Sociology

• An Bachelor's degree preferably in Social Sciences, especially Sociology, from a highly ranked university, with Honours (Distinction) or Second upper Honours and the ability to pursue research in the candidate's proposed field of advanced study.
  
  
• Students with little or no prior sociological training may be granted admission conditional on their satisfactory completion of additional reading courses. Students in this category will therefore be required to submit additional documentation concerning their undergraduate training. This should include official syllabi from their previous training, bearing the signature or stamp of the relevant authority or institution. Letters of reference from previous instructors should also be supplied, detailing the character and scope of their undergraduate training in sociology or other relevant social-science fields. Students with no social-science background are unlikely to be admitted.
  
  
• A good language proficiency score: IELTS score at least 7.0 (overall); TOEFL score at least 105 – Internet Based Test Score (IBT). IELTS is preferred. The IELTS/TOEFL score must have been attained within 2 years prior to application.

• GRE is not required.
  
  
• Applicants who fulfilled either of the following criteria are exempted from the IELTS or TOEFL submission:
  
  • Native language is English.
  • Bachelor's degree (must be at least 3 years of study) where English is the medium of instruction.  A letter from the respective universities is required indicating the duration of studies, name of programme and medium of instruction.
  • Applicants whose Bachelor's degree is from NTU, NUS, SMU or SUSS need not submit the letter.

• Applicants are encouraged to contact faculty members working on related research topics and discuss with them their proposal before submitting the application.

• A good Master’s degree and Bachelor's degree in sociology or a closely related field from a recognised university and the ability to pursue research in the candidate's proposed field of advanced study.
  
  
• A good language proficiency score: IELTS score at least 7.0 (overall); TOEFL score at least 105 – Internet Based Test Score (IBT). IELTS is preferred.​ The IELTS/TOEFL score must have been attained within 2 years prior to application.

• GRE is not required.
  
  
• Applicants who fulfilled either of the following criteria are exempted from the IELTS or TOEFL submission:
  
  • Native language is English.
  • Bachelor's or Master's Degree (must be at least 3 years of study) where English is the medium of instruction.  A letter from the respective universities is required indicating the duration of studies, name of programme and medium of instruction.
  • Applicants whose Bachelor's degree is from NTU, NUS, SMU or SUSS need not submit the letter.

• It is strongly recommended for applicants to contact one of the faculty members whom they wish to work with. Applicants can discuss their proposal with the faculty member and ask for suggestions and feedback prior to submitting the application.

Please click here for the Admission Quick Guide.

There are two intakes and the respective application period are listed below:

For August intake, candidates may start applying online from 01 October till 15 November. For January intake, candidates may start applying online from 01 June till 31 July. All applications received after the closing date will be processed for the next intake.  

Candidates who wish to apply for scholarship are only required to submit one application within the stipulated deadlines and indicate that they wish to be considered for scholarship. The School will review and recommend the appropriate scholarship, either Nanyang President's Graduate Scholarship (NPGS) or Nanyang Research Scholarship (RSS), based on the candidate's merits.

All candidates will have to pay an application fee of S$50.00. Only the first choice of the application will be processed. Candidates who wish to be considered to more than one subject area will have to submit separate applications. 

Incomplete applications will not be processed by the School. Please ensure that your referee is aware of your application and is prepared to make the referee report submission as soon as he/she receives the automated official email from NTU. Applications will only be considered upon the receipt of the two referee reports.

Applicants have to ensure the accuracy of all data before submission is made as no amendments are permitted once the application is submitted. 

Admission depends on the quality of the application as a whole, including the academic record, relevant experience, and research proposal​​. The research proposal is the essence of the application. Applicants need to design their proposal with clarity and sound judgement on the scope of the research in the subject area that they want to undertake. Please use this template to input your research details. 

Decisions on admission to the University are made on academic merit, the availability of an appropriate supervisor and/or availability of scholarship. Shortlisted applicants will be interviewed to ascertain their holistic suitability for graduate studies. The School considers every application carefully before making recommendations for admission. Successful candidates will receive the offer from the University’s Office of Admissions. Candidates shortlisted for admission will be notified of the outcome anytime between May to June for the August intake and between September to November for the January intake.

The Research Programmes in the School of Social Sciences are MOE-subsidised​.

For more information, please visit the Research Programmes Admission Guide page.

Enquiries can be sent to ac-sss-ge@ntu.edu.sg. 

For MA, students must complete and pass the following: 

• Prescribed Electives comprising core courses (6 Academic Units)
• Critical Literacy Modules comprising Epigeum Research Integrity course and Fostering Community of Respect and Support course (2 Academic Units)
• Seminar Attendance throughout candidature (2 Academic Units)
• MA Confirmation
• Thesis
  

Typically, MA students must complete coursework requirement within the first two semesters and complete Confirmation by 12^th month of candidature. Oral presentation is optional during confirmation. A minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average of 3.0 (is required before passing Confirmation. Students submit thesis between 2^nd to 3^rd year of candidature and complete thesis revisions by 3^rd year.

For PhD, students must complete and pass the following: 

• Prescribed Electives comprising core courses (12 Academic Units)
• Critical Literacy Modules comprising Epigeum Research Integrity course, Fostering Community of Respect and Support course, AI Literacy course and Communication Courses (5 Academic Units)
• Seminar Attendance throughout candidature (3 Academic Units)
• PhD Qualifying Examination
• Seminar Presentation and Research Publications
• Thesis
• Oral Examination
  

​​Typically, PhD students must complete coursework requirement within the first two semesters and complete Qualifying Exam by 12^th month of candidature. The Qualifying Exam requires completion of coursework, submission of the thesis project proposal and an oral presentation to the QE examiners. A minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average of 3.50 (for Nanyang research scholarship students and self-financed students) and 4.0 (for NPGS and PGA scholarship students) is required before passing QE. Students submit thesis between 3^rd to 4^th year of candidature and complete thesis revisions and oral examination between 4^th to 5^th year.