Main Menu
Master of Social Sciences (Economics) (Research)
Masters
Economics

This program is designed for students who would like some exposure to graduate training and research in Economics.  The program can be completed in two years.  It differs from the Master of Economics course (also offered by the Department) in that it has an independent research component and is typically of longer duration.

Faculty
faculty-iconArts and Social Sciences
department-iconEconomics
email-iconecsbox1@nus.edu.sglocation-iconNational University of Singapore, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Department of Economics, 1 Arts Link, AS2 #06-02, Singapore 117570

Welcome to the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS) of the National University of Singapore!

  1. Established in 1929, the Faculty has a long-standing tradition of providing a rich and fulfilling educational experience for every generation of students led by award-winning educators who bring their research expertise into the classroom. Our researchers also carry out impactful research which advances our understanding of culture, society and the world around us.
  2. One of the largest faculties in NUS, FASS offers a comprehensive range of academic programmes in the areas of Asian Studies, Humanities, Social Sciences, and Language studies. To enhance the educational experience, FASS students can be part of our special programmes, such as double degrees, special degrees and with global partners, FASStrack Asia, and an array of Student Exchange Programmes. As part of the College of Humanities and Sciences (CHS), students of the Faculty can access an even wider spectrum of opportunities, gaining a truly interdisciplinary education that will play a pertinent role in their future endeavours.
  3. The NUS Department of Economics has an established reputation as one of the largest and leading economics departments in Asia. With more than 50 faculty members, our research contributions span all the major fields of economics and have an international impact on the discipline. We also aim to contribute to public policy discussion in Singapore through our research in applied fields and through our outreach activities.
Scholarships
Commitment and Candidature
CommitmentAverage CandidatureMaximum Candidature
Full Time2 Years3 Years
Part Time2 Years3 Years
Target Audience

Bachelor’s degree holders who would like some exposure to graduate training and research in Economics.

General Admission Criteria
CriteriaMinimum Score
GPAFor admission, a student should have a good honors degree (first class or second upper) or a good masters degree, either in Economics or in a field with a quantitative emphasis, such as mathematics, statistics, physics, engineering, or operations research.
English Proficiency TestsTOEFL
Internet-based
85 / 120
IELTS6 / 9


  1. Masters by Research and PhD students are requested to provide a preliminary research proposal of 2-4 pages. Although this document should be as focused as possible, it is exploratory, and admitted students are not required to work on the exact area proposed. However, the capacity to develop an interesting research question and approach are important indicators of a student’s ability and seriousness.

  2. More information on how to write a research proposal can be obtained from: Research Proposal Guidelines for Applicants and How to Write a Research Proposal.


Please refer to the Faculty’s website here for the complete admission requirements and here for a list of supporting documents required.


Application Periods and Intakes
CategoryApplication WindowApplication Result Released

Semester 1 Intake

(August)

All students of any nationalities

Application Opens: April 1 2025

Application Closes: December 1 2025

May 31 2025
How to Apply?
Please visit GradApp to apply online. Click here for the GradApp Applicant Guide.