MA (Coursework) Double Degree in Asian and International History with London School of Economics and Political Science

The Department of History is offering the Master of Arts (MA) in History, NUS, and Master of Arts (MA) in Asian and International History, London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE).

Students reading courses at NUS and the LSE will study the grand historical processes that had made and are remaking the world. They will examine the history of diverse cultures and societies across the globe. Foreign students will also acquire in-depth knowledge of Singaporean history and understand the dynamic narratives that shape the nation-state’s national identity. The broad mix of courses will help to hone the graduates’ cross-cultural empathies and appreciation of difference, enabling them to thrive in different cultural settings.

Admission Criteria

Applicants need to fulfil the minimum requirements stipulated by both NUS and the LSE for admission to the double degree program in History.

At NUS, the entry requirements are as follows:

  • 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 relevant disciplines such as history and area studies, and disciplinary or interdisciplinary academic programmes in the humanities and social sciences that give the major a measure of competence in historical subject matters; or Bachelor’s degree with a relevant Graduate Diploma with a minimum GPA of 3.00; or Bachelor’s degree with a relevant Graduate Certificate with a minimum GPA of 3.00.
  • Bachelor’s degree in relevant disciplines such as history and area studies, and disciplinary or interdisciplinary academic programmes in the humanities and social sciences that give the major a measure of competence in historical subject matters with at least two years of relevant work experience.
  • Candidates with other qualifications and experience may be considered on a case-by-case basis, subject to approval by the BGS.

At LSE, the entry requirements are as follows:

  • Upper second class honors degree (2:1) or equivalent in any discipline.
  • Non-UK citizens need to fulfil country-specific requirements, as stipulated here.


TOEFL or IELTS Score Report

For the English Language requirements, please check here.

Applications

Applications to pursue the programmes must be submitted online.  Refer to the application period at LSE website.

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

Fees

At NUS, the tuition fee for AY2024-25 is SGD$38,200  (inclusive of GST) for those pursuing the MA programme full time irrespective of nationality.  Students shall pay a SGD$3,900 (inclusive of GST) non-refundable deposit upon acceptance of the offer of admission.  Students are also required to pay other miscellaneous student fees as decided by the University.

Singaporean/PR/
International Students		 Non-refundable upon Acceptance Year 1 Total
Sem 1 Sem 2
Full-Time SGD3,900 SGD17,150 SGD17,150 SGD38,200

* GST is charged at a prevailing rate of 9% from year 2024.

 

At LSE, the prevailing tuition fee is £28,584.  Please note that this fee may be subject to an increase prior to the start of your LSE year.

Continuation and Graduation Requirements

At NUS, students need to pass at least 40 units

  1. Pass core course HY6101
  2. Pass at least 28 units of elective courses and thesis (8 units) or 36 units of elective courses
  3. The 10,000-word thesis accounts for 2 courses (8 units). Only full-time candidates with a GPA of 4.0 and above at the end of the first semester and part-time candidates with a GPA of 4.0 and above at the end of the second semester are permitted to write the thesis. The rest are expected to read graduate courses.
  4. Candidates with a GPA of 4.0 and above who choose to write the thesis at NUS will ultimately write two theses to earn the double degree. At the LSE, the thesis is mandatory.
  5. Candidates with an average 4.0 and above GPA may elect not to write the 10,000-word thesis at NUS. They may have plans to craft the long research paper at the LSE. If they choose this option, they will read 9 elective courses at NUS.
  6. To fulfil the requirements and earn the MA degree at NUS, candidates will read a combination of core and elective courses, and/or write the 10,000-word thesis to earn a total of at least 40 units.

At LSE, students need to complete the following:

  1. Pass 3 modules/units
  2. Dissertation Workshop
  3. 10,000-word dissertation

 

Candidates pursuing the double degree during the NUS leg of the programme must complete and earn 40 units and obtain a minimum GPA of 3.00 to be eligible for graduation from NUS.

To continue in the MA program at NUS, candidates may not obtain:

  1. GPA below 3.00 (but ≥ 2.50) for 3 consecutive semesters; or
  2. GPA below 2.50 for 2 consecutive semesters.

Candidates enrolling in the double degree programme will start their candidacy at NUS. If they fail to fulfil the continuation or graduation requirements at NUS, they will be withdrawn from the double degree programme altogether.

After completing and fulfilling all the requirements at NUS, candidates will progress to year 2 of the double degree programme at the LSE. Units earned at NUS cannot be transferred to the LSE. In order to be considered for the degree at the LSE, a student must have attempted and completed all components of summative assessment required for all courses as listed in the programme regulations. Students must complete 3 units and the dissertation. A degree cannot be awarded unless the dissertation has been passed.

Candidates who fail a course at the LSE will resit their course examinations in the same year of the MA programme at the university. If they do not pass the course(s) within the candidature period, they will be withdrawn from the programme at the LSE and they will not be eligible for the award of the MA degree. Candidates will then exit to a single-degree programme if they are unable to fulfil the requirements at the LSE.

Candidature

The candidates will likely be able to complete the programme at NUS in 2 semesters and at LSE in 1 year.

The maximum candidature periods are as follows:

MA at NUS 30 mths
 MA at LSE 24 mths

Courses (NUS)

The course descriptions can be found here, and the timetable can be found here.

Course Code Course Title
Core Course
HY6101 Historiography: Theory and Archive
Elective Courses
HY5207 Approaches to American History
HY5208 Approaches to Modern European History
HY5210 Approaches to Modern Southeast Asian History
HY5211 Approaches to Modern East Asian History
HY5301 Internship in History
HY5302 Approaches to Military History
HY5303 Problems in Cultural History
HY5304 Imperialism and Empires: Historical Approaches
HY5305 Approaches to World History
HY5401 Historiography on China
HY5402 Reconsidering the Cold War
HY5403 Interpreters of Southeast Asian Pasts
HY5405 Applied and Public History: Theory, Method, and Practice
HY5406 Archives and Knowledge of the Past
HY5407 Theory and Practice of Oral History
HY5408 History and Memory
HY5409 Museums and Museology: Critical Perspectives
HY5410 Historical Reasoning: The Past and Decision-making
HY5411 Special Topics in Applied and Public History
HY5412 Studying Singaporean History
HY5413 Special Topics in Asian and Global History
HY5415 Theatres of Memory: Performing Public History
HY5416 The United States and Asia
HY5417 Contested Sites: Built Heritage and Historical Memory
HY5418 Comparative Business History
HY5420 Rethinking Cold War Asia
HY5660 Independent Study
Thesis
HY5414 Master's Thesis (Coursework Program)