Master of Science in Environmental Sustainability Science
Programme Type: Full-time or Part-time
The NTU Asian School of the Environment’s Master of Science in Environmental Sustainability Science (ESS) is a one- to two-year interdisciplinary programme that equips graduates with strong foundations in sustainability science, systems thinking, and effective science communication.
With input from industry and government partners, the curriculum blends rigorous scientific training with applied case studies, networking opportunities, and collaborative capstone projects to sharpen both technical expertise and transferable skills. Students may pursue one of four specialisations—Climate & Earth Science, Satellite Remote Sensing or Environmental Health—or opt for a broad-based pathway that provides a holistic foundation across sustainability domains. With a strong emphasis on authentic learning, the programme prepares graduates to tackle pressing global challenges, such as climate change, public health and geospatial innovation, while contributing to international sustainable development goals. Graduates will be prepared for careers in research, consultancy, policy, and practice across government, industry, non-profit sectors, and academia, where they can make meaningful contributions to a more sustainable future.
- Bachelor’s degree holders and working professionals are welcome to apply.
- A good bachelor’s degree in a related science, engineering, or social science programme. Relevant working experience (in a related industry or environmental science related applications) and leadership potential will also be taken into consideration.
- Demonstrated proficiency in written and oral communication in English.
- Graduates of universities where English is not the medium of instruction are required to submit their TOEFL/IELTS test scores. Test dates must be within 2 years or less from the date of your application.
- In some circumstances, special arrangements can be made for selected applicants to sit for NTU’s English Proficiency Test in place of TOEFL/IELTS
Students may choose to specialise* or to follow an interdisciplinary pathway which offers flexibility to tailor their learning across multiple thematic areas based on their academic interests and career goals.
Specialised Route* | |
| 1. Climate & Earth Science | With climate change high on both national and global agendas, this specialisation equips students with the scientific expertise and leadership skills needed to address complex environmental challenges. Students gain a deep understanding of Earth systems and climate dynamics, preparing them to contribute to science-based policymaking, drive innovation in mitigation and adaptation strategies, and lead interdisciplinary research efforts. This training aligns with global frameworks such as the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals, empowering graduates to take on impactful roles across government, industry, and academia. |
| 2. Satellite Remote Sensing | This specialisation trains students in the cutting-edge technology of satellite observation to monitor Earth’s systems. As the global remote sensing market rapidly grows (valued at USD 17B in 2022), students learn to apply spatial data to climate change tracking, agriculture, disaster response, and urban planning. With support from Singapore’s OSTIn, this track responds to national and regional needs for enhanced technical literacy and positions graduates to be key players in environmental management across ASEAN and beyond. |
| 3. Environmental Health | With nearly one-quarter of the global disease burden linked to environmental factors (WHO), this specialisation prepares students to assess and manage environmental risks that impact human health. Students gain expertise in evaluating biological and chemical contaminants, disease surveillance, and environmental quality management—skills critical for advancing Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) performance. Rooted in the One Health framework, this pathway integrates human, animal, and ecosystem health, producing graduates ready to lead in policy, public health, and sustainability roles. |
*Specialisations available from August 2026 intake onwards.
| Interdisciplinary Pathway |
Students may choose to pursue an Interdisciplinary Pathway within the Master’s programme, offering a flexible curriculum that integrates key areas of environmental science and sustainability. This pathway enables students to customise their studies across critical themes such as Climate & Earth Science, Satellite Remote Sensing and Environmental Health. Through this option, students gain broad-based expertise and technical competencies that cut across sectors—preparing them to respond to complex, real-world environmental challenges. Whether addressing climate change, promoting public health, leveraging geospatial technologies, or advancing clean energy solutions, graduates will be equipped to contribute to global goals such as the Sustainable Development Goals and Paris Agreement targets. The generic pathway is ideal for students seeking a holistic foundation that opens doors to diverse careers in government, industry, NGOs, and academia. |
Programme Requirement
Students will need to fulfill a total of 30 AUs to graduate.
| Course Type | No. of Academic Units (AUs) | |
| Specialised Route* | Interdisciplinary Pathway | |
| Core Courses | 9 | 9 |
| Prescribed Electives | 12 | N/A |
| Unrestricted Electives# | 9 | 21 |
| Total Requirement | 30 | 30 |
*Specialisations available from August 2026 intake onwards.
#Consult programme requirement for courses outside ASE.
1. Core Courses (9 AUs)
| Course Code | Course Title | No. of AUs |
|---|---|---|
| ES7003 | Communication Skills for Scientists | 3 |
| ES7032 | Environmental Sustainability | 3 |
| ES6000 | Challenges and Strategy in Environmental Sustainability Science: Methods and Case Studies (Sem 1) | 3 |
2. Prescribed Electives (12 AUs) - only for students under specialised route
Students must complete one core course and three elective courses from the list of course baskets offered under the specialisation track, totaling 12 AUs.
3. Unrestricted Electives (9 - 21 AUs)
Students on a specialised route are required to complete 9 AUs of unrestricted electives, allowing them to complement their focused area of study with broader interdisciplinary perspectives.
In comparison, students pursuing the Interdisciplinary Pathway must complete 21 AUs of unrestricted electives, giving them greater flexibility to explore courses across multiple specializations or related disciplines. This structure supports a well-rounded and customizable learning experience aligned with individual interests and career goals.
