Frequently Asked Questions

This page addresses some common questions about applying for higher degree programmes at NIE. We hope you will find this section useful. If you have any other questions, please email us at nieadmpp@nie.edu.sg (for admission matters) or higherdegrees@nie.edu.sg (for programme matters).

• Masters by Coursework

  Q:	How many intakes are there each year?
  A:	We have two intakes a year, one in January and another in August. You are advised to visit the website and look out for NIE’s announcements in June and December to confirm if the programme will be open for application at any particular intake.
  Q:	How can I apply for admission?
  A:	You may apply online via our website during the periods when the online application is open.  The application periods are generally as follows: December to January - for admission in August June - for admission in January Applicants are to submit to NIE the signed hardcopy printout of application form and all supporting documents within one week from the online submission.
  Q:	Is there an application fee?
  A:	A non-refundable application fee of $21.40 (inclusive of GST) per application is payable for applications into our coursework programmes, effective from January 2012 intake.
  Q:	What are the different routes available to complete the Coursework programmes?
  A:	Depending on the programme structure, a participant may be given an option to complete his/her programme by Coursework with Dissertation or by Coursework Only. You do not have to make the decision when you apply. The decision on which option to select is usually made upon completion of six courses.
  Q:	How long is the candidature period?
  A:	Most of our programmes are offered on a part-time basis. The minimum and maximum candidature periods for Masters by Coursework (Part-Time) are two years and four years respectively.
  Q:	What time do the classes start?
  A:	The starting time of a class is dependent on the course you register, but in general the classes are conducted in the evening from 6.00 p.m. to 9.00 p.m.
  Q:	How often do classes meet?
  A:	During the regular January and August semesters, each course is conducted once a week over 13 weeks every semester. If you register for two courses, please be prepared to avail yourself twice a week for lessons. Lessons are typically conducted in the evening from 6-9pm on weekdays (unless otherwise stated). Apart from 39 hours of face-to-face lessons, there are an additional 13 hours of non face-to-face learning through blended learning, online discussions, assignments and readings etc. Some courses may be offered during the inter-semester. The inter-semester is typically from May to July. Lessons are conducted intensively and the dates vary from course to course, and from semester to semester. During course registration, the schedule will be made available to students. You may register for these courses if it fits your schedule.
  Q:	How many semesters are there in a year?
  A:	There are two semesters in a year: January and August semesters. January semester are usually between January – April and August semester, August to November. We may offer inter-semester courses in between the two semesters.
  Q:	Can I apply for admission to Masters programmes by coursework if I have a degree from a foreign university?
  A:	As long as you meet the entry requirements for the programme, you are eligible to apply. The Selection Committee will evaluate each application on a competitive basis.
  Q:	What is the TOEFL requirement?
  A:	International applicants graduates of universities with non-English medium of instruction may wish to refer to this page for more details on the TOEFL requirements.
  Q:	For application to the Master of Education programme, must an applicant have a Postgraduate Diploma in Education?
  A:	An applicant is to have teaching qualifications. Postgraduate Diploma in Education is an example of such qualifications.
  Q:	Can I seek credit transfer or exemption for a course not awarded by NIE and NTU?
  A:	Yes, this is possible. The general guideline allows students to apply for credit transfer/course exemption for up to 12 AUs of courses. Any credit transfer/ exemption for a non-NIE (non-NTU) course shall be assessed based on performance, the content of the course and how it relates to courses within the programme. Each application is considered on a case-by-case basis. Please note that it is in line with the policy of Nanyang Technological University that courses that are included for exemption and courses approved for credit transfer will not be counted in the calculation of Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA). However, they will be counted towards the Academic Unit requirement for graduation and be reflected in the official transcript. Courses that have been approved for credit transfer/course exemption in one programme are not allowed to be used again in another programme. (Note for Credit Transfer: Titles and grades for courses approved for credit transfer will be reflected in the official transcript).
  Q:	What are the fees payable for the programmes?
  A:	A successful applicant who is offered admission into a programme will have to pay the matriculation fee, tuition fee and miscellaneous fees (include student matriculation card fee, IT Facilities fee) at the time of matriculation. Please note that the matriculation fee, student matriculation card fee and IT Facilities fee are non-refundable. The fees are reviewed every academic year. More details can be found here.
  Q:	When will I know the results of my application?
  A:	You will be notified in November for the January intake and June for the August intake.
  Q:	Can I defer my admission to the next intake?
  A:	New students are not allowed to defer their first course or first semester of study. Those who are unable to join us but are still interested to enrol in the programme will have to re-apply to us when we next offer the programme. The application will be considered together with other applications on a competitive basis.
  Q:	Can I withdraw from the programme after the term starts?
  A:	For students sponsored by MOE under the PDCM scheme, withdrawal will have to be supported by MOE, and approval will be granted by NIE on a case by case basis. For direct-entry students, withdrawal will be granted by NIE on a case by case basis. Please submit the application for withdrawal form to the Office of Academic Administration and Services (OAAS). Information on the policies on withdrawal from the programme is available here.
  Q:	Who can I contact if I have other questions on the Masters by Coursework programmes?
  A:	You may email: nieadmpp@nie.edu.sg (for issues such as admission and application into NIE)

