Does BDE Count Towards Your NTU Degree? (BDE Questions Answered)
Yes. BDE modules count towards your NTU degree. They form part of your official graduation requirements — completing the required BDE AUs is a condition for graduating, just like completing your core and major modules.
But there are details that trip students up. This page answers the most common BDE questions, including what counts, what does not, and how to verify your specific requirements.
Does BDE count as part of my degree?
Yes. BDE (Broadening and Deepening Elective) modules are an officially required part of NTU degree programmes. Your graduation audit will list your BDE requirements. You cannot graduate without meeting them.
What BDE modules count toward depends on your:
- Programme and school
- Matriculation year (curriculum structures change by cohort)
- Whether you have any credit transfers or exemptions approved
- Whether you are pursuing a minor or second major (which uses some BDE slots)
How many BDE AUs do I need?
There is no single number that applies across NTU. BDE AU requirements vary significantly by programme.
To find your exact requirement: check your official curriculum structure (available on your school's website for your cohort) and cross-reference it with your degree audit in the student portal. Those are the authoritative sources. NTUMods is useful for browsing modules, but your school decides what counts.
See What Is a BDE at NTU for a full breakdown of how BDE AUs work across different programme types.
Does every module I take as a BDE count?
Not automatically. A module must satisfy your programme's BDE requirements to count toward graduation. There are three common ways this goes wrong:
Programme restrictions. Some modules are available for registration to all students but only count as a BDE for specific programmes. Just because you can register for a module does not mean it fulfils your BDE requirement.
Exclusions. If you have taken a module listed as an exclusion for the new module, you cannot count it. Check exclusions before bidding, especially if you took similar modules during polytechnic or at another institution.
AU overruns. If you take more BDE modules than your programme requires, the extra modules may still count toward your total graduation AUs but will be recorded differently. Verify with your school if you are planning to overload.
Does BDE count toward my degree GPA?
Yes. BDE modules are graded normally and factor into your cumulative GPA exactly like core and major modules. They are not pass/fail in general — they carry letter grades that affect your academic standing.
This is one reason BDE selection matters beyond just clearing a graduation checkbox. A BDE that fits your strengths and working style can be a genuine GPA buffer. A mismatched BDE can hurt your average the same way a difficult core module would.
Does a minor use BDE space?
Yes. Most NTU minors are fulfilled using your BDE AUs. When you complete a minor, those minor modules count toward your BDE graduation requirement for the AU they cover.
This means a minor is not free on top of your BDE requirement. It replaces part of your free BDE choice with a prescribed set of requirements. The full trade-off — including whether a minor is worth the flexibility cost — is covered in BDE vs Minor at NTU.
How do I check which BDEs count for my programme?
The most reliable method:
- Open your official curriculum structure from your school's website for your cohort year
- Check your degree audit in the NTU student portal for your current requirements and what you have already completed
- Before bidding for any BDE, search for the module on NTUMods and check the module description for any programme restrictions or exclusions
- If unsure whether a specific module counts for your programme, email your school before registering — not after
Taking a module you later discover does not count as a BDE for your programme is one of the most frustrating registration mistakes students make. Verify before the add/drop period closes, not after.
What is the difference between a BDE and an unrestricted elective?
You may hear seniors mention UE (Unrestricted Elective) or older curriculum terms like GERPE. These come from previous NTU curriculum structures. If you are on the current curriculum, BDE is the relevant term.
For current planning, focus on what your own degree audit shows. A module that someone described as a UE may still have restrictions, prerequisites, or exclusions that matter for you.
Where to go from here
- Browse all BDE options by category: Complete NTU BDE List
- Understand how BDE registration works: How to Bid for a BDE at NTU
- Decide between BDE and minor: BDE vs Minor at NTU
- Find the right BDE for your semester: Easy BDEs at NTU