FAQ

Q: WHAT IS THE PROGRAMME STRUCTURE OF THE MASTER OF SCIENCE IN APPLIED GERONTOLOGY?
A: To complete and be awarded the MSc in Applied Gerontology, students will have to complete 30 AUs:
  • 4 common core courses (3 AUs each),
  • 2 concentration core courses (3 AUs each), and
  • 4 - 5 elective courses. (AUs for elective courses are either 1.5 AUs or 3 AUs)

The total number of courses you must complete depend on the electives you have taken up. Typically, students will take 10 or 11 courses in total to complete the programme. 

Q: WHAT IF I AM INTERESTED IN MODULES FROM BOTH CONCENTRATION CORE COURSES?
A: You may take courses from the other concentration core as elective subjects instead. 

Q: CAN I ADD OR DROP COURSES?

A: You can do so during the add/drop period which will close 2 weeks after the programme commencement.

Q: WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PART TIME AND FULL TIME STUDENTS?
A: The only difference is the number of courses that they will take per trimester. Part time and full time students will attend the same classes.

Q: WHAT IS A TRIMESTER?
A: The programme runs on a trimester basis. Each academic year is made up of 3 trimesters.

For details on academic calendar, please refer to NTU Academic Calendar.

Q: HOW MANY COURSES DO I NEED TO TAKE PER TRIMESTER?
A: Full time students will take between 3 to 4 courses per trimester. Part time students will take a minimum of 1 or a maximum of 2 courses per trimester.

Q: WHAT ARE THE MINIMUM AND MAXIMUM DURATION FOR THE COMPLETION OF THE PROGRAMME?
A: Full time students will graduate within 1 year and can take up to a maximum of 2 years, while part time students can graduate within 1.5 years and can take up to 4 years to complete the programme.

Q: WHAT IS THE FREQUENCY AND DURATION OF CLASSES?
A: Each course will be taught once a week for a duration of 3 hours (3 AU) for 13 weeks (i.e. 1 trimester). They may take place on weekday evenings (7pm to 10pm) and/or on Saturdays (9am to 12pm; 1pm to 4pm).

For 1.5 AUs electives, courses will be taught for 6-7 weeks. You will have to take another 1.5 AUs, a total of two short courses for the trimester.

Your class schedule will be dependent on the courses that you have selected.

Q: WHERE WILL CLASSES BE CONDUCTED?
A: Classes will be conducted at the NTU main campus on Saturdays. Weekday classes are conducted at our One-North campus or Novena campus.

Q: HOW BIG IS THE CLASS SIZE?

A: Each class will have an average of 30 students.

Q: WHAT IS THE MODE OF ASSESSMENT?
A: This is a coursework programme. The lecturer of each course will design the assessment components to maximise the learning experience of our students. The assessment could consist of a combination of several components including quizzes, peer assessment, assignments, individual or group projects and tests.

Q: WHAT IS THE REQUIREMENT FOR CLASS ATTENDANCE?

A: Class attendance is compulsory. Students must provide proof of absence if he/she is unable to attend the class.

Q: WHAT IS THE PRACTICUM AND HOW IS IT CONDUCTED?
A: You may take the practicum as an elective course. The practicum is a 150-hours learning experience agreed between the host company, your practicum lecturer and yourself. It can also take place in your own organisation as a special project.

Q: CAN I TAKE LEAVE OF ABSENCE FROM THE PROGRAMME?
A: Leave of absence will not be granted for the first trimester. Instead, applicants can apply leave of absence for 2nd trimester onwards. 

Please note that there is an administrative fee charged per trimester for leave of absence application. This period of leave, if granted, will be counted towards the maximum candidature period permitted for you to complete your studies.

Q: IS THERE AN AGE LIMIT FOR APPLICATION TO THE COURSE?
A: Applicants of all ages with passion for working with older people are encouraged to apply. 

Q: WHAT ARE THE ADMISSION CRITERIA?
A: Applicants should possess a good bachelor’s degree and a passion to work with older people or on ageing-related matters.

Q: I DO NOT HAVE RELEVANT EXPERIENCE. CAN I APPLY FOR THE PROGRAMME?

A: Yes, no prior work or training in gerontology is required. You may apply for the programme and your application will be considered together with the strength of that particular cohort.

Q: WHEN WILL APPLICATION BE OPEN?
A: The programme offers one intake in each year. Online application will open from November to end February of the following year.

Q: WHAT CAN I EXPECT FROM THE APPLICATION PROCESS?
A: 
  • Information sessions will be organized for each admission exercise in January to February.
  • Application will open from November to end February. You can prepare documents such as personal details, certificates, transcripts, proof of employment and letter of recommendations in advance. 
  • You may be invited for an interview session during this period. 
  • Offer of admission and recommendation for scholarship can be expected in May/June.

Q: WHAT IS THE EXPECTED CLASS SIZE PER INTAKE?
A: We target to admit approximately 35 to 45 students per intake.

Q: CAN I APPLY FOR GRADUATE HOUSING IN NTU IF I AM ACCEPTED FOR THE PROGRAMME?
A: International full time students can apply for graduate housing.

For details, please refer to NTU Graduate Housing.

Q: WHAT CAN I EXPECT FROM THE ADMISSION PROCESS?
A: 
  • A letter of offer will be emailed to students who have been selected for admission into the programme in Apr/May.
  • A fee deposit of S$5,000 (non-refundable) is required upon your acceptance.
  • You will be required to set up your NTU email account upon accepting the offer. Please ensure that you follow the procedure closely as future correspondences will be done through this official student email account.
  • Matriculation of students will be conducted in July.
  • Upon successful matriculation, a Graduate Student link (GSLINK) account will be issued to you for course registration (mid-July) and accessing online learning materials prior to course commencement.

Q: CAN I COME DOWN TO THE PROGRAMME OFFICE TO ASK FOR ASSISTANCE OR FURTHER DETAILS?
A: Please do make an appointment with the programme office before coming down to the University for admission or other course matters consultation.

Q: HOW CAN I BE KEPT INFORMED OF UPCOMING EVENTS AND INFORMATION SESSIONS?
A: You can drop us an email at [email protected] and we will keep you in our mailing list for upcoming events.

Q: WHEN AM I REQUIRED TO MAKE FEE PAYMENT?
A: A S$5,000 non-refundable fee deposit is required upon accepting the offer. 

Thereafter, fees will be billed per trimester over a period of one year (for full-time students) / two years (for part-time students).​

Q: CAN I APPLY FOR BANK LOAN TO PAY FOR THE TUITION FEE?
A: Admitted students can apply for commercial bank loan. The programme office will provide a letter of schedule of fee payment as supporting documents for such application.

Q: CAN I USE MY CPF TO PAY FOR THE TUITION FEE?

A: You may like to check with CPF board for the latest details on the usage of CPF for graduate programmes.

Q: CAN I USE MY PSEA ACCOUNT TO PAY FOR THE TUITION FEE?
A: Unfortunately, payment via PSEA is not applicable for MSAG programme. 

Q: WHAT ARE THE FUNDING AVAILABLE TO COVER MY TUITION FEE?
A: There are several external funding​ available for this programme. However, these are selected on a competitive basis and students must be prepared to fund their own course of study.
 

You may visit our page 'Fees & Scholarships' for more details.