Frequently Asked Questions
A good Bachelors’ degree from Business, Computing, Economics, Engineering, Mathematics, Science or Statistics is preferred but please send in your application if you are interested in pursuing the MSBA programme.
The admission committee take into consideration your work experience, undergraduate grades, essays in the online application, interviews etc.
It is advantageous for interested applicants to know basic programming language as it would be used in the curriculum. These skills can also be picked up from online platforms such as Coursera.
You may refer to our website under student resources link for some recommended online learning resources.
Fresh graduates with excellent academic performance from a related degree programme will be considered. If you are interested to pursue the Master of Science in Business Analytics, please apply for the programme. Do note other than academic qualification, the review committee takes into considerations the following when selecting suitable candidates for the programme:
- GMAT/GRE score of interested applicants with an overseas degree
- Career credentials
- Relevant experience in analytics e.g. participation in analytics projects, innovation challenges, hackathons
- Good foundation in Statistics/Mathematics
Fresh graduates with excellent academic performance from a related degree programme will be considered. Applicants are also strongly recommended to acquire at least 2 years’ of relevant working experience. Aside, the review committee takes into consideration the following criteria when selecting suitable candidates for the programme:
- GMAT/GRE score of interested applicants with an overseas degree
- Relevant experience in analytics e.g. participation in analytics projects, innovation challenges, hackathons
- Good foundation in Statistics/Mathematics
As all your credentials will be weighted and every applicant will be ranked, there is no minimum cut-off for any component.
All applicant’s credentials will be weighted by the quality of applicants each year. There is no minimum cut-off or average score.
Applicant who did not graduate from either of the 4 universities below is required to submit GRE/GMAT scores for admission regardless of academic qualifications or working experience.
- National University of Singapore (NUS)
- Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU)
- Singapore Management University (SMU)
- Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD)
Applicants MUST upload all the required documents prior to submitting their application. Only completed submissions will be sent for review.
TOELF/IELTS scores are NOT required for the application of the NUS Master of Science in Business Analytics programme.
Upon your online submission with all required documents, the Review Committee will start its assessment. After the review, shortlisted applicants will be contacted for either face-to-face interviews or Skype calls. All credentials are weighted and every applicant will be ranked hence there is no minimum cut-off for any component. Finally, the Selection Committee will meet to deliberate. Each applicant will then be informed of the final outcome.
We only have 1 intake every August.
The application for the Master of Science in Business Analytics programme opens between Oct – Jan each year. Further details and deadlines will be announced on our Facebook and website when application for the next cycle opens.
Interviews and the shortlisting of candidates will take place in January onwards.
Applicants may check the Graduate Admission System (GDA2) between March and April for an update in the application status.
An official offer letter will be sent in April.
If you have NOT clicked on “Submit Application”, you can edit your application. Once you have submitted the completed online application, NO further edits can be made.
After you have submitted all required documents online, your documents will be sent to the admission committee to be reviewed. Shortlisted applicants will be contacted via email for an interview (face to face or skype).
Applicants may check the Graduate Admission System (GDA2) between March and April for an update in the application status. Each applicant will be informed of the their application status by the end of April via email.
We strongly recommend referees to complete their submission in one sitting.
Yes, all mandatory documents must be submitted before the application is reviewed.
Yes. There must be at least 2 referee report submissions. However, you may submit more.
The person who may qualify as your referee can be a professor you have understudied, an ex-employer or supervisor. This person should be able to speak about what your contributions, especially relevant work experience, your area of expertise or projects you wish to highlight to us.
Once the application has closed, no further applications will be considered.
Please apply during the following period (October-January). Further details and deadlines will be announced on our Facebook and website when application for the next cycle opens.
Scholarships/Subsidies from Government
Please refer to the Fees & Scholarships page to check for eligibility on the various types of scholarships offered.
Bank Loans
The following are suggested loans for the respective group of students:
- Singapore Citizen/Permanent Resident: POSB Further Study Assist
- International Students: Prodigy Finance
Note: The Master of Science in Business Analytics programme is a self-funded programme, students pursuing the programme are not eligible for:
- Service Obligation (SO) Scheme
- Tuition Fee Loan (TFL)
- MOE subsidy, study grants
- Workfare Training Scheme
- NUS staff discount rates
- NUS training sponsorship
The Master of Science in Business Analytics programme is a self-funded programme that is not MOE-subsidised regardless if you are a local or an international student.
The Master of Science in Business Analytics programme is a self-funded programme hence there is no discount or training sponsorship for NUS staff regardless if you are a local or international student.
The part-time programme costs the same as the full-time programme. The full-time programme runs for 1 year while the part-time programme runs for 2 years. You can find out more about MSBA programme fees by visiting the link here.
The various payment modes are detailed here.
Yes you can. Please provide a written letter stating their consent to sponsor your studies as well as either your parents’ bank statements and/or payslips.
Please ensure there is sufficient funds for you during your stay in Singapore while pursuing the Master of Science in Business Analytics programme.
