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Master of Arts (MA) in Singapore: Top Universities, Fees & Jobs 2025

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Ayushi Shresth • 8 Mins read • 3 Aug 25
Master of Arts (MA) in SingaporeMaster of Arts (MA) in Singapore

Singapore has already developed itself as a leading international education destination that is synonymous with high standards of academics, innovative instruction, and mixed-cultural campuses. As stated by the official data of the ministry of education Singapore and the tertiary institutions, Singapore has got several Universities, which are internationally recognized as global universities with a number of master of arts programs being offered. Such programs serve varied disciplines like humanities, social sciences, media, design and cultural studies. Such schools as the National University of Singapore (also known as NUS) and Nanyang Technological University (NTU) occupy the topmost university rankings worldwide, and the MA degrees they offer focus on the current needs of the industry, as well as on the research progress. 

Singapore has a strong need to hire qualified personnel in service industries of creative arts and higher registers of academic fields, which is also backed by the strategic emphasis put on the development of knowledge-intensive sectors in Singapore. Graduates have great ties with industry and universities and have access to jobs in the academic institutions, cultural institutions, media as well as arts management locally and abroad. Applications usually need a relevant first degree and evidence of English.


Master of Arts (MA) in Singapore: Details & Highlights

Most of the MA programs in Singapore are offered in various fields such as fine arts, literature, performing art, digital design, creative writing and inter disciplinary studies. This is what the cartoon features you can expect:

Parameter

Details

Program Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Duration

1 to 2 years full-time / 2 to 4 years part-time

Medium of Instruction

English

Common Fields

Fine Arts, Digital Arts, Creative Writing, Art Therapy

Average Tuition Fees

SGD 18,000 to SGD 35,000 per year

Application Period

October 2024 – March 2025

Top Universities

NUS, NTU, LASALLE, NAFA, SUSS

Accreditation

Singapore Ministry of Education, WASC, EQUIS, AACSB

Language Proficiency

IELTS/TOEFL required for international students


Master of Arts (MA) in Singapore Important Dates and Events

Event

Timeline

Application Open

October 2024

Priority Deadline for Scholarships

December 2024

Final Application Deadline

March 2025

Interview & Portfolio Review

February – April 2025

Admission Offers

April – May 2025

Student Visa Application

May – June 2025

Semester Start

August 2025 or January 2026


Why Choose a Master of Arts (MA) in Singapore?

  • Singapore has some of the best-ranked universities in Asia, namely, the National University of Singapore (NUS) and Nanyang Technological University (NTU) that were ranked between 20-30th places in the QS World University Rankings 2025. The emphasis on research, interdisciplinary learning and practical skills development are made in these institutions at all programs.
  • The country has a wide variety of specialization in Master of Arts (MA) offered in various universities and arts institutions that are famous around the world and these include Creative Writing, Performing Arts and Digital Arts.
  • Graduate employment surveys show that there is a high employability rate of the Singapore university graduates with a large demand in Southeast Asia and an increasingly growing demand in Europe.
  • The multicultural society in which Singapore is divided into more than a 40 percent international students in higher education makes an inclusive and globalized learning environment.

Also Read :

Other Popular Countries for Studying Master of Arts





MA in Canada

MA in USA

MA in Sweden

MA in Germany


Best Universities/Colleges for Master of Arts (MA) in Singapore

In terms of top arts universities in Singapore, they include NUS by virtue of having internationally supported AVA, NTU, LASALLE, and NAFA with their strong MA programs.

University

QS World Rank 2025

MA Courses Offered

National University of Singapore (NUS)

8

English Studies, Southeast Asian Studies, History

Nanyang Technological University (NTU)

19

Art, Design & Media

LASALLE College of the Arts

N/A

Creative Writing, Fine Arts, Design

Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA)

N/A

Interdisciplinary Arts, Art Therapy, Design

Singapore University of Social Sciences

N/A

Arts Management, Community Arts


Master of Arts (MA) in Singapore Eligibility Criteria

To study an MA Fine Arts Singapore or any other arts course you need to meet the requirements of the program:


Application Process

  1. Go to the admissions portal of the university
  2. Choose your program and check what it requires in terms of eligibility
  3. Submit the MA application Singapore form
  4. Scanning Documents Upload
  5. The application fee is to be paid.


Documents Required

  1. Bachelor degree qualification (arts/humanities qualified)
  2. Academic transcripts
  3. international students will need the IELTS/TOEFL scorecard
  4. Statement Purpose (SOP)
  5. Letters of Recommendation (2-3)
  6. Portfolio (where possible)
  7. Updated resume
  8. Passport copy


Visa Application Timetable

  1. Students have to obtain a Student Pass upon the ICA (Immigration & Checkpoints Authority).
  2. Apply only on Primary school admission offer
  3. A decision on whether to approve or deny is made within 2-4 weeks
  4. Upload documents on Revenue portal


Master of Arts (MA) in Singapore Cutoff

University

GPA (min)

IELTS (min)

Portfolio Required

NUS

3.5/4.0

7

No

NTU

3.2/4.0

6.5

Yes

LASALLE

2.8/4.0

6.5

Yes

NAFA

3.0/4.0

6.5

Yes

SUSS

3.0/4.0

6.5

Optional


Master of Arts (MA) in Singapore Syllabus

Common Core Subjects

  • Research Methods in Arts
  • Critical Theory
  • Global Cultural Trends
  • Media Aesthetics
  • Public Art & Engagement

