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MA in Singapore is a 1-2 year postgraduate degree program that covers the major fields of specialization, including the arts, humanities, and some branches of social science. The basic admission requirements for an MA in Singapore for international students include completion of a Bachelor's degree in humanities or related fields, a statement of purpose, 1-2 reference letters and a resume or CV.
If you want to study MA in Singapore, you can choose from various specializations offered, such as Museum Studies & Curatorial Practices, Translation and Interpretation, Applied Linguistics, Creative Writing, Fine Arts and International Business. The tuition fees for MA in the top universities in Singapore ranges from 20,000 SGD to 42,000 SGD, which is equivalent to 12 lakhs to 25 lakhs INR respectively for Indian students. The estimated average MA in Singapore salary is 75,000 SGD (43.80 lakhs INR) per annum.
MA in Singapore: Highlights
| Degree Name | Master of Arts |
| Course Duration | 1 to 2 years |
| Program Type | Full-Time, Part-Time |
| Admission Requirements | Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university | Resume/CV | Statement of Purpose | 1-2 Reference Letters | Portfolio |
| English Proficiency | A minimum overall band score of 6.0 in IELTS |
| Tuition Fee | 20,000 SGD to 42,000 SGD (12 lakhs to 25 lakhs INR) |
| Average Salary | 75,000 SGD (43.80 lakhs INR) |
Top Universities for MA in Singapore
Some of the top universities in Singapore for Master of Arts, along with the programs offered and application deadlines are listed below:
| Top Universities | Programs | Application Deadline | Tuition Fee (SGD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| National University of Singapore | Master of Arts in Applied and Public History, Asian and Global History Arts and Cultural Entrepreneurship | January 15, 2024 | 36,400 |
| Nanyang Technological University | Master of Arts in Museum Studies & Curatorial Practices Translation and Interpretation | Master of Social Sciences (China and Global Governance) - formerly known as Master of Arts in Contemporary China. |
August Intake: February 28, 2024, January Intake: August 31, 2024 | 42,360 |
| Singapore University of Social Sciences | Master of Arts in Applied Linguistics | October 15, 2023 | 31,680 |
| London School of Business- Singapore Campus | Master of Arts in International Business Master of Arts in Logistics and Supply Chain Management |
- | 20,000 |
| Lasalle College of the Arts | Master of Arts in Arts Pedagogy and Practice, Asian Art Histories, Fine Arts | Master of Arts in Art Therapy | March 15, 2024 | 31,500 |
What is a Master of Arts?
A Master of Arts is a 1-2 year postgraduate program which can be pursued by students who have completed their bachelor’s in any domain. This program is majorly focussed on areas of study like humanities and social sciences. You can choose to pursue an MA in various specializations such as MA in Political Science, History, Archaeology, Psychology, Linguistics, Mass Communication and many more related fields.
The most preferred job positions after Master of Arts are Therapist, Counsellor, Researcher, Journalist, Copywriter and Editor.
Why pursue MA in Singapore?
- Singapore is ranked 13th in the QS Best Student Cities Rankings for 2024, ahead of New York, Vancouver, Los Angeles, and San Francisco.
- According to the QS World Rankings 2024, the top universities for MA in Singapore like the National University of Singapore and Nanyang Technological University are ranked among the top 50 universities in the world.
- The average salary after a master's in Singapore is 68,000 SGD (39.72 lakhs INR) per annum, making it a highly favorable location for those seeking high salaries and a decent standard of living. This salary can go as high as 160,000 SGD (96 lakhs INR) per annum.
- The government invests heavily in research and development, allocating over SGD 25 billion annually to support innovation and research projects.
- In the Q1 of 2023, Singapore's unemployement rate stood at 1.8%. This marked a decrease from the 2.0% recorded in the last period and represented the lowest rate observed since the Q1 of 2015.
