Programme at a Glance
Intake and Application
Overview
The National University of Singapore (NUS) Master of Science in Infectious Disease Emergencies (MSc IDE) is an interdisciplinary graduate programme offered by the Centre for Infectious Disease Emergency Response (CIDER) at the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine (NUSMed), in collaboration with global experts in public health and infectious diseases.
The programme is designed to prepare professionals for the challenges of managing infectious disease outbreaks and emergencies. It equips students with the knowledge and skills to effectively respond to and lead in pandemic preparedness, disease surveillance and crisis management.
The MSc IDE is ideal for healthcare professionals, public health officials and policymakers seeking to strengthen their capabilities in responding to global health threats and contributing to global infectious disease preparedness.
Drawing on the expertise of a world-class faculty, MSc IDE provides students with a unique blend of academic rigour and practical insights. The curriculum includes modules on epidemiology, outbreak management, emergency preparedness and health systems resilience, delivered through a combination of classroom-based learning and real-world case studies.
Our graduates will be well-positioned to pursue a variety of exciting and impactful career paths. They may take on roles in policymaking and emergency planning within government agencies and health ministries or step into leadership positions in public health departments, hospitals, and healthcare systems. Graduates will also be well-prepared for international roles that require specialised expertise in pandemic preparedness and global health security. For those interested in academia, research institutions and universities provide further opportunities. Skills in surveillance, modelling, and interventions, coupled with strong leadership and communication training, equip graduates for diverse roles within health systems management.
Why This Programme?
Maximise the opportunity to learn from our faculty of regional and international experts, who are eager to share their experience and knowledge.
Learn through adult learning styles supported by conventional didactic methods, facilitating engagement and network building.
Enjoy flexibility with our novel programme schedule, which combines in-person and virtual learning opportunities, supporting students in balancing at-home commitments with the MSc IDE.
Application Period
An Academic Year (AY) at NUS consists of two semesters and a special term (which occurs during the Semester 2 Vacation, and is divided into two parts of six weeks duration each):
For the MSc IDE programme, there is one application period for each AY:
| Programme | Intake | Application Dates |
|---|---|---|
| MSc IDE | Semester 1 (Jul Intake) | Nov of preceding year to Apr of intake year |
Admission to the NUS MSc IDE programme is granted on a competitive basis as places in the programme are limited. Applicants should possess the following minimum requirements:
| Academic | M.B.,B.S degree or a Bachelor’s Degree in a health-sciences-related discipline Note: Alternatively, candidates with other qualifications may be considered on a case-by-case basis |
| Skill/Experience | For candidates with an undergraduate medical degree: One year of general clinical experience, excluding housemanship for Singapore-trained doctors, or One year of work experience in public health / health administration / occupational and environmental health or having entered clinical specialty training. For candidates with an undergraduate non-medical degree: Two years of work experience in public health / health promotion / health administration / occupational and environmental health / clinical research / other related fields. |
| English Language | International applicants whose native tongue and medium of university instruction is not completely in English: Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) minimum score of 85 (Internet-based), or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) minimum Academic score of 6.0 Note: TOEFL / IELTS scores are valid for two years from the test date and should not have expired at point of application. Expired scores will not be considered for the application. |
| Other | Not applicable |
Candidates may visit the official Educational Testing Service (ETS) website for scheduling of TOEFL/GRE tests.
Note: Applicants are responsible for ensuring that application information and all supporting documents are truthful and correct. NUS reserves the right to verify information provided as part of an application. False or misleading information in an application (including but not limited to test scores, resumes, certificates, transcripts, etc.) is grounds for admission rejection, revocation and/or dismissal from the University.
The NUS MSc IDE programme is offered on the following basis (with estimated time to complete the programme indicated below):
| Full-time | 12–24 months |
| Part-time | 24–48 months |
Note: International applicants must be accepted into an approved full-time course in Singapore to apply for a Student’s Pass. For more information, refer to the Singapore Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) website.
The MSc IDE is a 40-Unit coursework-based Master’s Degree programme comprising:
Core/essential courses (12 Units), and
Elective courses (28 Units).
Core/Essential Courses
Students must complete the Core/Essential Courses (12 Units).
| Course Code | Course Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| IDE5001 | Leadership and Coordination | 4 |
| IDE5002 | Surveillance and Epidemiology | 4 |
| IDE5003 | Communications and Engagement in a Crisis | 4 |
Elective Courses
Students must complete 28 Units of Elective Courses.
| Course Code | Course Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| IDE5004 | Clinical Management, Infection Prevention and Control (IPC), and Facility Infrastructure | 4 |
| IDE5005 | Interventions for Outbreak Control | 4 |
| IDE5006 | Research in a Pandemic | 4 |
| IDE5007 | Mental Health and Support for the Vulnerable | 4 |
| IDE5008 | Laboratory | 4 |
| IDE5009 | Training for Outbreak Response | 4 |
| IDE5010 | Outbreak Prone Pathogens | 4 |
| IDE5011 | Infectious Disease Emergency Response Modelling | 4 |
Note: Courses are subject to change. For more information about the courses listed above (as well as other courses offered in the current academic year), please visit NUSMODS.
To graduate from the NUS MSc IDE programme, students must meet the following requirements:
| Programme and/or Specialisation | Read and pass a total of 40 Units, comprising: 12 Units of Core/Essential Courses, and 28 Units of Elective Courses |
| Course and/or Qualification | Not applicable |
| Grade Point Average (GPA) | Minimum 3.0 (out of maximum 5.0)
Please see also the University’s minimum standards for Continuation and Graduation Requirements. Specific programmes may implement stricter or additional requirements. |
| Other | Not applicable |
The University reserves all rights to review fees as necessary and adjust accordingly without prior notice.
| Tuition | S$50,000.00
(excluding GST) /
|
| Application | S$50.00 (including 9% GST) Non-refundable and non-transferable |
| Acceptance | S$5,000.00 (including 9% GST) Payable upon acceptance of offer Non-refundable and non-transferable Will be credited towards tuition fees |
| Miscellaneous Student Fees | As published by Office of the University Registrar
Payable every regular semester |
Scholarships & Financial Assistance
The scholarships and financial assistance schemes presented here are examples of the kinds of funding from the University as well as third-party sponsors that might be available to eligible NUS Master's Degree (Coursework) programme students and applicants.
The information provided is subject to change, and warranties cannot be provided as to its completeness or accuracy. Students and applicants are strongly encouraged to conduct their own research, and refer to the relevant sponsors and/or websites for more detailed and up-to-date information.
Centre for Infectious Disease Emergency Response (CIDER) Fellowship Grant
Lee Kuan Yew Scholarship
National Medical Research Council Research Training Fellowship (NMRC RTF)
Tan Kah Kee Postgraduate Scholarship
Programme at a Glance
Intake and Application
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