Starting in February 2026, Singapore Management University (SMU) students from the College of Integrative Studies (CIS) will gain access to three newly established student exchange opportunities with Durham University in the UK, University College Utrecht (UCU) in the Netherlands and London Interdisciplinary School (LIS).
The agreements forged between SMU and each partner university enable student exchange programmes that offer CIS students exclusive access to top institutions renown for interdisciplinary learning, personalised learning environments and academic excellence. These opportunities open doors to world-class interdisciplinary learning environments aligned with the CIS philosophy, further reinforcing the College’s commitment to preparing globally minded and impact-driven graduates.
“As we welcome our third batch of students to CIS, we are delighted to sign exclusive school-level student exchange agreements with three more partners — Durham University, University College Utrecht, and the London Interdisciplinary School,” said Professor Elvin Lim, Dean, SMU College of Integrative Studies. “These partners provide our students with an ever-expanding menu of opportunities to study abroad with institutions that share our commitment to interdisciplinary knowledge and societal impact.”
Why these exchange programmes matter
The new exchange pathways are designed to help students broaden their horizons, experience cultural immersion, and cultivate international networks, all while earning credit units (CUs) toward their graduation requirements.
CIS, launched in 2022, is the first college in Singapore to take an interdisciplinary and integrative approach to teaching and research. The College’s students craft their own bespoke majors, tailoring their education to their individual passions and career aspirations. Choosing from over 1,000 courses across SMU’s six schools, CIS students tackle real-world challenges through interdisciplinary learning, with the support of a faculty adviser and an industry mentor.
Since inception, CIS has also established exchange agreements with like-minded institutions around the world to enrich the learning experiences of its students. These opportunities include the:
o Bachelor of Arts and Science programme, University College London, United Kingdom
o Gallatin School of Individualised Study, New York University, United States of America
o International College of Innovation, National Chengchi University, Taiwan
o School for Business and Society, University of York, United Kingdom
o School of Arts, Media, Performance and Design, York University, Canada
Durham, UCU and LIS are particularly well-suited to CIS students, in terms of a shared emphasis on interdisciplinary learning, student-centred teaching and flexible curricula. Durham’s 17 colleges foster a strong sense of community and close faculty engagement, while UCU’s open curriculum and one-to-one tutor system reflect the very ethos of SMU CIS’s individualised academic pathways. Similarly, LIS’s innovative approach to real-world problem solving through interdisciplinary modules aligns closely with the CIS philosophy of integrative, impact-driven education.
This alignment between institutional philosophy and student needs resonates with current CIS undergraduates.
“These programmes have given me more options, especially concerning the types of modules I'm interested in, which is human geography. While many other European and UK universities offer urban-related modules, they often lean more towards technical or physical geography rather than a human-focused approach, which was a major factor for me. These new programmes offer more diverse and human-focused modules that I couldn't easily find elsewhere,” commented Chia Yu Xuan, a Year 3 Bachelor of Integrative Studies student. Majoring in Destination Redevelopment Management, Yu Xuan has been nominated for an exchange to Durham University in AY2025-26 Term 2.
The exchange programmes are open to CIS students pursuing the Bachelor of Integrative Studies (Individualised Major) or the Individualised Second Major.
Interested applicants are encouraged to send any queries to CIS or the Centre for Global Education and Opportunities (GEO).
