SG · Bachelor's
NUS College of Design and Engineering
Bachelor of Arts in Architecture
NUS College of Design and Engineering
Course Overview
NUS Department of Architecture sits within the College of Design and Engineering and is ranked #6 globally for Architecture in QS World University Rankings by Subject. The Bachelor of Arts (Architecture) is the first half of the standard 6-year path to a registered architect in Singapore — students continue to the 2-year Master of Architecture (M.Arch) for full BoA Singapore / RIBA-equivalent accreditation. The programme is delivered out of SDE4 — Singapore's first net-zero-energy building — on the Kent Ridge campus, with rooftop solar PV, daylight harvesting and hybrid cooling that students actively study as part of the curriculum.
Sri Lankan applicants are drawn to NUS Architecture because the regional tropical-architecture pedagogy (think Geoffrey Bawa lineage) is taught more rigorously here than anywhere outside Sri Lanka itself — multiple faculty have published on Bawa, Minnette de Silva and tropical modernism. The 4-year BA + 2-year M.Arch combination is also recognised by the Sri Lanka Institute of Architects (SLIA) Council for Chartered Architect status. Singapore's tuition grants (MOE Tuition Grant) cut the headline tuition fee by ~40% in exchange for a 3-year work commitment in Singapore.
Entry Requirements
Academic
- check_circle Sri Lankan Cambridge / Edexcel A Levels: AAB minimum with Mathematics and one science / art subject.
- check_circle Sri Lankan GCE A/L: 3 As (Biological Science / Physical Science / Arts streams all accepted) plus a portfolio.
- check_circle IB Diploma: 38 points overall.
- check_circle Portfolio of creative work — sketches, models, photography, design projects — 10-15 pieces, submitted via NUS apply portal.
- check_circle Personal statement (max 1,000 words) + design problem-solving test administered remotely.
English Proficiency
- check_circle IELTS Academic: 6.5 Overall (no band below 6.0).
- check_circle TOEFL iBT: 92 Overall.
- check_circle SAT Evidence-Based Reading & Writing: 600 minimum (if SAT submitted).
- check_circle Waived if your school qualification was taught and assessed entirely in English (most Sri Lankan applicants from Edexcel/Cambridge International streams qualify).
Estimated Cost of Study
| Expense Category | Amount (SGD) | Approx. LKR |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition Fee (per year, after MOE Tuition Grant) | SGD 39,000 | Rs. 9,360,000 |
| On-campus Hostel (per year) | SGD 6,500 | Rs. 1,560,000 |
| Living Expenses (per year, Singapore) | SGD 10,000 | Rs. 2,400,000 |
| Student's Pass, Health Insurance & Setup | SGD 1,500 | Rs. 360,000 |
| Studio Materials & Models | SGD 1,500 | Rs. 360,000 |
| Total Year 1 Investment (after MOE Grant) | SGD 58,500 | Rs. 14,040,000 |
*LKR conversion based on current bank rates. Subject to change.
Career Outcomes & PR
MOE Tuition Grant recipients must work in Singapore for 3 years post-graduation, which doubles as immediate work-permit status (EP/S-Pass). Top hirers: WOHA, RSP, DP Architects, Surbana Jurong, ONG&ONG. Most students continue to the M.Arch for full BoA Singapore / SLIA Chartered Architect accreditation. Architectural Assistant Year 1 salaries in Singapore: SGD 3,500-4,500/month (LKR 840,000-1,080,000/month).
Related Programs
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Visual Communication
American University in Dubai
BA (Hons) Interior Design Environment Architectures
Ravensbourne University London
Bachelor of Architectural Design
RMIT University
Ready to Start Your Journey?
Our counsellors have helped hundreds of Sri Lankan students secure placements in SG. We handle everything from applications to visa processing.