Master of Arts (Research) | Arts and Education

Master (Research)

Programme Type

Full-time, Part-time

NIE offers graduate studies by research leading to the degree of Master of Arts (MA) in line with the increasing emphasis on research in the areas of Arts and Education.

 

Area of ResearchProgramme Leaders
Chinese LanguageAssistant Prof Zhan Fangqiong
Malay LanguageDr. Mohd Aidil Subhan Bin MOHAMED SULOR
Tamil LanguageAssoc Prof Seetha LAKSHMI
English Language and Literature

Assoc Prof Vahid Aryadoust

Assoc Prof Teo Chin Soon, Peter

Humanities and Social Studies EducationAssistant Prof Edwark Park
Learning Sciences and AssessmentAssoc Prof Tan Heng Kiat, Kelvin
Mathematics Assoc Prof Dong Fengming
Mathematics EducationAssoc Prof LEONG Yew Hoong
Natural Sciences and Science EducationAssoc Prof CHEW Shit Fun
Physical Education and Sports ScienceAssistant Prof Luis Calmeiro
Policy, Curriculum and Leadership

Assistant Prof Chang Wen-Chia

Psychology and Child & Human DevelopmentAssoc Prof Gregory Arief D LIEM
Music

Assoc Prof TAN Yuh Chaur Leonard

Assoc Prof LUM Chee Hoo

DramaAssoc Prof Charlene Delia Jeyamani RAJENDRAN
ArtAssistant Prof HEATON Rebecca
Special EducationAssoc Prof TAN Ai Girl
High Ability StudiesDr. Letchmi Devi d/o PONNUSAMY
Early ChildhoodAssoc Prof TAN Ai Girl

 

A Bachelor's degree with honours at least at Second Class Upper level in the relevant areas and the ability to pursue research in the candidate's proposed field of advanced study.

Shortlisted applicants will undergo an interview session as part of the selection process.

A valid GRE score is required for applicants who are not graduates of the Autonomous Universities in Singapore. See detailed requirements for English language on competency and GRE requirements here.

There are generally two intakes for this programme in a year (January and August). You are advised to visit the website and look out for NIE’s announcements in May / June and November / December to confirm if the programme will be open for application at any particular intake.

Click here for more information on application periods.

Important

We strongly suggest you reach out to potential supervisors at least 3 months in advance of application deadline as the process of finding a potential supervisor and preparing your proposal may take longer than you anticipate. 

The degree of Master of Arts by research is offered on both full-time and part-time basis. The candidature periods are as follows:

Full-time Up to a maximum of 3 years
Part-timeUp to a maximum of 3 years

Qualifying Examination

A rigorous system is used to prepare you into the research phase. In the first 12 months of study, you will be required to complete the Qualifying Examination requirements as indicated in (i) and (ii) below:

(i) Attend classes and pass the examinations of

  • 3 graduate level courses chosen from the University's Master-degree coursework programmes or from approved special topic courses and
  • obtain an overall average Grade B-, and no course should have a Grade below C+

(ii) Submit an in-depth literature review of an approved research topic

Exemption of courses may be granted by the Dean if you are deemed to have already done sufficient coursework in the relevant area in a graduate level programme at a recognised university. You would have to complete a minimum of two courses after allowing for exemptions.


Thesis Requirement

The nature of the Masters thesis requires that the student demonstrates the acquisition of research skills and their effective application in an investigation of genuine substance and significance. The thesis should comprise a comprehensive, lucid and concise exposition on the context, objectives and conduct of the investigation and on its outcomes and interpretations.

A Masters thesis should not exceed 50,000 words (including footnotes, but excluding appendices, references, maps, charts, statistical tables, graphs, illustrations, etc).

From the AY2020/2021 intakes onward, VPA Masters students on the research/practice route should have a thesis not exceeding 35,000 words (The practical component has to be documented in an archivable format). For VPA students who choose to do the full written thesis, the prevailing word limit still applies.

Masters thesis written in the Chinese language should not exceed 100,000 Chinese characters.

For tuition fees, please click here.

International students who choose to pay a lower tuition fee (and thus receive higher subsidy) will have to take up a 3-year service obligation. Click here for more information on the Service Obligation scheme.

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