Students admitted into the FASS can decide if they wish to pursue the Bachelor's or Honours programme. A Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree usually takes 3 years to complete, while the Honours degree will take an additional year.
Students who wish to pursue honours will have to meet the required CAP/grade points.

Departments offer courses of studies leading to degrees. A course of study is made up of many modules. A module covers a specific topic within a course of study. 

For B.A., students have to accumulate 120 MC (about 30 modules) over 3 years. For a Honours degree, students have to accumulate 160 MC (about 38 modules) over 4 years.

Lectures are usually 2 hours long. Tutorials or Discussion Groups can be 1 hour per week or 2 hours on alternative weeks. A normal workload consists of 5 modules per semester which average a total of 15 contact hours per week. The rest of the time is spent on readings and other preparatory work, as well as on assignments like term papers and project work.

In Social Work, major students are required to fulfill fieldwork placements. Other majors e.g. Political Science, Theatre Studies, Communications and New Media, and Economics, have internship/attachment arrangements on a voluntary basis. 

The Centralised Online Registration System (CORS) for the selection and allocation of modules was adopted to promote equity, fairness and responsibility. It allows departments to manage their resources optimally. All students are given an equal amount of points per semester to bid for modules. Unused points are carried forward to the next semester. The bidding system requires students to make careful consideration of their priorities as each decision has an impact on future choices. It is an opportunity to educate students on the need to weigh their options, make decisions and live with the consequences of their actions - a good training ground to prepare students for life after graduation.
New students are protected in the first two semesters (in a separate bid queue from returning students) with quota in the exposure modules specially catered to them.

After you are admitted into the FASS, you need to bid for the exposure module of your intended major. After you have passed the exposure module, you can declare the subject as your major (you need to obtain at least a B- grade to major in Psychology or Communications & New Media). It is true that Economics and Psychology are popular subjects and that competition for Psychology modules is very keen.

No, you do not have to decide on your major now. You are strongly encouraged to take the exposure modules before deciding on your major. When you are decided, you can declare your intended major. You can change your major no later than the end of your 5th semester.

Yes, you may apply to read a double degree or a double major subject to your meeting the admission criteria. There are specially designed double degrees that students can apply for direct admission or after 1 year of studies. Students can also design their own double degrees or double majors. Admission is based on academic performance.

Yes, FASS offers disciplinary minors <link to Choices> in all its subjects, as well as multidisciplinary minors like China Studies, Cultural Studies, English Studies, Gender Studies, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Religious Studies, Science, Technology & Society (STS), and Urban Studies.

Yes, you can.

Do talk to an academic adviser at the Department or Dean's Office before making a decision. You can apply for a transfer through Office of Admissions. You will have to meet the cut-off point of the new Faculty. You will also need to check on your eligibility for tuition grant.
For further queries on transfer, please contact the Office of Admissions.

Applicants (regardless of nationality) presenting the Singapore-Cambridge GCE 'A' Level results.

'A' Level Curriculum (H1/H2/H3 Subjects)

These are the minimum requirements needed for applicants (regardless of nationality) appearing for the new 'A' Level curriculum (1.e. H1/H2/H3 subjects) examination in November 2011 to apply for admission to NUS in 2012

• Pass in at least two subjects at H2 Level and offer either General Paper (GP) or Knowledge & Inquiry (KI) in the same sitting.
• Meet the Mother Tongue Language (MTL) requirement for admission by having one of the following:

1. minimum of D7 for the higher MTL paper taken at the 'O' Level examination.
2. minimum of 'S' grade for the H1 MTL paper or General Studies in Chinese.
3. minimum of 'S' grade for the H2 MTL paper taken at the 'A' Level examination.
4. pass in the MTL 'B' Syllabus paper at the 'A' Level examination.

 

If you are a candidate who has been exempted from MTL as approved by MOE, the MOE-approved subject-in-lieu will be considered as your MTL subject.
If you are unable to fulfil the MTL requirement for admission but satisfy all other admission requirements, you will be admitted on a provisional basis. During your course of study, you will be required to attend the MTL course conducted by the University or attain the minimum requirement as listed above by retaking the MTL paper at the 'A' Level examination before you are allowed to graduate.
Please note that meeting the minimum admission requirements as indicated in items A & B above does not indicate that the applicant can be admitted as admission to the University is based on open competition.  It would be dependent on the applicant's academic standing, the courses he/she has selected and the competition amongst the applicants in the year of application. In exceptional cases, work experience and other achievements may be considered.
NUS has published the A-level and polytechnic Indicative Grade Profiles and course places of the previous academic year to enable applicants to make more informed choices when applying for admission. Please refer to the Office of Admissions for more information.

