Entry and Graduation Requirements (Master of Social Work (by Coursework))
Entry Requirements
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Applicants seeking admission to the course leading to the Master of Social Work degree must have obtained either:
- An NUS Honours degree (Honours (Merit) and above) or equivalent (e.g., a four-year Bachelor’s degree with at least an average grade of B) in Social Work; good Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test scores (the University Code is 0677), taken no earlier than 5 years before the date of application (NUS/NTU/SMU/SUTD graduates are not required to submit the GRE score); or
- An NUS Honours degree (Honours (Merit) and above) or equivalent (e.g., a four-year Bachelor’s degree with at least an average grade of B) in related field; good Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test scores (the University Code is 0677), taken no earlier than 5 years before the date of application (NUS/NTU/SMU/SUTD graduates are not required to submit the GRE score); and a minimum of five years of relevant work experience in the human service sector; or
- A good Bachelor’s degree (at least an average grade of B or equivalent) and a NUS Graduate Diploma in Social Work with at least an average grade of B+; or
- A good Bachelor’s degree (at least an average grade of B or equivalent) in Social Work; good Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test scores (the University Code is 0677), taken no earlier than 5 years before the date of application (NUS/NTU/SMU/SUTD graduates are not required to submit the GRE score); and a minimum of two years of relevant work experience in the human service sector; or
- Bachelor’s degree (at least an average grade of B or equivalent) in related field; good Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test scores taken no earlier than 5 years before the date of application (NUS/NTU/SMU/SUTD graduates are not required to submit the GRE score); and a minimum of five years of relevant work experience in the human service sector or exceptionally;
- Other qualifications and experience subject to approval by the Board of Graduate Studies. Besides academic qualifications, high standards of work performance and leadership potential are important factors of consideration for admission. Relevant work experience includes service in a human service or related organization.
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.
| Minimum Score Required | |
| TOEFL | IELTS (Academic) |
| 580 for the paper-based test | 6.5 |
| 237 for the computer-based test | |
| 85 for the internet-based test (with a minimum score of 22 for the writing section) | |
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.
This route is applicable for local applicants (Singapore Citizens/Permanent Residents) only.
Admission Requirements for Standalone Electives
Admission requirements for applicants taking the elective courses without applying to be a matriculated student of the MSW programme:
- Bachelor’s degree in any discipline; and
- A minimum of 3 years of working experience as a Social Service Practitioner
Admission Requirements into the Masters in Social Work Programme
Applicants who have completed five elective courses and wish to pursue the stackable route to a MSW qualification will need to fulfil the general Admission Requirements below:
- An NUS Honours degree (Honours (Merit) and above) or equivalent (e.g., a four-year Bachelor’s degree with at least an average grade of B) in Social Work; good Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test scores (the University Code is 0677), taken no earlier than 5 years before the date of application (NUS/NTU/SMU/SUTD graduates are not required to submit the GRE score); or
- An NUS Honours degree (Honours (Merit) and above) or equivalent (e.g., a four-year Bachelor’s degree with at least an average grade of B) in related field; good Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test scores (the University Code is 0677), taken no earlier than 5 years before the date of application (NUS/NTU/SMU/SUTD graduates are not required to submit the GRE score); and a minimum of five years of relevant work experience in the human service sector; or
- A good Bachelor’s degree (at least an average grade of B or equivalent) and a NUS Graduate Diploma in Social Work with at least an average grade of B+; or
- A good Bachelor’s degree (at least an average grade of B or equivalent) in Social Work; good Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test scores (the University Code is 0677), taken no earlier than 5 years before the date of application (NUS/NTU/SMU/SUTD graduates are not required to submit the GRE score); and a minimum of two years of relevant work experience in the human service sector; or
- Bachelor’s degree (at least an average grade of B or equivalent) in related field; good Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test scores taken no earlier than 5 years before the date of application (NUS/NTU/SMU/SUTD graduates are not required to submit the GRE score); and a minimum of five years of relevant work experience in the human service sector or exceptionally,
- Other qualifications and experience subject to approval by the Board of Graduate Studies. Besides academic qualifications, high standards of work performance and leadership potential are important factors of consideration for admission. Relevant work experience includes service in a human service or related organization.
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.
| Minimum Score Required | |
| TOEFL | IELTS (Academic) |
| 580 for the paper-based test | 6.5 |
| 237 for the computer-based test | |
| 85 for the internet-based test (with a minimum score of 22 for the writing section) | |
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 Semester 1, AY2022/23
To graduate from the MSW programme, each candidate is required to read and pass five core courses and five elective courses (total 40 units). A minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.00 is required for graduation.
| For students with a Bachelor of Social Work | For students with a Graduate Diploma in Social Work | For students without a Graduate Diploma in Social Work or a Bachelor in Social Work |
2 capstone courses:
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2 capstone courses:
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2 capstone courses:
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3 core courses:
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3 core courses:
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3 core courses:
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5 elective courses, with at least one elective course from the following basket:
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5 elective courses, with at least one elective course from the following basket:
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5 elective courses, with at least one elective course from the following basket:
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List of courses of the respective basket can be found here.
Students Admitted from Semester 1, AY2019/20 to AY2020/21
Students Admitted from Semester 1, AY2011/12 to AY2018/19