Graduate Education
4.1 Research Programmes
The research degree provides training in a particular subject area through independent investigation, study and experimental work, culminating in the submission of a thesis on the research undertaken. A supervisor or supervisors will be appointed for each candidate. Candidates are required to attend appropriate lectures/seminars and sit for written examinations.
4.1.1 Degrees Offered
The Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences offers the following graduate degree programmes by research:
A. Master of Arts
B. Master of Social Sciences
C. Doctor of Philosophy
Teaching and supervision of graduate research students are undertaken by the following Departments/Programmes:
4.1.2 Degree Requirements
A. Masters
In general, the University requires:
• Normally an NUS Honours degree (Second Class and above) or equivalent (e.g., a four-year Bachelors degree with at least an average grade of ‘B’) in a relevant discipline;
• In exceptional cases, a Bachelors degree in a relevant discipline with at least two years of relevant work experience, subject to approval by the Faculty and Board of Graduate Studies, on a case-by-case basis; and
• TOEFL/IELTS, where applicable.
All applicants should consult the website of relevant Departments/Programmes for specific departmental requirements.
B. Ph.D.
In general, the University requires:
• Normally a good Masters degree in a relevant discipline; or
• An NUS Honours degree (at least Second Class Upper Division) or equivalent (e.g., a four-year Bachelors degree with an average grade above B) in a relevant discipline, subject to approval by the Faculty, on a case-by-case basis; and
• TOEFL/IELTS, where applicable.
All applicants should consult the website of relevant Departments/Programmes for specific departmental requirements.
Candidates may apply for credit transfer/module exemption, subject to the approval of the Faculty. Students who would like to request a transfer of credits or seek exemption from taking modules should submit the application(s) within the first semester of study, preferably at the point of admission. Only modules already completed at level 5000 and higher, and relevant to the programme will be considered for possible credit transfer/module exemptions. The modules taken must have substantially the same learning objectives, content, and level of sophistication as the corresponding NUS modules from which the student is to be exempted. The modules must have been taken no more than five years before the date of admission. Generally candidates may gain exemption only for NUS level-5000 modules. Level-6000 modules may also be considered on a case-by-case basis. However, exemptions are not allowed for the Graduate Research Seminar module. Credit transfer/module exemption is also subject to the following conditions:
|
Type of Modules |
Extent of Credit Transfer/Module Exemptions |
1. |
Non-NUS modules that have not been credited towards another degree at NUS/elsewhere |
No limit to the exemption of modules |
2. |
NUS modules that have not been credited towards a degree at NUS/elsewhere |
No limit to the transfer of credit & grade for these modules |
3. |
Non-NUS modules that have been credited towards another degree at NUS/elsewhere |
Can be considered for exemption of up to 50% of the total coursework requirement |
4. |
NUS modules that have been credited towards another degree at NUS/elsewhere |
Can be considered for credit & grade transfer |
The following provides a synopsis of the main curricular requirements for both Masters and Doctoral programmes. For details, please visit the websites of the individual Departments/Programmes.
A. Masters
• A minimum of four modules. (Some Departments may require more than four. Please consult Department websites for the number and level of modules required.)
• Masters thesis (maximum 30,000 words, except for thesis in Chinese/Japanese); and
• English course (intermediate level), where applicable.
B. Doctor of Philosophy
• A minimum of six modules. (Some Departments may require more than six. Please consult Department websites for the number and level of modules required.)
• Doctoral thesis (maximum 80,000 words, except for thesis in Chinese/Japanese); and
• English course (advanced level), where applicable.
Students must spend a period in residence in Singapore for a minimum of six months (Masters degree) or 18 months (Doctoral degree) during their candidature. The maximum periods of candidature for both full-time and part-time candidates are 36 months for the Masters degree and 60 months for the Doctoral degree.
A. Masters
• Cumulative Average Point (CAP) should not fall below 2.50 for two consecutive semesters or 3.00 for three consecutive semesters.
B. Doctor of Philosophy
• CAP should not fall below 3.00 for two consecutive semesters or 3.50 for three consecutive semesters.
All doctoral candidates must satisfy the following conditions before proceeding to the QE:
Complete a minimum of five modules, at least two of which are at level 6000, with a minimum CAP of 3.50 (some Departments may require students to complete more modules);
• Where applicable, pass the Graduate English Course (conducted by the Centre for English Language Communication) at intermediate level; and,
• Other Departmental requirements.
