Why pursue Graduate Studies with FASS?
FASS offers a wide range of graduate programmes through coursework and research, catering to a variety of interests. These programmes offer excellent opportunities for students to further develop their potential as intellectual leaders in many fields.
Programmes by coursework are designed for professional development and lead to a Graduate Diploma, Doctoral or Masters. Programmes by research equip students to work at great depth at the frontiers of knowledge creation. These programmes, which include both coursework and a thesis, lead to a Masters or PhD degree.
Meet our Vice-Deans (Graduate Studies)
"Our aim is for you to be able to pursue your studies in a supportive and forward-looking learning environment that is not only sustained by leading faculty members, healthy funding support and excellent research facilities and opportunities, but that also will prepare you for a successful career in research and academia. Please explore our website and learn more about the many facets of graduate student education available in FASS. Should you have any questions or comments, please do contact our Coursework Administrator or Research Administrator or feel free to drop by our office." — Associate Professor Jia Lile, Vice-Dean (Graduate Research Studies) and Associate Professor Ganapathy Narayanan, Vice-Dean (Graduate Coursework Studies and Continuing Education & Training).
Quick Facts
World Class Education
FASS Social Sciences ranks 1st in Asia and 8th globally while Arts and Humanities ranks 1st in Asia and 17th globally.
(QS World University Rankings 2026)
Comprehensive Graduate Offerings
16 Departments catering to the diverse interests of our graduate students, with more than 300 modules being offered
Teaching Excellence
400 award-winning faculty members committed to teaching excellence and advancing research frontiers
Excellent Global Rankings - consistently placed amongst leading universities
Research Centres & Groups
Interdisciplinary research clusters that bring intellectual excitement and vibrancy to the FASS community
International Partnerships
FASS has more than 200 Partner Universities globally, from Asia to the Americas and Europe. Graduate students can apply to go for an exchange programme at a partner university.
Illustrious Alumni
FASS has produced tens of thousands of graduates since its establishment in 1929. Many have gone on to become respected leaders in Singapore, in both the public and private sectors
Programmes
With an array of research and coursework programmes offered at the NUS Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, discover the many opportunities and possibilities of your graduate journey here with us.
Asian Studies
Humanities
Why NUS?
NUS offers a global and Asian experience that is broad, deep and rigorous. An NUS education is recognised as among the best in Asia, and the world.
Diverse Backgrounds, Diverse Thinking
3,808 Average Number of PhD Students Per Year, 74 Different Nationalities
Global Career Prospects
64 countries that our alumni work in, 27% in Industry
World-Class Academic Staff
Academic staff originating from 66 countries
Testimonials
Himani Dharshini Vetrivelan
Economics, '22
The one thing that Himani Dharshini never expected to learn about when she entered university was herself.
The self-professed introvert confessed that, prior to studying at the National University of Singapore (NUS), she never saw herself as a leader. But her journey with NUS has shaped her into a person she never knew she could become.
Once she entered NUS, Himani was exposed to a whole new culture of freedom and flexibility. “It felt very liberating, like I didn’t have to restrict myself anymore,” Himani laughs shyly. “I could explore so many different options.”
Lim Qing Ru
Co-founder, Zopim
Philosophy, '08
“There are many different aspects to a tech start-up. There’s the technology itself, the operations, the marketing, the sales…you have to switch between these different gears and sometimes piece them together. Also, being able to explain complicated concepts in very simple terms is a key skill that one picks up when studying humanities.”
Susan Cheong
Managing Director & Head, Talent Acquisition Group, DBS Bank Ltd
“A broad-based, interdisciplinary education provides students the opportunity to extend their learning across disciplines. This span could help boost their creativity towards problem-solving.”
The Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, National University of Singapore (NUS) is committed to environmental sustainability.
This e-brochure is part of our sustained effort to reduce waste and foster a culture of care for the environment among the NUS and broader community.
Social Sciences