Admission Requirements

For admission as a candidate for the Graduate Diploma in Social Work, a person must be a graduate of this University or such graduate of another university as a Senate may approve, and must have obtained either:

• A NUS Bachelor's degree with Minor in Human Services;

or

• Bachelor’s degree from NUS/NTU/SMU/SUTD and work in the social services or related fields, or demonstrate commitment in helping through volunteering experience reaching out to vulnerable populations**

or

• Bachelor's degree from other institutions with acceptable Graduate Record Examination (GRE)* taken no earlier than five years before the date of application and

• • work in the social services or related fields, or
  • demonstrate commitment in helping through volunteering experience reaching out to vulnerable populations**

or

• Other qualifications and experience subject to approval by the faculty.

*The quantitative reasoning section for GRE will not be considered. Only the verbal reasoning and analytical writing skills will be considered during the application. The scores are reportable for five years and score reports are valid only if our University receives them directly from Educational Testing Service. The University Code is 0677. For more information on the GRE General Test and to register for the test, please visit http://www.ets.org/gre.

**A candidate must submit evidence of his/her volunteering experience as supporting documents, together with the application. A verification letter is preferred.  

English Language Proficiency

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

TOEFL or IELTS results are only valid for two years after the test and the validity should not expire before the beginning of the application period for the coursework programme. The Faculty's TOEFL institution code is 9081.

The Educational Testing Service (ETS) has indicated that score reports are valid only if our University receives them directly from ETS.

General Information

Please refer to https://fass.nus.edu.sg/prospective-students/graduate/coursework-programmes/application-process-gradcoursework/ for general information on the application periods, application materials, fees and etc.

Graduation Requirements

Students Admitted from AY2020/21 to AY2023/24

Complete and pass:

1. 4 Core courses: SWD5102, SWD5103, SWD5104 and SWD5105
   Social Work Practicum: SWD5120
   1 Elective course
2. Obtain a minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.75.

Students Admitted from AY2024/25

Complete and pass:

1. 5 Core courses: SWD5102, SWD5103, SWD5104, SWD5105 and SWD5106
   Social Work Practicum: SWD5120
   1 Elective course
2. Obtain a minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.75.

Continuation Requirements

With effect from AY2015/2016, students who do not meet the minimum grade of a course may repeat:

1. The same course (core or elective) only once. The improved grade point of the repeat/replaced course will replace the weaker one in the Grade Point Average (GPA) computation in the semester in which the successful attempt is made; and
2. One-third of the curricular requirements not exceeding three courses, whichever is lower.