Program Overview

Masters Program Overview

The Master of Arts degree is offered by the Department of Malay Studies at the National University of Singapore. The program is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of Malay Studies, with a focus on research and academic excellence.

Degree Requirements

• Degree: Master of Arts
• Start of Programme: August (Semester 1 intake only)
• Language of Instruction: English / Malay
• Location: Singapore
• Mode of Study: Full-time or Part-time (International students must be enrolled full-time. Admission as a part-time student is at the discretion of the Department.)
• Duration of Degree: Maximum candidature for both Full-time and Part-time: Three (3) years
• Residency Requirement:
  • Students must spend at least six (6) months in Singapore throughout the duration of the scholarship
  • Periods of study leave and overseas fieldwork do not count towards residency requirement

Coursework Requirements

• Complete and pass at least four (4) courses or 16 units, unless exemption has been granted by the University, which include:
  • Three (3) required courses:
    • MS5101 Social Science and Malay Studies (4 units)
    • MS5201 Critiques in Malay Studies (4 units)
    • MS6770 Graduate Research Seminar (4 units)
  • One (1) elective course, of which:
    • at level 4000 (4 units) OR
    • at level 5000/6000 (4 units) OR
    • MS5660 Independent Study (4 units)* OR
    • from other department at level 5000 (4 units) subject to approval from both departments Note: Students should discuss with their thesis advisors before registering for Independent Study

English Language Requirements

• Some students may be required to take the Diagnostic English Test (DET) to determine their English proficiency.
• Depending on their DET results, students may be required to take a Graduate English Course(s) or be exempted from taking the course(s) altogether.
• Students who are required to take the Graduate English Course(s) must obtain at least grade ‘C’ in the course(s) at intermediate level within 2 years of their candidature.
• Graduate English Course(s) are not counted towards the 16 units required for the MA degree coursework requirements.

Thesis

• Students must complete and submit a thesis within the maximum period of candidature.
• MA thesis should not exceed 30,000 words (including footnotes but excluding appendices, bibliography, maps, charts, statistical tables, graphs, illustrations, etc.).

Minimum Grade Requirements

• Students whose Grade Point Average (GPA) falls below 3.00 (but ≥ 2.50) in any semester will be issued an academic warning.
• Students whose Grade Point Average (GPA) falls below 3.00 for 2 consecutive semesters will be placed on probation.
• Students whose Grade Point Average (GPA) falls below 3.00 for the third consecutive semester will be issued a letter of dismissal and denied re-admission.
• Students whose Grade Point Average (GPA) falls below 2.50 in any semester will be placed on probation.
• Students whose Grade Point Average (GPA) falls below 2.50 for 2 consecutive semesters will be issued a letter of dismissal.

Award of Degree

• A student will be recommended for award of degree if he/she has met the following requirements:
  • Completed and passed four (4) courses (refer to coursework requirements above);
  • Obtained a minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.00;
  • Passed the MA thesis;
  • Where applicable, obtained at least grade ‘C’ in Graduate English Course(s) (refer to English language requirement above); and
  • Other departmental requirements, if any.

Fees and Financial Aid

Tuition Fees

• The annual tuition fees for government-subsidised graduate by research programmes are available.
• The tuition fee subsidy from the Government of Singapore is administered by the Ministry of Education (MOE) and is offered to all eligible students.
• Students need not apply for the MOE Subsidy if they are eligible.
• The University's fees are reviewed yearly and thus, subject to revision.
• The fees for the Academic Year will be made available every March or April of the year.
• Please refer to the fees according to your year of admission (e.g. if you were admitted in August 2021, please refer to fees for students admitted in AY2021/2022).
• Tuition fees are billed by semester.
• Students who are full-time NUS staff members may be eligible to apply for staff concession on the tuition fees of part-time, government-subsidised graduate programmes.

Mandatory Miscellaneous Student Fees

• Mandatory miscellaneous student fees payable per semester are available.
• All students registered on a full-time or part-time basis are charged the miscellaneous student fees.
• The miscellaneous student fees are due at the same time as the tuition fees.
• Please refer to the fees according to your year of admission (e.g. if you were admitted in August 2021, please refer to fees for students admitted in AY2021/2022).
• All full-time graduate students (local and international) are required to subscribe to the University's medical insurance scheme which covers:
  • Personal Accident Insurance Coverage
  • Hospitalisations, Surgical and Mental Health Insurance Scheme
  • Outpatient Specialist Care

Financial Aid

• Candidates applying for the MA by Research programme are welcomed to apply for the following:
  • NUS Research Scholarship (generally for Singapore Citizens & Singapore Permanent Residents)
  • Commonwealth Scholarship

Admission and Application

Admission Requirements

• Candidates seeking admission to the programme leading to the Master of Arts degree should have:
  • An NUS Honours degree (Merit/Second Class and above) or equivalent (e.g. a 4-year Bachelors degree with at least an average grade of B) in a relevant discipline; or
  • In exceptional cases, a Bachelors degree in a relevant discipline with at least two years of relevant work experience, subject to approval by the Faculty and Board of Graduate Studies, on a case-by-case basis;
  • Applicants whose native tongue and medium of university instruction is not English should obtain an IELTS score of 6.0 or the following TOEFL scores:
    1. 85 for the internet-based test (with a minimum score of 22 for the writing section); or
    2. 580 for the paper-based test; or
    3. 237 for the computer-based test.

Application for Admission

• Application Period: 16 May to 1 November
• Start of Programme: August
• How to Apply:
  1. Identify a research topic.
  2. Complete and submit the online application form via the Graduate Admission System during application period.
  3. Pay the application fee online via the Graduate Admission System.
• Application Fee: S$50.00 (inclusive of GST) for online application. Application fee is not refundable.
• Outcome of Application:
  • Applicants will be notified via e-mail by end of May.
  • Requests for early notification of outcome of application will not be entertained.
• Communication with Applicants:
  • The University will correspond with you via e-mail during application process to convey messages such as requesting for outstanding documents, interview notification etc.
  • It is very important that you provide a valid and correct e-mail address in your application form and check the e-mail account regularly.
  • The University will not be responsible for undelivered e-mails and their consequences.