NTU NBS: Year 2 Semester 1

Year 2 Semester 1

I took 20 AUs this semester. The workload was immense but I'm glad I've completed it.

AB1000 Career Foundations I (CORE - 1AU)

Course Format: 

Attendance (20%)

Class Participation (30%)

Pre-Assignment (25%)

Post Assignment (25%)

Attained Score: Unknown

Final Grade: P

Not much comments on this since it's just a one-day affair where various external trainers come to administer the programme. 

AC1102 Accounting II (CORE - 4AU)

Course Format: 

Class Participation (10%)

5 Connect Quizzes (10%)

Group Report (15%)

Mid Terms (15%)

Final Examination (50%)

Attained Score: 

5 Connect Quizzes (9.8%/10%)

Group Report (A+)

Mid Terms (11.7%/15%) 

Final Grade: A

This module is a pure financial accounting module and it extends the knowledge acquired from AC1101. It focuses a lot on the balance sheet items. MORE FRS were introduced, ranging from FRS 36 PPE, FRS 36 Impairment Loss, FRS37 Liabilities, FRS 38 Intangibles, FRS 40 IP, FRS 105 NCAHFS, INT FRS107 NCAHFDTO, FRS 108 Operating Segments, FRS109 Investments in Shares, FRS 113 Fair Value and some presentation FRS like FRS 1 and FRS 7. The group project was not difficult, it was on changes in accounting policies (with reference of FRS 8). I guess once you are able to apply the FRS on your case company to suggest the changes in their accounting policies and highlight the effect of changes, you'll do fine. The mid terms was a pure financial statement presentation question, requiring the presentation of P/L, Balance sheet, Statement of changes in equity and notes to financial statements. With practice, you'll be fine as well. I feel that the most challenging component would be the final exam as it really test on the application of all the FRS that we have learnt. The time pressure is another issue. Among all my final exams, I would have to say this is the toughest. 

People always suggest to get course coordinator for accounting modules, but in my humble opinion, it does not really matter. I didn't get the course coord for both AC1101 and AC1102 but the professors that taught me are really proficient in their subject matter and they do teach well. As long as you are willing to put in the effort and clarify your doubts with them, I'm sure you'll be able to do well. 

AC2301 Principles of Taxation (CORE - 4AU)

Course Format: 

Class Participation (10%)

Group Presentation (10%)

Quiz 1 (10%)

Quiz 2 (10%)

Final Examination - 1 A4 cheat sheet (60%)

Attained Score: All Unknown

Final Grade: A-

I would say this module is quite interesting. The concepts may be difficult to grasp when you initially learn it but once you take time to review it, it all makes sense. There is a balance of quantitative and qualitative concept for this module, and it made a lot of reference of the Income Tax Act and IRAS e-tax guide. The learning process was made easier as the clarification provided in IRAS e-tax guide are really comprehensive and clear. There was one week on GST as well so GST Act was also referred. I must say this module requires time to reorganise all the knowledge that was acquired and apply to the various exam questions. The exam questions really tested on the application of tax knowledge and it's pretty standard if you refer to past exam questions. 

AC2302 Company Law and Corporate Governance (CORE - 4AU)

Course Format: 

Class Participation (10%)

Elearning (10%)

Quiz 1 (15%)

Quiz 2 (15%)

Final Examination (50%)

Attained Score: 

Class Participation (B+)

Elearning (A+)

Quiz 1 (A-)

Quiz 2 (A-)

Final Grade: A-

I'm just overwhelmed by the content from this module. It is reading intensive and there is 2 sessions per week. That means you'll have to constantly prepare for the case questions and tutorial questions on top of your readings. I kind of enjoy this module as I personally think it is more straightforward than Business Law. It emphasises more on the Companies Act, Securities and Futures Act and Bankruptcy Act which is more standardised as compared to the case laws in Business Law. 

I guess the most important takeaway that I've gained from this module is how to present an effective argument and defence by tying all the statutory provisions and case law together. 

GC0001 Intro to Sustainability: Multidisciplinary Approaches & Solution (GER CORE - 1AU)

Course Format: LAMS

Final Grade: P

I seriously have no recollections of this module since I've completed it on the first week of school. Similar to HY0001, this module is fully online and is part of the 3 1AU modules that all NTU students will have to take. I'm not even sure whether they have a course outline for the module and I can't seem to find it anywhere. There are 6 LAMS sequences to complete and a quiz at the end of each sequence.  

NTU Gem Discoverer: Hanyang University

Hanyang International Summer School (HISS)

Hey! This post would cover the pre-departure administrative procedures when you take part in NTU's GEM Discoverer Programme. Basically, for exchange programmes, there are 2 types of programmes in NTU, namely GEM Explorer and GEM Discoverer. GEM Explorer refers to exchanges that typically lasts for a semester while GEM Discoverer refers to short term exchanges. I would be taking part in GEM Discoverer (Summer Studies Programme). 

There are a lot of overseas universities to choose from for the summer studies programme - ranging from UCB, UCLA, UniPenn to LSE, UCL and many many more. Here are some tips if you're intending to take part in GEM Discoverer:

1. Course Matching

This is perhaps one of the greatest concerns to many students. Many of us would prefer to match our CORE courses to the courses offered by the overseas universities. In order for an effective course matching, you may refer to Coursefinder which can be access from iNTU Studentlink. In Coursefinder, you can view the courses that were matched successfully in the previous years. Of course, you'll have to check if the same modules are being offered by your overseas universities.

