- The Department runs a PhD programme that has the unique distinction of being the only programme in ASEAN focusing on South Asia. The courses offered cover theoretical frameworks as well as more in-depth examination of specific issues regarding South Asian Studies. These modules expose students to ideas and perspectives that they can apply in the course of their independent research.
- The scope for research is extensive and the interests and backgrounds of the supervising teaching staff are wide-ranging and eclectic. Fluency in English is essential, as all theses work must be presented in that language, but the Programme encourages and supports the use of research materials which draw upon South Asian languages.
Arts and Social Sciences
South Asian Studies Programme
fasbox58@nus.edu.sg
South Asian Study Programme Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Blk AS8 #06-01, 10 Kent Ridge Crescent, Singapore 119260SASP has the unique distinction of being the only Programme focusing on South Asia in the entire ASEAN region.
Our location in Southeast Asia is important because it provides a particular and hitherto rather rare perspective on South Asia and on the relations of the South Asian nation-states with Southeast Asia. This can be seen historically in terms of cultural relations and influences between the two regions and the South Asian diaspora, the settled Indian communities in different countries of Southeast Asia, including Singapore. Although the Programme began in 1999, there has always existed within the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS) a strong interest in the South Asian region. This was reflected by the presence of faculty members in the Departments of Economics, Political Science, Philosophy, English, and Sociology, many of whom engaged with South Asia in terms of their research and teaching. Some of these departments had faculty members who worked on aspects of South Asian Studies. (For example, the Department of History had in the 1950s the distinguished scholar Eric Strokes who subsequently held the Smuts Chair of Commonwealth History at Cambridge). All this points to the fact that NUS has had a continuous tradition of scholarship on the Indian subcontinent, although SASP came to be institutionalized as a departmental entity only in 1999.
| Commitment | Average Candidature | Maximum Candidature |
|---|---|---|
| Full Time | 4.5 Years | 5 Years |
| Part Time | 4.5 Years | 5 Years |
Bachelor’s or master’s degree holders who seek to gain higher education with a particular focus on topics that relate to contemporary South Asia.
| Criteria | Minimum Score | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| GPA | A good Masters degree in a relevant discipline; or An NUS Honours degree (at least Second Class Upper Division) or equivalent (e.g. a four-year Bachelors degree with an average grade above B) in a relevant discipline, subject to approval by the Faculty, on a case-by-case basis. | ||
| English Proficiency Tests | TOEFL Internet-based | 85 / 120 | |
| IELTS | 6 / 9 | ||
GRE is optional. However, 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.
Either TOEFL or IELTS is required for students whose main language of undergraduate university instruction is not English. Waivers may be granted to students who are native English speakers or proficient in English but are currently enrolled in a non-English medium university. Contact programme administrator to inquire. 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).
- 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.
- 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.
| Category | Application Window | Application Result Released | |
|---|---|---|---|
Semester 1 Intake (August) | All students of any nationalities | 16 May to 1 November in the year preceding the intake | End of May |