Fees for Government-subsidised Graduate Programmes

Unlike undergraduate education, most graduate programmes are designed to be largely self-funding, with little or no subsidy from the Government of Singapore.  Nonetheless, at present, all graduate research programmes and some graduate coursework programmes remain subsidised to a significant extent. 

Tuition

The annual tuition fees for different categories of government-subsidised graduate programmes are set out here. The University’s fees are reviewed and adjusted periodically to reflect the approximate cost of providing education to students.

Tuition fees for self-funded graduate coursework programmes can be found at the respective programme website. The list of self-funded graduate programmes is set out here.  

MOE Subsidy

The substantial tuition subsidy from the Government of Singapore comes in the form of a MOE Subsidy which is administered by the Ministry of Education (MOE) and is offered to all admitted students up to the maximum course duration. Students need not apply for the MOE Subsidy if they are eligible.

Eligibility Guidelines for MOE Subsidy

(1) Students with a Higher Degree Qualification

Students (all nationality) who already hold a higher degree qualification and wish to pursue a second graduate course of the same or lower level will be eligible for the MOE Subsidy provided they did not attain their higher degree qualification where their fees were subsidised by the Singapore government or sponsored by a Singapore government agency (such as scholarships offered by the Ministries, Public Service Commission and Statutory Boards).

Students who have previously enjoyed government subsidy / scholarship in a graduate programme will not be eligible for government subsidy in another graduate programme at the same or lower level. Instead, such students will be liable to pay “Full Fees” for the graduate programme that they now wish to undertake. For example, students who had previously enjoyed subsidy / scholarship in a Masters programme and had attained the Masters degree will not be eligible for subsidy in another programme at Masters degree or lower level. In addition, if they wish to upgrade in another discipline area where the programme has a combination of Masters and PhD candidature, they will not be eligible to enjoy subsidy during the Masters candidature.

(2) Re-admitted students

With effect from Semester 2, AY2008-09, students (all nationality) who are re-admitted to a programme at the same level within NUS or across Autonomous Universities* will be eligible for MOE Subsidy up to the maximum course duration for the new course less the number of semesters of government subsidy / scholarship received for the previous course(s). For re-admission to programmes of different levels, please refer to (1) Students with a Higher Degree Qualification above.

*Autonomous Universities refers to NUS, Nanyang Technological University (NTU) and Singapore Management University (SMU).

Service Obligation Scheme

International Students reading a government-subsidised programme can apply for the Service Obligation Scheme to pay reduced, subsidised tuition fees. Most government-subsidised programmes are deemed feasible by the University to offer the Service Obligation Scheme except for programmes listed here.

International Students who applied successfully to the Scheme will be required to undertake a service bond under the terms of the Service Obligation to work for a Singapore-registered company for three years upon completion of their degrees so as to discharge some of their obligations to the Singapore public for the high subsidy to their graduate education.

For further enquiries about the Service Obligation Scheme, please refer to MOE’s website on Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), or contact MOE’s Tuition Grant Section at:

Tuition Grant Section
Ministry of Education
1 North Buona Vista Drive
Singapore 138675
Customer Service Hotline: 68722220

Mandatory Miscellaneous Fees

Miscellaneous fees are typically levied on items that are either not covered or partially covered by tuition fee and grant/subsidy.  All students, whether registered on a full-time or part-time basis, are charged the mandatory miscellaneous fees.  These are due at the same time as the tuition fees.  These fees help defray the costs of student activity, health services and insurance, campus shuttle service and other services.  Annual miscellaneous fees payable are set out in here.

Fee Payment Procedures

Office of Financial Services will send email notice to students’ NUS email account to view their Student Bill online at least 2 weeks prior to scheduled deadline for fee payment.  For information on fees, deadlines for fee payments and modes available for fee payment, please visit the Office of Financial Services website.

Those pursuing graduate research programmes may wish to be familiar with information on fee payable upon termination/withdrawal of candidature and submission of thesis.

Late and Partial Payment Penalties

Students who do not meet fee payment deadlines imposed by the Office of Financial Services may incur penalty fees.  If fees are not paid, or only partially paid, by the due date indicated in the bill, a late fee will be imposed.  Students whose fees are in arrears after the final deadline will have their names deleted from the student register.  Their names will only be reinstated if, within the grace period stipulated by the University, they re-register as a candidate and settle all outstanding fees including a re-registration fee of S$50.00 (excluding GST).

Refund Policy

Students who leave the University, either through withdrawal on their own accord or termination of candidature by the University, after the fee payment deadline for the semester will be liable to pay fees for the entire semester.  However, if the date of withdrawal/termination is within the first half of the semester, half of the fees paid for the semester will be refunded to such students.  Similarly, students who are admitted during the second half of a semester are required to pay fees at half the rate applicable to that semester.

Financial Assistance