Want to study in Singapore? Check out this video:
MA in Singapore: Specializations and Subjects
Master of Arts Singapore can provide a variety of advantages, from better career prospects to improved problem-solving and decision-making abilities. It covers specialized topics within disciplines in the humanities, arts, social sciences, and occasionally business and law. The following list includes a few of the popular specializations in Master of Arts:
- MA in Political Science
- MA in History
- MA in Teaching
- MA in English Language and Literature
- MA in Social Work
- MA in International Relations
- MA in Psychology
MA in Singapore Requirements for Admissions
Most of the top universities in Singapore require a Bachelor’s degree in humanities or related fields for admission to the Master of Arts. You also need to demonstrate excellent proficiency in English via a minimum IELTS score of 6.0. The admission requirements for some of the top universities offering Master of Arts Singapore are listed below:
| Top Universities | Admission Requirements | Minimum IELTS Score |
|---|---|---|
| National University of Singapore | Bachelor’s degree in relevant disciplines such as history, and other programs related to humanities and social sciences, At least 2 years of work experience |
6.0-7.0 |
| Nanyang Technological University | Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university, Ttwo reference letters, Resume/CV, Relevant proof of employment (if any) |
6.0-6.5 |
| Singapore University of Social Sciences | Bachelor’s degree in Linguistics, Education, English or other related fields from an accredited university, relevant work experience | 6.5 or more, with no individual component score less than 6.0 |
| London School of Business | Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with minimum two classifications | 6.0 |
| Lasalle College of the Arts | Bachelor’s degree from a recognised institution, Statement of Purpose, Reference Letter, Portfolio |
7.0 |
MA in Singapore: Eligibility Requirements
Basic Admission Requirements for MA in Singapore for international students:
- Bachelor’s degree in the field of humanities and social sciences
- English Proficiency Test Score: Minimum overall band score of 6.0-6.5 in IELTS, with no individual band score less than 6.0
- At least 2 years of work experience
- 1-2 reference letters
- SOP for Singapore
- Updated Resume/CV
- Valid Passport
- Singapore Student Visa
MA in Singapore: Cost
Given below is the detailed overview of the costs which are expected to be incurred by an international student while studying MA in Singapore. To ensure a smooth experience, it is always preferable to be aware of the costs involved and optimize the budget beforehand.
MA in Singapore Fees
The tuition fees for an MA in Singapore in some of the top universities is as follows:
| Top Universities | Tuition Fee (SGD) | Tuition Fee (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| National University of Singapore | 36,400 | 22.03 lakhs |
| Nanyang Technological University | 42,360 | 25.64 lakhs |
| Singapore University of Social Sciences | 31,680 | 19.17 lakhs |
| London School of Business- Singapore Campus | 20,000 | 12.10 lakhs |
| Lasalle College of the Arts | 31,500 | 19.06 lakhs |
Cost of Living in Singapore
The estimated expenditure and cost of living in Singapore for an international student ranges from 1,164 SGD to 2,369 SGD (70,400 to 1.43 lakhs INR). The following table demonstrates the average monthly expense to be expected by an international student in Singapore:
| Expense Type | Average Cost (SGD) | Cost Equivalent (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | 700-1,200 | 40,895-70,106 |
| Food | 250-500 | 14,605-29,211 |
| Transport | 100 - 250 | 5,842-14,605 |
| Internet | 20-30 | 1,168-1,752 |
| Miscellaneous | 100-400 | 5,842-23,368 |
MA in Singapore: Scholarships
Following is the list of some of the popular scholarships in Singapore for international students who are in need of financial assistance to pursue an MA in Singapore.:
| Scholarship | Eligibility | Award Details (SGD) |
|---|---|---|
| NUS Research Scholarship | Completion of a Bachelor’s degree in upper division, enrolled to a full-time graduate research programme at the National University of Singapore | Tuition fees at the university, and a monthly stipend of $1,900 |
| Commonwealth Scholarship | Nationals form any Commonwealth countries, completion of Bachelor’s degree in upper division. enrolled to a full-time graduate research programme at the National University of Singapore | Tuition fees at the university, monthly stipend of $1,900 |
MA in Singapore: Placements
