NTU Singapore expands interdisciplinary offerings to make graduates future ready
Bachelor of Science degree in Economics & Data Science
Double Degree in Accountancy and Data Science & Artificial Intelligence
10 new combinations of Double Majors in the Arts and Humanities
Second Major in Entrepreneurship, emphasising technological innovation
Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) is expanding options for interdisciplinary study with 13 new degree offerings to prepare graduates for an increasingly interconnected, unpredictable and complex world.
These include two new degree programmes incorporating Data Science to train students to become professionals skilled in the use of data analytics and technologies.
NTU is also offering 10 new Double Major combinations in the arts and humanities to give students greater flexibility and choice in customising their education based on their interests and aspirations.
In addition, NTU is launching a Second Major in Entrepreneurship with an emphasis on technopreneurship to nurture innovation-driven entrepreneurs who can contribute to Singapore’s Smart Nation goals. They will be equipped with the essential skills to harness technology for their own ventures or bring innovation to an existing organisation, and improve people’s lives.
Professor Ling San, NTU Deputy President and Provost, said, “The new offerings are in line with the recently announced NTU 2025 strategic plan to transform learning at the University. Through the new interdisciplinary combinations and degree programmes, students will enrich their disciplinary training, gain an appreciation of taking different perspectives, and maintain intellectual and learning flexibility. This is so that they will be better prepared to respond to the changes and challenges brought about by rapid technological change and uncertainties in the post-COVID-19 world.”
These new programmes add to the University’s move to offer a university-wide common interdisciplinary core curriculum to all freshmen from the new academic year starting in August 2021. The core curriculum will cover topics such as digital literacy, communication and inquiry, ethics and global challenges.
As part of the NTU 2025 strategic plan, NTU is transforming education to ensure that students graduate with the skills and experience they need to build an impactful career.
Based on the six I’s – interdisciplinary learning, internships, industry and international exposure, immersion in research and innovation-driven entrepreneurship – they will ensure that students have a holistic education that incorporates experiential learning and co-curricular activities.
Prof Ling said, “Collectively, these 6 I’s will ensure that students are getting an education that prepares them for life, with the relevant skill sets and capabilities to take up leadership roles and drive innovative change in the future.”
Starting from the 2021 cohort enrolling this August, all undergraduates will be required to complete internships before graduation.
Students will also have more opportunities to pursue research internships through corporate laboratories and other joint laboratories established on NTU’s campus, in partnership with industry.
As students are unable to travel during the pandemic, more remote internships with overseas-based companies are being offered, so that students can gain relevant international and industry experience, while keeping it affordable and convenient for them to remain in Singapore.
Bachelor of Science degree in economics and data science
Students in the new interdisciplinary Science degree programme will study three subjects – Economics, Mathematics and Data Science. The programme will give students a strong foundation in economics and prepare them for handling big data and how to make economic sense from their applications in modern large-scale data analysis.
The four-year programme combines the expertise of three schools – the School of Social Sciences (SSS), School of Computer Science and Engineering (SCSE), and School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences (SPMS).
Upon graduation, students can embark on careers as data scientists, economists and industry analysts.
Double degree in accountancy and data science & artificial intelligence
The new double degree in accountancy and data science & artificial intelligence combines the strengths of NTU’s Nanyang Business School and School of Computer Science and Engineering.
Students will graduate with two degrees, a Bachelor of Accountancy and a Bachelor of Science in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence, in 4.5 years with direct honours.
The double degree rides on the strong global reputation of NTU’s Bachelor of Science in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence, which is named among the world’s top ten by Forbes, as well as the Bachelor of Accountancy programme’s status as Singapore’s oldest and most reputable accounting programme.
Prof Ling said, “Combining data science with accountancy, or economics, can be powerful. Increasingly more organisations are recognising the value of data scientists and experts who have a strong theoretical and empirical foundation in economics and mathematics. Armed with knowledge of economics and mathematics, for example, these professionals can develop new insights and solutions from business analytics for better decision-making, forecast sales and other business metrics, and inform pricing decisions. Similarly, combining AI with other technologies will allow accountants to redirect their time towards more high-value and high-impact tasks.”
10 new double major undergraduate degrees in the humanities
Students at NTU’s School of Humanities can now apply to study any two subjects taught within the School as a double major.
Professor Neil Murphy, Chair of the School of Humanities, said the new degree options will “add new, carefully-curated double majors for students who wish to excel in two major subjects, while the existing single majors will continue to be offered for all those who want to focus primarily on one major area.”
Drawing from the School’s strengths in core humanities subjects in English, Chinese Studies, History, Linguistics and Multilingual Studies, and Philosophy, the double majors will give students a rigorous training in cross-disciplinary approaches to the study of language, history, texts, and ideas.
The new degrees are well-suited to highly motivated students who can rise to the challenge of studying two subjects at an advanced level. The new double majors are:
1. Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Linguistics and Multilingual Studies and Philosophy
2. Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Linguistics and Multilingual Studies and English
3. Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in History and Linguistics and Multilingual Studies
4. Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Chinese and Linguistics and Multilingual Studies
5. Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in English and Philosophy
6. Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Philosophy and History
7. Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Philosophy and Chinese
8. Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in English and History
9. Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Chinese and English
10. Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in History and Chinese
Professor Joseph Liow, Dean of the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences at NTU, said, “As humanity stands at the cusp of a technological and digital revolution, questions of culture and identity, and being and belonging, have become even more important. In the quest to better understand ourselves, a strong humanities education is imperative. At NTU’s School of Humanities, we have devised comprehensive programmes comprising a suite of courses and major combinations that we believe will provide both the breadth and depth required to achieve this.”
Unlike a second major, which is meant to supplement a single major, the double majors are two full majors taken in a single course of study. The double majors deliver a comprehensive curriculum in both majors, while requiring only 10 per cent more academic credits than a single major. This gives students the freedom to choose a broad variety of elective modules in other subjects of their interest.
Students in the double major programme will gain fresh perspectives, observations and skill sets at the interfaces of two disciplines. For instance, Chinese and English double majors will learn to be equally adept in the analysis of literary works written in English and Mandarin Chinese. In so doing, they will gain a comparative perspective, allowing them to grasp the similarities and differences in the tropes and historical contexts of English and Chinese literary traditions.
Career prospects for students who pursue the humanities double majors range across the arts, non-profit and non-governmental organisations, banking and finance, education and research, healthcare, lexicography and translation, and civil service. Graduates who have earned double major degrees can show to employers their broad working knowledge of multiple disciplines and complementary abilities, including analysis and creative thinking.
Second Major in Entrepreneurship
Students can also opt for a Second Major in Entrepreneurship to broaden their understanding of enterprise and innovation. Offered by NTU’s Nanyang Technopreneurship Centre, the second major helps students to build a strong innovative and entrepreneurial mindset and equips students with the necessary skills. The course will also plug them into Singapore’s entrepreneurship ecosystem, enabling students to network with professionals in a variety of careers so that students understand how to build a career in entrepreneurship.
For more information on NTU’s new programmes, visit: admissions.ntu.edu.sg.