The QE comprises:
• Comprehensive examinations;
• An oral defence of the thesis proposal; and
• Other Departmental requirements.
For students admitted prior to Semester I, 2009/2010,the QE should be taken no later than the 24th month from the date of commencement of the candidature. For students admitted from Semester I 2009/2010, the QE should be passed no later than the 24th month from the date of commencement of the candidature. A second attempt may be allowed, subject to the approval of the Department, for those who fail the QE in their first attempt. The second attempt must be completed within six months after the first attempt. This applies to both full-time and part-time doctoral candidates.
Candidates who fail their QE will be asked to leave the programme.
A. Masters
• CAP of 3.00 for the minimum required modules;
• Must not fail more than two modules;
• Pass Masters thesis; and
• Pass (at least grade ‘C’) the Graduate English Courses (intermediate level), where applicable.
B. Doctor of Philosophy.
• CAP of 3.50 for the minimum required modules;
• Pass Doctoral QE;
• Must not fail more than two modules;
• Pass Doctoral thesis;
• Pass Oral Examination; and
• Pass (at least grade ‘C’) the Graduate English Course (advanced level), where applicable.
Unless otherwise stated, there shall be one examination for each module to be held at the end of the semester. Candidates are expected to be familiar with the examination rules. A breach of any of the examination rules will render a candidate liable to disciplinary action. A copy of these rules is available at:: http://www.nus.edu.sg/registrar/event/exam.html
4.1.3 Financial Assistance and Awards
The Faculty offers, on a competitive basis, attractive scholarships, which provide a tuition fee subsidy and a monthly stipend. In addition, the Faculty offers financial support for graduate research students to attend international conferences and to conduct fieldwork locally oroverseas. Recipients of the Research Scholarship who have successfully completed the Ph.D. qualifying examination will receive an additional stipendiary top-up.
4.2 Coursework Programmes
Coursework programmes involve attendance at formal classes, seminars, laboratories and written examinations. Some programmes also require the candidate to undertake a project or practicum.
4.2.1 Degrees Offered
The following Masters and Graduate Diploma programmes are available by coursework:
4.2.2 Degree Requirements
• An NUS Honours degree (Second Class and above) or equivalent (e.g., a four-year Bachelors degree with at least an average grade of ‘B’ or equivalent) in the subject or related field; or
• A good Bachelors degree (at least an average grade of ‘B’ or equivalent) in the subject or related field and successful completion of a placement test or for some programmes, the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test; or in exceptional cases,
• Other qualifications and experience subject to approval by the Board of Graduate Studies;
• TOEFL/IELTS, where applicable; and
• Additional departmental requirements, where applicable, e.g., interview and relevant work experience.
For the admission criteria of specific coursework
programmes, please visit the website
http://www.fas.nus.edu.sg/prospective/grad/coursework/admission.html
Candidates may apply for credit transfer/module exemption, subject to the approval of the Faculty. Students who would like to request a transfer of credits or seek exemption from taking modules should submit the application(s) within the first semester of study, preferably at the point of admission. Only modules already completed at level 5000 and above and relevant to the programme will be considered for possible credit transfer/module exemption. The modules taken must have substantially the same learning objectives, content, and level of sophistication as the corresponding NUS modules from which the student is to be exempted. The modules must have been taken no more than five years before the date of admission. Generally candidates may gain exemption only for NUS level-5000 modules. Level-6000 modules may also be considered on a case-by-case basis. However, exemptions are not allowed for the Graduate Research Seminar module. Credit transfer/module exemption is also subject to the following conditions:
|
Type of Modules |
Extent of Credit Transfer/Module Exemptions |
1. |
Non-NUS modules that have not been credited towards another degree at NUS/elsewhere |
Can be considered for exemption of up to 50% of the total coursework requirement |
2. |
NUS modules that have not been credited towards a degree at NUS/elsewhere |
No limit to the transfer of credit & grade for these modules |
3. |
Non-NUS modules that have been credited towards another degree at NUS/elsewhere |
No credit transfer or exemption is allowed |
4. |
NUS modules that have been credited towards another degree at NUS/elsewhere |
No credit transfer or exemption is allowed |
All candidates must meet the residency requirement of 50% of the Modular Credit requirement for the degree. The residency requires payment of fees and satisfaction of all curricular requirements of the programme of study.