After completing the Master of Arts Singapore, students can work in various sectors and areas like Academic research and teaching positions (public and private schools, tertiary institutions), Government ministries (policy officers, corporate communications, diplomatic support, funding, event and project management), Statutory Boards (management, funding, event and project management), and Publishing (researching, writing and editing). Some of the most common professions pursued after a Master of Arts in Singapore are as follows:
| Positions | Average Salary (SGD) | Equivalent Salary (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Project Manager | 113,160 | 68.5 lakhs |
| Teacher | 70,200 | 42.4 lakhs |
| Art Therapist | 61,006 | 36.9 lakhs |
| Counselor | 43,000 | 26 lakhs |
| Journalist | 47,482 | 28.7 lakhs |
| Copywriter | 39,534 | 23.9 lakhs |
| Social Worker | 42,866 | 25.9 lakhs |
MA in Singapore: Return on Investment
The top universities in Singapore demonstrate significant returns on investment following an MA in Singapore. The ROI of some of the top universities is tabulated below:
| Top Universities | Tuition Fee (SGD) | Average Annual Salary (SGD) |
|---|---|---|
| National University of Singapore | 36,400 | 68,766 |
| Nanyang Technological University | 42,360 | 60,190 |
| Singapore University of Social Sciences | 31,680 | 42,960 |
| London School of Business- Singapore Campus | 20,000 | 40,000 |
| Lasalle College of the Arts | 31,500 | 43,800 |
Post-Study Work Visa in Singapore
After graduating, international students who wish to work in Singapore must apply for a work visa. Graduates are typically given a Short-Term Visit Pass, after their student pass has been canceled or expired, which allows them to stay in Singapore for up to 90 days. International students may use this additional time to stay in Singapore and look for work, but they are not permitted to work in any capacity while they are on this visa.
If you are looking for employment in Singapore after graduating from a university on the list of Institutes of Higher Learning, you can apply for a one-year (non-renewable) Long-term Social Visit Pass (LTVP). Besides this, there are three kinds of work visas, open to all international students:
- Employment Pass: Applicants must have a minimum monthly income of S$4,500 and meet certain educational requirements, such as having a respectable university degree, professional certifications, or specialized knowledge.
- S Pass: Applicants must have a monthly salary of at least S$2,400 and acceptable educational credentials, such as a bachelor's or master's degree.
- EntrePass: International graduates who want to build their ideas or entrepreneurial skills by starting a new business in Singapore can apply for this visa.
MA in Singapore v/s MA in Canada
| Parameters | MA in Canada | MA in Singapore |
|---|---|---|
| Program | Master of Arts (MA) | Master of Arts (MA) |
| Top Courses | MA in English | MA in Economics | MA in Psychology | MA in Criminology | Museum Studies & Curatorial Practices, Translation and Interpretation, Applied Linguistics, Creative Writing, Fine Arts and International Business. |
| Duration | 1-2 years | 1-2 years |
| Program Mode | Full-time, Part-time | Full-time, Part-time |
| Average Tuition Fee | 7,000-27,000 CAD (4 lakhs-16 lakhs INR) | 20,000 SGD to 42,000 SGD (12 lakhs to 25 lakhs INR) |
| Average Salary | 63,000 CAD (39 lakhs INR) | 75,000 SGD (43.80 lakhs INR) |
| Monthly Cost of Living | 1,987 CAD (1.19 lakhs INR) | 1,164 SGD to 2,369 SGD (68,352 to 1,39,042 INR) |
Ques.Is Singapore good for Masters?
Ans.Singapore is home to many prestigious universities with state of the art research facilities. The average salary after a master's in Singapore is 68,000 SGD (39.72 lakhs INR) per annum, making it a highly favorable location for those seeking high salaries and a decent standard of living.
Ques.How much does a Master's cost in Singapore?
Ans.The total cost is mostly between 20,000 SGD to 42,000 SGD, which is equivalent to 12 lakhs to 25 lakhs INR.
Ques.Which university has the best MA program in Singapore?
Ans.The National University of Singapore and Nanyang Technological University are the two top-ranked universities offering Master of Arts in Singapore. This postgraduate program is also available at top universities in Singapore like Singapore University of Social Sciences, London School of Business, and Lasalle College of the Arts.
Ques.Can we study in Singapore for free?
Ans.Studies in Singapore can be free, but only for the national and local students of Singapore. International students need to pay the prescribed tuition fee as per the choice of course and university. Although, you can take advantage of some of the scholarships that are offered to international students like NUS Research Scholarship and the Commonwealth Scholarship
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