Planned Elective courses for AY2026-27* include:
| Course Title | No. of AUs |
| Natural Hazards and Society | 3 |
| Research Skills in Earth Systems Science | 3 |
| Environmental Earth Systems Science | 3 |
| Geochemistry | 3 |
| Oceanography | 3 |
| Introduction to Geophysics | 3 |
| Space Geodesy | 3 |
| Fundamentals of Data Science for Earth and Environmental Systems Science | 3 |
| Biogeochemistry | 3 |
| Experimental Design & Analysis for Ecology | 4 |
| GIS and the Earth System | 3 |
| Natural Infrastructure for Resilient Urban Systems | 3 |
| Population Genetic Theory & Its Application | 3 |
| Climate and Climate Change | 3 |
| Eyes on Earth - Satellite Remote Sensing | 3 |
| The Genome and Society | 3 |
| Coupled Human and Natural Systems | 3 |
| Planetary Health | 3 |
| Environmental Science & Policy | 3 |
| Biodiversity and natural history of Singapore | 3 |
| Air Pollution and Modelling | 3 |
| Sustainable Solid Waste Management | 3 |
| Sustainable Energy Management | 3 |
*Pending final class availability
Please note that this MSc programme is a non-MOE subsidised programme. A limited number of early bird scholarships up to S$5,000 are available.
| Academic Year 2025/26 | Academic Year 2026/27 | Academic Year 2027/28 | ||||
| Nationality | Tuition Fee | Modular Fee* | Tuition Fee | Modular Fee* | Tuition Fee | Modular Fee* |
| Singapore Citizen (SC) | $60,000 | $2,000 | $62,100 | $2,070 | $64,274 | $2,142 |
| Singapore Permanent Resident (SPR) | ||||||
| International Student (IS) | ||||||
Fees listed in the table are in Singapore dollars (S$), and exclusive of GST.
A one-time administrative fee of $2,500 will be payable with deposit upon acceptance of an offer from school.
*For more information on modular fee, please refer to FAQ section.
Payment Schedule
Full-Time
| Academic Year 2025/26 | ||
| Deposit | First Payment | Subsequent Payment |
Non-refundable & non-transferable. Payable upon acceptance of an offer from school. | Deposit has been applied as an offset toward first tuition fee payment | Modular Basis |
| $8,000 | $24,500 | =no. of AUs x $2,000 |
Part-Time
| Academic Year 2025/26 | ||
| Deposit | First Payment | Subsequent Payment |
Non-refundable & non-transferable. Payable upon acceptance of an offer from school. | Deposit will be used to offset tuition fee payment Modular Basis | Modular Basis |
| $8,000 | =no. of AUs x $2,000.00 | =no. of AUs x $2,000.00 |
Fees listed in the tables are in Singapore dollars (S$), and exclusive of GST.
Note:
- A one-time miscellaneous fee will be billed every academic year. Please click here for details.
- The University reserves the right to revise its fees every year without notice.
- Tuition fees payment schedule:
- The deposit payment will be used to offset payment of the tuition fees billed.
- Students who withdraw or apply for leave of absence after the 2nd Teaching Week are liable for the payment of tuition fees for the entire semester/trimester/fees as billed by the university. More information can be found on NTU’s website.
- Tuition fees do not include the cost of recommended textbooks and other course materials. The costs of travel, accommodation and miscellaneous expenses must be borne by the student.
NTU Post-graduate Incentives:
- All Singaporeans and Permanent Residents:
From the academic year starting in 2024, Singaporeans and permanent residents who enrol in self-funded master’s by coursework programmes at NTU will enjoy a $5,000 subsidy, with those in need of financial aid will receive up to $10,000.
For academic year starting in 2025, the $5,000 subsidy for Singaporeans and permanent residents will continue to apply. New students enrolled in AY25 in need of financial aid will receive up to $15,000.
- All NTU Alumni:
Alumni (Bachelor’s, master’s, and PhD degree) of Nanyang Technological University will enjoy a 10% course fee concession.
More information on NTU’s Post-graduate Incentives can be found here.
What are the employment prospects?
Graduates of the ASE Environmental Sustainability Sciences (ESS) Master’s program benefit from rigorous coursework and project-based training, enhancing their employability across a range of sectors. The program's strong industry and faculty collaborations, along with a growing alumni network, support career opportunities in government agencies, NGOs, local and regional industries, and multinational corporations. Specialization tracks further improve job prospects in expanding sectors such as green technology and social entrepreneurship. Additionally, ASE graduates possess transferable skills that open doors in non-traditional fields like insurance (risk assessment), finance (energy market analysis), and business (technical and creative roles).
What are Modular fees?
The programme fee covers the full 30 AUs required for the Master of Science in Environmental Sustainability Science programme. Students who retake courses or register for additional AUs beyond the 30-AU requirement will be charged on a per-AU basis.
When can I submit my application?
There are two intakes per year (August and January) and applications are to be submitted online via the NTU online application system here.
How do I apply to the programme?
Application has to be done online. More information on application process can be found via the Coursework Programmes Admission Guide. In your application, please indicate the specialisation you are pursuing, if applicable.
Who can I contact for more information?
You may write in to [email protected] for further information.