FASS will consider the applications of all diploma holders from the 5 local Polytechnics (Ngee Ann Poly, Nanyang Poly, Republic Poly, Singapore Poly, Temasek Poly).
Successful candidates will be granted 20 MC of Advanced Placements - 1 General Education Module (Subject Group A), 1 Breadth, 3 Unrestricted Electives.  This is equivalent to one semester of advanced standing.
For further queries on how to apply, please refer to the Office of Admissions.

Applicants who have been awarded an IB diploma will be considered for admission. Please note that this is only the minimum eligibility criteria. Entry to the various courses at NUS is very competitive and applicants who gain admission, typically, attain very good scores.

For further queries on how to application and admission matters, please refer to the Office of Admissions.

Students who have done well in their Higher MT subject or MT subject (Chinese, Malay or Tamil) at the 'A' Level examination are eligible for MT bonus points if they choose to pursue MT related subject concentrations under the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. The subject concentrations available are:

1. Chinese Language and / or Chinese Studies
2. Malay Studies
3. South Asian Studies

Applicants who used the MT bonus points for admission to the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences will have to sign an undertaking to read the relevant subject concentrations at the point of acceptance.

No. You only need to read and pass 7 modules from that course of study.

Up to 10% of vacancies will be set aside for consideration of exceptional candidates for admission to FASS. For such candidates, other factors besides grades will be taken into consideration. The following are some samples of exceptional achievements that FASS may take into consideration:

1. Represented Singapore in Arts and/or Sports
2. Active participation in community service and volunteer programmes.
3. Work experience relevant to the course applied for
4. Key leadership positions in community organisations, sports and athletic clubs etc (outside school)

In addition, applicants can provide information on awards/honours that they have won. If candidates wish to be considered under this scheme, they should provide the details in the 'Outstanding Singular Talent' section in the online application form. They should follow up by sending supporting documents to NUS.

There is generally no special requirement to major in a particular subject except for Chinese Language, Chinese Studies, Communications and New Media, English Language, English Literature, Theatre Studies, Malay Studies and Psychology.

You can find out more about the entry requirements here.

• New media is an area of academic enquiry that studies things like Internet studies, online communities and the impact of new technologies in the social, cultural, political and economic landscape of a country and the world. It also includes interactive media like Web design, gaming and virtual reality, among other subjects. In short "new media" includes any form of media that are NOT traditional mass media, such as converged media (the interrelation between telecommunications, computers and electronic media), wireless media, portable devices, wearable computers, etc. New Media also pays particular attention to the interaction between individuals, their minds and bodies, and new media devices, from social and cultural perspectives.

• On the other hand, mass communication usually deals with traditional mass media such as print and broadcast journalism. In addition, mass communication (or communications) programmes usually offer modules in advertising, public relations, and even film studies. While some mass communication programmes may offer some modules in new media issues, the focus of their curriculum tends to be on the traditional mass media.

• Most importantly, as a CNM student, you will be part of a comprehensive faculty of arts and social sciences which is in turn part of a comprehensive university. This means that you can leverage the extensive range of subjects available including psychology, sociology, political science, history etc to mould  yourself into a media professional with exposure to a wide body of knowledge, rather than just  a media professional who understands the media, e.g. a journalist who covers political developments, a PR communicator who has an appreciation for health communication issues, a game designer who infuses game designs with historical milestones and fascinating geographical facts etc.

• Graduates from the CNM Programme will be very attractive because they will have a very solid understanding of the new media industry locally, regionally and globally.

• Students who specialise in interactive media will be able to work in corporate communications, government agencies dealing with media development, media and design firms, research institutes specialising in interactive media content, public relations firms and a wide range of commercial, industrial and professional environments. In addition, graduates in interactive media would be able to venture into their own businesses. They can also choose to lead creative industry initiatives in Singapore and globally.

• The communication management area will prepare students to work in traditional media as well as in new media, IT companies or other ICT-related companies. Graduates will be able to work in corporations, government agencies, public relations firms and not-for-profit organisations, all of whom need effective and strategic management of communications to be successful. They will also have web design and publishing skills, which are in high demand in today's multi-media environment.
  

