Graduate Certificate

Graduate Certificates

Stacks towards
Graduate Diploma (Contemporary Southeast Asia)
Master of Arts (Contemporary Southeast Asia)

Discover our new Graduate Certificates to support professionals who want to remain relevant and updated with current skills and knowledge. This programme is designed for professionals seeking to deepen their knowledge about the region, and for individuals passionate about Southeast Asia.

Students can gain relevant skills to keep themselves up-to-date on the most recent advancements in skills and knowledge. With dedicated faculty and a carefully crafted syllabus and assessments, students will have the opportunity to stack credits towards a Graduate Diploma and progress to a Master’s at a pace that fits their goals and schedule.

Students may choose to enrol in one of the following certification programmes.

Stackable Pathways

Graduates of our Graduate Certificate programs can leverage their earned credits to progress toward a Graduate Diploma and ultimately a Master of Arts Degree.

To earn these higher qualifications, candidates must complete additional coursework and meet the following unit requirements:

Graduate Diploma: Minimum 24 units
Master of Arts: Minimum 40 units

Illustrative Pathways: One of Many Routes

Stacking from the Graduate Certificate to the Graduate Diploma
- If you have completed the Graduate Certificate in Contemporary Southeast Asia, you can progress to a Graduate Diploma by completing two additional courses (e.g., two Country Studies courses).
- These courses can be taken individually via the L³ Course Finder.

Stacking from the Graduate Diploma to the Master of Arts
- Once you have completed your Graduate Diploma and wish to pursue a Master of Arts, you must formally apply and enroll in the Master's programme to complete the remaining 16 units.

Important Notes:

Eligibility: Grades and course units earned may be transferred and are subject to Faculty approval.
GPA: Candidates seeking to transfer units from a Graduate Certificate must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.50 for entry into the Graduate Diploma and 3.00 for the Master's Degree.
Validity Period: To be eligible for transfer, courses must have been completed within the last 10 years.
Curriculum Relevance: Transfer requests may be declined if the original course content is no longer deemed relevant or equivalent to current programme standards.
Application Timeline: Candidates are strongly advised to submit transfer applications within the first month of their new candidature.

Graduate Certificate in Contemporary Southeast Asia

Graduates of the Graduate Certificate in Contemporary Southeast Asia will gain a comprehensive, interdisciplinary understanding of the region’s most pressing issues through a rigorous curriculum that integrates academic study with immersive, field-informed learning.

By exploring the critical intersections of cultural diversity, environmental adaptation, and economic dynamism, students develop the analytical and cross-cultural expertise necessary to navigate complex regional landscapes. Equipped with practical insights and hands-on engagement, graduates will be well-prepared to contribute meaningfully to policy analysis, multinational enterprises, and international organizations within one of the world’s most dynamic economic entities.

To earn the graduate certificate, students must complete 16 units.

For further details on these courses, please see the course information: here

Admission Requirements

Academic

A good NUS Honours degree (Merit/Second Class and above) or equivalent (e.g. a four-year Bachelors degree with at least an average grade of B or equivalent) in related disciplines such as the humanities, social sciences, area studies, and other interdisciplinary studies with evidence of having read subjects related to Southeast Asia or Asia; or
A good Bachelors degree (at least an average grade of B equivalent) in related disciplines such as the humanities, social sciences, area studies, and other interdisciplinary studies with evidence of having read subjects related to Southeast Asia or Asia and successful completion of a placement test; or exceptionally,
Other relevant qualifications and experience, and successful completion of a placement test; however, admission is subject to approval by the Board of Graduate Studies.

English Language Proficiency

Candidates whose native tongue and medium of undergraduate instruction is not English must 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
A minimum TOEFL score of 85 (with a minimum of 22 for the writing section) is required for the internet-based test
A minimum IELTS score of 6.0 in all sections and overall score is required
TOEFL or IELTS scores are only valid for two (2) years from the test date and the validity should not expire before the beginning of the application period for the programme

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to attend an admission interview.

Candidature

The programme will be offered on both a full-time and part-time basis.

Candidature	Minimum Duration	Maximum Duration	Units Per Semester
Full-time	6 months	12 months	12 - 16 units
Part-time	12 months	24 months	Up to 12 units

Graduate Certificate in Arts and Heritage in Southeast Asia

Graduates of the Graduate Certificate in Arts and Heritage in Southeast Asia will gain a comprehensive, interdisciplinary understanding of arts and heritage through the Department's innovative teaching approach, which integrates diverse art forms, heritage perspectives, and learning methodologies from multiple disciplines.

Equipped with practical skills developed both in the classroom and through immersive field experiences, including embodied learning techniques such as dance and music, graduates will be well-prepared to contribute meaningfully to the preservation and advancement of regional arts and heritage.

To earn the graduate certificate, students must complete 12 units.

For further details on these courses, please see the course information: here

Admission Requirements

Bachelor’s degree.
Candidates with other qualifications and experience may be considered on a case-by-case basis, subject to approval.
Shortlisted candidates will be invited to attend an admission interview.

Candidature

The programme will be offered on both a full-time and part-time basis.

Candidature	Minimum Duration	Maximum Duration	Units per Semester
Full-time	6 months	12 months	12 units
Part-time	12 months	18 months	Up to 12 units

Application Information

AY2026-27 Programmes Fees

Programmes Fees

The fee for each 4-unit course for AY2026-27 is SGD$4,405 (Inclusive of prevailing GST)

In addition, candidates are also required to pay other miscellaneous student fees as decided by the University.

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

The University reserves the right to review and adjust the course fees and make changes to the programme structure and requirements as necessary and accordingly without prior notice.

Intake (AY2026/27)	Application Period	Outcome
Sem 1 (10 Aug 2026)	4 May to 1 Jun	End Jul