Code of Student Conduct

The Code of Student Conduct promotes an environment that facilitates your intellectual pursuits, supports student and community development and enforces civility and personal responsibility.

  1. As a widely respected institution of higher learning, the National University of Singapore (NUS) is dedicated to cultivating academic and personal excellence in a way that is inclusive and supportive, where communal values as well as the dignity and rights of each person are respected.


    This Code of Student Conduct is intended to guide students’ conduct in both the academic and non-academic aspects of their University life by providing an overview of the behaviour generally expected of them as members of the University community. It is meant to serve as a broad framework, and should not be treated as an exhaustive list.

    In line with the above, the University expects students to uphold both the spirit and letter of this Code of Student Conduct at all times.

  2. This Code of Student Conduct is based on the following fundamental principles

    (A) Academic, Professional, and Personal Integrity
    (B) Respect for People
    (C) Respect for and Compliance with the Law and with Campus Policies and Regulations
    (D)Responsibility towards Maintaining the Campus as a Place Conducive for Learning and Living
(A) Academic, Professional and Personal Integrity
  1. The University is committed to nurturing an environment conducive for the exchange of ideas, advancement of knowledge and intellectual development. Academic honesty and integrity are essential conditions for the pursuit and acquisition of knowledge, and the University expects each student to maintain and uphold the highest standards of integrity and academic honesty at all times.

  2. The University takes a strict view of cheating in any form, deceptive fabrication, plagiarism and violation of intellectual property and copyright laws. Any student who is found to have engaged in such misconduct will be subject to disciplinary action by the University.

  3. It is important to note that all students share the responsibility of protecting the academic standards and reputation of the University. This responsibility can extend beyond each student’s own conduct, and can include reporting incidents of suspected academic dishonesty through the appropriate channels. Students who have reasonable grounds to suspect academic dishonesty should raise their concerns directly to the relevant Head of Department, Dean of Faculty, Registrar, Vice Provost or Provost.

(B) Respect for People
  1. The University encourages students to display consideration, kindness and responsibility in their dealings with other persons. Students should not engage in disorderly or offensive behaviour such as making threats against others, intimidating others, harassing others, drunkenness, lewdness, or participating in any unlawful assembly.

  2. Students are expected to treat others with respect,  courtesy and  consideration  so as  to create a positive learning and social environment at the University. Treating others with dignity and respect with regard to their gender, race, values, religion and disabilities help create experiences that are meaningful and uplifting for all students which in turn help create lifelong bonds and support networks that enrich the students’ lives. Students must feel safe and secure at all times while at the University.

    Accordingly, students should not engage in conduct which violates another person's dignity or create an environment which is hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive for another person. Conduct which insults, abuses, denigrates, victimizes, demeans, embarrasses or disparages any individual is not acceptable to the University. 

    Students should also refrain from participating in any activity which physically or mentally harms, intimidates or humiliates other students, or which violates one’s dignity as an individual. In particular, negative and improper orientation practices that make new students feel uncomfortable (also known as “ragging”) are not tolerated by the University. Such practices display a lack of basic respect for other persons, imperil students’ physical and mental welfare, and may unintentionally result in an unhealthy atmosphere of fear and intimidation on campus. Freshmen are not to be treated as subordinates but as peers to be accorded the same measure of respect for their dignity and well-being as other students. 

    Students who abuse their positions of authority or leadership by participating in or allowing such conduct or by being involved in the development of policies or programmes that facilitate or encourage such conduct will be dealt with severely by the University. 

       Sexual Misconduct

  1. Unwanted sexual advances and inappropriate physical contact, sexually explicit remarks or innuendoes of a sexual nature, offensive body language or gestures and other forms of sexual harassment will not be tolerated by the University. Students should refrain from all acts (including threats) of Sexual Misconduct (as defined in Appendix A) against any staff, student or member of the University community and the wider public, whether it takes the form of an action, be it verbal, in writing or on digital media.

       Dress Code

  1. Dressing well is also a show of respect for others. Students are expected to dress appropriately to project a positive and fitting image of themselves when they are on campus. Attire such as skimpy or revealing clothes or clothes printed with vulgar or offensive words or pictures are considered inappropriate attire. Singlets and slippers meant for domestic use may give others a poor impression of students and the University.

  2. As a secular institution, the University is committed to maintaining harmony among the multi-ethnic and multi-religious communities on campus. Students are expected to be respectful towards the religious beliefs, customs, and sensitivities of others. They should also not impinge on or disparage other faiths. Additionally, proselytizing in campus, in any form, is not allowed.