• Master of Arts (Instructional Design and Technology)

  Q:	"I only recently began teaching and I don't yet have two years of experience. May I still apply for the programme?"
  A:	Yes, you may apply. Please note, however, that the number of spaces for candidates in the programme is limited. Admission preference will be given to those who can demonstrate a sufficient degree of relevant professional experience. If we have a large pool of applicants with many years of teaching experience, you may not be very competitive as we review the applicants' qualifications.
  Q:	"What sort of computer skills do I need to enter the programme?"
  A:	We do not have a formal list of technical skills you should possess before entering the MAIDT programme. Certainly, you will need to use various types of software during the course of your programme; but we will not be teaching you how to use any particular software title. Our philosophy is that you should feel sufficiently confident to learn on your own. Of course, those candidates who wish to pursue the courses specifically related to the development of instructional software should have substantial technical abilities and confidence. We do expect, however, that all candidates will be quite competent in most office tools (such as MS Office), browsing and searching the Internet, and simple graphics and web page editing. We also routinely use e-mail to communicate with students, so naturally, we expect you to regularly check your email account. By the way, NIE does not provide regular email accounts for part-time students, so you will need to obtain one elsewhere.
  Q:	"How soon can I expect to get my degree? I would like to finish in the shortest possible time."
  A:	We understand your desire to finish the programme quickly, and we want that, too. In theory, you are permitted to finish the programme in a minimum of 24 to a maximum of 48 months, depending on how many courses you are able to take during each term. But please do not think you can just rush through the programme; we have found from experience that students who try to pack in too many courses at the same time actually produce lower quality work.

• Master of Arts (Leadership and Educational Change)

  Q:	What is the rationale of the MA (LEC) programme? Is the programme meant to overcome a certain type of leadership shortage in Singapore’s education sector?
  A:	The MA (LEC) programme serves a unique niche in our education sector. There are many Singaporean Teachers College (TC) alumni who have read TC programmes at Columbia University, USA. However, these are usually framed in US contexts, and may not offer discussions or theorisations that are deeply pertinent to our specific context(s). By situating this programme in Singapore, participants will enjoy and experience the joint TC and National Institute of Education (NIE) professorial expertise in situ.
  Q:	Can I apply to MA (LEC) despite my lack of experience in educational leadership/academic teaching?
  A:	MA (LEC) welcomes applicants with interesting as well as varied combinations of academic, professional and vocational backgrounds. As MA (LEC) is a premium Masters programme, the selection of candidates is expected to be competitive. Applicants are therefore encouraged to make a strong case for how your background/profile would suit the programme, and how you would be enriched by embarking on the programme.
  Q:	Which courses will be taught by faculty from Teachers College, Columbia University?
  A:	The courses are co-taught by NIE and TC faculty. In addition, it is our intention to have local faculty paired with TC professors in their taught courses to provide contemporaneous local views and context. In the first semester, the “Curriculum Theory, History & Issues” course and the “Seminars in Educational Inquiry” course will be fronted by TC faculty.
  Q:	Besides the “Integrative Study Project”, what will be the modes of assessment for the other courses?
  A:	Assessment of participants' performance in this programme is based on continuous assessment by course work, which comprises one or more of the following: written assignments, project work, tests and quizzes, group and individual presentations, and class participation. Weightage will be assigned to the respective components depending on the objectives of the respective courses.
  Q:	Can I be exempted from TOEFL or IELTS if I am currently a foreigner pursuing my Masters from the local universities in Singapore?
  A:	Request for Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or English Language Testing System (IELTS) waiver accompanied with a short justification must be included in your application to MA (LEC). Waiver for such request is considered on a case-by-case basis by the selection committee. The test scores submitted cannot be more than two years prior to your application date.
  Q:	When will the course advisement for each participant commence?
  A:	Course advisement for each participant begins after candidates have been admitted to the programme.
  Q:	Will there be reference to Columbia University on the degree to be awarded?
  A:	Yes, the emblem for Teachers College, Columbia University will appear on the degree as it is jointly awarded with the National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University.

• Master of Arts in Professional Education (Training and Development)

  Please see the PDF file for more information.

