Applicants must fulfill the following minimum admission requirements:
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Academic Programmes
Home > Opportunities > Academic Programmes
Academic Programmes
Undergraduate and Graduate Studies Programmes
NUS offers both undergraduate and graduate students the opportunity to study and work with a distinguished institution in the study of public health, disease prevention, both locally and globally. Our modules, coursework, and research programmes offer students opportunities to develop the knowledge and skills required in the healthcare and biomedical sectors.
SPHID Modules
SSHSPH offers a range of different courses in Infectious disease within the undergraduate and graduate programs. More detail on the courses can be found below
Overview
NUS’ Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health’s Infectious Diseases Programme (SPHID) aims to advance research on infectious diseases and translate findings into effective public health policies and practices for communities in Singapore and beyond through local and international collaboration.
Our program is designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills needed to address global health challenges. This program combines rigorous coursework, cutting-edge research opportunities, and hands-on clinical training to prepare graduates for impactful careers in public health, research, and medical practice.
The Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health launched its graduate research programmes in August 2012, offering both the Master of Science (MSc) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) programmes.
The MSc and PhD programmes are research-intensive programmes that emphasise both the mastery of research skills and the acquisition of core knowledge in a specified area of interest. Students will complete coursework and conduct independent research under the supervision of a faculty member.
From Year 1, both MSc and PhD students will embark on their research projects, complete core courses and choose from a range of elective courses that cater to individual research interests.
In Year 2, MSc students will start writing their thesis, while PhD students will complete a PhD Qualifying Examination (PQE) which assesses their ability to complete PhD requirements based on their academic progress and quality of their research. MSc students who wish to transfer to the PhD programme need to complete the PhD coursework requirements, and pass the PQE within 2 years.
In Years 3-5, PhD students will execute the rest of their research plans and submit and defend the thesis.
Our research degrees in public health will offer graduates opportunities in the healthcare sector, biomedical and pharmaceutical industries, research institutes, government agencies and academia. We welcome students from a variety of backgrounds including social sciences, medicine, statistics, life sciences, and many more.
For enquires on the graduate research programmes, please contact us at GDR_SPH@nus.edu.sg
Curriculum
Master of Science (MSc) students are required to complete:
- 24 units of coursework
- Research project culminating in the submission of a thesis
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) students are required to complete:
- 34 units of coursework (for students who enrolled in Aug 2024 or later)
- A PhD Qualifying Examination by Year 2
- Research project culminating in the submission of a thesis, and successfully defending the research in the thesis defence
Please refer to the SSHSPH Research Student Handbook for more information.
Admission Requirements
1. Academic Qualifications
Master of Science (MSc)
- Bachelor’s Degree with good Honours (at least 2nd Upper Class) or its equivalent in a relevant discipline
OR - MBBS or its equivalent
OR - Bachelor of Dental Surgery or its equivalent
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
- Good Master’s Degree in a relevant discipline
OR - Bachelor’s Degree with good Honours (at least 2nd Upper Class) or its equivalent in a relevant discipline
OR - MBBS or its equivalent
OR - Bachelor of Dental Surgery or its equivalent
2. Standardised Tests
(applicable for both MSc and PhD applicants)
a) English language requirements for International Applicants*
International applicants must submit test scores for the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or IELTS Academic (International English Language Testing System) and meet the minimum scores required:
- 94 on the TOEFL test
- 7.0 on the IELTS Academic test
Test scores for the TOEFL and IELTS are valid for 2 years from the test dates. TOEFL and IELTS Academic scores that have expired by the time the application period closes will not be accepted.
For more information about the TOEFL or IELTS, please visit www.toefl.org (for TOEFL) and www.ielts.org (for IELTS).
b) GRE® General Test
All applicants are strongly encouraged to submit test scores for the GRE® General Test. Evidence of strong quantitative, verbal, and analytical skills through GRE scores, as well as indicators of research skills and experience will significantly strengthen your application.
For more information on the GRE® General Test, please visit www.ets.org/gre
Fees
The University’s fees are reviewed and adjusted periodically to reflect the approximate cost of providing education to students. Fees payable include tuition fees and miscellaneous fees.
Tuition Fees
Please refer to the Office of the University Registrar’s website for information on the annual tuition fees for public health research programmes.
Miscellaneous Student Fees
Miscellaneous student fees help meet costs incurred by the University in providing services to the student community that are either not covered or only partially covered by the tuition fee and government subsidy. These services include healthcare for students; facilitating student cultural, social and recreational programmes; and maintaining the shuttle bus service, IT network and other essential campus infrastructure and services.
All students, whether registered on a full-time or part-time basis, are charged the miscellaneous student fees. These are due at the same time as the tuition fees. For more information, please refer here.
Scholarship & Financial Aid
Scholarships
The School and NUS offer several scholarships on a competitive basis to PhD students.
There are currently no scholarships available for Master of Science (by research) students. All MSc applicants must be prepared to be self-financing for the entire candidature.
How to Apply
Please indicate the “NUS Research Scholarship” as your intended source of finance in the online application, i.e. there is no need to submit a separate scholarship application. The School will select exceptional candidates to nominate for the President’s Graduate Fellowship award.
Lee Kuan Yew Scholarship
The Lee Kuan Yew (LKY) Scholarship is synonymous with both prestige and a willingness to serve Singapore. Set up in 1991 by the Tanjong Pagar Citizens’ Consultative Committee with funding from the public to commemorate the contributions made by Mr Lee Kuan Yew to Singapore, it marks Singapore’s continuous effort to recognise outstanding individuals with the aptitude and inclination to contribute to our society. For more details on the scholarship and the application procedures, please refer to the information from Public Service Commission.
Staff Concession
Students who are full-time NUS staff members may be eligible to apply for staff concession. More information is available on the Staff Portal.
Service Obligation Scheme
International students can apply for the Service Obligation Scheme to pay reduced tuition fees. Successful applicants will be required to work in a Singapore-based company for three years upon graduation. For more details, please refer to the information from NUS Graduate School.
Other Scholarships and Financial Aid
For details on other scholarships and financial aid, please refer to the information from NUS Graduate School.