M.Soc.Sci (Sociology)

The Master in Social Science (Sociology) programme aims to train students in advanced theoretical application and enhance their research capabilities, so that they are able to initiate, conduct and complete independent exploratory research in new knowledge frontiers. The programme is best suited for returning students who have had a few years of work experience or who are currently working as research assistants.

Programme Requirements

Please refer to the FASS website for more information on requirements to complete the graduate programme. The Sociology graduate programme abides by most of the guidelines described in the FASS website. However, the information listed below is specific to students of the Department, in relation to coursework requirements. Please also note that the Department does not take in part-time students; the Masters programme is offered on a full-time basis only.

From the August 2010 intake onwards, the Department has introduced significant changes so as to make graduate studies more rigorous and give students more exposure to different areas of the discipline. The goal is to create a more vibrant and scholarly milieu for graduate students to engage in peer evaluation and grow into well-rounded scholars who are competent beyond their chosen areas of specialisation.

Part of the new programme requirements involves graduate students attending and presenting at the Department Seminar Series and Graduate Seminar Series. Students are expected to keep close watch on the seminar listings on our Department's website. They are expected to contact the respective seminar convenors/chairs when they are ready to present their papers.

August 2010 Intake Onwards

Required Coursework

M.Soc.Sci. candidates must read and pass five courses, which must include the following compulsory courses:

SC5101 Graduate Research Methods
SC5102 Quantitative Data Analysis OR SC5103 Qualitative Data Analysis
SC6102 Sociological Theory and Social Reality
SC5770 Graduate Research Seminar

This means that candidates can select any relevant elective to read as the fifth course. However, please note that up to 25% of the total course units can be at level-4000, with at least 75% at level-5000 or -6000.

Mandatory Seminar Attendance and Paper Presentations

M.Soc.Sci. candidates should increase seminar attendance and paper presentations, not only voluntarily in overseas/local conferences, but also in avenues which the Department has created for them, on a mandatory basis:

To attend the Graduate Seminar Series'
To present at least one paper at the Graduate Seminar Series

The students' attendance and presentations will be monitored by the General Office. Students are actively encouraged to attend, and those who do not do so will be given counselling.

Intensified Pace of M.Soc.Sci. Candidature

The Department proposes the following to set the pace of candidature for M.Soc.Sci. students:

The Department recommends that M.Soc.Sci. candidates finish their degrees within two and a half years.
By the end of the first semester, M.Soc.Sci. candidates must have passed three out of five courses, excluding the compulsory Graduate Research Seminar and SC5102 or SC5103.
By the end of the second semester, M.Soc.Sci. candidates must have passed these two remaining courses, which are the compulsory Graduate Research Seminar and SC5102 or SC5103.
In the second year of candidature, fieldwork and data collection should be undertaken. The department recommends that thesis drafting and writing should commence shortly after fieldwork has been done.
Throughout their candidature, students should be regularly attending the student-run Graduate Seminar Series. However, in the fourth semester, they will make one compulsory paper presentation in the Graduate Seminar Series.
By the end of the fifth semester, the theses would have been examined and revisions done to the satisfaction of all parties involved.

Please address enquiries to socbox1@nus.edu.sg.

Course Information

Prospective Students

Current Students