Overview
The NUS Master of Arts (Arts and Cultural Entrepreneurship) is the first programme of its kind to be developed and launched in the region. It is a truly interdisciplinary programme, integrating the subjects of arts and culture with entrepreneurship and management, as well as the emerging technologies and digital expertise of the fourth industrial revolution (Industry 4.0).
Focusing on creativity and creative entrepreneurship, the programme is designed to cater to the needs of creative professionals and to meet the strong demands of Singapore’s and Asia’s fast-evolving Cultural and Creative Industry (CCI) sector. The programme also examines the uses of creativity as a progressive force for culture, economy and society. Students will learn from industry practitioners and professional educators about entrepreneurial creativity, and how it shapes new enterprises and leads entrepreneurial growth.
Students will acquire professional expertise and knowledge to succeed in the arts, cultural and creative sectors, and become highly skilled, ethical and reflective practitioners who can make an impact in the sectors they choose to be involved with. They will be exposed to core strategic skills in the administration, management and leadership of arts and cultural organisations, resources and infrastructures, from managing festivals, events and museums, to working in community development, heritage tourism, education and government.
This programme is designed to cater to the needs of creative professionals and meet the strong demands of Singapore’s and Asia’s ever changing cultural creative industry sector. This is an ideal Master's if you wish to examine the uses of creativity as a progressive force for culture, economy and society. You will learn from industry practitioners and professional educators about entrepreneurial creativity and how it shapes new enterprises and leads entrepreneurial growth. You will also learn the core strategic skills in the administration, management and leadership of arts and cultural organisations, resources and infrastructures, from managing festivals, events and museums, to working in community development, heritage tourism, education and government. The course enables you to acquire the professional skills and knowledge to succeed in the arts, cultural and creative sectors, and become ethical and reflective practitioners committed to making meaningful contributions.
Why This Programme?
Teaching and learning in our campus’ various flagship cultural precincts and facilities
These include the NUS Museum, the NUS Baba House, and the University Cultural Centre. You will engage in experiential learning and gain practical industry immersion in these cultural spaces, through curatorial collections and via events management.
Opportunities to learn through engagements with Singapore’s National Heritage Board (NHB)
The NHB oversees numerous museums, interpretative centres, institutions, and sites, including the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Singapore Botanic Gardens. The NHB is also the place manager for the BrasBasah.Bugis precinct, Singapore’s arts and cultural belt.
Flexible study options that fit your busy schedule
The stackable programme gives you the flexibility to study when and how you want, so that you can fit your studies into your busy life. You can take the required modular courses that make up the graduate certificate, diploma or master’s to meet your needs.
Internship programme
The optional internship is a key experiential learning platform where you will be equipped with skills through application-led theory and practice for career progression.
Multidisciplinary advantage
You will learn from world experts in various arts and social sciences departments including cultural studies, communications and new media, theatre studies and heritage studies. You will also have the opportunity to take courses on entrepreneurship at the NUS School of Business.
Programme Structure
The NUS ACE is a 40-Unit coursework-based Master’s Degree programme comprising: Core/essential courses (8 Units), and Elective courses (32 Units), inclusive of optional Internship (8 Units; for students with less than two years of working experience) or Mentorship (8 Units; for students with at least two years of working experience) or Final Year Project (4 Units).
Core/Essential Courses
| Course Code | Course Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| NM5218 | Cultural Policy | 4 |
| ACE5401 | Approaches to Arts & Cultural Entrepreneurship | 4 |
Electives
Admission to the NUS ACE programme is granted on a competitive basis as places in the programme are limited. Applicants should possess the following minimum requirements:
| Academic |
Bachelor's Degree (preferably with Honours: Merit/Second Class and above) in a related discipline, or equivalent (e.g. a four-year Bachelor’s degree with at least an average grade of B or equivalent) Note: Candidates with academic qualifications other than the above may be considered on a case-by-case basis, subject to approval by the Board of Graduate Studies |
| Skill/Experience |
For holders of undergraduate qualifications other than a Bachelor's Degree with Honours (see above), two years of relevant industry experience |
| English Language |
Applicants whose native tongue and medium of university instruction is not completely in English: Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) minimum score of 100 (Internet-based) with minimum score of 22 for the writing section, or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) minimum Academic score of 7.0 and minimum score of 6.0 in each band, or equivalent. Note: TOEFL / IELTS scores are valid for two years from the test date and should not have expired at point of application. Expired scores will not be considered for the application. |
| Other |
Shortlisted candidates will be invited to attend an admission interview (telephone interviews or video conferencing interviews). An overall evaluation of candidate profiles will be considered for admission. |
Candidates may visit the official Educational Testing Service (ETS) website for scheduling of TOEFL/GRE tests.
Note: Applicants are responsible for ensuring that application information and all supporting documents are truthful and correct. NUS reserves the right to verify information provided as part of an application. False or misleading information in an application (including but not limited to test scores, resumes, certificates, transcripts, etc.) is grounds for admission rejection, revocation and/or dismissal from the University.
The NUS ACE programme is offered on the following basis (with estimated time to complete the programme indicated below):
| Full-time | 12 months |
| Part-time | 24 months |
Note: International applicants must be accepted into an approved full-time course in Singapore to apply for a Student’s Pass. For more information, refer to the Singapore Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) website.
The University reserves all rights to review fees as necessary and adjust accordingly without prior notice.
| Tuition |
S$46,250.00 (including 9% GST) |
| Application |
S$54.50 (including 9% GST) Non-refundable and non-transferable Limited to one application submission per intake, for up to a maximum of five programmes/courses per application |
| Acceptance |
S$5,000.00 (excluding GST) Payable upon acceptance of offer Non-refundable and non-transferable Will be credited towards tuition fees |
| Miscellaneous Student Fees |
As published by Office of the University Registrar Payable every regular semester |
The Master of Arts (Arts and Cultural Entrepreneurship) programme regularly features guest speakers and work-integrated learning opportunities with local and international arts and creative industry leaders. To date, we have engaged with:
| The Artground |  |
| Art Outreach Singapore |  |
| Esplanade - Theatres on the Bay |  |
| Higround |  |
| Mama Magnet |  |
| Mural Lingo |  |
| National Heritage Board |  |
| Plan A |  |
| Rice Media |  |
| Sundaram Tagore Gallery |  |
Scholarships and Financial Assistance
The scholarships and financial assistance schemes presented here are examples of the kinds of funding from the University as well as third-party sponsors that might be available to eligible NUS Master's Degree (Coursework) programme students and applicants.
The information provided is subject to change, and warranties cannot be provided as to its completeness or accuracy. Students and applicants are strongly encouraged to conduct their own research, and refer to the relevant sponsors and/or websites for more detailed and up-to-date information.
Communications and New Media Partial Scholarship
NUS Master's by Coursework Enhanced Tuition Fee Rebate
NUS Master's Degree by Coursework Tuition Fee Rebate
SkillsFuture Level-Up Programme
Programme at a Glance
Contact Us
We will guide you through the next steps of your transformative journey.
For enquiries, contact cnm.graduate@nus.edu.sg