Global Exchange Programme - GEXP (Outbound Exchange)

Why Embark on GEXP?

To better the world, first see and experience the world!

GEXP provides SUTD undergraduates a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience an international education and cultural immersion. To live and study in another country is an exciting opportunity that promises a fulfilling and rewarding experience!

  • Develop global perspectives
  • Cultural immersion
  • Networking opportunities
  • Personal and professional growth
  • Ambassador of SUTD and Singapore
  • Value add to your resume


What is GEXP?

  • Spend a term at an overseas host university in Fall Term (after Term 5) or Spring Term (Term 6)

  • Grades received will not be counted towards CGPA

  • Earn credits for passed courses towards SUTD degree

  • Continue to pay Term 6 tuition fees (including Compulsory Miscellaneous Fees) to SUTD while tuition fees at the host university is waived


Eligibility

  • Enrolled as full-time SUTD Student (students currently on leave of absence or gap year are not eligible)

  • Sound academic record of CGPA of 3.0 and above at the point of application (students should maintain the CGPA of 3.0 and above every term up till the exchange term without failing any subjects before embarking on exchange)

  • Pass all subjects (students should ensure that any outstanding boot camps or re-tests should not happen during their exchange term)

  • A clean disciplinary record
  • Satisfy host country’s CGPA and/or other academic requirements

  • ​Outstanding Fifth Row records​

  • Eager to learn new things, make new friends and embrace new cultures

  • Ensure no restrictions involving overseas study, if holding any existing scholarship

  • ​Motivated to be a strong ambassador for SUTD and Singapore

  • Have sufficient financial means to self-pay for all necessary exchange expenses

  • Satisfy host country’s entry requirements for nationality


Process and Timeline^

Process First Application Cycle
Fall and Spring Term                                        
Second Application Cycle
Supplementary Application for Spring Term
Communications
(Pre-Application and Research)
September January to February
Online Application October to November January to February
Selection and Interview November to December February to March
Application Result and Offer Acceptance December to February March to May
Finalise Study Plan Fall: January to August
Spring: April to December
April to December
Nomination and Application to Host University Fall: February to April
Spring: May to October
May to October
Acceptance by Host University Fall: May to June
Spring: October to November
October to November
Pre-Departure Fall: June to July
Spring: November to December
November to December
Depart for GEXP Fall: August to September
Spring: January to February
January to February
Return and Complete Deliverables Fall: January to March
Spring: April to July
April to July

^ The above Process and Timeline is for reference only and is subjected to changes.


Application

  • GEXP first application cycle (for Fall and Spring term) is open to all Term 3 students in October/November annually, while the second application cycle (supplementary application for Spring) is open in January/February. Students will be informed via email.

  • Students will be able to choose up to 4 host universities in order of preference and corresponding exchange term during application.

  • Students must complete SUTD official internship of 16 weeks and ensure their GEXP does not clash with the internship period. GEXP Fall students would go on internship after GEXP, while GEXP Spring students must complete internship after Term 5 during Fall break. 

  • Students are responsible for doing thorough research on partner universities and course planning. 

  • Students are responsible for all exchange-related expenses such as airfare, meals, transport, accommodation, insurance, visa, books and supplies and other personal expenses, including any additional costs for quarantine and tests as required by host country and Singapore upon return.
  • Students should consider their personality, maturity and adaptability. One must desire to interact, be flexible and take things in their stride when the going gets tough.


Selection and Interview

  • Exchange spots are extremely limited. Students will be considered based on academic merit, Fifth Row records, application essay, suitability of proposed study plan and selection interview, with higher chance given to students who have no other previous overseas opportunities offered by SUTD (assuming all things equal). 

  • Participation in Freshmore Asian Cross-curricular Trips (FACT) and self-paid overseas Summer Programmes will not affect students' GEXP application.

  • ​The ranking of university choices during application affects the chance of securing an exchange spot. Students should be mindful of choosing only popular universities with limited spots.

  • Shortlisted applicants will be informed via email for an interview.

  • SUTD decision on the application outcome is final and cannot be disputed. Appeal to change the offered host university will not be entertained. SUTD is not required to justify the decision on the application outcome. No appeal, discussion and/or correspondence will be entertained.

  • SUTD exchange offer does not constitute a guaranteed enrollment into the host university. The host university reserves the right to accept or decline a student's application.


