What Is a BDE at NTU?

If you are new to NTU, one of the first confusing things you will probably see during course planning is the term BDE. It shows up in your curriculum, degree audit, and module planning, and most freshmen eventually ask the same question: what exactly is a BDE, and what am I supposed to do with it?

BDE stands for Broadening and Deepening Elective. These are elective modules in your curriculum that give you room to explore beyond your compulsory core modules.

In simple terms, BDEs are the part of your degree where you get the most freedom to choose what you want to study.

What BDEs can be used for

BDEs can be used to:

• Explore subjects outside your major
• Deepen skills related to your major
• Work toward a minor or second major
• Pick up useful career skills
• Make your semester more manageable
• Study something you are genuinely interested in

For most students, BDEs are the most flexible part of the NTU curriculum.

What BDE actually means

Think of BDEs as your "free choice" space in university.

At NTU, not every module you take is something you choose yourself. A large part of your degree is already planned for you:

• Core modules you must clear
• Major requirements you must fulfil
• Compulsory school requirements

BDEs are the part where you get flexibility. This is the space where you can try something outside your major, learn a practical skill, work toward a minor, or make a heavy semester less painful.

Core modules are what NTU tells you to take. BDEs are where you get to choose.

That is why students care about BDEs. They are one of the few parts of your degree you actually have control over.

How many BDE AUs do you need?

This depends entirely on your programme, school, matriculation year, and any special track such as a minor, second major, or specialisation.

There is no universal BDE number across NTU.

Always check your official curriculum structure and degree audit. NTUMods helps you browse and plan, but your school and official NTU systems decide what counts.

BDE, UE, and older terms

You may still hear seniors mention UE, GERPE, or unrestricted electives. These terms are part of older curriculum language and may still appear in module notes, descriptions, or student advice.

For current planning, focus on what your own curriculum and degree audit require. A module that looks like an unrestricted elective may still have restrictions, prerequisites, exclusions, or limited seats.

What kinds of BDEs are there?

BDEs can come from many schools and disciplines. Common areas students explore include:

• Languages
• Psychology and social sciences
• Business and entrepreneurship
• Communication and writing
• Humanities, philosophy, history, and culture
• Computing, data, and digital skills
• Design, media, and creative modules
• Science, mathematics, and engineering modules

Availability changes by semester, and not every module is open to every student.

How to choose a good BDE

Do not choose a BDE only because someone said it was easy. A good BDE should fit your semester, your learning style, and your graduation plan.

Use this checklist:

• Does it count toward your requirement?
• Are you allowed to take it under your programme?
• Are there prerequisites or exclusions?
• Does it fit your timetable?
• Is the assessment style suitable for you?
• Does it help your degree, minor, career, or curiosity?

If two BDEs look equally interesting, choose the one that balances the rest of your semester better.

Final thoughts

BDEs are one of the few flexible parts of an NTU degree. Use them deliberately. You can make your semester lighter, broader, deeper, or more career-focused depending on what you choose.

Start by checking what you need to clear, then browse options on NTUMods, and keep a backup list for registration.