• Other sectors that will be interested in CNM graduates are tourism, banking and multinational corporations. In government agencies, graduates can work in policy analysis or facilitate communication between government officials and the private sector.

• Our graduates are currently working in Singapore Airlines, Channel News Asia, The Gallup Organisation, UOB Bank, EAT! Magazine, Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Information, Communication and the Arts, Media Development Authority, Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports, etc.

What kind of degree do graduates of the CNM programme receive?

Students in FASS taking this course will graduate with a B.A. CNM also offers an honours degree and master's and Ph.D. degrees.

Is this programme a course by itself?

Yes, this is a course by itself. However, we encourage our students to take courses from other faculties as part of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences emphasis on multidisciplinary learning.

What is CNM all about and how does this course relate to new media?

• On the communications side, our students learn about the economic structure and the regulation of the media industry as well as the impact media can have on society and culture. As communication managers, they learn, through practice learning, how to create an online presence for an organisation, how to write for the news media and how to create, conduct and evaluate a communications campaign.

• On the new media side, our students are exposed to theories which help them understand the impact new media are having on society socially, culturally, economically and politically. Students will learn the answers to these and many other questions: How is the rampant use of computers affecting education of young people, how can Asian countries take advantage of new media to advance their economic development, how has the introduction of the internet affected traditionally authoritarian states, how do new and invasive technologies affect our right to privacy as individual etc. Such issues and problems are discussed from various theoretical perspectives such as sociology, cultural and visual studies, social psychology, law, policy and political economy. Important developments in gaming, human-computer interaction and interactivity are critically addressed as well.

• Apart from studying the impact of new media, students also engage in content creation through practice learning. For example, they learn how to design multimedia products such as websites, games and virtual environments.

1. Is a good command of English essential for the course?

A good command of English is definitely an asset as the course materials are mostly academic texts and students are often assessed based on essays and reports and news/media writing

1. What are the entry requirements for this course?

There are no formal pre-requisites or qualifying tests for entry into the CNM Programme. The Programme welcomes students with a keen interest in the subject and who love (or hate) interacting with new media (games, wireless devices, etc) and want to test their emotions and attitudes to technology through academic rigor and interdisciplinary learning. Students interested in learning effective ways to communicate and who want to be visually creative are also welcome.
There are pre-requisites to be met if you wish to major in CNM eventually: In order to take NM2101 Theories of Communications and New Media (a required module for CNM majors), students must obtain a grade of B- or better in NM1101E OR do well in a placement examination OR have a creative portfolio assessed.

• Students need not have any technical inclination/background to successfully tackle the interactive media component of our programme because the primary objective of CNM is to equip students with conceptual knowledge of Interactive Media.

• We welcome technically inclined students who are interested in studying more cultural, aesthetic and social aspects of interactive media. Likewise, humanities and social sciences inclined students will have an opportunity to make their own creative works. In advanced and honours-level modules we provide students with full opportunities to explore either theoretical approaches, creative projects, or both.
  In short, CNM welcomes creative thinkers who are ready to challenge themselves. An example of a question that could be explored in one of our courses would be: Why do Singapore students play more Japanese-made games than their American counter-parts, and what is the difference between both types of games in terms of cultural or aesthetic interaction?

• "Economics modules" are offered only as electives as part of a general BBA programme, i.e. students do not major in economics.
• The modules offered by the School of Business contain little economics-related concepts. With the exception of BSP2001 (Macro and International Economics), the other modules offered focus on the process of decision-making within a business organisation, for example managerial economics and corporate finance. This coverage forms only a minor part of the study of economics.

• The NUS Economics programme is extremely flexible:
• Students in FASS are given one year to decide whether economics is the subject they want to major in.
• They can choose to do a BA degree or attempt the BSocSci Honors programme. 
• They can choose if they want to write the Honours Thesis.

• NUS has a mixture of depth and breadth.

• NUS offers a great range of electives and many modules at a more advanced level, for example Financial Economics II and Labor Economics II. We also offer modules in recently developed fields such as Behavioral Economics and Law and Economics.

Applied Economics:

• Focuses on how ideas in economics are applied.
• Designed specifically to train students who plan to hold jobs which require the use of economic principles.
• Theoretical foundation is of secondary importance.
• Has less core theoretical modules, and more applied modules.

Economics:

• Places an equal emphasis on both economic theory as well as its applications.
• Provides a more complete understanding of the subject.

• Yes, the Double Major in Economics and Mathematics/Applied Mathematics programme, provides an additional and more streamlined avenue for students of one department to do a second major in the other department.  

