Exemptions and Accelerated Graduation
Course Exemptions
Course exemptions are available to certain students who enroll with appropriate prior background, as described below.
Exempted courses are listed with an “EX” grade in the degree transcript. They do not count toward GPA calculations, but the earned Academic Units contribute toward graduation requirements. The University requires at least 69 AU of letter-graded courses, at least 3 academic years of study at NTU and minimum candidature of 3.5 years, for the conferral of an undergraduate degree. Exempted courses are considered as non-graded courses. Moreover, exempted courses cannot be used to fulfill minor requirements. Please refer to the Academic Structure Handbook for more details.
Course exemptions are strictly limited to Core and Major Prescribed Elective courses, with a maximum of 12 AUs eligible for exemption. Exemptions are only applicable to students enrolled in their first year of study at SPMS. To transfer credits earned from another institution toward fulfilling AU requirements, students must submit their applications within the first semester of enrolment at NTU. Exemption applications will not be accepted after the first semester.
Students qualifying for course exemptions will be informed by the SPMS Undergraduate Office via email in July. Instructions on how to exercise the course exemption option will be included in the email.
| Course | AU | Exemption Requirements | |
| MH1100 - Calculus I (for SPMS programmes only) | 4 | International Mathematical Olympiad Medalist/ Honorable Mention | |
| MH1200 - Linear Algebra I (for SPMS programmes only) | 4 | ||
| MH1300 - Foundations of Mathematics (for SPMS programmes only) | 4 | ||
| PH1104 - Mechanics (for SPMS programmes only) | 3 | International Physics Olympiad Medalist/ Honorable Mention | |
| PH1105 - Optics, Vibrations and Waves (for SPMS programmes only) | 3 | ||
| PH1106 - Electricity and Magnetism (for SPMS programmes only) | 3 | ||
| PH1107 - Relativity and Quantum Physics (for SPMS programmes only) | 3 | ||
| Course | AU | Exemption Requirements | |
| MH1100 - Calculus I (for SPMS programmes only) | 4 | A- grade or better in SM2 Calculus I or SM2-Math (Compulsory Exemption) | |
| PH1104 - Mechanics (for SPMS programmes only) | 3 | A- grade or better in SM2 PH1104 (Compulsory Exemption) | |
| PH1106 - Electricity and Magnetism (for SPMS programmes only) | 3 | A- grade or better in SM2 PH1106 (Compulsory Exemption) | |
Accelerated Bachelor Programme
First year students in the School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences who have demonstrated good academic performance are invited to join the Accelerated Bachelor Programme (ABP). Students in this programme may graduate in 3.5 years instead of the normal candidature period of 4 years, subject to continued good academic performance. Good curriculum and timetable planning will be required in order to reach the early-graduation target.
Students may be invited, via e-mail, to join the ABP if they fulfill the following conditions:
- Achieved a minimum CGPA of 4.25 at the end of Semester 1 of first year.
- Accumulated at least 21 AUs at the end of Semester 1 of first year.
Please take note of the following requirements:
- ABP students need to overload every semester. The workload is substantially heavier than other students who are taking 4 years to complete the programme.
- ABP students who are unable to maintain good performance throughout the course of study (minimum CGPA of 4.00) will be automatically dropped from the programme.
- ABP students who do not plan their curriculum and timetables properly, and hence are unable to fulfill their graduation requirements in 3.5 years, will be dropped from the programme.
- In either instance of being dropped from the programme (either not maintaing the expected academic performance, or inability to fulfill the degree requirements in 3.5 years), no penalty is imposed on the student.
For enquiries about the Accelerated Bachelor Programme, please contact SPMS Undergraduate Studies.