Graduate Continuation and Graduation Requirements

The majority of the programme of study in NUS uses the Cumulative Average Point (CAP) as a criterion for continuation and graduation. For these programmes, the University sets the minimum standards and specific programmes may implement stricter or additional requirements. Students should refer to their specific programme guidelines for their programmes’ requirements.

CAP for Continuation and Graduation

Research-based Programmes

To graduate, a student pursuing a Master’s degree by research must achieve a minimum CAP of 3.0 for all required modules, and have passed the Master’s thesis. Similarly, to obtain a Ph.D. degree, the minimum CAP required for graduation is 3.5. In addition, the candidate must have passed the Ph.D. qualifying examination, the Ph.D. thesis, and the oral examination. Students are required to submit their final approved theses electronically.

To continue in a Master’s programme, a student may not have:

• CAP below 3.0 (but ≥ 2.5) for three consecutive semesters; or
• CAP below 2.5 for two consecutive semesters.

For any semester in which the student’s CAP falls below 3.0 (but ≥ 2.5), that student will be issued an academic warning.  If, in the following semester, the student’s CAP again falls below 3.0, s/he will be placed on probation.  If the student’s CAP remains below 3.0 for the third consecutive semester, the student will be issued a letter of dismissal by the Registrar and denied re-admission.

For students whose CAP falls below 2.5 for two consecutive semesters, they will be placed on probation for the first semester, followed by dismissal in the second semester. 

To continue in a Ph.D. programme, a student may not have:

• CAP below 3.5 (but ≥ 3.0) for three consecutive semesters; or
• CAP below 3.0 for two consecutive semesters.

For any semester in which the student’s CAP falls below 3.5 (but ≥ 3.0), that student will be issued an academic warning.  If, in the following semester, the student’s CAP again falls below 3.5, s/he will be placed on probation.  If the student’s CAP remains below 3.5 for the third consecutive semester, the student will be issued a letter of dismissal by the Registrar and denied re-admission.

For students whose CAP falls below 3.0 for two consecutive semesters, they will be placed on probation for the first semester, followed by dismissal in the second semester. 

A student may also be issued a warning or placed on probation or be issued a letter of termination for poor performance in the Ph.D qualifying examination, research thesis, or other programme requirements.

Coursework-based Programmes

The minimum CAP for fulfillment of the Graduate Diploma requirement is 2.25.

A student pursuing a Master’s degree by coursework must achieve a minimum CAP of 3.0 to be eligible for graduation. In this instance, a student may read more than the minimum necessary modules (comprising all required modules and at least 30 MCs at level-5000 or 6000 within the subject or related disciplines). Generally, only the grades for the minimum necessary modules shall be considered in assessing whether the student has met the degree requirement.

To continue in a Master’s programme, a student may not have:

• CAP below 3.0 (but ≥ 2.5) for three consecutive semesters; or
• CAP below 2.5 for two consecutive semesters.

For any semester in which the student’s CAP falls below 3.0 (but ≥ 2.5), that student will be issued an academic warning.  If, in the following semester, the student’s CAP again falls below 3.0, s/he will be placed on probation.  If the student’s CAP remains below 3.0 for the third consecutive semester, the student will be issued a letter of dismissal by the Registrar and denied re-admission.

For students whose CAP falls below 2.5 for two consecutive semesters, they will be placed on probation for the first semester, followed by dismissal in the second semester. 

Residency Requirement and Maximum Candidature

The University has established a minimum residency requirement and maximum candidature for all NUS degrees, including joint and double degrees with foreign universities. Faculties can set their own stricter requirements. 

Residency, implies the following:

1. residing in Singapore;
2. payment of fees;
3. satisfaction of all curricular requirements of the programme of study; and
4. satisfaction of other departmental requirements such as teaching assistance.

Students must meet the minimum residency requirements as follows:

Type of Programme	Minimum residency
Master’s degree by coursework	50% of required MCs
Master’s degree by research	6 months
Ph.D. degree	18 months

Periods of study leave and overseas fieldwork do not count toward residency. In addition, students must be resident in Singapore during the semester in which they submit their thesis for examination, as well as throughout the tenure of the NUS research scholarship, if awarded, unless approval is granted otherwise.

The maximum candidature for the various types of graduate programmes are:

Type of Programme	Maximum Candidature
Master’s degree by coursework	24 – 48 months(i)
Master’s degree by research	36 months(ii)
Ph.D. degree	60 months(ii)

1. The maximum candidature for coursework programmes depends on, among other things, whether the programme is on a full-time or part-time basis. .
2. The maximum candidature for research programmes is the same for full-time and part-time programmes

Students are required to submit their thesis (approved by supervisor(s)) for examination by the maximum period of their candidature; failing which, their candidature will lapse automatically.