In addition, do take note of the credit transfer policy for different universities. Most universities allow up to 8 AUs for transfer, however, some have restrictions on the type of courses that can be matched. For instance, for Copenhagen Business School, only GER PEs and UEs can be matched and core courses are not allowed for matching. 

In my case, I have matched the following modules:

1. NTU's Strategic Management (AB3601) for HYU's Strategic Management (BUS4019)

2. NTU's Communication Management Strategies (AB0602) for HYU's Business Communication (BUS2025) 

These two CORE courses have been approved for matching by NBS course coordinators. 

HYU allows students to take up to 3 courses for as part of their HISS programme. I have also signed up for an additional course ISS1076 Digital Studio, which provides an introduction on how to work with images and photoshop. I'm guessing it's going to be interesting! 

2. Cost of Programme

There are mainly two types of programme: 1. Fee-Paying and 2. Exchange

For fee-paying, you'll have to pay additional tuition fees to take part in the exchange programme. HISS is a fee paying programme and since HYU is a partner university of NTU, NTU students get to enjoy 50% off the full tuition fees. For exchange scheme, the tuition fees would be waived but you'll have to pay for all the miscellaneous fees such as accommodation, books, meals and air tickets. 

Here is a cost breakdown for HYU:

Application Fee: 100,000 KRW

Tuition Fee: 1,400,000 KRW (50% of the original 2,800,000 KRW)

Housing Fee: 500,000 KRW to 800,000 KRW

Apparently, NTU is quite slow in approving overseas exchange programmes, by the time I've received my confirmation and nomination from NTU for HYU, most of the accommodations are fully booked. I'm left with 2 out of the 4 choices. The on-campus dormitory (500,000 KRW) and off-campus dormitory (600,000 KRW) are fully booked and I'll have to choose from URSEOUL (700,000 KRW) or Sunny House Dongdaemun (800,000 KRW). I initially chose URSEOUL but eventually changed to Sunny House as I've accidentally deleted my application form and everything was wiped out (I was confused....). Anyway, Sunny House is the only accommodation that provides single room with private bathroom so I guess if you don't mind living by yourself, you might want to consider Sunny House (Sindang Station) as it's nearer to HYU as compared to URSEOUL (Seoul Station).

You may opt to book your own accommodation from airbnb or other sources such as goshipages in scenarios when you can't get all the available accommodation provided by the school or you would want to stay together with your friends. 

Other pre-departure costs to take note:

Insurance: $70 (From my research, get your insurance from NTU, it's called NTU TravelSure and it's managed by UOI. It's one of the cheapest available and has the necessary coverage)

Air Tickets: $600-$1000, depending on your which airline you would want to fly with. I'm flying with SIA and it costs around $840, it's a promotion price and I've some friends who got their SIA flights at $720 and some at $1.2K. It really depends. 

Bank Charges for Telegraphic Transfer: $61, this might be exclusive for HYU as we are required to do a telegraphic transfer to HYU's bank account. In order to get the best rates and lower your transaction fees, I would recommend using DBS iBanking. When I did my transfer, the rates that I've got is 0.1151 (1 SGD to 868.809 KRW). It's a pretty good deal and through iBanking, you can save ~$10 from the commission fees and the time required to queue at the banks. From what I've heard, apparently OCBC doesn't offer transfer in KRW and my friends transferred using USD through OCBC. HYU accepts USD/KRW so it's not much of an issue.

*Financial Assistance: You can apply for OSP Award/Loan if you need financial assistance. I've applied for the OSP award and I got it, most likely, you'll be able to get it if you're currently eligible for the MOE bursary. 

As for the usage of PSEA account, the PSEA account is meant for reimbursement, meaning that you'll have to incur your expenses and then claim for the amount through PSEA when you get back from the exchange programme. Do request a receipt from your overseas universities if you are intending to claim from your PSEA account. 

3. Administrative Procedures

Take note of all the necessary date for application for NTU GEM Discoverer, which typically opens in January. I got the offer during early February. There are various rounds of application, so don't worry if you didn't apply for it during the first round of application. 

After you received the offer and accepted the offer from NTU, you may proceed to HYU's HISS website to apply for the programme. Fill in the form and wait for the payment details to appear and after you've made the payment, you'll have to wait for your student number for course registration. 

The course registration for HYU is similar to NTU's first come first serve basis, so be sure to camp in front of the computer when the course registration opens to get all your preferred course and time slots. I got all my desired time slots and I'm sure you can do it as well, after all, NTU has its STAR WARS to train all our students. 

4. Plan and Enjoy your trip! 

Last but not least, plan and enjoy your trip! HYU provides field trips such as city tour, heritage tour, mud festival activity and NANTA show for HISS participants on fridays. I'm guessing it's optional and if you're not going for these trips, perhaps, you could take a trip out of Seoul or even to neighbouring countries such as Japan or even China! 

To end off the post, I wish those who are embarking on their GEM Discoverer programme a safe and enjoyable trip!