Graduate Education

4.1    Research Programmes

The Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health graduate research programmes are expected to be launched in August 2012.

The goals and objectives of the graduate research programmes are:

• Acquisition of core knowledge in area of interest while developing a general understanding of public health.
• Development of skills in critical appraisal of existing research, hypothesis formulation, study design, data gathering, research management, data analysis, and writing research applications and scientific publications. 
• Application of acquired knowledge and skills in workshops, seminars, and in the completion of a dissertation that demonstrates scholarship and the student’s ability to perform original, independent research. 

All graduate research students will complete their advanced training in one of the following four domains of public health research: Epidemiology, Biostatistics, Health Policy and Health Promotion and Education.

4.1.1    Degrees Offered

The following degrees will be offered:

• Master of Science (M.Sc.)
• Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

4.1.2    Degree Requirements

Admission Requirements:

Master of Science (M.Sc.):

• Bachelor’s Degree with Honours (at least 2nd Upper Class) or its equivalent, in a relevant discipline, OR
• MBBS or its equivalent OR
• Bachelor of Dental Surgery or its equivalent

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.):

• Good Master’s Degree in a relevant discipline OR
• Bachelor’s Degree with Honours (at least 2nd Upper Class) or its equivalent in a relevant discipline, OR
• MBBS or its equivalent OR
• Bachelor of Dental Surgery or its equivalent

Other Requirements (applicable for both M.Sc. and Ph.D. students):

• TOEFL/IELTS

Test scores for the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or IELTS (International English Language Testing System) must be submitted for all international applicants except those whose undergraduate or graduate degrees are from NUS, NTU SMU or SUTD or from English-medium institutions in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States.

The following minimum scores for the respective tests are required:

• 587 on the TOEFL paper-based test,
• 240 on the TOEFL computer-based test
• 94 on the TOEFL internet-based test
• 7.0 on the IELTS test

GRE

Applicants (except NUS, NTU, SMU & SUTD graduates from relevant disciplines) must also submit GRE scores to support their application. A minimum total GRE score of 1200 for both Verbal and Quantitative and a minimum of 3.5 for Analytical are recommended. For applicants who took the GRE on or after 1 August 2011, a minimum total GRE score of 320 for both Verbal and Quantitative under the new scoring system and a minimum of 3.5 for Analytical are recommended.

Credit Transfers and Exemptions:

Students who have completed relevant modules with comparable content and level of sophistication, and done so within 5 years before date of admission to the M.Sc./Ph.D. programmes may be allowed to receive exemption, credit or grade transfer according to prevailing NUS regulations. This is subject to approval by the student’s supervisor and the School’s Programme Management Committee. Students who wish to apply for credit transfer and/or exemption should submit their application within the first semester of their candidature.

Curriculum structure and requirements:

The M.Sc. programme requires students to complete 24 MCs of coursework, a thesis (word limit of 60,000) that demonstrates scholarship and the student’s ability to perform original, independent research, and achieve regular attendance (75% required) at graduate research seminars.

The Ph.D. programme requires students to complete 28 MCs of coursework, pass a qualifying examination and grant proposal defence by Year 2, and complete the thesis (word limit of 80,000) and thesis defence. The success of the thesis is judged by the quality of published or publishable data in international peer-reviewed journals, and original contribution to the knowledge in the field of research. Students are also required to achieve 75% attendance in graduate research seminars throughout their candidature.

Ph.D. programme:

In Year 1, students will enrol for coursework modules, participate in graduate research seminars, and start working on the research project.

In Year 2, students are required to complete the coursework requirements, pass a written examination that includes core competencies in epidemiology and biostatistics, and successfully defend their thesis proposal to qualify for Ph.D. candidature.

In Years 3 - 4, the project is to be completed, written up and defended as the thesis.

Coursework Requirements:

Students enrolled in the Master of Science (M.Sc.) programme are required to complete 4 core and 2 elective modules relevant to their area of research (Total 24 MCs). At least one elective module (4MCs) must be at level 5000 and above.

Students enrolled in the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) programme are required to complete 4 core and 3 elective modules relevant to their area of research (Total 28 MCs). At least one elective module (4MCs) must be at level 6000 and above.

To be confirmed a Ph.D. candidate, a student is required to pass a Ph.D. qualifying examination within two years from the date of admission. 

Students who are deemed weak in English by the School would also have to sit for the Diagnostic English Test and take additional English Language courses conducted by the Centre for English Language Communication. In addition, students who graduated from universities where the medium of undergraduate instruction was not in English are required to take ES5001B (Intermediate Listening & Speaking) regardless of their performance in the Diagnostic English Test.

Residency Requirements and Candidature:

The University’s minimum residency and maximum candidature requirements for graduate research programmes shall apply to both M.Sc. and Ph.D. students.

*The stated maximum candidatures apply to both part-time (PT) and full-time (FT) students

The residency requirement is per the existing guidelines and residency requires payment of fees and satisfying all curricular requirements of the programme of study.

Continuation and Graduation Requirements:

Continuation Requirements:

The University’s prevailing continuation requirements will apply to the M.Sc. and Ph.D. students.

Graduation Requirements:

M.Sc.:

• Minimum CAP of 3.0 for 4 core and 2 elective modules (24 MCs)
• Pass in the M.Sc. thesis (word limit of 60,000)
• At least 75% attendance at research seminars
• Satisfactory grade (at least Grade C+) in all the required Graduate English Courses for students who do not qualify for waiver of English Language requirement

Ph.D.

