The objective of the Master of Social Work (MSW) programme is to produce leaders of the social work profession in various aspects such as direct practice, social policy and research, and social administration and development. Integrative learning, interdisciplinary exposure and innovative capacity building are key pedagogical features of our MSW programme.
The MSW programme is designed to facilitate students’ systematic integration of social work professional values and practice, theory and practice, and research and practice in every class. It also offers students interdisciplinary learning opportunities to take courses from other faculties and schools within the University. Students can expect to build their innovative capacity of being future-ready social work professionals who are equipped with strong and distinct leadership qualities and cross-sector mobility in the Singaporean social service sector.
Applicants may decide on two routes of admission into the MSW programme:
- Direct Admission Route
- Stackable Route (For local applicants (Singapore Citizens/Permanent Residents) only)
Arts and Social Sciences
Social Work
swkbox3@nus.edu.sg
Department of Social Work Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences National University of Singapore Blk AS3 Level 4, 3 Arts Link Singapore 117570Welcome to the NUS Department of Social Work!
- Since 1952, our department has trained social workers in Singapore who have positively and significantly impacted our society, at both levels of frontline social work practice addressing the needs of marginalized groups and individuals, as well as policy changes promoting social justice and inclusiveness. Today, we continue to attract some of our country’s brightest students who demonstrate talent and passion for the people-helping profession.
- Social Work education at NUS strongly advocates a dual focus of thinking and doing. By thinking, we engage students in conceptual, abstract, and critical thinking that is vital for effective leadership in social work practice. By doing, our students undergo a mandatory 800-hour field educational experience — our signature pedagogy — which provides immersion in practice and empowers students for real-life scenarios upon their graduation.
| Commitment | Average Candidature | Maximum Candidature |
|---|---|---|
| Full Time | 1.5 Year | 3 Years |
| Part Time | 2.5 Years | 4 Years |
Bachelor’s degree holders with a relevant background that seek to do research in areas such as; family studies, social work practice, intervention outcomes, ageing issues, social support networks, community development, evaluation of service delivery, social policies, volunteerism, crime and deliquency, mental health, drug abuse, coping behaviour, social-ecological response, human service management, and rehabilitation of persons with disabilities.
| Criteria | Minimum Score | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| GPA | An NUS Honours degree (Merit/Second Class and above) or equivalent (e.g., a four‐year Bachelor’s degree with at least an average grade of B) in Social Work; good Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test scores, taken no earlier than 5 years before the date of application (NUS/NTU/SMU/SUTD graduates are not required to submit the GRE score); or An NUS Honours degree (Merit/Second Class and above) or equivalent (e.g., a four‐year Bachelor’s degree with at least an average grade of B) in related field; good Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test scores, taken no earlier than 5 years before the date of application (NUS/NTU/SMU/SUTD graduates are not required to submit the GRE score); and a minimum of five years of relevant work experience in the human service sector; or A good Bachelor’s degree (at least an average grade of B or equivalent) and a NUS Graduate Diploma in Social Work with at least an average grade of B+; or A good Bachelor’s degree (at least an average grade of B or equivalent) in Social Work; good Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test scores, taken no earlier than 5 years before the date of application (NUS/NTU/SMU/SUTD graduates are not required to submit the GRE score); and a minimum of two years of relevant work experience in the human service sector; or A good Bachelor’s degree (at least an average grade of B or equivalent) in related field; good Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test scores, taken no earlier than 5 years before the date of application (NUS/NTU/SMU/SUTD graduates are not required to submit the GRE score); and a minimum of five years of relevant work experience in the human service sector; or exceptionally, Other qualifications and experience subject to approval by the Graduate Studies Division, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. | ||
| English Proficiency Tests | TOEFL Internet-based | 85 / 120 | |
| IELTS | 6.5 / 9 | ||
- A minimum of five years of relevant work experience in the human service sector is ideal
- All candidates have to submit GRE scores except NUS/NTU/SMU/SUTD graduates
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 | 1 November (in the year preceding the intake) to 15 January (in the same year as the intake) | End of May |