How to Apply - Frequently Asked Questions
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Programme-Related Questions
NUS is internationally recognised. The University is among Asia’s best and currently ranks among the top 50 in World University Rankings.
Although SSHSPH was established in 2011, its history traces back to the Department of Social Medicine and Public Health, which was formed in 1948 under what was then the University of Malaya. In 1953, the programme was offered as the Diploma of Public Health and was the first postgraduate medical course in Singapore and one of the first in the region. Over the years and through rigorous iterations, it has since evolved into the Master of Public Health. Learn more about the School here.
The NUS Centre for Future-ready Graduates provides Career Services to our graduates, including resume writing and interview preparation. More information is available here.
You may also discuss with your academic and practicum supervisors on your career opportunities.
A semester is typically 13 weeks long (excluding recess, exams and vacation periods). Please refer to the NUS Academic Calendar for more information.
Some classes are taught over a shorter period, such as over 1 week, or 2 days over 3 weeks. These classes usually run for the whole day from 8.30AM to 6PM. Part-time students will need to apply leave from work to attend such classes.
Full-time students will typically complete the programme over 12 months. Part-time students will normally take 2 years to complete the programme.
Upon admission to the programme, all new students are required to attend the following prior to the start of the academic term:
- Registration Day (1 full day)
- SPH5001 Foundations of Public Health (5 full days)
The dates will be published on our websites during the application period as well as in your offer letters. Students who are working should plan their leave for this period.
Typically, a 4 units course will require the following commitment PER WEEK:
- At least 3 hours of contact time;
- 4 hours of readings; and
- 3 hours of preparatory work (assignments, etc)
That will be an estimated total of 10 hours per week or 130 hours over one semester. The time commitment will depend on how many units of courses you are reading for that term.
Please note that some courses are 8 units and the commitment required is doubled.
Information Pertaining to the First Semester only
Full-Time students, will read ALL core courses in the first semester and other elective courses if they can cope with the workload. Please refer to the first page of Full-Time Study Plan.
Part-Time students, will read SPH5002 Public Health Research Methods in the first semester and 1 core/ elective courses if they can cope with the workload. Please refer to the first page of Part-Time Study Plan.
All students will complete their Practicum Project and Presentation during the Special Term in July.
For the remaining semesters’ recommended study plan, please refer to pages 2 and 3 of the Study Plan.
- Registration Day – usually on the Friday 2 weeks before Orientation Week
- SPH5001 Foundations for Public Health – 5 full days, usually during the week before Orientation Week
- SPH5002 Public Health Research Methods (during the first semester)
The dates will be stated here. Please apply for the necessary leave. If you are unable to attend, you may be asked to defer your studies to the following year.
Regular classes will commence one week after the orientation week in August. Please refer to the NUS Academic Year .
Study Plans for full-time and part-time students are listed here.
The Master of Public Health is a practice-based programme.Students gain competency in knowledge and practical skills in public health related work.
The Master of Science by Research/ Doctor of Philosophy by Research, in contrast, is an academically and research orientated degree programme. The research and thesis form the bulk of their experience in this programme.
- Master of Science by Research
- Doctor of Philosophy by Research
More Information is available here.
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Questions on Programme Candidature
A full-time student is expected to complete the programme in 1 year (from August to July) including 2 main semesters and 2 special terms. The maximum candidature for a full-time student is 2 years. There will be fees implications should a student extend beyond the normal candidature period, of which the student will be expected to pay unsubsidised tuition fees for the extended semesters.
A part-time student is expected to complete the programme in 2 years, including 4 main semesters and at least 2 special terms. The maximum candidature for a part-time student is 4 years. There will be fees implications should a student extend beyond the normal candidature period, of which the student will be expected to pay unsubsidised tuition fees for the extended semesters.
For more information:
Full-time students cannot hold a full-time job unless explicit approval is given by the Vice-Dean (Education). Such students may wish to consider a part-time appointment or defer their studies to the following year.
If a student is on a scholarship, please check the terms and conditions of the scholarship before embarking on part-time work. Some scholarships explicitly disallow students from working as the scholarship is meant to support the student’s financial burden.
Students may be granted a Leave of Absence (LOA) from the University with a maximum of one year, which will be excluded from the count against their maximum duration of candidature. Students should seek approval from their academic supervisor and programme director in writing prior to applying for a leave of absence.
