Prospective Students

Please note the below information is for AY2025 intake and after.
The course list below may be updated rather regularly and subject to changes.

Application Fee:

• S$100 (inclusive of GST)
• Non-refundable and non-transferable fee (payable upon submission of application via Graduate Admission System)

Offer Acceptance Fee:

• Non-refundable and non-transferable fee (payable upon offer acceptance).
• From the August 2026 intake onwards, applicants offered admission during the early admission round will pay S$10,900 in two instalments. Those offered admission during the regular admission round will pay the full amount of S$10,900 in a single instalment upon accepting the offer.
• Please click here for acceptance fee of the August 2025 intake.
• For more details, please refer to fee structure in Tuition Fee section.

Tuition Fee Structure for August 2026 Intake:

Payment Schedule (in SGD)

+All NUS alumni (regardless of nationality), enrolling into MSc Data Science for Sustainability programme, enjoy an increased 20% tuition fee rebate – up from 15% previously.
*All Singapore Citizens and Singapore Permanent Residents (alumni and non-alumni), enrolling into MSc Data Science for Sustainability programme, are extended a 40% tuition fee rebate – up from 15% previously. Reference: https://masters.nus.edu.sg/scholarships-financial-assistance/detail/nus-master’s-by-coursework-enhanced-tuition-fee-rebate

Note:

• Fees indicated above are all inclusive of 9% GST and rebates (if applicable) unless otherwise stated.
• Similar to the tuition fee, rebates are also intake-based.
• Rebates will be automatically applied to the tuition fees, and eligible students do not need to apply for them.
• Students awarded scholarships or study awards will NOT be able to receive any tuition fee rebates.
• Fees paid are not refundable in the event of non-completion of the programme.
• There will be penalties for late or partial fee payment.
• The University reserves all rights to review fees as necessary and adjust accordingly without prior notice.

Miscellaneous Student Fees:

• Compulsory and payable for every semester
• More information can be found on the NUS Office of the University Registrar website

• A 4-year bachelor degree in quantitative subject, such as Mathematics, Engineering, Statistics, Computer Science, Physics, or Economics, etc.
• A 4-year bachelor degree in a relevant non-quantitative subject, such as Environmental Sciences, Life Sciences etc., is acceptable if complemented by a minor or second major in a quantitative subject, indicating strong analytical skills.
• A candidate whose medium of instruction in their undergraduate program is partially or not in English will be required to provide one of the following:
  • Test of English as Foreign Language (TOEFL) – Minimum score: 85 (internet-based test)
  • International English Language Testing System (IELTS) – Overall minimum score: 6
• Strong candidates with a relevant 3-year Bachelor’s degree or a 4-year Bachelor’s degree in a non-quantitative subject may be considered on a case-by-case basis, depending on their professional experience.  It is subject to approval by the Graduate Programme Committee.

Early Admission Round (August 2026 intake) – CLOSED
Application Period: 16 May 2025 to 15 July 2025
Due to high volume of applications, our graduate programme committee is screening through all the applications in batches. Applicants who are not shortlisted in the early admission round will be automatically rolled over to the regular admission round. All applicants will hear from us latest by June 2026.

Regular Admission Round (August 2026 intake) 
Application Period: 1 October 2025 to 31 January 2026

Instruction for Application:

• All applicants should apply online via the Graduate Admission System.
• Applicants should browse the User Guide before applying.
• All supporting documents must be uploaded (in clear PDF format with no password protection) by the application closing date. English translations should accompany supporting documents that are not in English.
• Name all your supporting documents in English before uploading to the Graduate Admission System.
• Applicants no longer need to send us hardcopies of the supporting documents as these documents can be uploaded into application portal for retrieval.
• Applications without application fee payment or with insufficient application fee amount will not be processed.
• Applications and/or payment received after the closing date will not be processed for that intake.

The programme only has 1 intake per academic year in August.

Supporting documents:

• Academic Records
  • Official Bachelor Degree Transcript
    • Official Chinese copy and English translated copy (only for applicants from Chinese universities)
  • Certified Bachelor Degree Certificate/Scroll, OR
  • Student Status Letter (for applicants who have not yet graduated from their undergraduate studies at the point of application) containing enrolment status and candidature period, i.e., start and expected completion date
• Official ID:
  • Singapore NRIC (front and back copy) for Singapore Citizens or Singapore PR applicants
  • Clear and complete passport information page for International applicants
• CAP/GPA ranking certificate (if applicable)
• Valid TOEFL/IELTS scores:
  • Applicants whose native tongue and medium of university instruction is not completely in English should upload the official score sheet of TOEFL (≥85) or IELTS (≥6.0) as evidence of their proficiency in the English language.
  • TOEFL/ IELTS scores are valid for two (2) years from the test date and should not have expired at point of application. Expired scores will not be considered for the application.
  • We do not require applicants to request ETS to send the official hardcopy IELTS/TOEFL test scores from the test centre to the programme.
• Documentary Proof of Financial Support
  • All applicants must submit documentary evidence of their ability to support their study.
  • International applicants must submit documentary evidence of their ability to support their study (i.e., bank statement of at least S$52,000 or its equivalent)
  • Applicants who are sponsored by an individual or organisation will need to provide a letter from the sponsor with details of the sponsorship.
  • Applicants who are working in Singapore and are applying for admission to our part-time programme may upload a copy of their recent payslip.

