MA (Research)

Graduation Requirements

Students can gain a comprehensive understanding of historical events, processes, and perspectives.  Students will work on their theses in the research areas under the supervision of their thesis advisors.  They are also required to do some courses under this programme.

A Master's in History also prepares students for further academic pursuits, such as Ph.D. programs, or for careers in education, public history, museums, archives, policy-making, and other sectors where analytical and research skills are in demand.

Admission Criteria

Applicants for the MA by Research programme should have the following qualifications:

  • NUS Honours degree (Merit/Second Class and above) or equivalent (e.g., a four-year Bachelor's degree with at least an average grade of B) in a relevant discipline; or
  • In exceptional cases, a Bachelor's 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.


TOEFL or IELTS Score Report

Applicants whose native tongue and medium of university instruction is not English should submit TOEFL (Test Of English as a Foreign Language) or IELTS (International English Language Testing System) scores as evidence of their proficiency in the English language

The min TOEFL score required is as follows:

  • Internet-based test (iBT): Minimum score of 85 (with minimum of 22 for the writing section)
  • Computer-based test (CBT): Minimum score of 237

A min IELTS score of 6.0 is required.

Applications

Applications to pursue the programmes must be submitted online.  There is a non-refundable fees of SGD$50 (inclusive of GST) for each application. The application and fees must be respectively submitted and paid by the relevant deadlines. Refer to the application period below:

Intake Application Period Outcome
Sem 1 16 May
(in the year preceding the intake) to
1 November
(in the year preceding the intake)		 By late May

For more information on the application process and the supporting documents required for MA programmes, please check here.

Fees

Please refer to this link for more information on fees.

Graduation Requirements

The maximum period of candidature for students is 36 months for MA and students must spend a minimum of six (6) months in Singapore.

Students are required to complete the following with a minimum GPA of 3.0:
• HY6101 Historiography: Theory & Archive;
• HY6770 Graduate Research Seminar; and
• 2 other courses

At least 75% of the total units requirements must be at level 5000 or 6000. Up to 25% of the total units requirements may be at level 4000, subject to the approval of the department. The coursework requirements includes HY6770 Graduate Research Seminar that will be graded on a “satisfactory”/”unsatisfactory” basis.

Duration of Candidature

University education at NUS is demanding, intensive, and rigorous, and thus requires a high degree of commitment.

Research candidates pursuing full-time studies are expected to commit themselves to at least 40 hours per week of study. The University does not encourage full-time students from taking up employment during term time that might interfere with their studies.

Candidates may be admitted as full-time or part-time students. However, international students pursuing studies on a Student's Pass must pursue their studies on a full-time basis. All candidates should note that commitments from employment will not be accepted as valid reasons for absence, uncompleted work, late submission of work, or poor performance, and may lead to exclusion from certain full-time programme.

The maximum periods of candidature for both full-time and part-time candidates are 36 months.

Residency Requirement

Candidates must spend a period of residence in Singapore for a minimum of 6 months for the Master's degree during their candidature.

Please note that candidates who are awarded NUS scholarships must reside in Singapore throughout the duration of the scholarship award.