• PhD and Masters by Research

  Q:	How many intakes are there each year?
  A:	There are two intakes, one in January and another in August. The online application generally opens in May for admission in January in the following year and in October for admission in August the following year. Applicants are advised to visit the website and look out for announcements in May and October. Depending on the area of research that you are interested in, you are advised to browse through the various Academic Groups’ webpages to seek your own supervisor prior to application.
  Q:	How can I apply for admission?
  A:	You may apply online via our website. Applicants are to submit to NIE the signed hardcopy printout of application form and all supporting documents within two weeks from the online submission.
  Q:	Is there an application fee?
  A:	A non-refundable application fee of $53.50 (inclusive of GST) per application is payable for applications into our research programmes, effective from August 2018 intake.
  Q:	What is the basic requirement to apply for admission to the Doctor of Philosophy programme?
  A:	The basic requirements are: A Bachelor’s degree, Master’s degree and the ability to pursue research in the candidate’s proposed field of advanced study. International applicants and graduates of universities with non-English medium of instruction are required to comply with the Standard Test Requirements listed below: TOEFL / IELTS GRE / GATE Shortlisted applicants will undergo an interview session as part of the selection process.
  Q:	What are the TOEFL and GRE requirements for admission?
  A:	International applicants and graduates of universities with non-English medium of instruction may wish to refer to this page for more details on the TOEFL and GRE requirements..
  Q:	Can I get my reporting supervisors of my organisation or friends to write the referee reports?
  A:	No, we require 2 recommendations from academic referees.  Please use the Academic Referee’s Form available here.
  Q:	How long is the candidature period for PhD and Masters by Research?
  A:	The degrees of PhD and Masters by Research are available both on a full-time and part-time basis. The maximum and minimum periods of candidature are as follows:   Full-Time Part-time PhD Up to a maximum of 5 years Up to a maximum of 7 years Masters Up to a maximum of 3 years Up to a maximum of 4 years
  Q:	What are the fees payable?
  A:	A successful applicant who is offered admission into a programme will have to pay the matriculation fee, research fee and miscellaneous fees (include student matriculation card fee, IT facilities fee) at the time of matriculation. Please note that the matriculation fee, student matriculation card fee and IT facilities fee are non-refundable. The fees are reviewed every academic year. More details can be found here.
  Q:	If I have done some similar coursework in the relevant area, can I be exempted?
  A:	Exemption of courses may be granted by the Dean/Associate Dean of Office of Graduate Studies & Professional Learning if the student has done sufficient study in similar area in a Masters-degree programme at a recognized university. The validity period of a course for exemption is 5 years from the date of award of the course as reflected in the official transcript. The maximum number of courses allowed for exemption is 1 course for a Masters candidate and a PhD candidate. Please note that it is in line with the policy of Nanyang Technological University that courses that are included for exemption will not be counted in the calculation of Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA). However, they will be counted towards the Academic Unit requirement for graduation. Courses that have been approved for exemption in one programme are not allowed to be used again in another programme.
  Q:	Is there a separate application form for the Research Scholarship?
  A:	There is no separate application form for the Research Scholarship. You may apply for the Research Scholarship by indicating in the online application form. Please ensure your eligibility before applying for the scholarship. Research scholarships are currently available to PhD candidates only. Masters candidates may apply for the Pradap Kow Scholarship, if you meet the criteria. More details can be found here.
  Q:	Can I defer my admission to the next intake?
  A:	For new research students, we may allow deferment up to a maximum of 2 intakes. However, the students are required to write in officially to the Associate Dean of Higher Degrees for approval.

• NIE Doctor in Education (EdD)

  Q:	What is NIE EdD?
  A:	NIE's EdD programme, benchmarked against educational doctorates from international universities with highly reputable graduate schools of education, has the rigour and expectations of a PhD, but with a professional focus. One of the major aims of the EdD is to develop professional leaders who are able to identify and solve complex "field based" problems. Professional doctorates stress the application of research, development of professional knowledge and creation of knowledge within the profession.
  Q:	Who is suitable for NIE EdD programme?
  A:	The Doctor in Education (EdD) programme is designed for professionals in education and education-related fields, who would like to extend their expertise and training and develop skills in research, evaluation and reflection on practice. It is of value to academic staff in universities and colleges, school teachers and professionals working in international organisations. It is also suitable for senior administrators in schools, universities and educational and government bodies.
  Q:	How can I apply for NIE EdD programme?
  A:	Applications are to be made online. More information on application details can be found here.
  Q:	What are the entry requirements?
  A:	You must hold a Bachelor's and Master's degree with good grades from an approved university which we judge to be of satisfactory standing, plus at least four years' relevant experience in Education or a related field. If you do not possess an approved Master's degree, you may be considered if your general education, scholarship, training and experience are deemed suitable for the course and if you are deemed as well qualified as those who are able to satisfy the normal entrance requirements. Such applicants would be considered on an individual basis, taking into account a portfolio of work and any publications. You may, in addition, be required to pass an approved English language test at a specified level and other tests prescribed by the Institute as a condition of administration for the degree. You will be interviewed by the Academic Group that offers your selected specialisation courses and you may be required to have gained educational and work experience as a prerequisite to these courses. For international applicants and graduates of universities with non-English medium of instruction, more information on the entry requirements can be found here.
  Q:	How long is the candidature?
  A:	The Doctor in Education is offered on both part-time and full-time basis. The candidature periods are as follows: Full-time Up to a maximum of 5 years Part-time Up to a maximum of 7 years
  Q:	How much is the fee?
  A:	Please refer to this page for more details on the fees.
  Q:	Who can I contact with regard to the NIE EdD programme?
  A:	Applicants may wish to contact the following contact persons for more information: E-mail: nieadmpp@nie.edu.sg (for issues such as admission and application into NIE) E-mail: Associate Professor Hairon Salleh (for specific NIE academic issues relating to the programme)