Main

OVERVIEW

Important:
NUS will adopt three new academic terminologies from 1 August 2023 - “Module” will be renamed “Course”, “Modular Credit (MC)” will be renamed “Unit”, and “Cumulative Average Point (CAP)” will be renamed “Grade Point Average (GPA)”. The definition of a Module/Course and MC/Unit will remain the same, and there will be no change to the computation of the CAP/GPA.

The programme of Master of Science in Applied Geographic Information Systems (hereafter MSc in Applied GIS), a single-degree coursework Master’s programme hosted in Department of Geography at NUS, is designed to reflect the cutting-edge technologies and latest developments in GIS and its applications with the reputation of NUS Geography as one of the top 10 geography departments around the world. This innovative programme provides an exciting opportunity for the prospective students to study at NUS, the top university in Asia, as a pathway to a PhD or further practical career in applied GIS or related disciplines.

We offer two tracks of training (Thesis Track and Project Track). The Thesis Track includes a research thesis component, which covers thesis preparation (GE5225) and the GIS research thesis itself (GE6225). It aims to attract students with interests in applied GIS research and developing their research skills. The Project Track includes a GIS project component (GE6226). It aims to attract students who require practical GIS skills or an upgrade to their existing GIS expertise to progress their careers.

WHO SHOULD APPLY 

Those who currently use or who wish to use GIS and its applications to their full extent will find the programme useful. Applications cover, but certainly not limited to, spatial assessment and management of natural resources, environmental/disaster monitoring and assessment, demographic analysis, public health, forensic sciences, transportation and urban planning, and business marketing.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS 

The MSc in Applied GIS has one intake per year (August). Applicants seeking admission to the thesis or project tracks of the MSc must have obtained either:

• a Honours degree (Merit/Second Class and above) or the international equivalent (e.g., a four-year Bachelors degree with at least an average grade of B or equivalent) in the subject or related fields; or
• a good Bachelors degree (at least an average grade of B or equivalent) in the subject or related field, and with a minimum of one year of relevant work experience; or
• such other qualifications and experience subject to approval by the Board of Graduate Studies.

Overseas applicants who do not have a degree from an English-speaking university, evidence that they have attained the basic level of English language proficiency is required [TOEFL score of at least 85 for the internet-based test (with a minimum score of 22 for the writing section) or 6.5 for IELTS or equivalent]. The test must have been taken no longer than two years prior to the proposed date of admission.

DURATION

Full-time students will study over three semesters, which start in Semester 1 (August–November), continue in Semester 2 (January–April), and end in Semester “3” (comprising the two Special Terms and running from May to July). Students will take courses during the first two semesters and produce a thesis (for Thesis Track) or a project report (for Project Track) during the third semester.

Under normal circumstances, the period of candidature is 12 months of full-time study or 24 months of part-time study from the date of commencement of the course. The maximum period of candidature for both tracks of the MSc Programme is 24 months of full-time study or 36 months of part-time study from the date of commencement of the course, inclusive of approved leave of absence and medical leave. Leave of absence of up to one year will not be counted towards a candidate’s maximum candidature. Subsequent leave will be considered as part of the candidature.

PROGRAMME STRUCTURE 

The curriculum of the MSc in Applied GIS programme consists of core compulsory courses and elective courses. Core courses will be offered every academic year. Elective courses may not necessarily be offered in the same academic year. Courses will be arranged flexibly, with some offered in the evening. All courses carry 4 modular credits (Units), except for GE6225 (12 Units, equivalent to 3 taught courses) and GE6226 (8 Units, equivalent to 2 taught courses). The list of elective courses will be expanded as new, relevant courses become available. Please refer to "Courses" tab for the detailed information of these courses.

Students from the following background may sit for a proficiency test to waive GE5223:

1) Former NUS students who have taken GE2215 Introduction to GIS and GE3238 GIS Design and Practices, and obtained at least B for both courses; or

2) Overseas students who have taken GIS courses equivalent to GE2215 and GE3238, and obtained at least B or equivalent for both courses; or

3) Applicants who do not have prior academic training in GIS but have 2 years of working experience in GIS-related industries

ASSESSMENT

The assessment for each course will be based on a combination of examination and continuous assessment, specified in each course. A candidate who fails a core course, defined as receiving a F for the course, must retake the same core course during the period of candidature. A candidate is allowed to retake the same core course once. Failure to pass the core course after the second attempt will result in termination of the candidature. A candidate who fails an elective course may be permitted to either retake the same elective course once, or replace the failed course by taking another elective course in a subsequent academic year. Failure to pass the elective course after the second attempt will result in termination of the candidature.

