Admissions

Fees for students admitted in AY2024

Singapore Citizens: S$14,350 (payable in two terms, per term S$7,175)

Permanent Residents: S$25,350 (payable in two terms, per term S$12,675)

Non-subsidized fee (incl. GST): S$41,450 (payable in two terms, per term S$20,725)

Note: The tuition fee for the programme may be subjected to change annually in September.

In addition, students pay a Compulsory Miscellaneous Fee each year to cover student activities & services; health & insurance; academic services and sports facilities.

For the September 2025 intake: you can send in your application between 11 November 2024 and 26 January 2025. Thereafter, applications will be evaluated on a rolling basis until 31 March 2025.

We’re looking for a range of applicants from academic and professional backgrounds. The basic prerequisites include a Bachelor’s degree; and TOEFL/IELTS scores for those whose last degree was not taught in English. Strong consideration will be given to your statement of interest and supporting documents.

We will notify applicants no later than 31 May.

Logistics

Currently, this program is only being offered as a one-year full time Master’s.

Students are provided basic insurance coverage while they are enrolled at SUTD. The fees for insurance are part of the Compulsory Miscellaneous Fees for matriculating students. More information on student insurance can be found here.

Yes, international students will need to apply for a visa. Once you’ve been accepted into the program, SUTD’s Office of Graduates Studies will work with you to complete the visa application. After the visa is approved, you may make an online appointment to pick up your student pass and submit the required Medical Examination. You can find more information about the application process here: https://www.ica.gov.sg/visitor/studentpass/ihl

SUTD is Singapore’s fourth public university, and has an enrollment of approximately 1,400 undergraduate and graduate students, which allows for small class sizes and close integration of students and faculty. There is a wide array of labs and creative maker spaces, sports facilities, and student groups that help provide a vibrant environment for living and learning. The Graduate Student Association is also active in bringing together students from different disciplines and countries.

The Upper Changi Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) station is located on the SUTD campus and provides easy and affordable connections throughout Singapore.

Typically, the academic year begins in September of each year and spans three terms of 14 weeks each. For exact dates of each term, please see the academic calendar: https://sutd.edu.sg/academic_calendar-aspx

Program

Students from a variety of backgrounds are welcome. However, the typical profile is someone with a degree and/or work experience in the social sciences, public administration, urban planning or development and an interest in quantitative and computational methods. This program is also suitable for candidates with a background in civil engineering, data or computer science who are interested in combining their technical skills with urban management and public policy.

No, the course curriculum will be designed for students with different levels of experience. Students with experience in programming or computer science may opt for more advanced assignments in the Data and Methods courses.

Requests to take electives in other pillars in SUTD will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

The curriculum is designed to enable students to understand the Singapore model of development, but also to learn and apply lessons and theories on urban planning and development from a global perspective. A course on leadership and planning in Singapore, together with an urban symposium that introduces students to different development projects around Singapore, will provide a strong grounding in local discourse. Other coursework will draw upon historical and global examples to provide a strong foundation for those with an interest in comparative and international studies.

Instead of a thesis, you will get an opportunity to work in multi-disciplinary teams in a research practicum project to address current planning and policy issues faced by government and industry partners. For students thinking of pursuing a PhD in a related field, the option of pursuing an independent research project is possible, if a suitable subject area advisor can be found.
Yes! The courses are designed to incorporate a component of fieldwork. In the third term, you will also be undertaking a master practicum project that will require fieldwork.

If you have any other questions, feel free to contact us at muspp@sutd.edu.sg