Student Exchange Programme (SEP)

SEP Application

Please refer to the FASS-SEP website.

There are two rounds of SEP application and students will be notified via email by the FASS-SEP Office (studyabroadfass@nus.edu.sg). The application period is around September for Round 1 and February for Round 2. Please check your NUS email and read all the instructions carefully. The application window typically lasts for two weeks after opening. Please note that you must have an intended major in order for your SEP application to be processed by the FASS-SEP Office.

SEP Course Mapping

Guidelines for Student Exchange Programme (SEP) Course Mapping for Chinese Studies–Outgoing NUS students

In order to receive units in Chinese Studies for courses taken while on SEP, students must seek approval from both the Department of Chinese Studies and the FASS Dean’s Office by applying through EduRec. Submit mapping requests after your application has been approved by SEP and the partner university, but before classes begin. Mapping requests may be submitted later (i.e., after classes begin), but approval is not guaranteed. To avoid discovering too late that the course you took is not suitable, please submit mapping requests early. Do note that EduRec allows for a maximum of 20 entries.

In order to be mapped to a Chinese Studies course code, a course must be related to areas in Chinese Studies covered by the Department, mainly Chinese literature, Chinese history, Chinese linguistics, Chinese philosophy, and Chinese translation. For comparative courses, at least 50% of the readings and assignments must be related to China, Chinese or Overseas Chinese specifically. Courses about East Asia in general, or on other topics not related to Chinese Studies specifically, or on areas not covered by the Department (e.g. Sociology, Political Science, Psychology, etc.), even if offered at a Chinese university, must be mapped to the appropriate NUS department. Courses must also have academic content. Requests for martial arts, dance, calligraphy or similar courses will be rejected, unless there is a substantial academic component (i.e., readings and research paper equal to a 2000 level course).

All Chinese language course mapping requests should be directed to the Centre for Language Study (CLS). For questions on mapping language courses, please refer to the CLS website.

The Chinese Studies department only approves mapping requests. The department does not allocate the units for the course.

FASS students, please refer to the SEP Credit Transfer Calculator when calculating your units and direct your enquiries to studyabroadfass@nus.edu.sg or visit the SEP site here. Final approval of mapping requests and allocation of units will be done by the FASS Dean’s Office.

For non-FASS students, please check with your respective Faculty/School's Office on how the units are calculated and transferred.

How to Select the Correct Course Code in EduRec

To ensure your request is approved without delay, you must select the appropriate course code when applying through EduRec. Nearly all SEP courses will be approved at the 2000 level. Look at the list of 2000 level courses offered in Chinese Studies and see if any of these closely match the course at the partner university. If both the level and the content match, then select a fixed course code (e.g., CH2121). If there is no match, select a department exchange course code (dummy code) CH27xx. When considering the list of course codes to select, remember the level matters more than the content.

Mapping at the 3000 level will only be approved if there is clear evidence that the course is at an advanced level. Some universities indicate the level of the course in the online course guide; only courses marked “advanced” can be mapped at the 3000 level. If the level is not clearly marked, you must submit or link to the syllabus, including reading list and assessment. In general, a 3000 level course must include a substantial and challenging reading list and a research paper as the majority of the assessment (not a group project, presentation or final exam). The same guidelines apply to mapping at the 4000 level.

The following courses cannot be mapped under any circumstance:

  • Exposure courses (CH1101E, CL1101E)
  • CH2121, CH2141, CH2161, CH2162, CH2221, CH2243, CH2252, CL2101, CL2102, CL2103, CL2280, CL2281, CL3104

Please check carefully the Mapping Restrictions on the FASS-SEP website. Do note that a maximum of two level 4000 courses (8 Units) can be transferred from all and not each exchange programme participated. The remaining 12 Units should be completed at NUS. Any L4000 Units earned out of the maximum will be transferred as L3000 instead.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Why was my mapping request rejected?
A: You must log in to EduRec to see the reason. The reason is not included in the automated email from EduRec.

Most rejections occur for one of the following reasons:

  • You selected a course code that was too high or too low. Remember most courses will be approved at the 2000 level only.
  • The course is not related to an field covered by the Department of Chinese Studies.
  • You selected a fixed course code but the content does not match. Select a dummy code instead (CH27xx).

Q: I’m a Chinese Studies major and I really need 3000 level units. What can I do?
A: Plan ahead to take most of your 3000 level units at NUS, and be aware that some Chinese universities have more advanced level courses than others available for exchange students. Remember that to receive the equivalent units for one 3000 level course at NUS, you must take 2-3 courses at the 3000 level at the partner university, depending on the exchange ratio. In your mapping request, be sure to select a course that is at an advanced level, and submit clear evidence of a challenging reading list and workload, equivalent to a 3000 level course at NUS. You may ask the instructor for a copy of the syllabus if it is not available online. Remember all unit allocations must be approved by the FASS Dean’s Office.

Q: Can courses taught in Chinese be mapped?
A: Yes, if your language skills are good enough to take a course in Chinese, it can be mapped according to the same guidelines outlined above.

Q: My partner university has not yet released the list of courses/timetable. What do I do?
A: If the list of courses from the previous year is available online, you can use that, but be aware some those courses may not be offered again. Or you can wait. Mapping requests may be submitted at any time, even after the semester begins. However, the risk is you might enrol in courses that don't cover the requirements you need or that cannot be mapped. Your chance of getting a course approved is much higher if you keep the above guidelines in mind.

Q: The semester is already finished. Can I still submit mapping requests?
A: Yes, but approval is subject to the guidelines above.