FAQ

What does the College of Integrative Studies do?

The College oversees the SMU Core Curriculum, and three undergraduate programmes: a deferred declaration of degree, an Individualised Major culminating in a Bachelors of Integrative Studies, and an Individualised Second Major. In time, it will also offer a postgraduate programme at both the Master’s and PhD levels. The College also houses the Wee Kim Wee Centre, and manages SMU’s Residential Living and Learning initiatives, including the Prinsep Street Residences and its programmes.

Can you provide more details about the deferred declaration of degree?

The deferred declaration of degree is a one-year non-degree programme which allows students to be enrolled at the CIS, without pre-committing to any specific degree programme, to explore their intellectual interests and talents via Core Curriculum courses, as well as disciplinary courses from other SMU Schools. 

Students will participate in regular forums and discussions featuring industry leaders and alumni to better understand the latest trends across sectors, as they consider their degree interests and potential career choices.

Students interested in deferring the declaration of their degree should apply to SMU, indicating the ‘Deferred Declaration of Degree’ as their first choice, and a second and third choice of degree programme in their application. If they are admitted to the College and meet the criteria for admission to their second and third choice degree programmes, they will have a place reserved for them in these programmes. Students who want to pursue the Individualised Major may indicate “Bachelor of Integrative Studies” as one of their second or third choices. At the end of their first year, students can then choose to either enter a degree programme they have a reserved place in, stay on at the College by declaring an Individualised Major, or apply to transfer to a different School than the ones indicated at admission.

How many course units (CUs) do I need to take to complete my Individualised Major? 

Students enrolled in an Individualised Major will take 12 Core Curriculum CUs (this is the same for most students in SMU, except for LLB, BSc (Computer Science) and BSc (Computing and Law) degree programmes), 16 Major CUs, and 8 free elective CUs for a total of 36 CUs to graduate with a Bachelors of Integrative Studies. Regardless of track, all Individualised Majors will take three major core courses (3 CUs), each co-taught by faculty from different disciplines, designed to immerse students in integrative analysis.   

What is an Individualised Second Major? How is it different from the Individualised (First) Major? 

The Individualised Second Major offers students an opportunity to receive a secondary interdisciplinary major. This second major will consist of 8 CUs, with students having the option of choosing either a professional or research track, just like with the Individualised Major. 

As per the Individualised Major, all students enrolled in the Individualised Second Major, regardless of track, will be assigned a faculty advisor. Together with their faculty advisors, students will draw up a study plan indicating the proposed title and theme of their major, and secure approval of their coursework and capstone project/dissertation topic. 

As with the first major, students will be assigned a faculty advisor, and for those who pursue the professional track, an industry mentor, to guide them in the design of their degree. With guidance from their academic advisors and, where relevant, industry mentors, students will draw up a study plan indicating the proposed title and theme of their major, and secure approval of their coursework and capstone project/dissertation topic.

What is the difference between the professional and research tracks under the Individualised Major? 

The professional track envisages closer exposure to industry and real-world problems, preparing students for future employment. The research track is suitable for students with an interest in a policy, academia, government, or similar career.

For the professional track, students must satisfy the following:  

• 3 CUs of Major Core courses  
• Between 2 CUs and 4 CUs from a combination of Work-Study Electives and/or SMU-X courses 
• Between 8 CUs and 10 CUs from courses across the University. The coursework must span at least two disciplines, with a fair distribution across the disciplines as discussed with the faculty advisor 
• A capstone project worth 1 CU or 2 CUs, alongside an Integrative Studies Colloquium 

For the research track, students must satisfy the following

• 3 CUs of Major Core courses  
• 1 SMU-X course 
• 10 CUs from courses across the University. The coursework must span at least two disciplines, with a fair distribution across the disciplines as discussed with the faculty advisor
• Year-long dissertation worth 2 CUs, alongside an Integrative Studies Colloquium” 

For the Individualised Second Major professional track, how do I decide whether to take a 1 or 2 CU capstone?

This will depend on how you design your major and what you would like to populate your programme with. For example, whether you are undertaking other internships/SMU-X modules for your first major. It will also depend on how deeply you would like to explore and research a topic. When you apply, you will be encouraged to discuss this with your faculty advisor.  

What if the modules I want to select have prerequisites?

You would need to take the prerequisite(s) or choose a different course that is also aligned with your theme. Alternatively, you could select a module with prerequisites that you have already met. The College of Integrative Studies is committed to a robust advising system to help you navigate these questions.  

Can I still undertake an Individualised Second Major if my GPA is below 3.4? 

The College welcomes students who demonstrate aptitudes across a wide range of areas, by a variety of metrics beyond GPA. Above all, we look for a commitment to interdisciplinary approaches, and a passion to find integrative solutions to the challenges of a dynamic and complex world. Your application will be assessed on grounds of a strong personal statement that authentically reflects this, as well as the viability of your chosen theme.  

Can I change my choice of school at the end of my first year?

Students who, at the end of the first year at the College of Integrative Studies, would like to move to a different School can do so without a new application if they had indicated their choice of School at the point of admission either as a second or third choice, and had met the criteria for a reserved spot. 

However, if they want to move to a school previously unindicated at admission or for which they did not meet the criteria for a reserved spot, they will be treated as internal transfer students and must apply to and satisfy the relevant School’s criteria for transfer. For more information, please refer to the OASIS | Transfer of Programme Policy. 

Can I transfer out of the College, back to an SMU school if I change my mind?

A student can transfer out of the College before the start of their third Semester, beyond which they need to submit a formal transfer application. Students name two Schools at their point of application and will be reserved a spot in these Schools if they are deemed to have met the relevant Schools’ criteria. They declare their degree only at the end of their second semester. If they choose a School that is not one of the two they had indicated at application, they must apply for a transfer application (as per all SMU students applying to transfer Schools.)

If I transfer out of the College after my first year but wish to transfer back to the College later on, do I have to submit a formal transfer application?  

Yes, students wanting to transfer back to the College of Integrative Studies must apply for a transfer formally (as per all SMU students applying to transfer Schools). For more information, please refer to the OASIS | Transfer of Programme Policy. 

Can you provide more details about the Individualised Major programme? 

Students will identify an industry or societal challenge to frame their degree journey and design their own major by enrolling in a slate of courses from among those that are offered or available at SMU to constitute a customised major. They can choose either a professional track, which will be more targeted towards workplace readiness and industry immersion, or a research track. 

Students will also have access to pre-curated degree templates for inspiration and guidance when necessary. They will be assigned a faculty advisor, and for those who pursue the professional track, an industry mentor, to guide them in the design of their degree. With guidance from their academic advisors and, where relevant, industry mentors, students will draw up a study plan indicating the proposed title and theme of their major, and secure approval of their coursework and capstone project/dissertation topic. 

Upon successful completion of this programme, students will graduate with a Bachelor in Integrative Studies from SMU, and their academic transcript will reflect the specific names of their individualised majors, such as “Digital Societies,” or “Sustainability and Resilience” to clearly and uniquely demonstrate to employers the substance and scope of their individualised degrees.