The Faculty/Department does not find internships for students, but we do assist in sourcing internship opportunities through our partnerships with companies/organisations and guides them to post their internships on NUS TalentConnect. You need to make your own applications and go through company/organisation selection processes yourself. Securing an internship on your own is intended to be part of the learning process.

Yes. You are expected to source internships on your own. But all internships must be approved by the FASS Dean’s Office if it is to be performed under FASS IP. To have a self-sourced internship reviewed, please ensure that the internship is posted on NUS TalentConnect. International Internships which are conducted overseas and endorsed by NUS may apply for financial aids. Please refer to the CFG Internships website for more information. 

You should consider an offer carefully and responsibly before accepting it. Once you have accepted the offer (may it be verbal or signing of contract), you are committed to honouring your contract by completing the internship.

Reneging an internship offer is not advisable unless you have valid reasons to do so (such as health issue, company being found to engage in unethical conduct or business, etc).

If you have valid reason/s to renege an offer, we would strongly encourage you to consult your Career Advisors @ FASS (https://fass.nus.edu.sg/career-preparation/career-services-current-student/) or the FASSIP administrator (mailto: fassip@nus.edu.sg) before making the final decision.

In order for students to benefit most from a structured internship under FASS IP, advice and guidance from an academic advisor are important. Specific responsibilities of the AA include:

• Evaluate student's performance with Work Plan, Journals, and Final Internship Report.
• Advice and guide you on the programme procedures, if needed.
• Establish contact with your Workplace Supervisor, if needed.
• Help troubleshoot problems that crop up between you and your employer, should the need arise (see Question 14).

The FASS IP course administrator is the default academic advisor for your FASSIP course.

Your AA could be any FASS faculty/staff member who knows you reasonably well. You are advised to secure his/her consent to be your AA before nominating. Through this arrangement, we hope that you get to associate more closely with a faculty member who can become your referee for future job applications.

You should immediately seek assistance from your Academic Advisor or FASS IP Administrator. If there is a need, they may visit the company as mediators to resolve the situation. You should not take matters into your own hands by, e.g., confronting your employer.

This is someone appointed by the employer to guide and review your internship progress. He/she will discuss with you the specifics of the internship and Work Plan, endorse your report before submission, and also provide feedback on your performance once the internship is completed.

Yes. You need to be a registered student and pay tuition fees for the units to be formally recognised. As a registered student, you retain access to student benefits, e.g. medical, library, computer and sports facilities during your internship semester. From AY2015/16 onwards, Special Term course fees are waived for internship courses FAS2553 and FAS2553A.

Tuition fees paid by students include University Health Scheme as well as Personal Accident Insurance. A brief summary of the coverage for personal accident coverage:

• 24-hour worldwide
• Death benefit: $30,000
• Permanent disability up to 150%, depending on disability
• Medical expenses relating to accident: $5,000 per accident

For details on Undergraduate Insurance Scheme, please click here for more information.

Employers are recommended to purchase additional insurance with higher coverage.

The University has purchased a blanket travel insurance policy to cover all students travelling overseas for activities or purposes approved, endorsed, organised, sponsored or authorised by NUS. Please click here for more information. Students going on overseas internships are advised to purchase additional insurance with more comprehensive coverage.

Yes, in principle. However, leave is granted at the discretion of your employer. It is always best to seek approval from your employer in advance. Please note that students are responsible for the entire period of the FASS IP, i.e. minimum 8 weeks for Special Term or 12 weeks for Semester internship courses.

No. You must go for ICT when required by MINDEF. Your employer must release you on unpaid leave for ICT.

According to the Central Provident Fund (CPF) policy, students who undertake internships during vacation periods or as part of NUS-approved training programmes in Singapore are exempt from CPF contributions. For more details, please refer to the CPF website.

To support this exemption, students may request an Internship Support Letter from NUS, which can serve as a CPF exemption letter for employers.

If you are a FASS student:

The FASS Dean’s Office issues Internship Support Letters to employers for purposes such as:

• CPF/MOM work pass exemption

• Internship funding opportunities

Support letters are issued only for students participating in:

• FASS Internship Programme (FASSIP) courses:
  FAS2551, FAS2551A, FAS2552, FAS2552A, FAS2553, and FAS2553A, or

• Internships approved under a Leave of Absence (LOA).

For other types of internships:

• Non-unit-bearing internships during the semester fall under the purview of the NUS Internship-As-A-Service (IAAS).

• Vacation internships (May–August / December–January) are managed by the Centre for Future-ready Graduates (CFG).

For internships not under FASSIP or LOA, please reach out to CFG or IAAS (iaas@nus.edu.sg) accordingly to seek advice or request the necessary support documentation.

No. You are exempt from work pass for FASS IP internship. According to the Ministry of Manpower advisory note, work pass is exempt for foreign students if the internship: 

• Gains units and contributes towards graduation requirements, or
• Is conducted during the stipulated school vacation.

Guidelines can be found on MOM website.

Generally, foreign students with educational institutions are exempt from income tax if they are only paid subsistence allowance to meet their daily expenses and board and lodging in Singapore.

Guidelines can be found on IRAS website.

Students who are ineligible for their Faculty/FASS Internship Programme modules may apply for CFG2101.

Students who are graduating in Semester 2 are not allowed to enrol in FASS Internship Programme /CFG2101 during the summer vacation in the same AY.

Students going on SEP are not allowed to enroll in any course during the SEP semester. Please refer to the “Important Information – Planning guidelines” section under Overview of Courses for more information.

Restriction on Concurrent Enrollment:

1. 1. Students enrolled in any FASSIP course (FAS2551, FAS2551A, FAS2552, FAS2552A, FAS2553, FAS2553A) are NOT permitted to use the same internship for any other unit-bearing internship course* in the same semester.
   2. If you are currently enrolled in any other unit-bearing internship course*, you cannot use the same internship for credit towards any FASSIP course (FAS2551, FAS2551A, FAS2552, FAS2552A, FAS2553, FAS2553A) during the same semester.

*This restriction includes, but is not limited to:

• Department-administered internships (compulsory or non-compulsory)
• CFG2101 NUS Vacation Internship Programme
• NOC unit-bearing internships
• Any other unit-bearing internship courses

Please inform your employer that you intend to use this internship as part of a unit-bearing internship course through FASSIP. Kindly share the following link with them so they are aware of the course requirements and can provide any necessary support or documentation if your FASSIP internship proposal is approved: https://fass.nus.edu.sg/career-preparation/internship/fass-internship/employers-fassip/