A candidate may withdraw from an elective course within the first two weeks of a semester. A candidate who does not withdraw from a course within the said timeframe must be examined in that course unless granted leave of absence by the Head of Department or his/her nominee. The Head, or his/her nominee, will consider each application according to the circumstances of the case.

A candidate who is not granted leave of absence but who withdraws from any course of an examination after a given deadline will be deemed to have sat and failed in that course of the examination. No extension of the maximum period of candidature will be permitted as a result of such failure.

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS 

The graduation requirements for both Thesis Track and Project Track are as follows:

• Thesis Track: students are required to complete 40 Units before graduation, including six core courses (GE5223, GE5219, GE6211, GE5226, GE5225, and GE6225, sub-total = 32 Units) and any two elective courses (sub-total = 8 Units). Students wishing to continue to the GE6225 GIS Research Thesis course (third semester) must have passed all courses with a minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.0. In order to graduate, students must also pass the course. GE6225 GIS Research Thesis with at least a grade B- to maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 at the end of the course of study.
• Project track: students are required to complete 40 Units, including five core courses (GE5223, GE5219, GE6211, GE5226, and GE6226, sub-total = 24 Units) and any four elective courses (sub-total = 16 Units). Students wishing to continue to GE6226 GIS Research project (third semester) must have passed all courses with a minimum GPA of 3.0. In order to graduate, students must also pass the course GE6226 GIS Research Project with at least a grade B- to maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 at the end of the course of study.

FEES AND PAYMENT 

The tuition fee for AY2025/2026 intake is S$51,600 (including GST)¹. Payment should be made in equal instalments over 2 regular semesters for full-time students and 4 regular semesters for part-time students. There will be a 40% tuition fee rebate if the student is a Singapore Citizen or Singapore Permanent Resident (regardless if they are NUS alumni² or non-alumni). There will also be a 20% tuition fee rebate for international students if they are NUS alumni². If there is a company sponsorship, then full fees apply. The rebate only applies if the student is self-financed. Candidates shall pay a S$5,450 (including GST) non-refundable deposit upon acceptance of the offer of admission, which will subsequently be used to offset part of the tuition fee. Starting from AY2025/2026, the program has set up an MSc in Applied GIS Scholarship for applicants from ASEAN countries, for details please refer to the Scholarship Tab of this webpage. Tuition fee for the previous intake, please refer to here.

Tuition Fee Payable (including GST)

	Full-time Students	Part-time Students
Acceptance Fee (upon acceptance of offer)	$5,450	$5,450
Year 1 – Semester 1	$23,075	$11,538
Year 1 – Semester 2	$23,075	$11,538
Year 2 – Semester 1	Not applicable	$11,537
Year 2 – Semester 2	Not applicable	$11,537
Total Tuition Fee	$51,600	$51,600

¹ The University reserves all rights to review fees as necessary and adjust accordingly without prior notice. GST is charged at a prevailing rate of 9% from year 2024.

² “NUS alumni” refers to those who obtained from NUS, a full qualification in Bachelor, Graduate Diploma, Master’s or PhD.

Students who wish to take additional courses or who need to retake a course will be charged a per-course rate equivalent to 10% of the tuition fee based on the cohort admitted.

With effect from cohort 2021/2022: Students who wish to take additional courses or retake a course will be charged based on the workload of a course. The fee will be pro-rated for each course based on the Unit requirement for the programme and the prevailing programme fee for the respective cohort of students. As the full workload requirement for the programme is 40 Units, each 4-Unit course will work out to 10% of the programme fee. With this revision, a student who reads an additional or repeated course in Geography with 4, 8, and 12 Units will be charged 10%, 20%, and 30% of the programme fee, respectively.

There is no late thesis submission unless under special circumstances approved by the Head of Department and the same applies if approved.

HOW TO APPLY

• Official or up-to-date academic transcripts,
• degree scroll (if applicable),
• TOEFL/IELTS result (if any - for international applicants)

Please email geobox1@nus.edu.sg to notify the Geography officer.