In school and at JC, you were learning how to use the English Language fluently and accurately. 
English Language at NUS is really English Linguistics. Linguistics is the study of how language works, both as a social and a mental phenomenon. On EL1101E, for instance, we will be exploring questions like

• What exactly is language?
• Why are there so many different languages?
• How do languages arise, develop and die?
• How do human beings acquire language?
• What do individuals & societies use language for?

Some of our elective modules include: Language and the Internet; Language and the Workplace; Psycholinguistics; Bilingualism; English as a World Language; Media, Discourse and Society; and, Language, Gender and Text.

• a lively interest in (why) language matters and
• basic fluency in English  
• Alternative measures of English fluency
  

You would need to have at least one of the following:

• Exempted from or Passed NUS Qualifying English Test, or
• Exempted from further CELC Remedial English modules

You would then register for EL1101E The Nature of Language. This core module is the prerequisite for most other English Language modules.

Any job requiring strong analytical and communication skills. Our alumni work in areas as diverse as print and broadcast journalism, education, human resources, advertising, public relations and corporate communications.

• Exempted from or Passed NUS Qualifying English Test, or

Exempted from further CELC Remedial English modules

• You would then register for EN1101E An Introduction to Literary Studies. EN1101E is also for students who did not read Literature at the G.C.E. 'A' levels or have no background in Literature.

Students acquire sensitivity to the nuances of language and sophisticated communicative skills developed through prolonged engagement with literary texts and criticism. They will be trained to develop the critical ability and theories necessary to engage with a range of cultural texts such as film, various types of written discourse, advertising and media. A literature student is thus well equipped for a number of jobs - typical career areas of recent graduates include journalism, television, public relations in banks and other corporations, teaching and publishing.

Theatre is an ancient art form that enjoys continuing popularity in many societies, including Singapore. In Theatre Studies, we ask why this is so by exploring theatrical events, practices and ideas. Our investigations are built on understanding the skills and approaches required to create theatre, and of the historical and cultural contexts in which people have made and watched it.

• We offer a combination of practical and seminar-based modules, which allows for the comprehensive investigation of theatre activities and ideas. You will develop practical skills within the context of critical inquiry. However, TS is not a vocational programme i.e. it is not a performing arts academy.
• We also take a broader view of the subject by including other art forms and cultural practices. At NUS, this means that alongside the study of theatre, we also look at film, popular culture, and performance in everyday life.

Graduates in Theatre Studies are well-trained for a variety of arts and media careers, from creative practice and arts management, to event planning and journalism. The transferable skills developed in critical thinking, clear communication and creative problem-solving also mean that graduates are well-placed to enter a wide range of professions extending from teaching and research to entrepreneurship, marketing, and government service.

• Exempted from or Passed NUS Qualifying English Test, or

Exempted from further CELC Remedial English modules

• You would then register for TS1101E Introduction to Theatre and Drama. This core module is the prerequisite for most other Theatre Studies modules.

Psychology is the scientific study of the mind and behaviour. Topics in psychology range from the biological bases of behaviour, the nature of cognition (thought), the development of behaviour and the psychology of social behaviour through to applications in such areas as mental health and the understanding of behaviour in industry, education, and other applied settings.  

Becoming a full-fledged psychologist requires advanced training to at least the Masters level in a programme specifically for professional psychology. Along these lines, NUS offers two Master of Psychology (Clinical) programmes that provide entry-level training for graduates who are seeking to become professional clinical psychologists. The honours programme in psychology is important preparation for entering these kinds of programmes.

A graduate degree (i.e. a Master or Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology) is required to become a practising psychologist in Singapore. Graduates with a B.Soc.Sci. (Hons) or B.A. may be employed in settings that require individuals who can think logically, express themselves clearly in writing and speech, apply quantitative analysis to data, and apply knowledge of human behaviour to solve problems. Hence, prospective employers include various branches of the Singapore civil service, private businesses, and non-governmental organizations, among others. More information about Psychology as a career can be found here: http://www.apa.org/education/undergrad/psych-career.aspx

The NUS Department of Psychology offers a wide range of undergraduate courses in psychology, including advanced seminar courses taught by domain specialists. In addition, students have the opportunity to conduct high-quality psychological research with leading experts through lab modules, independent study modules, and the Honours thesis. This combination of theoretical and practical training places students in an excellent position to pursue psychology at the graduate and professional level.

