Master by Research

Photo Credit: Raquel

Programme Type: Full-time or Part-time

The NTU ASE Master’s by Research program is 1.5 to 2 years. In addition to working on their research, students are required to complete 9 Academic Units of classes during the course of study, which roughly translates to three courses, including one required communications course, and two electives. Students work closely with a faculty advisor to define their research project and select classes.

    • More on graduate studies at ASE here

     

    Interested in doing a Master by Research (MbR) at ASE?

    We welcome applications across all of our research areas.  We encourage you to email faculty to discuss potential research directions and potential funding opportunities. The required thesis component may be a product of an academic-industry collaboration, subject to appropriate arrangement of sponsorship and research collaboration. Students are encouraged to self-identify scholarship and fellowship sources for full-time enrolment, or opportunities for employer-sponsorship for part-time enrolment.

    Please click on this link to find out more on our research areas. You may email the principal investigator/supervisor to enquire about MbR project opportunities.

    There are two intakes of graduate students every year in January and August. The application deadline for August intake is 31st January and January intake is 31st July.

    Apply online via the NTU website

    If you have any questions about the application process and requirements, please write to Ms Christina Tee at [email protected].


    The minimum requirement for admission is a Bachelor’s degree  in a 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.

    All applicants are required to submit their GRE test scores for the general test (GATE in lieu of GRE for applicants from India) in support of their applications. Test dates must be within 5 years or less from the date of application. In some circumstances, special arrangement can be made for selected good applicants to sit for Technical Proficiency Test (TPT) in place of GRE.

    International applicants for whom English is not their first language are required to submit their TOEFL/IELTS test scores as well. Test dates must be within 2 years or less from the date of your application. In some circumstances, special arrangement can be made for selected good applicants to sit for NTU’s English Proficiency Test (EPT) in place of TOEFL/IELTS.

    All duly completed application forms must be submitted via the NTU online application system.

    For any enquiry about the MbR program, please contact Ms Christina Tee at [email protected].

    Candidature

    All students are expected to complete the program within 2 years. However, in special circumstances, pending the recommendation of the Academic Committee and the approval of the Chair, extensions of up to 1 years may be granted.

    The MbR is designed to be completed within two years of study. During the first year, students take courses and initiate research projects in consultation with a faculty advisor and optionally a co-advisor from an Industry or Agency research partner or sponsor. During the first year, they also complete a proposal for their thesis content, which is evaluated and approved by their advisor(s). Students are required to complete 9 Academic Units of classes during their MbR, which roughly translates to around three courses. Students who have graduated with a BSc from ASE may request an exception to replace the required communications module with an additional elective or the required ASE elective with an out of school elective.

     

    MbR Timeline

    • By the end of the first academic year (second semester): the student submits to the Associate Chair for Research: (1) Their MbR research proposal, with approval from their faculty advisor (2), a list of courses planned to satisfy the MbR requirement.
    • By the end of the second academic year: (1) satisfactory completion of all course requirements; (2) submission of a written thesis consisting of 1 publication quality manuscript.
    • If warranted, the student may request an extension of up to one year from the Associate Chair for Research.

     

    Advising and Thesis Supervision

    A supervisor will be assigned for each incoming student. This supervisor serves as a mentor and advisor with broad responsibility for a student's academic welfare throughout the graduate program. The supervisor is responsible for guiding students through the academic program, including course work, and completing ASE requirements and prerequisites. Supervisors are chosen from the student’s area of interest. 

    Coursework Requirements

    During the first year, every graduate student will take ES 7003. Two additional elective courses should be completed by the end of the 2nd year. One elective should be from ASE’s graduate course offerings, and another may be from graduate offerings outside ASE, subject to cross-registration approval. Throughout their graduate careers, students are expected to attend departmental seminars and seminar courses led by visiting scientists.

    Thesis Examination

    The student must submit a complete draft of their thesis to the advisor(s) at least two months in advance of the external examination deadline.

    Revisions requested by the advisor(s) must be completed and submitted for final approval prior to submission of the thesis for final assessment. The final thesis assessment will be carried out by two examiners, who may be faculty of ASE, or external, excluding the candidate’s advisor(s).

    If the student does not pass the thesis examination, subject to the recommendation of the thesis advisors and the approval of the Associate Chair for Research, the student may revise the thesis and undergo another examination within six months.

    What are the deadlines for admissions?


