We live in a world where pursuing a single major is no longer a reliable passport to a clearly defined profession. To take one example, leading firms such as KPMG now hire non-lawyers to deliver legal services[1]. Another stark example is that the share of computer science graduates securing roles in the “Magnificent 7” tech giant firms has dropped by more than half since 2022 [2]These shifts signal a profound transformation in how specific majors connect to careers.
As job scopes become increasingly hybrid and domain-crossing, the traditional one-major–one-career model is rapidly losing relevance. Fields such as cybersecurity and biotechnology demand expertise that spans multiple disciplines. Companies increasingly value technical specialists who also understand the sustainability and social impact of hardware design. In this new landscape, specialisation itself is being redefined.
CIS’s Individualised Major is a bold response to these realities. Designed for the complexities of the 21st-century economy, the IM empowers students to direct their education very specifically to the industry needs of the future. By intentionally weaving together areas of knowledge that were once kept separate, students can build distinctive, future-ready profiles aligned with emerging industries and evolving careers. This is the future of higher education.
The Bachelor of Integrative Studies (Individualised Major) is a 4-year meritorious honours programme, including the first year on the Deferred Declaration of Degree (D3) programme. In total, students are required to complete 36 course units (CUs) worth of courses.
All Bachelor of Integrative Studies students will choose one of two tracks: Professional track and Research track. The professional track focuses on industry and societal problems, and students on this track are assigned an industry mentor. The research track involves deep academic inquiry into the subject matter and is particularly suitable for students interested in a policy, research, or academic-oriented career.
All students are paired with a faculty advisor who will provide guidance throughout the duration of the programme.
[1] https://www.law.georgetown.edu/legal-ethics-journal/blog/kpmgs-subsidiary-law-firm-approved-by-arizona-supreme-court-to-provide-legal-services/
[2] https://www.signalfire.com/blog/signalfire-state-of-talent-report-2025
Students doing the IM benefit from doing what they love. They also have the unique ability to curate their learning journey and cultivate an academic transcript that speaks precisely to the industry and careers of their choice.
Prof Maartje De Visser (L) and Prof Fiona Williamson (R)
Bachelor of Integrative Studies (Individualised Majors) Programme Co-Chairs
Curriculum (36 CUs)
Core Curriculum (12 CUs)
Integrative Studies Core &
Electives (16 CUs)
- Integrative Studies Core (4 CUs)
- Coursework Electives (10 to 11 CUs)
- Coursework Electives (8 to 9 CUs)
Free Electives (8 CUs)
Students may take courses from any of
SMU’s schools to fulfil the Free
Electives requirement
Professional Track
Focuses on industry and societal problems, and students on this track are assigned an industry mentor.
Integrative Studies Core (4 CUs)
- INTS101 Methods Across Majors: An Interdisciplinary Introduction to Research
- INTS201 Exploring Interdisciplinary Horizons: An Introduction to Integrative Studies
- Two courses from the “Challenges” basket:
- COR-INTS2240 Climate Change: Past, Present, and Future
- COR-MGMT2207 Innovations in Asia’s Smart Cities
- INTS302 Modern Challenges
- INTS304 The Human Condition: Who are we? What are we?
- COR-INTS2255 Thinking with Data
Coursework Electives (10 to 11 CUs)
CIS students may select courses relevant to their self-defined major, including courses from exchange programmes.Capstone Project (1 to 2 CUs)
Inquiry into an industry or societal problem.Research Track
Involves deep academic inquiry into the subject-matter and is particularly suitable for students with an interest in a policy, research or academic-oriented career.
Integrative Studies Core (4 CUs)
- INTS101 Methods Across Majors: An Interdisciplinary Introduction to Research
- INTS201 Exploring Interdisciplinary Horizons: An Introduction to Integrative Studies
- Two courses from the “Challenges” basket:
- COR-INTS2240 Climate Change: Past, Present, and Future
- COR-MGMT2207 Innovations in Asia’s Smart Cities
- INTS302 Modern Challenges
- INTS304 The Human Condition: Who are we? What are we?
- COR-INTS2255 Thinking with Data
Coursework Electives (10 CUs)
CIS students may select courses relevant to their self-defined major, including courses from exchange programmes.
Senior Thesis (2 CUs)
Academic inquiry into a topic of interest.
"Industry Experiential Learning All students on the BIS(IM) will complete industry experiential learning through SMU-X courses and/or Work-Study Electives.”
Students’ Individualised Majors
I designed Impact Management like a compass for organisations. Impact isn’t just “doing good”; it’s the discernment to what truly moves the needle. Like steering a ship, leaders must balance short-term waves with long-term direction, using tools from finance to sociology.
Jamie Yau
(Impact Management)
I developed a keen interest in urban studies during my D3 year and wanted to explore it more intentionally. It became a useful interdisciplinary grounding for my major, where I could weave in public policy and economics to examine how cities are governed and how place is collectively created.
Leon Lee
(Urban Development Governance)
Human-Centred Futures Design is my gateway to showing that Design is a powerful strategic tool. By bridging technology and social psychology into businesses, my investigation helps people imagine alternative futures and turn long-term possibilities into responsible action today.
Lim Cai Qian
(Human-Centred Futures Design)
Interested in applying?
Find out more about the central admissions process and requirements here .
Unparalleled Levels of 1:1 Mentorship
Every Bachelor of Integrative Studies student is assigned a faculty advisor who will advise on the design of their study plan based on the student’s identified industry or societal challenge. The faculty advisor will provide guidance throughout the student’s candidacy and supervise the student's capstone project or dissertation.
In addition, every student on the Professional track will be assigned a capstone mentor to help them integrate their coursework with real-world applications and understand the industry's context, nuances, complexities and outlook. Every student on the Research track will be assigned a dissertation supervisor to guide them in academic inquiry.
#CISMentorship
Highlights
BIS Symposium
The BIS Symposium is held in the second year of a student's BIS journey; and offers students a platform to present their ideas for their respective Individualised Major and Capstone Project/Senior Thesis proposal to a wide audience comprising fellow students, faculty experts, and prospective employers. The BIS Symposium gives students the opportunity to receive critical feedback and refine their majors.
BIS Colloquium
The BIS Colloquium is held at the end of a student’s BIS journey as a formal showcase of their culminating Capstone Project or Senior Thesis. During the Colloquium, students present and discuss their work, demonstrating their integrative skills and academic achievements.
CIS-Exclusive Exchange Programmes
CIS students may participate in student exchange programmes not only through SMU’s network of more than 200 global university partners, but also through CIS-exclusive partnerships. For further information, email us at cis@smu.edu.sg.
CIS-Exclusive Industry Engagement Activities
CIS students enjoy one-to-one consultations with the College’s Executives-in-Residence, and also benefit from many fireside chats with the College’s Advisory Board members and other industry leaders. CIS also organises regular engagement networking sessions for CIS students to engage with and learn from industry partners, ensuing that the students are given the best opportunities to thrive post-graduation.