MSc (Building Performance and Sustainability)

Overview: Msc (Building Performance and Sustainability)

The Master of Science (Building Performance and Sustainability) programme is a multi-disciplinary educational programme. The aim of the programme is to offer graduates of different disciplines, who are engaged in design, construction, commissioning, operation and maintenance of building systems and services, an opportunity to acquire knowledge and practice in the broad field of Building Performance and Sustainability.

This knowledge is vital for those engaged in such activities in the 21st century that confronts mankind with irreversible effects of climate change and potentially adverse consequences now and in the future. This global phenomenon necessitates a paradigm shift towards creating buildings that are not only comfortable and healthy for the occupants but are also sustainable. Whilst the Master of Science (Building Performance and Sustainability) programme is firmly embedded with the challenges and issues in the building sector faced in the rapidly developing urbanization of cities in the tropical belt of the world that has the potential to impact in excess of 2 billion people, it also addresses similar fundamental issues related to other climates and cultures elsewhere in the world.

Prospective students may wish to click on the Brochure to find out more!

Curriculum Structure

Degree Requirements 40 Units
Candidature Full-time^ Minimum 1 year – maximum 2 years
Part-time Minimum 2 years – maximum 3 years
Graduation Requirements Successful completion of the programme requires a candidate to pass 40 Units comprising 9 graduate level courses; or 7 graduate level courses and complete a dissertation. This includes an 8 Units studio course. The requirements for Prescribed Elective (PE) courses can be fulfilled by choosing any course(s) from the list of PE courses in the Master of Science (Building Performance and Sustainability) program. There is also a provision to read up to a maximum of two Unrestricted Elective (UE) courses. The graduation requirements of 40 units are to be done within a maximum period of 4 semesters for full-time candidates, and 6 semesters for part-time candidates, and with a minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.

*Units – each MSc course is typically 4 units.

^If you are an international applicant who does not have permanent residency in Singapore, you are eligible to apply only for the full-time programme; if offered admission, you will be registered as a full-time student.

#Grade Point Average (GPA)– students that obtain a Grade Point Average (GPA) of less than 3.00 but at least 2.5 will receive a Graduate Certificate.

Admissions

Eligibility At least a bachelor’s degree with honours in a relevant discipline, preferably with relevant practical experience or a bachelor’s degree with at least three years of relevant experience;

 

A good TOEFL score (580) or equivalent is required of applicants whose medium of undergraduate instruction is not in English

 

This is a minimum requirement which does not guarantee admission; selection is on a competitive basis.

English Requirement TOEFL (internet-based test)> 85 or IELTS (academic)> 6.0 is required if your first language is not English. You may be waived from this requirement if you have completed your degree programme taught entirely in English, situated in an English speaking country, for example (non-exhaustive list) Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, United Kingdom, USA.

 

The TOEFL/IELTS result is only valid for 2 years after the test and should be valid at the beginning of the application period.

 

*Expired scores will not be considered for the application.

Work Experience For holders of Bachelor’s Degrees with honours, relevant practical experience preferred

For holders of Bachelor’s Degrees without honours, at least three years of relevant work experience

Other Supporting Documents A resume, and at least 2 referee reports/reference letters should be provided. Financial statements are not necessary.
Intake Semester Once per academic year, in August.

 

Only evening classes will be held (7-10pm). Part-time students attend 2 or 3 classes per week, and full-time students attend 4 or 5 classes per week.

Application Period# 1 October 2023 to 31 March 2024
Outcome Release Date -

Fees and Financial Information

Starting from Academic Year 2024/2025, NUS will offer the rebates below. These rebates will be automatically applied to the candidate's tuition fees, so they need not apply for it.

Fee Rebates

Rebate Percentage
NUS Alumni/Singapore Citizen(SC)/Singapore Permanent Resident(SPR) 40%

The full programme fee for Academic Year (AY) 2024/25 is illustrated in the following table. Programme fees are reviewed yearly and thus subjected to revisions. Payment schedule, due on the first week of every semester, is as follows:

With effect from 1 Jan 2024

Full Programme Fee (inclusive of GST) Acceptance Fee (inclusive of 9% GST) 1st Semester

(inclusive of 9% GST)

2nd Semester

(inclusive of 9% GST)

3rd Semester

(inclusive of 9% GST)

4th Semester

(inclusive of 9% GST)

Full-Time

S$49,050

 

S$5,450

 

S$21,800

 

S$21,800

 

N.A.

 

N.A.

Part-Time

S$49,050

 

S$5,450

 

$10,900

 

S$10,900

 

S$10,900

 

S$10,900

*No subsidies available; programme is fully self-funded.

  • The fees listed are in Singapore Dollars (S$) and inclusive of 8% GST in 2023 and 9% GST from 2024 onwards
  • A non-refundable application fee of S$109 (inclusive of 9% GST) must accompany your online application.
  • Payment of fees will be on an instalment basis, paid over 2 semesters for full-time students and (up to) 4 semesters for part-time students. Complete fee must be paid before a student can graduate from the programme.
  • Students need to separately pay for Miscellaneous Student Fee (MSF) directly to the University on a semester basis. Fees are reviewed annually. For the latest Miscellaneous student fees, please refer to Registrar’s Office website here.
  • Acceptance Fee of S$5,450 – which will be credited towards your programme fees – is payable upon acceptance into the programme. Fee is non-refundable and non-transferable.
  • Programme fees do not include the cost of recommended textbooks and readings.
  • The cost of travel, accommodation and miscellaneous expenses are not included and are to be borne by the participant.

Timetable

Courses are typically taught on weekday evenings from 7-10pm over 13 weeks. Exams may be held during working hours on weekdays.

If you have any questions or require more information, please contact:

Mr Dale Yeoh
Programme Administrator
dale@nus.edu.sg

Prof Chandra Sekhar
Programme Director
bdgscs@nus.edu.sg

Every effort is made to ensure that the information is accurate and current. However, the University and the School reserve the right to make alterations without notice.

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.