General Information about the Residential Colleges

• What is a residential college?

  The residential colleges (RCs) at UTown aim to meld living and learning environments. Students residing in the RCs enrol in a carefully designed curriculum, comprising multidisciplinary modules taught in small-group seminars. This is supplemented by various learning opportunities outside the classroom, ranging from casual conversations with visiting faculty or dignitaries to formal dinners and forums. Students often strike a balance between work and play by initiating events and activities, thus promoting a collegial culture.

• How is a residential college different from the other types of undergraduate accommodation on campus?

  The six Halls of Residence place major emphasis on student development through active involvement in community work, sports and the arts. Residents get to immerse themselves in the tradition of communal hall life and participate in co-curricular activities ranging from Hall Productions to Inter-Block Games to Youth Expedition Projects. 

  In the three Residences, a minimal framework of community engagement and programmes gives students the flexibility to experience independent living while still having opportunities to interact with fellow residents if they so wish. 

  The residential colleges offer students an integrated living and learning experience where the line between formal and informal learning is blurred. Residents not only read modules which are multidisciplinary, innovative and taught in small classes, but are also exposed to a host of different settings through Master’s Teas, forums, and talks where they actively engage with distinguished visitors and interesting speakers.

• What are the programmes offered in the residential colleges at University Town (UTown)?

  University Town Residential Programme (UTRP): The UTRP is a multidisciplinary academic programme offered in the College of Alice & Peter Tan and Tembusu College. The UTRP promotes a distinct model of residential learning that combines an exciting curriculum with a wide range of learning opportunities outside the classroom. UTRP students spend two years in residency in a residential college with the possibility of extension.

  University Scholars Programme (USP): The USP is an interdisciplinary academic programme housed within Cinnamon College. USP admits 180 students each year, and offers the freedom to explore across disciplines as well as a wide range of extracurricular and overseas opportunities. USP students spend four years in the programme including a two year residency in Cinnamon College (USP).

• What are the curricular requirements of the programmes? Are these modules additional workload?

  Students are generally not expected to overload or extend their candidature in the University because of their enrolment in the UTown Residential Programme (UTRP) or University Scholars Programme (USP).

  UTRP students read five modules with their respective residential colleges over four semesters, and the rest with their home faculties. These modules count towards the University Level Requirements or ULRs (e.g. General Education Modules [GEMs], Breadth modules and Singapore Studies modules), which students in most degree programmes would have to fulfil as part of their graduation requirements.

  Students enrolled in the USP read 30% of their modules (or 12 modules) with USP over the course of their undergraduate studies and the rest with their home faculties.

• Is there any difference between Cinnamon (USP) College and the College of Alice & Peter Tan/Tembusu College?

  Cinnamon College (USP) and College of Alice & Peter Tan / Tembusu College are anchored by different academic programmes.  The University Scholars Programme (USP) is housed in Cinnamon College, while the University Town Residential Programme (UTRP) is offered in the College of Alice & Peter Tan and Tembusu College.  Nonetheless, residents of all residential colleges enjoy access to a similar set of facilities, e.g. theme rooms and seminar rooms in the Learn Lobes, multi-purpose hall, common lounge and student lounges (on every level).

• Is there any difference between the College of Alice & Peter Tan and Tembusu College?

  Both the College of Alice & Peter Tan and Tembusu College seek to provide a holistic living and learning experience under the University Town Residential Programme. Undergirded by the same educational philosophy, they share the same curriculum structure and admit students using a similar set of selection criteria. There may be some differences in the academic tone and character of each residential college as shaped by its Master, Rector and team of Fellows. For instance, the College of Alice & Peter Tan weaves active citizenship and community engagement into its curriculum, while Tembusu College organises flagship events such as the Tembusu Forum.