore Economic Development Board’s Global Innovation Alliance (GIA) initiative of which OEP is a part of.
Internship Duration
6 months / 1 year
Internship Mode
Remote/Overseas
Course Intake
January and August
Programme Overview
For students who are keen to find out more, please download our brochure here.
Learn more about the OEP course outline and assessment criteria here: 6-month OEP | 12-month OEP
OEP students have the opportunity to intern in the following countries: United States (Silicon Valley, New York City), China (Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Suzhou, Hangzhou), Germany (Berlin, Munich), Denmark (Copenhagen, Odense), and The Netherlands (Amsterdam, The Hague, Delft).
Possible upcoming locations include Australia (Melbourne, Sydney), Indonesia and Thailand.
For corporates interested to participate in OEP, please refer to our brochure here.
Programme Curriculum
OEP students can gain academic credits during their internship, though this is subject to OEP’s and the faculty’s approval. The credit allocations for individual colleges are different. The table below shows what you can fulfil with OEP. If unsure, contact your school directly for more information. For details on the respective courses for each college, please refer to the course details here.
Study Component for China (Shanghai)
Students will enter Shanghai under the student visa and must study part-time at a partner university (a maximum of 2 modules per semester). Students may choose to map back the modules that they have taken at the partner university but must pay the school fees to both universities.
Other locations
Students will enter the United States, Germany, Denmark, The Netherlands, Beijing, Hangzhou, and Suzhou under the internship visa. There will not be any study component.
COVID-19 Update (as at 1 March 2021)
Travel restrictions by the university are still in place until December 2021. The current COVID-19 situation is impacting the facilitation of both inbound and outbound exchange programmes and under the pre-text that trip suspension must be lifted for physical exchange to proceed.
Admission Info
- Current NTU full-time undergraduate students who have completed at least 2 semesters in NTU and at least one remaining semester of study upon return without exceeding their maximum candidature (depending on course curriculum). Students are encouraged to apply for OEP during their penultimate or final year.
- Passion for entrepreneurship and willingness to take on the challenge of working overseas in a changing start-up environment.
- Possess the maturity to thrive in a foreign and highly competitive environment as you will be dealing with founders and important stakeholders.
Note:- Students are allowed to clear their internship credits using OEP, though subject to OEP’s and the faculty’s approval.
- For scholars, please check with the scholarship administrators with regards to your eligibility to participate in the programme.
- No extension of candidature will be allowed as students are advised to plan their modules in advance.
- Confirmation of placement in OEP is subjected to appointments offered by the startups.
- Students are allowed to clear their internship credits using OEP, though subject to OEP’s and the faculty’s approval.
OEP sends students overseas twice a year - January and August.
Please download the application form here and submit to oep@ntu.edu.sg after completion.
We do not look solely at the CGPA. It’ll be a holistic assessment to determine whether you will be suitable for the programme. However, if you intend to clear your internship credits, your CGPA needs to be minimally 3.30 (NTU’s requirement). Students can otherwise choose to take a Leave of Absence (LOA) for the programme and will not earn any credits.
2. Can I apply for OEP if I am on scholarship?Students on scholarships must check with their respective scholarship administrators or providers first on their eligibility to participate in the OEP before applying. Selected candidates will only be permitted to embark on this programme after meeting the eligibility criteria.
3. Can I go for GEM Explorer before embarking on OEP?Students are encouraged to be in NTU Singapore in the semester before embarking on OEP as we will be conducting briefings and interviews for all outgoing students. However, we will review each student on a case-by-case basis. You can participate in GEM Explorer before completing OEP subject to you meeting your minimum residential candidature.
4. Can I graduate immediately after returning from OEP?This will depend on your course and your faculty. If you are participating in OEP during your final semester, please note that the marks entry will be delayed and will affect your graduation by 2 months.
5. Can I apply for OEP if I am currently in my freshman year?Freshmen are welcome to apply for this programme but you will only embark on the programme once you have completed at least 2 semesters.
6. Am I eligible to apply for OEP if I am a graduate student?No, OEP is currently only open to NTU undergraduates.
7. If I am an international student, will I be eligible for the programme?Yes, international students may apply for the programme but they will not be eligible for the subsidies.
Register Now
For enquiries, contact us at
OEP Admissions OEP@ntu.edu.sg