Program Overview

Master of Public Health Programme

The Master of Public Health (MPH) programme is a practice-based programme that equips students with the knowledge and practical skills required for public health-related work. The programme is offered on both a full-time and part-time basis.

Programme Overview

• The programme is not offered as a distance learning programme.
• The NUS MPH degree is internationally recognised, and the University is among Asia's best, currently ranking among the top 50 in World University Rankings.
• The programme has a long history, tracing back to the Department of Social Medicine and Public Health, which was formed in 1948 under what was then the University of Malaya.

Career Opportunities

• Career opportunities vary for each graduate, depending on the area of interest of individual graduates.
• Due to the breadth of public health work, a broad variety of career opportunities are available.
• The NUS Centre for Future-ready Graduates provides Career Services to graduates, including resume writing and interview preparation.

Programme Structure

• The programme requires the completion of 24 units of core courses and 24 units of elective courses to graduate.
• All students must complete SPH5002 Public Health Research Methods in the first semester in the year they are admitted into the programme.
• Full-time students will typically complete the programme over 12 months, while part-time students will normally take 2 years to complete the programme.

Time Commitment

• A semester is typically 13 weeks long (excluding recess, exams, and vacation periods).
• Part-time students will need to apply leave from work to attend classes, which are usually held over the regular semesters, with some offered during special terms or as intensive courses.
• A 4-unit course will require at least 3 hours of contact time, 4 hours of readings, and 3 hours of preparatory work (assignments, etc.) per week.

Candidature

• The duration of study for the MPH programme is 1 year for full-time students and 2 years for part-time students.
• The maximum candidature for a full-time student is 2 years, and for a part-time student is 4 years.
• Students who extend beyond the normal candidature period will be expected to pay unsubsidised tuition fees for the extended semesters.

Eligibility

• The first degree need not be in a health-related discipline if the applicant has public health-related work experience.
• The school welcomes both medically and non-medically qualified applicants to apply.
• Two years of related public health experience is stated as a minimum requirement, but applicants with no prior experience in Public Health/Occupational Health functions may be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Standardised Test Scores for International Applicants

• International applicants must submit test scores for the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or IELTS Academic (International English Language Testing System) and must meet the minimum scores required: 85 on the TOEFL Test or 6 on the IELTS Academic Test.
• Test scores for the TOEFL and IELTS Academic are valid for 2 years from the test dates.

Scholarships and Financial Aid

• The list of scholarships is available under the 'Scholarships & Financial Aid' section.
• Applicants should indicate if they wish to be considered for these scholarships at the point of application.
• There is no age limit for application to the various scholarships.

Application Process and Fees

• The application fee for MPH is S$109.00, and any application without the application fee payment or with insufficient application fee amount will not be processed.
• The application timeline and process are as follows:
  • August: Application Opens
  • November: Application Closes
  • December/January: Processing of applications
  • January: Applicants to complete online Numeracy test
  • March/April: Applicants may be scheduled for interviews
  • April/May: Staggered release of the application outcome via email
  • May: Applicants to complete online acceptance of offer
  • June: Pre-admission medical check-ups
  • July: Registration Day and SPH5001 Foundations of Public Health
  • August: Classes Commence

Cost of Living in Singapore

• A student should set aside at least S$18,000 per year of study in Singapore, on top of NUS tuition and student miscellaneous fees.
• Estimated costs per month:
  • Accommodation: S$480 – S$850 (on-campus), S$600 – S$1,300 (off-campus)
  • Food: S$250 – S$500 (on-campus), S$400 – S$800 (off-campus)
  • Public Transport: S$100 – S$150 (on-campus), S$200 – S$300 (off-campus)
  • Personal expenses: S$300 – S$500 (on-campus), S$300 – S$500 (off-campus)
  • Total: S$1,130 – S$2,000 (on-campus), S$1,500 – S$2,900 (off-campus)