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

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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)

• Qualifying Examination​
• Thesis
• Oral Examination

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:

• ​Three core courses: HS7001 Classical Sociological Theory and Research, HS7002 Contemporary Sociological Theory and Research; HS7003 Theory and Method in Social Research  (9 Academic Units)
• Three elective courses (9 Academic Units)
  

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.​

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