Sociology offers full-time and part-time M.A. and Ph.D. by research programme.
We offer a strategic balance between research opportunities and academic
training aimed at providing the necessary rigor for students to develop their
own niche research interests and expertise. Our faculty members are highly
active in research and specialise in a wide range of topics including but not
limited to Ageing, Cultural Sociology, Demography, Deviance and Subcultures,
Economic Sociology, Environmental Sociology, Gender and Sexuality, Migration
and Globalisation, Organisational Sociology, Political Sociology, Popular
Culture, Race and Ethnicity, Religion, Science and Technology, Social
Inequality, Social Psychology, Sociology of Family, Sociology of Southeast
Asia, Tourism, and Urban Sociology.
Students are expected to develop a substantive competency
in the fundamental areas of Sociology, as well as a deep proficiency in core
areas of research interests across different research methodologies.
Furthermore, students will gain exposure to teaching specialised Sociology and
related modules. Exciting opportunities are also available for students to
connect with NTU’s partner universities through our Summer/Winter programme as
well as exchange and independent overseas research.
Our programme has a vibrant intellectual, research, and
interdisciplinary environment. Graduate students are actively engaged in high
profile research projects with faculty members and research clusters.
Additionally, the programme offers a wide range of comprehensive funding
opportunities and schemes for students to pursue their postgraduate work in a
highly supportive and nurturing research environment in a world-class
university.
The
M.A. and Ph.D. programme in Sociology are MOE-subsidised and are offered on full-time and part-time basis.
Degree Requirements
M.A.
Cohort 2019 and before
For M.A.,
students must complete and pass the following:
- Three core courses: HS7001 Classical Sociological Theory and Research; HS7002 Contemporary
Sociological Theory and Research; and HS7003 Theory and Method in Social
Research (9 Academic Units)
- Other Degree Requirements
- Thesis
Cohort 2020 and onwards
- Three core courses: HS7001 Classical Sociological Theory and Research; HS7002 Contemporary
Sociological Theory and Research; and HX9001 Research Methods for Social Sciences (9 Academic Units)
- Other Degree Requirements
- Thesis
The
coursework requirement is to be completed within the first year. M.A. students
should maintain a minimum
Cumulative Grade Point Average of 3.00. Other degree
requirements include: Epigeum Research Integrity (online course), Information
Research & Management/Scholarly Communication & Impact (online course)
and attend research seminars. Students on NTU scholarship might have additional
requirements to fulfil. Refer to the e-guide (Aug2019; Jan 2020) for more instructions.
Ph.D.
Cohort 2018 and before
For Ph.D.,
students must complete and pass the following:
- Three core courses: HS7001 Classical
Sociological Theory and Research; HS7002 Contemporary Sociological
Theory and Research; and HS7003 Theory and Method in Social Research (9 Academic Units)
- Three elective courses
(9 Academic Units)
Typically,
Ph.D. students complete the coursework requirement within the first three
semesters. They should maintain a minimum
Cumulative Grade Point Average of 3.50. They are also required to complete
Epigeum Research Integrity (online course), HWG703 Graduate English (unless exempted), HWG702 Small Group Teaching,
Information Research & Management (online course) and attend research
seminars. Students on scholarship might have additional requirements to fulfil.
Students are encouraged to work closely with their supervisor and the graduate
co-ordinator to ensure timely completion of all the requirements.
Ph.D.
students will have to submit and defend their thesis proposal as part of the
Qualifying Examination (also known as the Confirmation Exercise). The
Qualifying Examination should be completed within 18 months from start of
candidature. The final completed thesis will be examined by a panel of internal
and external examiners, after which, an oral examination will be held. Refer to the Timeline and Milestones for more
instructions.
Cohort 2019
For Ph.D.,
students must complete and pass the following:
Cohort 2020 and onwards
For Ph.D.,
students must complete and pass the following:
- Three core courses: HS7001 Classical
Sociological Theory and Research, HS7002 Contemporary Sociological
Theory and Research and HX9001 Research Methods for Social Sciences (9 Academic Units)
- Three elective courses
(9 Academic Units)
Typically,
Ph.D. students must complete the coursework requirement within the first three
semesters. The timeline should be discussed with the Supervisor and/or Graduate
Coordinator). They should maintain a minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average of
3.50. Other degree requirements include: ERI701 Epigeum Research Integrity
(online course), HWG703 Graduate English course(unless exempted), HWG702
University Teaching for Teaching Assistants, Scholarly Communications and
Impact (online course), Communications Courses, 3 Minute Thesis Symposium and
attend research seminars. Students on scholarship might have additional
requirements to fulfil. Students are encouraged to work closely with their
supervisor and the graduate co-ordinator to ensure timely completion of all the
requirements.
Ph.D. students will have to submit and defend their thesis proposal as part of the Qualifying Examination (also known as the Confirmation Exercise). The Qualifying Examination should be completed within 18 months from start of candidature. The final completed thesis will be examined by a panel of internal and external examiners, after which, an oral examination will be held. Refer to respective e-guide (Aug 2019, Jan 2020, Aug 2020) for more instructions.
Graduate Assistantship Programme (GAP)
Students receiving scholarship from the Ministry of Education (MOE) –
RSS / NPGS / Grants – are required to fulfil the Graduate Assistantship Programme (GAP). GAP is a set of hours divided into Teaching / Research / Development
duties determined by the type of scholarship and nationality of the student. The GAP is a form
of in-service obligation effected for Cohort 2014 and onwards and has to be
completed 6 months before the submission of the thesis.