Master of Social Work

The objective of the MSW programme is to produce the leaders of the social work profession in 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 departments within the faculty as well as public policy, public health, and health sciences courses in other faculties and schools to their special interest.

In our MSW programme, 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.

With effect from AY2022/2023, students admitted into the MSW programme will have two routes of admission:

Direct Admission Route for Local (Singapore Citizens/Permanent Residents) and International Students
Local students may apply for direct admission into the MSW programme and complete a total of 10 courses within a maximum of 3 years for full-time students and 4 years for part-time students.

Stackable Route for Local Students (Singapore Citizens/Permanent Residents)
Local students may opt to stack standalone elective courses before applying for entry into the MSW courses. Students will complete a total of 10 courses to graduate with a Master of Social Work.

Admission Requirements

Candidates seeking admission to the course leading to the Master of Social Work degree must have obtained either:

• An NUS Honours degree (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 (the University Code is 0677), taken no earlier than 5 years before the date of application (NUS/NTU/SMU graduates are not required to submit the GRE score); or
• An NUS Honours degree (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 (the University Code is 0677), taken no earlier than 5 years before the date of application (NUS/NTU/SMU 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 (the University Code is 0677), taken no earlier than 5 years before the date of application (NUS/NTU/SMU 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
• 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 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 Board of Graduate Studies

Besides academic qualifications, high standards of work performance and leadership potential are important factors of consideration for admission. Relevant work experience includes service in a human service or related organization.

English Language Skills

Applicants whose native tongue or medium of university instruction is not English should submit their TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or IELTS (International English Language Testing System) score as evidence of their proficiency in the English language.

The following minimum TOEFL score is required:

• 85 for the internet-based test (with a minimum score of 22 for the writing section); or

• 580 for the paper-based test; or

• 237 for the computer-based test.

Alternatively, an IELTS result of 6.5 is required.

TOEFL or IELTS results are only valid for two years after the test and the validity should not expire before the beginning of the application period for the coursework programme.

The Educational Testing Service (ETS) has indicated that score reports are valid only if our University receives them directly from ETS.

The Faculty's TOEFL institution code is 9081.