Important Notes:

• Referee Reports, Personal Statement and Statement of Purpose are not required for application to the programme. Submission of Resume/CV is optional.

• We regret that we do not acknowledge receipt of applications, and are unable to answer queries related to the status of applications and the chances of admission. This is to ensure that all applications are processed promptly.
• No candidate may concurrently be a student for more than one degree or register as a NUS candidate and of another university/institute.
• Applicants must produce originals of all documents when requested if admitted to the programme.
• The University has not engaged any external agencies to undertake graduate student recruitment on its behalf. Candidates interested in our graduate programmes are advised to apply directly to the University and not through any agents. Candidates who apply through agents will not have any added advantage in gaining admission.
• Inaccurate, false information or omission of necessary supporting documents or no payment of application fee will render your application invalid. The University reserves the right to reject applications that are incomplete or inaccurate. Persons admitted on the basis of inaccurate or false information may be expelled.

• All applicants (early and regular admission rounds) for August 2026 intake will be notified latest by 30 June 2026.
• Only the shortlisted applicants will be advised further. The result of application evaluation is final and no appeal will be entertained.

In order to graduate, students must

• Obtain a GPA of at least 3.00
• Complete and pass all five essential courses DSS5101-DSS5104 and DSS5201 (20 units)
• Complete and pass five additional 4-unit elective courses (20 units), chosen from the list of DSS-coded elective courses, pre-approved non-DSS-coded elective courses or non-DSS-coded elective courses with departmental approval
• Ensure that among the elective courses, students have to pass at least two out of the three courses: DSS5202, DSS5203, BL5102 

This Programme is offered as a full time programme and a part time programme.

For full time students, the minimum and maximum periods of candidature are 1 year and 2 years. For part time students, the minimum and maximum periods of candidature are 2 years and 4 years.

Note: Most of the courses will be offered in the evening so that the Programme can be completed on a part-time basis.

1. I am interested in this programme but I do not have a degree in one of the areas, namely, Mathematics, Engineering, Statistics, Computer Science, Physics, Economics, Environmental Sciences, Life Sciences, etc. Am I eligible to apply?

You are welcome to apply for the programme during the application period. All applications will be assessed based on relevant background knowledge and work experience with respect to the course. Applicants without a background in one of the areas mentioned above but with sufficient knowledge to embark on the MSc Data Science for Sustainability programme may also be considered favourably.

2. I do not have an Honours degree (i.e. only 3-year Bachelor’s degree or its equivalent). Am I eligible to apply?

You are welcome to apply for the programme during the application period. Your application and relevant documents will be reviewed by our Admission Committee on a case-by-case basis.

3. Must I sit for TOEFL/IELTS test?

TOEFL or IELTS test ascertains a candidate’s English language proficiency and is necessary if English is not your native tongue and/or the medium of university instruction is not completely in English.

For details on test centres and test dates, please check the websites of TOEFL and IELTS.

4. I have been admitted to the programme but due to unforeseen circumstances, I may not be able to complete matriculation and commence study as planned. Can I defer my admission to the next intake?

If you have been offered a place in the programme and have paid the offer acceptance fee, you may request for deferment by sending us an email. Please note that all deferment requests are subject to approval by the department and faculty, and you will be notified of the outcome in due course.

6. Are there any scholarships available for this programme?

Yes, there are some scholarships available for applicants to apply for or explore on their own.  Please find the information below:

NUS ASEAN Master’s Scholarship
The NUS ASEAN Master’s Scholarship is a continuation of the DiscoverNUS scheme. It is an exclusive bond-free scholarship that covers full tuition fees for the normal candidature period of a Master’s Degree programme at NUS. The scholarship may be offered only to candidates who have met all the following requirements:

• Hold citizenship in Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand, Timor-Leste or Vietnam,
• Have completed an undergraduate semester at NUS under the DiscoverNUS scheme,
• Have earned an undergraduate degree from one of the partner universities in their country, and
• Have been offered a place in one of the designated Master’s Degree programmes at NUS.

A separate application to be considered for the scholarship is not necessary.

Recipients of the scholarship may not concurrently hold any other scholarship, fellowship, bursary, grant, award or allowance without notifying NUS. If a recipient withdraws from the University and/or terminates the scholarship prematurely, NUS reserves the right to impose repayment of all scholarship monies disbursed.