Please find below an estimate of the breakdown of living cost in Singapore as a Master of Science in Business Analytics postgraduate student.
| NUS Alumni | Singaporeans and PRs | International | |
| Programme Fees1
1An initial payment of S$4,000 is mandatory upon accepting the offer for enrolling into MSBA and is included in the programme fees. Fees include a 9% Goods and Service Tax (GST). |
S$60,223 | S$63,765 | S$70,850 |
| Estimated miscellaneous charges and health services fees2 per annum
2All full-time students (local and international) are required to subscribe to the University’s medical insurance scheme. For more information, please visit here. |
S$500 | S$500 | S$500 |
| Estimated accommodation / living costs3 per annum
3You may use the Cost of Living Calculator found on the EDB website to better estimate the living expenses required for your course of study in Singapore. |
N.A. | N.A | S$36,0005
5Monthly breakdown: Food: S$1,000 Transport: S$300 Accommodation: S$1000 Personal Expenses: S$700 |
| Total | S$60,723 | S$64,265 | S$107,350 |
For more information, please refer to https://msba.nus.edu.sg/programme/fees-scholarship/.
Please provide at least your payslips from the last 6 months.
Please click here for the academic calendar.
All classes are held in the NUS Kent Ridge campus. There are occasional workshops conducted on Saturdays morning and/or afternoon.
Full time students
Classes are scheduled either during the day or evening on most weekdays, and the timing ranges from 8am – 9pm.
Industry analytics seminars take place every Thursday from 2pm onwards.
Part time students
Classes are scheduled on 2 – 3 weekday evenings from 6pm onwards.
Industry analytics seminars take place every Thursday from 2pm onwards.
*Most modules offered in programme are conducted mostly online during COVID-19 but with the easing of restrictions and improving situation, hybrid learning has been introduced so students and professors can interact face-to-face once or twice a week should they desire, in controlled size classes.
| Candidature | Normal | Maximum |
| Full – Time | 13 months | 2 years |
| Part – Time | 2 years | 4 years |
A student who wish to receive module waivers may send in an official request for a module waiver upon official matriculation into MSBA. This has to be done by the first week of the semester. The Academic Committee will consider his application. Approval will be granted based on a case-by-case basis. If the application is successful, the student will have to read a graded replacement module in place of the waived module.
Please note that core modules will not be exempted. If you are exempted from any modules, you are required to pursue other advanced modules and fulfill the graduation requirements of 44 modular credits (MC).
Please refer to the section on Curriculum.
Admitted students are required to submit a Leave of Absence via the student portal, EduRec.
Other than the factual differences such as fees, graduation requirements as well as period of commencement, what sets the Master of Science in Business Analytics (MSBA) offered by the Business Analytics Centre apart is the all-rounded and regularly reviewed 13-month curriculum with three vertical industry foci that is jointly designed by NUS Business School, NUS Computing and industry experts. The MSBA programme leverages on the holistic education strength, facilities and infrastructure provided by NUS, and modules related to different industries are taught by faculty members from relevant faculties who conduct research in that domain, ensuring that the curriculum is up-to-date in this fast-moving field.
These are also incorporated in the MSBA programme to ensure that students receive an all-rounded education:
- 2 week bootcamp conducted to ensure a recap of foundation knowledge
- Weekly industrial analytics seminars to provide students with exposure and insights within industries who are trailblazers in the use of analytics
- A 3 - 6 months compulsory industry-linked professional capstone analytics project with industry partners or the company the student is working in.
The Immigration & Checkpoints Authority's (ICA) student pass entitles international students to seek part-time jobs and internships in Singapore.
Working during term vacations:
All international students* studying in NUS on ICA's student pass are eligible to work during term vacations without having to apply for work permit.
Working during academic term time:
International students* are allowed to work not more than 16 hours per week.
*International Students here refers to NUS full-time matriculated students.
For more details, you may refer to the Ministry of Manpower website or NUS Centre for Future Graduates website.
Students can source for work opportunities on their own, speak to the MSBA’s industry partners or check out the job offerings published under NUS Centre for Future Graduates website and NUS Business School Career Services.
MSBA part-time students are strongly encouraged to carry out their capstone project in the 2nd year of their studies by proposing a project from the company they are working at. This is beneficial for both the company and the student as he would be able to bring positive impact to his company and devise a project that is applicable to his area of work.
If a part-time student would like to work on a capstone project with another company, other than the one he is currently employed with, he is required to quit his current job so as to avoid conflict of interest before he embarks on the capstone project with the new company.
You are fully attached to the company, similar to a full-time employee, during your capstone project of 3 – 6 months. The length of stint is determined by the scope of project discussed between your academic supervisor, industry supervisor and yourself.
As an IT Business Hub, Singapore has both technology infrastructure and economic landscape in place to support businesses which require data scientists, cybersecurity experts, artificial intelligence the Internet of Things etc. Students can source for work opportunities on their own, speak to BAC’s panel of industry partners or secure a job in the company they are working in for their capstone project. They may also wish to check out the job offerings published under NUS Centre for Future Graduates website and NUS Business School Career Services.
MSBA students may approach the NUS Business School Career Services office to improve on their CVs when they have completed part of the programme or most of their modules. Students can source for work opportunities on their own, speak to BAC’s panel of industry partners or check out the job offerings published under NUS Centre for Future Graduates website and NUS Business School Career Services.