• Minimum CAP of 3.5 for 4 core and 3 elective modules (28 MCs)
• Pass in Qualifying Examination and successful defence of the thesis proposal
• Pass in Ph.D. thesis (word limit of 80,000) and Oral Examination.
• At least 75% attendance at the graduate research seminars
• Satisfactory grade (at least grade C+) in all the Graduate English Courses, for students who do not qualify for waiver of English Language requirement

Leave of Absence

The University’s prevailing policies on Leave of Absence shall apply to the M.Sc. and Ph.D. students

4.1.3    Financial Assistance and Awards

Financial support in the form of scholarships is available for qualified candidates. These range from S$1,500 - S$3,300 per month for M.Sc. and Ph.D. candidates respectively. For more information, please visit the University’s website at http://www.nus.edu.sg/admissions/graduate-studies/scholarships.php

4.2       Coursework Programmes

4.2.1    Degrees Offered

The following graduate coursework degree programme is offered by the School:

• Master of Public Health (MPH)

4.2.2    Degree Requirements

Master of Public Health (MPH)

The MPH Programme seeks to provide a rigorous and interdisciplinary approach to learning, with emphasis on finding evidence-based and innovative solutions to Asia’s current and future public health challenges. The Programme stresses the importance of scientifically sound, rigorous methodology. At the same time, many modules include a practitioner-led component which is based on strong ties with the Ministry of Health and various healthcare institutions throughout the country.

Graduates of the MPH Programme are equipped to address both traditional and emerging public health issues. They assume leadership and administrative positions in diverse public health disciplines and work in a wide variety of local and international settings.

Admission requirements

Medically Qualified Applicants

• MBBS or equivalent;
• One year of general clinical experience (excluding housemanship*); AND
• One year of experience in public health, health administration, occupational and environmental health or have entered clinical specialty training, OR
• Enrolled in the preventive medicine residency programme

* Applicable to Singapore-trained doctors only

Non-Medically Qualified Applicants

• A good Honours degree or equivalent; and
• Two years of experience in public health, health promotion, health administration, occupational and environmental health experience or clinical research.

English Proficiency for International Applicants

Test scores for the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or IELTS (International English Language Testing System) must be submitted for all international applicants except those whose undergraduate or graduate degrees are from English-medium institutions in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States.

The minimum scores for the respective tests are required:

• 580 on the TOEFL paper-based test
• 237 on the TOEFL computer-based test
• 85 on the TOEFL internet-based test
• 6.0 on the IELTS test

Note: Scores for the TOEFL and IELTS are valid for 2 years.

Curriculum structure and requirements

To graduate, students complete 64 modular credits (MCs) of modules. Medically qualified candidates complete 44 MCs of modules. Credit requirements include 28 MCs of core modules, including a Practicum project. The remaining credits are fulfilled by elective modules, the number and type of which will be dependent on the student’s background and the choice of specialization.

Residency requirements and candidature

The MPH programme is offered on both full-time and part-time basis. The minimum period of candidature for the MPH degree is 18 months of full-time study and 36 months of part-time study. The maximum candidature periods for full-time and part-time study are 4 years and 6 years respectively.

Medically qualified candidates can complete the degree within 12 months of full-time study or 24 months of part-time study. The maximum candidature periods for medically qualified candidates are 2 years for full-time study and 4 years for part-time study respectively.

Continuation and graduation requirements

To graduate, students complete 64 modular credits (MCs) of modules. Medically qualified candidates complete 44 MCs of modules.

The minimum CAP for fulfilment of the degree requirements for award of Master of Public Health is 3.0.

Assessment modes / Examination rules

Students’ performance will be assessed through a combination of examinations and continuous assessments. The Board of Examiners will govern all assessments.

Assessment can be based on tutorials, laboratories, projects, reports, as well as mid-term and final examinations.

4.2.3    Financial Assistance and Awards

The scholarships below are offered on a competitive basis. Applicants must have good academic and professional records. They must have the potential to make a significant contribution to public health in their country and intended area of work. Not all the awards will be made unless there are candidates of sufficient merit. Specific information on scholarships will be communicated to successful applicants.
Scholarships are normally awarded for 2 semesters or the equivalent of an academic year in the first instance. An award may be terminated if the progress or conduct of the scholar has not been satisfactory. Scholars are expected to maintain a minimum CAP of 3.5 or should not have any grade below "C" for any module/subject. A scholar may request to extend the scholarship, subject to performance in the previous semesters and the approval of the Scholarship Committee.

Scholars may not concurrently hold any other scholarship, fellowship or award without the prior approval of the programme.

No award will be made unless there is a candidate of sufficient merit. There is no bond or obligation for the scholar to be employed by NUS or in Singapore.

Applicants who have not secured funding or sponsorship and intends to apply for the following scholarships, should indicate as ‘Self Funding’ in their application forms. Applicants will be considered for relevant scholarships if they are deemed eligible for the available scholarships.
Saw Swee Hock MPH Scholarship
The Saw Swee Hock MPH Scholarship is available for award to full-time students who are Singapore Citizens. The following item is covered:

• A one-time grant of SGD$15,000 towards tuition fees only

NUS Graduate Scholarship for ASEAN Nationals

NUS Graduate Scholarship for ASEAN Nationals is available for award to full-time students who are citizens or permanent residents of ASEAN countries (except Singapore). The following items are covered:

• A monthly stipend throughout the period of the award
• A one-time book allowance
• Tuition, health insurance, examination and other approved fees
• Cost of travel from home country to Singapore on award of the scholarship
• Cost of travel from Singapore to home country on graduation

Partial Fee Waiver

A partial fee waiver will cover 40% of tuition fees. Students who are sponsored by organisations will not be eligible for the partial fee waiver scheme. It is available for international students only, on the basis of merit and financial needs.