The department offers the M.A. in Philosophy, requiring both coursework and the submission of a written thesis. Applicants for the M.A. degree should (preferably) have a good honors degree in Philosophy from NUS or a recognized foreign university, though the department may also admit students with a good Bachelor’s degree with relevant research or working experience on a case-by-case basis, subject to approval by the Board of Graduate Studies (BGS). The maximum period of candidature is 36 months.
Arts and Social Sciences
Philosophy
philsjm@nus.edu.sg
3 Arts Link, Block AS3, #05-22, Singapore 117570Founded in 1954 in the vibrant equatorial metropolis of Singapore, the Department of Philosophy is a global centre of philosophical education and research. With interests spanning a wide range of topics and traditions, our faculty have made notable contributions to epistemology, moral and political philosophy, metaphysics, philosophy of mind, philosophy of language, aesthetics, philosophy of science, philosophy of mathematics, and the history of philosophy. Our graduate programme is home to local and international MA and Ph.D. students who work closely with department faculty, and our popular undergraduate program provides students with a world-class learning experience with ample opportunity for roundtable discussion and independent research. Explore these pages to learn more about one of academic philosophy’s best-kept secrets.
| Commitment | Average Candidature | Maximum Candidature |
|---|---|---|
| Full Time | 2 Years | 3 Years |
| Part Time | 2 Years | 3 Years |
Bachelor’s degree holders with a relevant background who are interested in epistemology, moral and political philosophy, metaphysics, philosophy of mind, philosophy of language, aesthetics, philosophy of science, philosophy of mathematics, and the history of philosophy.
| Criteria | Minimum Score | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| GPA | Preferably a good honors degree in Philosophy from NUS or a recognized foreign university, though the department may also admit students with a good Bachelor’s degree with relevant research or working experience on a case-by-case basis | ||
| English Proficiency Tests | TOEFL Internet-based | 85 / 120 | |
| IELTS | 6 / 9 | ||
- In place of the statement of purpose and research proposal, applicants to the department’s graduate program should instead submit a short Statement of Research Interest (max. 500 words) and a Writing Sample ( max. 3,000 words for Masters).
- Intellectual qualities and background training needed to successfully complete the graduate program
Please refer to the Faculty’s website here for the complete admission requirements and here for a list of supporting documents required.
| Category | Application Window | Application Result Released | |
|---|---|---|---|
Semester 1 Intake (August) | All students of any nationalities | Application Opens: May 16 2025 Application Closes: November 1 2025 | May 31 2025 |