    There are 2 intakes per year (August and January). For August and January admissions, the deadlines for applications are 31st January and 31st July, respectively.

     

    What entry requirements to I have to meet for admission?

    The minimum requirement for admission is a Bachelor’s degree with 2nd Class Honors Upper (or equivalent eg CGPA >3.2).

    All applicants are required to submit their GRE test scores for the general test (GATE in lieu of GRE for applicants from India) in support of their applications. Test dates must be within 5 years or less from the date of your application. In some circumstances, special arrangement can be made for selected good applicants to sit for Technical Proficiency Test (TPT) in place of GRE.

    For applicants whose native language is not English, a good TOEFL score is required. Test dates must be within 2 years or less from the date of your ation. IELTS may be submitted in place of TOEFL. In some circumstances, special arrangement can be made for selected good applicants to sit for NTU’s English Proficiency Test (EPT) in place of TOEFL/IELTS.


     

    How do I apply to the programme?

    Applicants are strongly encouraged to visit the projects site of the ASE and contact faculty to discuss possible PhD topics. Applicants who do not contact faculty before applying are unlikely to be admitted to the program.

    You may apply for both Asian School of the Environment and Interdisciplinary Graduate Programme, as EOS have collaboration with both schools and the scholarship offered by both schools will be same To apply on-line for graduate programs by research. 

    For PhD program under Asian School of the Environment:

    • Navigate to the Graduate Research Admission System
    • Under Program Applied For > Program Applied – Select “[221] Doctor of Philosophy (ASoE)”
    • Under 'proposed supervisor’ you can indicate the name of the Professor whom you are interested to join his/her research group, so that your application materials could be directed to his/her attention but this is subjected to the Selection Committee's discretion. 
    For PhD program under Interdisciplinary Graduate School (IGS):
     
    All IGS students are required to have their main and co- supervisors from different Schools.
    • Navigate to the Graduate Research Admission System
    • Under Program Applied For > Program Applied – Select
      "[IGPA] Doctor of Philosophy IGPA - Earth Observatory of Singapore (EOS)"
    • Under 'proposed supervisor’ you can indicate the name of the Professor whom you are interested to join his/her research group, so that your application materials could be directed to his/her attention but this is subjected to the Selection Committee's discretion. Please indicate on the online application form, under 'proposed field of research' the Earth Observatory of Singapore (EOS).
       

      How will I know what the status of my application is?

      Generally, the application process may take up to 4 months or more, depending on the completeness of the application, consideration, evaluation and approval by the respective Schools/Board of Graduate Studies.

      Applicants will be notified of the outcome as follows:
       
      August intake - notification by May/June or earlier
       

      January intake - notification by November/December or earlier

       

       What scholarships are available to me?

      Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents

       
       

      What are the tuition fees ?

      Tuition fees will be in accordance with the fees set by the Ministry of Education and are subject to change. But, tuition fees should be covered under the scholarship schemes.
       
       

      What are the conditions of the offer of admission?

      Medical examination

      The offer of admission is made to you subject to the condition that the University is satisfied that your health is good and that you are free from diseases. As such all full-time international students and all students awarded Research Scholarships must undergo and pass a medical examination prior to admission to the University. This is to determine their medical fitness to pursue their program of study in the University.

      In addition, the issuance of Student's Pass to international students by the Singapore Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) is also subject to medical clearance. International students must pass the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Tuberculosis (TB) medical tests before they can be issued with their Student's Pass.

      The above medical examination must be done at the Medical Centre in Nanyang Technological University (NTU). Please allow 7 working days before matriculation for your medical examination to be processed. Please click here for further information.

      Students who fail the above medical examination cannot be admitted to the University. Those who fail the above medical examination will be repatriated to their home country at their own cost.

      Apply here

      • Under Program Applied For > Program Applied – Select "Asian School of the Environment: Programme code [280] Master’s by Research (ASE)" 
      • Applicants are strongly encouraged to visit the project site of the ASE and contact faculty to discuss possible MbR topics. Applicants who do not contact faculty before applying are unlikely to be admitted to the program.

      Admission

      If you think that we might be a good fit for you, the first step is to learn about the research that happens here. Please take some time to look through the faculty research webpages, and identify faculty whose interests may align with yours. The first step to applying is to contact potential faculty mentors, who can tell you more about their research programmes and work with you to see if you might be a good match. Once you have identified a potential faculty mentor, you can work with them, along with our graduate services officer to submit your application.

      For any further enquiry, please click here.