  3. As an educational institution, the University is committed to providing a forum for the exploration and discussion of a diversity of ideas and opinions, including political and social-political issues. Students are free to express their views and opinions on campus, bearing in mind the need to act in accordance with accepted scholarly and professional standards and the laws of the country. In particular, students should avoid the following:

    a. the purveying or dissemination of pejorative viewpoints along sectarian lines (including but not limited to issues on race, language, religion, gender, sexuality, age,nationality);
    b. any incitements to engage in disturbance, violence and/or criminal acts; and 
    c. the use of University grounds for partisan politics and/or politicalfundraising.
  1. Students are obliged to observe and uphold the laws of Singapore as well as the policies and regulations of NUS at all times.

  2. When students undertake an overseas educational programme or attachment at one of NUS’s partner institutions, they are also expected to observe and uphold the laws of the host country and the regulations of the respective partner institutions. Students on internships are expected to adhere to the employer’s employment policies, practices, procedures, dress codes, and/or standards of conduct. Student interns are also expected to maintain the established work schedule and meet internship obligations. Students participating in academic or non-academic NUS-approved activities outside of campus are expected to adhere to the rules and regulations set by the external organisers or venue owners. 

  3. Smoking

  4. The University believes in providing a healthy environment for everyone on campus. Smoking is strictly prohibited within the University premises.

  5. Alcohol

  6. Students should observe socially responsible behaviour when drinking. Consumption of alcohol on University premises and/or during University events is generally prohibited except in the following situations:

    1. onsite consumption of alcohol at designated campus food and beverage outlets during specified operating hours; or
    2. at official University events where alcohol is served
  1. Students are reminded that the legal drinking age is 18 years old and it is a violation of Singapore law to consume, or to sell or serve alcohol to others below the legal drinking age.

  2. Online Behaviour

  3. Students are expected to adhere to the same standards of behaviour online as they would in face-to-face interactions with other persons. They should also note that irresponsible usage of digital and social media, even if done in a personal capacity and/or off campus, may have a significant detrimental effect on the interest or welfare of other members in the University community.

  4. When using digital and social media, students should be mindful that materials posted online can be copied freely and can continue to exist even if the original item is removed. They should therefore strive to be transparent and respectful; exercise good judgment before making any postings; and engage the community responsibly.

  1. University authorities ensure that the NUS campuses are properly managed so that students have the benefit of learning and living in a safe, well-maintained campus. At all times, students are expected to identify themselves or comply with the directions of University personnel (including campus security wardens) who are performing their duties while on campus. For security reasons, students must be readily identifiable at all times and have their faces uncovered. No student shall be attired in any way that prevents or obstructs ready identification, e.g. wearing a full-face motorcycle helmet, mask or veil.

       Mutilation, Vandalism and Theft

  1. The University provides a safe and pleasant environment and good facilities for the benefit of all members of the University community. Any act of mutilation, vandalism or theft of properties belonging to members of the community or the University will not be condoned.

       Use of University Resources

  1. University IT resources are intended to aid learning and facilitate knowledge creation and dissemination. They should not be used for the transmission of obscene or inflammatory information, or for commercial purposes, or for personal monetary profit. Students should observe good computer etiquette at all times, and are required to abide by any laws and regulations governing IT use.

  2. Students should respect intellectual property rights, in line with the guidelines stated in the Acceptable Use Policy for IT Resources and the NUS Libraries E-Resources Appropriate Use Policy. Students are not allowed to download or distribute copyrighted materials over the NUS network by any means or methods.

       Parking on Campus

  1. Parking space on campus is in great demand and there is limited land that can be used as parking areas. Inconsiderate and unauthorised parking poses inconvenience and hazards to other members of the University community. Students who drive to the campus are required to comply with parking regulations and respect traffic laws.

       Student Accommodation

  1. University student accommodation should be safe and pleasant living environments conducive to learning and the promotion of personal development. The University places great importance on the safety of its students and has put in place appropriate measures and rules to ensure that its student accommodation is free from crime and other negative elements. To maintain safety and harmony at these living spaces, students are expected to abide by the Housing Agreement and to uphold the housing rules and regulations at all times.

  2. University student accommodation is granted to students (resident-students) who qualify for such housing privileges. Such resident-students must abide by the housing rules and regulations and the housing agreement and are not permitted to sublet or allow any unauthorized person to reside in their accommodations in hostels (eg. residential colleges, halls or residences).

    Students invited to visit any hostel (non-resident students) are to abide by the housing rules and regulations and should not stay in the hostel (including common facilities) beyond the permitted visiting hours. They may not use the card, transponder or key of any resident to access the hostel. Non-resident students are not allowed to stay overnight or rent any room from another student at the hostel.

Student Discipline


  1. The University has jurisdiction to take disciplinary action against a student in respect of a violation of this Code of Student Conduct and any conduct which is or may be detrimental to the interest or welfare of members of the University community, or the reputation and dignity of the University. Such conduct can include acts which take place outside campus, while the student is on study leave, or carried out by the student in his or her personal capacity.