Application for LOA after Instructional Week 2
You will be charged the full semester fees. The semester will not be excluded from the count against their maximum duration of candidature as you would have consumed the MOE subsidy for that semester.
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Questions on Programme Eligibility
We would not recommend applicants with no prior experience in Public Health/ Occupational Health functions to apply for the programme.
Public health is the science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life, and promoting health through the organised efforts and informed choices of society, organisations, public and private communities, and individuals.
— Charles-Edward Amory Winslow (1877–1957)
Public Health
- focuses on the population and prevention rather than on patients and treatment;
- deals with the prevention and management of epidemics (infectious diseases and non-communicable diseases); and
- takes a multi-sectoral and multidisciplinary approach to the prevention and management of health problems in the population
Examples of public health organisations include:
- National Ministries of Health
- Healthcare Institutions
- Public Health Laboratories
- R&D Divisions within pharmaceutical companies
- Occupational and safety departments within the petroleum and chemical industry
- Non-governmental organisations involved in medical and humanitarian work
Essential public health activities as described by CDC.gov:
- Monitor health status to identify and solve community health problems
- Diagnose and investigate health problems and health hazards in the community
- Inform, educate, and empower people about health issues
- Mobilise community partnerships and action to identify and solve health problems
- Develop policies and plans that support individual and community health efforts
- Enforce laws and regulations that protect health and ensure safety
- Link people to needed personal health services and assure the provision of health care when otherwise unavailable
- Assure competent public and personal health care workforce
- Evaluate effectiveness, accessibility, and quality of personal and population-based health services
- Research for new insights and innovative solutions to health problems
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Questions on Standardised Test Scores for International Applicants
- 85 on the TOEFL Test
- 6 on the IELTS Academic Test
Test scores for the TOEFL and IELTS Academic are valid for 2 years from the test dates. TOEFL and IELTS Academic scores that are no longer valid will not be accepted. Your test scores must still be valid during the period of application. If your test scores expire before the application closes, it will not be valid.
Otherwise, you MUST submit valid test scores for the TOEFL or IELTS Academic.
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Questions on Scholarships and Financial Aid
Please note that the act of application does not imply a guarantee of an award of the scholarship.
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Questions on Application Process and Fees
Applicants may apply for the programme via online only.
Applicants are advised to apply directly to the University and not through any agents. The University reserves the right to reject applications via agents without providing a reason.
- Application Opens
- Please use an email address that you check frequently
December
- Application Closes
- Applicants to send the required documents to reach the admissions team no later by the date indicated
January
- Processing of applications
- Applicants may be contacted for incomplete documentation or clarifications
- If the required documents are not provided by the given date, the application is deemed void.
January/ February
- Applicants to complete online tests
- Numeracy Test; and
- Academic Writing Proficiency Test
March/ April
- Applicants may be scheduled for interviews
April/ May
- Staggered release of the application outcome via email
May
- Applicants to complete online acceptance of offer
June
- Pre-admission medical check-ups
July
- Registration Day: Two Fridays before NUS Orientation Week
- SPH5001 Foundations of Public Health: 1 week before NUS Orientation Week
- Attendance for both are COMPULSORY
August
- Classes Commence
Below is a list of estimated expenditure a student may likely incur during his or her stay in Singapore. These amounts may vary according to personal needs and lifestyle patterns. This example excludes non-essentials and major items such as shopping, entertainment, computers, electronic/ communication devices, travel plans, etc.
Estimated Costs (per month) | On-campus | Off-campus |
Accommodation | S$480 – S$850* | S$600 – S$1,300# |
Food (3 meals a day) | S$250 – S$500 | S$400 – S$800 |
Public Transport | S$100 – S$150 | S$200 – S$300 |
Personal expenses | S$300 – S$500 | S$300 – S$500 |
Total | S$1,130 – S$2,000 | S$1,500 – S$2,900 |
Notes:
* Actual cost depends on type of residence and type of room. For hostel fees, please refer to the Office of Student Affairs’ Residential Services site.
# Actual rental depends on whether there is room sharing and whether utilities are included in the rent.
Information extracted from: http://www.nus.edu.sg/gro/global-programmes/student-exchange