APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

FOR MASTERS PROGRAMMES BY COURSEWORK

COLLEGE OF DESIGN AND ENGINEERING, NUS

A) ONLINE APPLICATION
Please refer to Application Guide for step by step instructions (Click here) and submit your online application at the Graduate
Admission System https://inetapps.nus.edu.sg/gda2/Home.aspx (GDA2). There is no need to post any printed form or
document over to us for application. For 1st time users, please create an account before applying.

Any omission of information required in GDA2 or supporting document(s) will render the application void.

B) APPLICATION FEE
All applicants must pay a NON-REFUNDABLE application fee online before submission.

Application fee per application Applications submitted from 1 Applications submitted from 1 Jan
Oct 2023 to 31 Dec 2023 2024 onwards
For all programmes except for the following: S$108 (inclusive of 8% GST) S$109 (inclusive of 9% GST)

MA(Urban Design), MSc (Integrated Sustainable S$162 (inclusive of 8% GST) S$163.50 (inclusive of 9% GST)
Design), MA(Architectural Conservation), Master
of Landscape Architecture, Master of Urban
Planning and Graduate Diploma in Architectural
Conservation, Masters of Design in Integrated
Design
Master of Architecture S$50 (inclusive of 8% GST) S$50 (inclusive of 9% GST)

Our online application system only accepts payment via VISA, Mastercard, Amex, Alipay or PayNow (for local applicants
with bank account opened in Singapore). We noted that overseas candidates may encounter payment issues and may
have to wait for a few hours before trying again. Hence, we strongly encourage applicants to submit the application well
ahead to avoid any disappointment.

C) DOCUMENTS TO BE UPLOADED AT GDA2

All supporting documents are to be uploaded at GDA2 before the closing date. The total size of your uploaded documents
should not exceed 10MB. Certified true copies of English translation of the document(s) must accompany any document(s)
not in English.

1. Official Identification Document

• Scanned copy of your Passport page bearing the passport number and other particulars (for non-Singaporeans)
• Scanned copy of your Singapore NRIC or citizenship certificate (for Singaporeans)
• Scanned copy of your Entry permit (for Singapore Permanent Residents)
• Scanned copy of Employment Pass / Work Permit (for International applicants working in Singapore)
• Scanned copy of Documentary proof of change in name (if you had your name changed and your name on NRIC
/ Passport is not identical to the name printed on your degree scroll / certificate and university transcript)

2. Academic Qualification
• Scanned copy of Polytechnic results and certificate or its equivalent (if applicable)
• Scanned copy of University Transcript (showing results from 1st year to final / Honours year), including explanatory
notes on grading system and overall Grade Point Average (GPA)/ Cumulative GPA/ Average Mark obtained
• Scanned copy of Degree scroll / certificate (if you are a current student, state the expected date of completion of
degree in the online application)

3. TOEFL / IELTS
Applicants whose first language is not English are required to demonstrate English proficiency by means
of TOEFL / IELTS test scores. Applicants may be waived from this requirement if they completed a degree programme
taught entirely in English, situated in an English speaking country such as (non exhaustive list) Australia, Canada,
Hong Kong, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, United Kingdom, USA.

The minimum score expected is as follows:-

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 APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
FOR MASTERS PROGRAMMES BY COURSEWORK
COLLEGE OF DESIGN AND ENGINEERING, NUS

• Master of Architecture 92 (for TOEFL iBT®) or 6.5 (IELTS (Academic))

• Master of Landscape Architecture
• MA(Architectural Conservation)
• Grad. Dip Architectural Conservation
• MA(Urban Design)
• Master of Urban Planning
• MSc(Integrated Sustainable Design)

All other graduate coursework programmes 85 (for TOEFL iBT®) or 6.0 (for IELTS (Academic))

Other tests (including the TOEFL Institutional Test) and those that claim to be predictions, estimations, equivalents,
simulations, etc. (e.g.MyBestscores) of the TOEFL or IELTS are unacceptable.

The TOEFL score or IELTS result is only valid for 2 years after the test and should be valid at the beginning of the
application period for the designated Masters degree. Our Institution TOEFL code is 9084. Please upload the
scanned or e-copy of the official scoresheet (screenshots of any kind are not accepted). Hardcopies of the
scoresheets are not required unless we are unable to verify them online.

4. ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS FOR SPECIFIC PROGRAMMES

Please upload these additional documents if you are applying to the following programmes.

Master of Architecture only

a) A4 size academic design portfolio of undergraduate work (soft copy: 10-20 pages), with complete drawings of
each design project. Professional portfolio may only be considered in exceptional cases (eg strong professional
experience. Candidates are to provide firm’s verification that the submissions comprise only the candidate’s input).

Portfolio : Hard Copy

Please send the hard copy to the following address: -

ATTN: Mr Jason Chong (Portfolios submission)

Master of Architecture Programme
Department of Architecture
College of Design and Engineering
National University of Singapore
4 Architecture Drive
SDE1-03-01
Singapore 117 566

For enquiries, please write to Mr Jason Chong (akicws@nus.edu.sg)

b) Form A (Download from https://cde.nus.edu.sg/arch/admission/master-of-architecture/ )

c) 2 academic referee reports

Master of Landscape Architecture only

a) A4 size academic design portfolio (10-20 pages). The portfolio should comprise the candidate’s most important,
representative, interesting, and genuinely inspiring design work.

b) Personal statement. Please write a brief account of yourself, reasons for wanting to pursue the programme and
any relevant employment history and experience gained from your work. The statement must not be more than
1000 words.

c) 2 academic referee reports

MA (Urban Design) only

a) A design portfolio to showcase the applicant’s excellence in built-environment design and placemaking. For group
works, the applicant’s contribution should be stated clearly. For professional works, verification should be provided
to indicate the applicant’s contribution. The portfolio should be in a PDF format, no more than 20 A4
(210mm*297mm) pages.

b) A detailed Curriculum Vitae (CV) with no more than TWO A4 pages.