The Master of Psychology (Clinical) and NUS-University of Melbourne Master of Psychology (Clinical) programmes are available only on full-time basis. The rest of the coursework programmes are available on both full-time and part-time basis. Only those locally domiciled are eligible for part-time study. The candidature periods are as follows:
Coursework Degree Programmes |
Maximum Candidature |
Masters |
Full-Time |
36 months |
Part-Time |
48 months |
Graduate Diploma |
Full-Time |
24 months |
Part-Time |
36 months |
Master of Psychology (Clinical) & NUS-University of Melbourne Master of Psychology (Clinical) – joint degree |
Full- Time |
48 months |
The CAP of coursework Masters candidates should not fall below 2.50 for two consecutive semesters or 3.00 for three consecutive semesters.
Master of Psychology (Clinical)
The minimum CAP for fulfilment of the degree requirement is 3.00. Candidates must successfully complete 14 modules (64 MCs) for graduation. This will comprise coursework (26 MCs; 41% of the credit requirements), practical training (16 MCs; 25% of the credit requirements) and research (22 MCs; 34% of the credit requirements).The grades of all 14 modules will be considered in assessing whether the student has met the degree requirements. Students are required to pass every module with at least B- grade except for the placement modules which have a Completed Satisfactorily (CS) or Completed Unsatisfactorily grading (CU) system. A CS grade is required for all the four placement modules.. Students who receive a CU grade for any clinical placement will need to repeat a placement of a similar nature. Students who receive two CU grades for the same placement, or any two clinical placements, will be discontinued from the programme regardless of CAP. Students who are unable to pass the Professional Competency Examination after two attempts and are thus unable to proceed to their final placements will also be discontinued from the programme. The candidate must also pass (at least grade ‘C’) the Graduate English Courses (Intermediate Level), where applicable.
NUS-University of Melbourne Master of Psychology (Clinical) Programme
The minimum CAP for fulfilment of the degree requirement is 3.00. Candidates are required to take and pass 14 modules (64 MCs) for graduation. This will comprise coursework (26 MCs; 41% of the credit requirements), practical training (16 MCs; 25% of the credit requirements) and research (22 MCs; 34% of the credit requirements). During the first year, students will complete seven core modules at the University of Melbourne. In the second year, they will complete three modules (including one thesis module) and four clinical placements in Singapore. The grades of all 14 modules will be considered in assessing whether the student has met the degree requirement. Students are required to pass every module with at least ‘B-‘ grade except for the placement modules which have a Completed Satisfactorily (CS) or Completed Unsatisfactorily grading (CU) system. A ‘CS’ grade is required for all the four placement modules.. Students who receive a ‘CU’ grade for any clinical placement will need to repeat a placement of similar nature. Students who receive two ‘CU’ grades for the same placement, or any two clinical placements, will be discontinued from the programme regardless of CAP. Students who are unable to pass the Professional Competency Examination after two attempts and are thus unable to proceed to their final placements will also be discontinued from the programme. The candidate must also pass (at least grade ‘C’) the Graduate English Courses (Intermediate Level), where applicable.
Other Masters by Coursework
A candidate for the Masters by coursework degree must:
• Complete and pass a minimum of ten modules (40 MCs) comprising at least eight modules (32 MCs) at level 5000 or 6000 within the subject or related fields during the course of study. The remaining modules (8 MCs) may be from level 4000 in the subject or related fields. For details, please visit the websites of the individual Departments/Programmes;
• Must not fail more than two modules;
• Obtain a minimum CAP of 3.00 for the minimum required modules at the end of the course of study;
• Pass (at least grade ‘C’) the Graduate English Courses (intermediate level), where applicable.
Graduate Diploma in Social Work
A candidate for the Graduate Diploma in Social Work must complete no less than 24 MCs (i.e., six modules) and attain a minimum CAP of 2.25 at the end of the course of study before he/she can be considered for the award of the graduate diploma. He/she will also have to pass (at last grade ‘C’) the Graduate English courses at intermediate level, where applicable.
Unless otherwise stated, there shall be one examination for each module to be held at the end of the semester. Candidates are expected to be familiar with the Examination Rules. A breach of any of the examination rules will render a candidate liable to disciplinary action. A copy of these rules is available at: http://www.nus.edu.sg/registrar/event/exam.html
4.2.3 Financial Assistance and Awards
The University offers financial assistance to full-time graduate coursework students through the NUS Graduate Scholarships for ASEAN Nationals. A limited number of NUS Graduate Scholarships for ASEAN Nationals is available for most full-time Masters coursework programmes.
For more information on these scholarships, please refer to this website at: http://www.fas.nus.edu.sg/prospective/grad/coursework/scholarships.html
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