Resources and Student Blogs


Financial Aid

  • There are various awards and scholarships available to students embarking on GEXP. Eligible SUTD students will be invited by email to apply for the exchange awards and scholarships in May/June (Jan/Feb for SEED). Download Application Form.
  • Singapore Citizens with Post-Secondary Education Account (PSEA) will be able to utilise their PSEA for reimbursement of exchange-related expenses (such as airfare, accomodation, VISA, insurance and transport, excluding personal expenses), subjected to approval by OSA and MOE. Students who are on any Scholarship(s) that fund overseas exchange will not be eligible for PSEA reimbursement.

Exchange Awards and Scholarships
  • Active Fifth Row, leadership potential, good moral character, community spirit and involvement would be advantageous.

  • Students who are under external awards/scholarships must ensure that they are allowed to receive concurrent awards/scholarships.

  • Students who are under any awards/scholarships that fund their overseas exchange will not be eligible.

  • Students who are utilising SUTD Global Excellence Scholarship/Award (GES/GEA), SUTD Global Distinguished Scholarship/Award (GDS/GDA) or SUTD Global Merit Scholarship/Award (GMS/GMA) for GEXP will not be eligible.

  • Priority will be given to students with demonstrated financial need of monthly household PCI (Per Capital Income) of less than SGD2,500 for KKH / Wilmar Global Exchange Award and Lim Joo Boon – SUTD Exchange Award.

  • Application is subjected to review. Only successful applicants will be contacted via email. Regardless of any exchange awards or scholarships, students must ensure they have sufficient financial means to cover for all necessary exchange expenses.

  • ​View the respective award or scholarship pages below for eligibility criteria, terms and conditions before applying.

Award / Scholarship Eligibility
KKH Global Exchange Award
Quantum: SGD5,000
  • All nationalities
  • CGPA ≥3.0
  • PCI ≤SGD2,500
Wilmar Global Exchange Award
Quantum: SGD5,000
  • All nationalities
  • CGPA ≥3.0
  • PCI ≤SGD2,500
Lim Joo Boon - SUTD Exchange Award
Quantum: SGD5,000
  • Singapore Citizens and Singapore Permanent Residents
  • CGPA ≥3.0
  • PCI ≤SGD2,500
  • Host universities in China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Thailand
ASEM DUO-Singapore Exchange Fellowship Award
Quantum: EURO4,000
  • Singapore Citizens, Singapore Permanent Residents and Citizens of ASEAN member countries
  • CGPA ≥3.0
  • Awarded in pairs of students coming from and going to the same universities, with each pair comprising 1 SUTD student and 1 inbound exchange student
  • For European host universities
  • Priority given to Fall term exchange
Meiban Group Exchange Award
Quantum: SGD8,000
  • Singapore Citizens and Singapore Permanent Residents 
  • CGPA ≥3.0
  • For students pursuing EPD Beyond Industry 4.0 Track
  • Only for Spring term exchange
Makino Asia Global Exchange Award
Quantum: SGD8,000
  • Singapore Citizens and Singapore Permanent Residents 
  • CGPA ≥3.0
  • For students pursuing EPD Beyond Industry 4.0 Track
  • Only for Spring term exchange
Canada-ASEAN Scholarships and Educational Exchanges for Development (SEED)
Quantum: CAD10,200
  • Singapore Citizens and Citizens of ASEAN member state
  • For selected Canadian host universities
  • Eligible applicants will be nominated to host university, review and award is subjected to host university discretion
  • Successful applicants will not be eligible for other exchange scholarships and awards

Partner Universities

1 Recommended for EPD Track - Beyond Industry 4.0 
2 Available to ASD students only
3 Internship opportunities are available after GEXP 

Asia and Oceania
Americas
Europe
Partner University Location Discover
Université catholique de Louvain 3 Belgium
Czech Technical University in Prague Czech Republic  
University of Southern Denmark 1 Denmark  
Aalto University 1 Finland
Tampere University Finland
INSA Lyon 3 France  
Reykjavik University Iceland  
University of Twente 1 Netherlands
IE University 2 Spain  
Chalmers University of Technology 1 Sweden  
KTH Royal Institute of Technology Sweden
Uppsala University Sweden  
Cardiff University United Kingdom, Wales  
University of Bristol United Kingdom, England