S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS)

Master of Science (Strategic Studies)

The study of the preparation, threat, use and control of organised force, by both states and non-state actors, for political purposes is the focus of the MSc (Strategic Studies) programme. 

This programme is designed to help students better comprehend the application of military power, as well as the coordination and direction of different resources to achieve political outcomes. It aims to develop broadly educated, politically sensitive, defence and security practitioners as well as defence and security sensitive civilians who have the following skill sets:

(a) A nuanced understanding of the pressing national, transnational and regional strategic challenges and issues in the Indo-Pacific;
(b) A systematic understanding of the security interactions between states and non-state actors in an increasingly globalised world; and
(c) The critical thinking skills essential for the crafting of the national security policies and defence strategies, as well as private sector security policies.

 The M.Sc. (Strategic Studies) programme will cover a broad spectrum of issues, including:
(a) The key concepts and issues underpinning defence polices and strategies;
(b) Core security issues in the Indo-Pacific region;
(c) The nexus between non-traditional security issues and the use of force;
(d) The challenge that terrorism poses to regional and national security;
(e) The challenge that technology development poses to strategic policy.

For more information on the programme, please click  here.

Course Requirements

The Master of Science (Strategic Studies) and Master of Science (International Relations) programmes allow for a credit transfer of up to 4 courses from the 4 CE Master's courses (LC, LDO, ADSP and EST) completed up to NTU's accreditation requirement in Phase 1. To successfully obtain the Master's degree, students are required to complete the remaining number of required Core, Primary and Elective courses and an Independent Study Module in Phase II.

Master of Science (International Relations)

The M.Sc. (International Relations) programme offers an integrative set of courses that aims to equip students with the ability to understand the complexity of international relations from both the academic and policy perspectives. This programme aims to:

(a) Develop analytical skills to understand a complex, interdependent world;
(b) Recognize the significance of theory for practice, and practice in theory;
(c) Appreciate the complex dynamics between state and non-state actors;
(d) Encourage creative rethinking of policy analysis.

The M.Sc. (International Relations) programme will cover a broad spectrum of issues, including:
(a) Theories of International Relations;
(b) The Making of Foreign Policy;
(c) Technology Management;
(d) Global Governance;
(e) Politics of Communications;
(f) Politics of the Global South;
(g) Foreign Policies of the Great Powers;
(h) Area studies, specifically the Asia Pacific Region

For more information on the programme, please click here.

Course Requirements

The Master of Science (Strategic Studies) and Master of Science (International Relations) programmes allow for a credit transfer of up to 4 courses from the 4 CE Master's courses (LC, LDO, ADSP and EST) completed up to NTU's accreditation requirement in Phase 1. To successfully obtain the Master's degree, students are required to complete the remaining number of required Core, Primary and Elective courses and an Independent Study Module in Phase II.

Master of Science (Asian Studies)

Interest in Asian Studies amongst scholars is a growing phenomenon as political developments in the region take a new turn and the economic strength of Asia grows. With a focus on comparative politics, international relations and economics, the M.Sc. (Asian Studies) programme is designed to help students:

(a) Obtain the necessary empirical knowledge and analytical perspectives required to become leaders in various professions related to Asian affairs;
(b) Develop an in-depth understanding of the dynamic changes and new trends in Asia, using approaches rooted in the disciplines of history, comparative politics, international relations, and economics; and
(c) Acquire various analytical tools and historical perspectives to facilitate development of expertise on emerging Asian political, economic and security issues on multiple levels.

 The M.Sc. (Asian Studies) programme is empirically driven and area-centric. The programme places strong emphasis on a range of issues, including: 

(a) Political development in the region;
(b) Economic development in major countries;
(c) Traditional security issues in the region;
(d) Non-traditional security in the region; and
(e) Foreign policymaking in individual countries in the region.

For more information on the programme, please visit here.

Course Requirements

The Master of Science (Asian Studies) programme allows for a credit transfer of up to 3 courses selected from the 4 CE Master's courses (LDO, LC, ADSP and EST) completed up to NTU's accreditation requirement in Phase 1. To successfully obtain the Master's degree, students are required to complete the remaining number of required Core, Primary and Elective courses and an Independent Study Module in Phase II.

*For Navy officers taking MSS course, the MSS course is an additional course for transfer, hence the maximum credit transfer in this case is 4 courses.

Master of Science (International Political Economy)

Politics and economics are intertwined. In today’s globalised world, understanding one area and not the other makes comprehension incomplete. Analysing and drafting effective policy require knowledge of the interaction between economic and political goals. The M.Sc. (International Political Economy) programme provides the link between politics and economics by examining relevant theoretical and practical concepts from both disciplines.

 It seeks to equip students with:
(a) Analytical skills necessary to understand complex interactions between international politics and economics in contemporary developments;
(b) Substantive knowledge about political economy spanning countries and regions throughout the world; and
(c) An understanding of the historical evolution of the global political economy in order to apprehend and address challenges in the contemporary period.

 The M.Sc. (International Political Economy) programme has been designed to ensure students gain a sound understanding in:
(a) Theoretical and methodological issues in International Political Economy (IPE);
(b) Basics of economic analysis, with an emphasis on macroeconomics;
(c) Trade, finance, economic and financial crises, and production networks; and
(d) Key political trends and developments that may affect the national or world economy and vice versa

For more information on the programme, please click here.

Course Requirements

The Master of Science (International Political Economy) programme allows for a credit transfer of up to 2 courses from any 2 of the 5 CE Master's courses (LC, LDO, ADSP, EST and MSS) completed up to NTU's accreditation requirement in Phase 1. To successfully obtain the Master's degree, students are required to complete the remaining number of required Core, Primary and Elective courses and an Independent Study Module in Phase II.