Find out more about the scholarship here.

FoS ASEAN Master’s Study Award

The FoS ASEAN Master’s Study Award is offered to support outstanding students from ASEAN member countries (excluding Singapore). Each scholarship will be granted as a partial tuition fee waiver for the programme. All FoS Coursework Master’s Programme applicants from the ASEAN region who have accepted the admissions offers will automatically be considered for FoS ASEAN Master’s Study Award and will not be required to submit a separate application for the scholarship.

The recipient must meet all below requirements to be eligible:

• Hold citizenship in an ASEAN* member country, excluding Singapore
• Demonstrate academic excellence, leadership potential, and active participation in community service or extracurricular activities during their undergraduate study.
• Have been offered a place in one of the FoS Coursework Master’s Programmes
• Not a recipient of another NUS Scholarship/Study Award/Tuition Fee Rebate/Financial Aid

If the recipient withdraws from the programme, disbursed funds must be refunded to the programme, and the remaining award will lapse.

*ASEAN member countries (Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand, Timor-Leste and Vietnam), excluding citizens or permanent residents of Singapore.

NUS GRTII Master’s Scholarship (NUS Guangzhou Research Translation and Innovation Institute)
This merit scholarship, sponsored by the Huangpu District Government of Guangzhou, China, aims to develop talent for the Greater Bay Area of China. Scholarship recipients are required to sign a Service Bond Agreement, with an obligation to work for at least two years in the Huangpu District of Guangzhou after graduation. One award of S$45,000 toward tuition will be granted to each scholarship recipient.

Students interested in being considered for this scholarship should write to uprbox34@nus.edu.sg.

Singapore Digital (SG Digital) Scholarship (Postgraduate) (for Singapore Citizens only)
The SG Digital Scholarship (Postgraduate) is an industry scholarship that empowers individuals interested in pursuing tech or media-related studies at the Masters or PhD level. More than just about shaping your career, this is the opportunity for you to be a next-generation leader who shapes the future of our digital economy and media ecosystem. You can choose to further your path in tech- or media-related fields such as Artificial Intelligence, Quantum Technologies, Immersive Media, and Film Studies.

Find out more about the scholarship here.

Tan Kah Kee Postgraduate Scholarship (for Singapore Citizens and Singapore Permanent Residents only)

The Tan Kah Kee Foundation offers three postgraduate scholarships for Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents (PRs) pursuing their full-time PhD or Master’s degrees. Successful applicants will each receive a one-off sum of S$12,000 for studying in the university. All scholarships do not carry any bond. The scholarships are given out once a year, and successful applicants may re-apply annually. Scholarship programme will be open for registration in May annually.

Find out more about the scholarship here.  

The Lee Kuan Yew Scholarship (for Singapore Citizens only)
The Lee Kuan Yew (LKY) Scholarship is the premier postgraduate scholarship in Singapore. Set up in 1991 by the Tanjong Pagar Citizens’ Consultative Committee with funding from the public to commemorate the contributions made by Mr Lee Kuan Yew to Singapore, it marks Singapore’s continuous effort to recognise outstanding individuals with the aptitude and inclination to contribute to Singapore and our society.

Since its inception, many Lee Kuan Yew Scholarship holders have gone on to make significant contributions across varied fields including the Public Service, business, law, medicine, the arts and academia.

Find out more about the scholarship here.

The PSC Master’s Scholarship (for Singapore Citizens only)

The Public Service Commission (PSC) Scholarship is the premier government scholarship awarded based on merit. Recipients of the PSC Master’s Scholarships will pursue a career in Public Administration in the Singapore Public Service.

Find out more about the scholarship here

7. Am I eligible for staff concession if I am a full-time NUS staff member?

As this is a self-funded programme, students enrolled in our MSc Data Science for Sustainability programme will not be eligible for staff concession.

8. Am I eligible for the CPF Education Loan Scheme (CELS)?

Students enrolled in our MSc Data Science for Sustainability programme are not eligible for CPF Education Scheme (CELS) as it is only applicable to full-time undergraduate students. For more information, please visit the CPF website.

9. Am I eligible for the Post-Secondary Education Account (PSEA) scheme?

The PSEA Scheme is administered by the Ministry of Education (MOE) and is open to all eligible Singaporeans. Please refer to the MOE website to check your eligibility for PSEA.

For more information on using your PSEA funds to pay for tuition fees, please visit the NUS Graduate School’s website, available at this link.

10. I can’t find the answers in the FAQs above.

If you have any enquiries regarding our MSc Data Science for Sustainability programme and cannot find the answers on our website, please feel free to
contact us. If you have already applied to the programme, kindly include your application number in the email subject line.