  2. It is the responsibility of all students to acquaint themselves with Singapore’s laws and the University’s statutes, regulations, campus policies and regulations pertaining to student conduct.

NUS Statutes and Regulations Pertaining to Student Discipline

Statute 6: Discipline With Respect To Students

Regulation 10: Discipline With Respect To Students

Parking at NUS Kent Ridge Campus and Bukit Timah Campus

Library Rules

NUS Libraries E-Resources Appropriate Use Policy

Acceptable Use Policy for IT Resources

 Housing Agreement

Rules and Regulations for Residences and Residential Colleges

Rules and Regulations for Halls of Residence

Hall  Housing Agreement
Eusoff Hall
 Kent Ridge Hall
 King Edward VII Hall
 Raffles Hall
 Sheares Hall
 Temasek Hall
 Prince George's Park House



  1. Sexual Misconduct is a general term used in this Code of Student Conduct to refer to a range of acts of a sexual nature committed against a person by force, intimidation, manipulation, coercion or without that person’s Consent (defined below), or at a point when that person is incapable of giving Consent.

  2. Acts of Sexual Misconduct:
    1. can be perpetrated by or against anyone, irrespective of:
      1. gender;
      2. sexual orientation;
      3. relationship between complainants and respondents (e.g. strangers or acquaintances, or people who know each other well);
    2. may differ in gravity.

  3. Whether any act constitutes Sexual Misconduct is determined objectively.


  5. The term “Consent” refers to an affirmative, informed, voluntary and ongoing choice by an individual with legal capacity.

  6. For Consent to be present, the following elements must be present:
    1. given by an individual with legal capacity (i.e. cannot be given by persons who are under the statutory age of consent and/or deemed minors under the law or mentally disabled);
    2. conveyed by an affirmative statement or action which clearly indicates an individual’s intentions understood by both parties (e.g. silence or the absence of resistance or protest does not necessarily represent Consent, an ongoing or past social, dating or otherwise intimate relationship between individuals does not imply Consent);
    3. specific, informed and knowing (i.e. must be given specifically for the occasion of sexual activity without any mistake or deception as to the identity or the nature of the act);
    4. given freely and voluntarily (i.e. cannot be obtained by improper detention, confinement or incarceration, force, threat, intimidation, duress, manipulation, bullying, coercion, an individual exerting his/her position of power, authority or control or any form of pressure etc. or given during a time when an individual’s ability to comprehend is compromised in any way); and
    5. ongoing (i.e. not withdrawn) throughout the entire duration of sexual activity.


  7. Sexual Misconduct includes, but is not limited to, the following examples of prohibited conduct:

  8. Sexual Discrimination

  9. Sexual Discrimination means unequal or unfair treatment of an individual based on sex, gender, identity and/or sexual orientation, in relation to various aspects of that individual’s educational and student life activities and/or employment (as the case may be). 

  10. Sexual Harassment

  11. Sexual Harassment refers to harassment of a sexual nature. It means any unwelcome, non-consensual acts of a sexual nature, including but not limited to, sexual advances, requests for sexual favours, or other verbal, non-verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature on or off the premises of NUS when:
    1. submission to such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a condition of the non-consenting individual’s employment or academic standing; or
    3. a supervisor, or other authority figure offers or intimates that some benefit (e.g. increased pay, a promotion, or a higher performance grading) can be obtained in exchange for a sexual favour; or
    4. such conduct has the purpose or effect of:
    1. offending, humiliating, intimidating or otherwise violating the dignity of the person harassed;
    2. creating an offensive, intimidating, hostile or otherwise unfavourable academic, work or living environment; or
    3. unreasonably interfering with an individual’s work or academic performance.

  12. Sexual Harassment may be found in a single incident or as an element of persistent behaviour.

  13. Sexual Exploitation – Sexual Misconduct not involving physical contact

  14. Sexual exploitation refers to taking advantage of another individual in a sexual, or sexually-related way for the benefit of anybody other than the individual being exploited.

  15. Examples of Sexual Exploitation include, but are not limited to:
    1. voyeurism;
    2. disseminating sexual/intimate information about another individual
    3. indecent exposure;
    4. taking of up skirt photographs;
    5. being in any way involved with any form of prostitution of any persons;
    6. intentionally inducing incapacitation in another individual with the objective of engaging in sexual conduct with that individual (regardless of whether such sexual conduct eventually transpires).

    Sexual Contact – Sexual Misconduct involving physical contact 

  16. Sexual Contact refers to any deliberate physical contact with another person in a sexual manner, however slight or brief, whether that touching is direct or indirect, without that person’s Consent, or at a point when that person is incapable of giving Consent.
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Last Updated on 1 February 2019