Apply to SSS

Candidates may start applying online from 1 October for consideration to the following August intake. The application deadline is on 15th November for the Nanyang Research Scholarship (RSS) (same portal for self-financing students), and the Nanyang President's Graduate Scholarship (NPGS)​. All applications received after 15 November will be processed for the next intake instead.  

Applications for the January intake (Economics, Psychology and Sociology only) will begin on 01 June and end on 15 July prior to the admission period. The application portal closes on 15 July for the Nanyang Research Scholarship (same portal for self-financing students). 

Candidates who would like to be considered for Scholarship should meet the stipulated deadlines. Candidates applying for the Nanyang President's Graduate Scholarship (NPGS), need not submit an additional application for the Nanyang Research Scholarship (RSS). However, RSS candidates will not be considered for the NPGS unless application has been made directly for the NPGS.

All graduate research applicants 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 make 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 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 March to May for the August intake and November to December for the January intake (if applicable).

​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 [email protected]. 

1. 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 here. 
   
   
2. English Proficiency Test
   
   For applicants whose native language is not English, the IELTS or TOEFL has to be submitted. The IELTS/TOEFL score must have been attained within 2 years prior to application.
   
   Those who hold a degree (Bachelor's or Master's) from universities (must be at least 3 years of study) where English is the medium of instruction are exempted from the IELTS/TOEFL requirement. A letter from the respective universities is required with the following details:
   
           - Duration of Studies
           - Programme
           - Medium of Instruction
   
   Applicants whose Bachelor's degree is from NTU, NUS, SMU or SUSS need not submit the letter.
   
   The minimum score requirements for the tests are:
   -  ​​IELTS (IELTS is preferred over TOEFL): 7.0 (on all subtests)
   -  TOEFL (Internet-Based Test - IBT): 105 out of 120
   -  TOEFL (Paper-Based Test - PBT): 580 out of 677
   
   Note that the above scores are a guide only and may vary slightly according to the number and quality of applicants in each admission exercise. Meeting the above scores does not guarantee admission. 
   
   If you are in the process of waiting for the original official test score sheet to be mailed to you by the Test Centre, you can submit a scanned copy of the online test score during the application stage. Original test score sheets should be retained for verification purposes.
   
   
3. Graduate Record Examination (GRE)
   
   The GRE is required for admission to Economics and Psychology. The GRE must have been attained within 5 years prior to the date of application. If you are in the process of waiting for the original official test score sheet to be mailed to you by the Test Centre, you can submit a scanned copy of the online test score during the application stage. Original test score sheets should be retained for verification purposes.
   
   Psychology:​

• Applicants (including NTU, NUS or SMU graduates) without prior training in Psychology but applying for admission to the Ph.D. program​ in Psychology will have to submit the GRE in Psychology Test Results.

• An excellent GRE score is expected for every application, especially in the quantitative section (minimum 319 for the verbal and quantitative sections, 3.5 for the analytical section). Under exceptional circumstances, an applicant may raise the possibility of waiving the GRE score as part of the requirement. However, the applicant must provide a strong justification in his or her application, to be evaluated by the committee on a case-by-case basis. GRE is not required from NTU, NUS or SMU graduates.

• An excellent GRE score, especially in the quantitative section (minimum requirement: Verbal & Quantitative Reasoning 319 out of 340 and Analytical Writing 3.5 out of 6.0). GRE is not required from NTU, NUS or SMU graduates.
  

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IMPORTANT

In light of the post-Covid-19 pandemic, we have implemented revised requirements for admission test scores. It is important to note that we will exclusively accept the following online tests for admission. Additionally, these tests must have been taken no later than 31 December 2023. Test report reflecting date beyond 31 December 2023, will not be eligible to meet admission requirements.

1. TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition
2. TOEFL ITP Plus for China students
3. IELTS Indicator
4. IELTS for UKVI
5. GRE Take Home Test