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 APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
FOR MASTERS PROGRAMMES BY COURSEWORK
COLLEGE OF DESIGN AND ENGINEERING, NUS

c) A Statement of Purpose outlining the reasons for applying to the MA (Urban Design) programme at NUS. The
ideas in the statement should be clear and specific. The statement should be no more than 1000 words.

d) 2 academic referee reports

Master of Urban Planning only

a) Applicants with a design background, e.g. Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Urban Design, must submit an
A4-size academic design and/or professional project portfolio (10-20 pages), with complete drawings of each
design project. For professional portfolios, candidates are to provide firm’s verification that the submissions
comprise only the candidate’s input.

b) A detailed Curriculum Vitae (CV)

c) 2 academic referee reports

MSc (Integrated Sustainable Design) only

a) Applicants with a design background, e.g. Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Urban Design, must submit an
A4-size academic design and/or professional project portfolio (10-20 pages), with complete drawings of each
design project. For professional portfolios, candidates are to provide firm’s verification that the submissions
comprise only the candidate’s input.

b) A detailed Curriculum Vitae (CV)

c) An essay explaining in what way the question of sustainability is important to the candidate’s home
country/city/region, what s/he plans to do after graduation, and why, specifically, s/he has chosen MSc ISD. The
essay should not exceed 2000 words.

d) 2 academic referee reports

MA (Architectural Conservation)/Graduate Diploma in Architectural Conservation only

a) Applicants with a design background, e.g. Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Urban Design, must submit an
A4-size academic design and/or professional project portfolio (10-20 pages), with complete drawings of each
design project. For professional portfolios, candidates are to provide firm’s verification that the submissions
comprise only the candidate’s input.

b) Applicants with a non-design background must submit an essay explaining in what way the question of
architectural conservation is important to the candidate’s home country/ city/ region, what s/he plans to do after
graduation, and why, specifically, s/he has chosen MA in Architectural Conservation. The essay should not exceed
2000 words.

c) A detailed Curriculum Vitae (CV)

5. Other Supporting Documents

Please upload other documents e.g Scholarships, prizes or awards certificates, professional membership certificates,
CVs under “Documents Upload” section. Unless otherwise indicated in Section 4 above, referee details/report/letters,
GRE, GATE, evidence of financial support, prizes/awards, CV/resume are generally not required.

Notes:
• Please do not email us documents that are not stated as above, unless you have been contacted.
• Certified true copies of English translation of the document(s) must accompany any document(s) not in English.
• Original documents posted/submitted will not be returned for any reasons.
• If you are currently an undergraduate graduating by end of July for August Intake or end of December for January
Intake, you may submit your application with your latest University exam results/consolidated marksheet/ University
transcripts before the closing date. Otherwise, please apply for admission in a subsequent semester.
• International candidates who are pursuing the degree as a part-time registered student must ensure they have a valid
work pass to stay in Singapore.

D) IMPORTANT NOTE BEFORE SUBMISSION

Please complete the above steps and make sure you have uploaded all necessary document(s) before submitting your
online application as you will not be able to make changes upon submission. If you intend to make changes, please save
as draft first. After submission, please check that your application status is “submitted online”.

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 APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
FOR MASTERS PROGRAMMES BY COURSEWORK
COLLEGE OF DESIGN AND ENGINEERING, NUS

E) CHECKING OF ADMISSION STATUS / OUTCOME

Applicants who had submitted the application successfully may check the admission status/outcome latest by mid May for
August intakes or mid-October for the January intakes. Successful candidates will expect to receive the details of the offer
by email registered under the GDA2 account.

Due to the large number of applicants seeking admission, we are sorry we will not be able to attend to enquiries on the
status of applications.

The University is not obliged to give reasons for unsuccessful applicants. No appeals will be considered. For
further enquiries on your unsuccessful application, please contact the respective Departments for the programme you
applied for. Do note that our selection of candidates for admission is on a competitive basis. Application fee paid is non-
refundable and non-transferrable.

F) OFFER AND ACCEPTANCE

Email offers will be sent in batches to successful candidates. Hence, kindly refrain from checking with us if you heard of
someone who has received the outcome. Instead, you can check the admission status at GDA2.

Upon receipt of your offer, please complete the online acceptance procedures and pay the acceptance fee before the
deadline. The non-refundable/ non-transferrable acceptance fee will be credited to the tuition fee upon registration. For fee
payment schedule, please refer to the respective programme websites.

Candidates who are successful upon gaining admission may subsequently apply to convert your student status (i.e. from
full-time to part-time or vice versa) by writing in to the Departments before the acceptance deadline. Request will be
considered on a case by case basis.

G) ENQUIRIES

For application related enquiries, please contact us at CDEGradcoursework@nus.edu.sg indicating the programme you
are applying for and your application ID (if any) including screenshot of the issue.

Please also refer to our FAQ at https://cde.nus.edu.sg/graduate/graduate-programmes-by-coursework/faqs-graduate-

coursework/

For programme requirement and tuition fee related enquiries, please contact the respective departments listed on
https://cde.nus.edu.sg/graduate/graduate-programmes-by-coursework/

Important:
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 and the University
reserves the right to reject such applications without giving reasons.

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