The Department of Psychology offers a Master of Social Sciences degree in Psychology by research and a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Psychology by research. This means that a graduate student will undertake training through independent study and empirical work under a supervisor. It will result in submission of a thesis or dissertation. The Department also offers two two-year full-time coursework Master of Psychology (Clinical) programmes. These programmes are based on the scientist-practitioner model and include the building of both theoretical knowledge and core competencies for clinical practice.

Clinical psychologists are specialists in the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of psychological problems and mental illnesses. Most clinical psychology programmes use a scientist-practitioner approach, with rigorous academic and research training at academic institutions as well as extensive supervised clinical training in clinical settings. Psychiatrists are medical doctors with specialised postgraduate training in the study and treatment of mental illnesses, emotional disturbances, and abnormal behaviour. In Singapore, clinical psychologists cannot prescribe medications, whereas psychiatrists can.

Psychology graduates are employed in various settings which include MINDEF, MCYS, MOE, MOH, ITE, SPRING Singapore, a number of voluntary social service organisations, as well as in consultancy firms and research organisations.

While Sociology studies the conditions of the social lives of humans, groups and societies, Social Work seeks to address the social, emotional, cognitive, psychological and economic conditions that affect individuals, families, and groups. It strives to enhance the well being of individuals, families and community groups by active interventions as well as advocating for positive changes in social policies and at societal levels.

Another way of looking at it, is that while Sociology deals with understanding society, Social Work focuses on making positive social changes and problem solving interventions in society.

Psychology is the study of human mental processes and behavior.

Social Work, on the other hand, is dedicated to helping people resolve problems in their daily lives. This may include direct help in the form of case work, group work, counseling and referral to resources or advocacy to improve social, psychological, emotional or economic conditions.

Counselling focuses on helping people with personal, family, educational, career issues through individual, couples, family, or group therapy.

Social Work is a profession dedicated to helping people resolve problems in their daily lives. This may include direct help in the form of case/group work counselling and referral to resources or advocacy to improve social or economic conditions.

The social work profession emphasises social justice and advocacy issues and works to change both individuals and the systems that affect them.

With a basic degree in Social Work, one can expect to find work in various capacities, generally in the area of social services, health services, correctional services, family services, child and youth work. Positions will inevitably involve some aspects of counselling. However, a social worker does not call him/herself a counsellor. For example, clinical counselling is generally not performed by social workers with only a bachelor's degree. The basic degree instead equips social work graduates to be a generalist practitioner.

Sociology is the study of the social lives of humans, groups and societies, sometimes defined as the study of social interactions.

Psychology deals with individual perception, cognition, attitudes and behaviors, whereas Sociology focuses on groups, institutions (such as family and religion), society, culture (including language and values) and how these impact individual and group behaviours. Sociology therefore covers a wide spectrum of topics and issues ranging from youth, emotions, food, religion, family, deviance, law, and ethnic identity, to work and organisations.  However, you may choose to specialise in one or two module clusters in Sociology.

Social Work uses different disciplines to help solve individual or social problems.  Not surprisingly, one of the main disciplines it borrows from is Sociology. Indeed, Sociology provides a good understanding of the social and cultural context that explains the problems handled by social workers. A parallel would be to think of Sociology as like Physics or Mathematics, while Social Work is like Engineering.  However, I would like to emphasise that the applications of Sociology extend far beyond Social Work. This is reflected in the fact that our graduates can be found and are doing well in a wide range of careers:  media and communications specialists, journalism, human resource management, survey or marketing consultants, and policy research and planning.

Sociology has been given the title "queen of the social sciences" for good reasons. It provides a solid foundation and comprehensive framework for understanding the social world we live in. The term "social" includes the cultural, political, and economic dimensions as well. Anyone who plans to work with people and in organisational contexts would therefore find Sociology rather useful. You would also discover that Sociology as a major goes well with most of the other disciplines and minors offered by FASS.

We are an established brand name. We have been around since 1965, the year of Singapore's independence. We have continued to attract good quality professors and students. We have more than 30 staff in different areas of expertise.  Correspondingly, we are able to offer a wide range of modules.  This cannot be matched elsewhere in Singapore.  One more thing, we work hard on our curriculum to make it always fresh and relevant. We are serious about training, but our approach is fun, and encourages hands-on, participative learning. We also mobilise our industry connections and alumni networks to make available more internships to students.  And yes, we have produced many cohorts of alumni who are making a difference in Singapore or elsewhere in the world.