Electives & Specializations

  • Creative Writing MA Singapore
  • Digital Arts MA Singapore
  • Art Therapy MA Singapore
  • Performing Arts Masters Singapore
  • MA Design Singapore
  • Sustainable Arts Education Singapore
  • Arts Entrepreneurship MA Singapore
  • Interdisciplinary Arts MA Singapore


Master of Arts (MA) in Singapore Scholarships

The scholarships offered by the Master of Arts (MA) in Singapore are as follow: 

Scholarship Name

Coverage

Eligibility

SINGA Scholarship

Tuition + stipend

International, research-based programs

ASEAN Graduate Scholarship

Tuition + living costs

ASEAN nationals

LASALLE Postgraduate Merit Award

20-30% tuition waiver

Portfolio + academic merit

NAFA Global Arts Talent Scholarship

Full/partial funding

Exceptional talent in fine arts

NUS Research Grant

Tuition support + SGD 2,000/month

High academic achievers


Career Scope After Master of Arts (MA) in Singapore

International students who successfully complete their MA Singapore will be able to find a good job:

  • Art Director
  • Creative Strategist
  • University Lecturer
  • Gallery/Museum Curator
  • Content Specialist
  • Art Therapist

Growing sectors:

  • EdTech
  • NGOs
  • Creative Startups
  • Government Cultural Bodies

Top Recruiters/Placement Companies

  • Singapore Tourism Board
  • National Arts Council
  • Esplanade - Theatres on the Bay
  • Meta (Singapore)
  • Penguin SEA
  • Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA)
  • Ogilvy
  • Mindshare Singapore

Master of Arts (MA) in Singapore Salary Package

The pay varies with specialization, experience and the employer.

  • Entry-Level (0-2 yrs): SGD 3,500 5,000 /month
  • Mid-Level (3-5 yrs): SGD 5,000 7,500/month
  • Experienced (5+ yrs): SGD 7,500 to 10,000/ month

Frequently Asked Questions


Ques. What is the reason to study in Master of Arts Singapore 2025?

Ans. The advantage of studying Master of Arts Singapore 2025 is that it provides an internationally recognised degree, good academic framework, and exposure to the major creative cultures around Asia. Singapore is an excellent destination with numerous scholarships and jobs and has a very multicultural atmosphere, that is why international students can choose the best MA program in Singapore regarding all humanities, design, and creative writing directions.


Ques. Which are the best MA programs Singapore has to offer to students in arts?

Ans. The finest courses of MA in Singapore is the Creative Writing MA Singapore, MA in Fine Arts Singapore, Art Therapy MA Singapore, and MA Design Singapore. The courses offer international standards of faculty, cross-exposure and real life application in postgraduate Singapore learning in arts and Humanities field with international students coming in more than 100 countries.


Ques. Do international students get scholarship in MA Singapore?

Ans. Yes, there are so many Singapore arts scholarships MA available to international students MA Singapore. Schemes such as SINGA, ASEAN Graduate Scholarship, and those university specific funded programs within LASALLE and NAFA provide full or partial funding thus providing an easier way of pursuing Masters of Arts Singapore 2025 degrees without overwhelming financial pressure.


Ques. What is the eligibility that Singapore universities demand on application of MA?

Ans. Singapore institutions need a bachelor degree, English language competence (IELTS /TOEFL), Portfolio (arts/design), SOP and academic references to take MA. There are programs that do not require admission tests. International students of MA Singapore will also need to meet the visa requirements to be able to enrol in MA programs Singapore by the 2025 academic cycle.


Ques. What are the advantages of Performing Arts Masters Singapore studies?

Ans. Performing Arts Masters Singapore accreditation is the mixture of theory and practice skills that grant students opportunities to examine choreography, theatre, or music in an international context. Such MA programs in Singapore also help in increasing employment opportunities in the area of production, education and performance along with providing the links with the famous cultural and theatre establishments in Singapore.


Ques. Can Online MA degrees in Singapore be trusted in international careers?

Ans. Yes. The online MA programs are Singapore are reputable and developed to suit working professionals. They are just as rigorous academically as the on-campus classes. It offers subjects such as arts management and interdisciplinary arts MA Singapore, which provide the graduates with practical skills and accommodate the needs of international students as far as flexibility of schedules is concerned.


Ques. What is the job-scope when one finishes an MA in Singapore?

Ans. Professions following MA Singapore are the ones related to academia, design, content creation, curating, art therapy. Leading employers such as meta, national arts council and Esplanade require top graduates of arts universities Singapore. International employability is enhanced by a Masters of Arts Singapore 2025 degree in the creative industries.


Ques. What will be my salary after Digital arts MA Singapore?

Ans. Graduates have the perspective of receiving SGD 4,000 6,000/month as a starting salary after training at Digital Arts MA Singapore. The ones in the middle of their career earn more. Digital arts roles available as careers after MA Singapore are UI/UX design, animation, media production, and AR/VR which attract high employer demands worldwide in the Southeast Asian region.


Ques. What is Interdisciplinary Arts MA Singapore and why it is trending?

Ans. Interdisciplinary Arts MA Singapore: visual arts, digital media, social practice and sustainability are combined. These MA programs singapore create a cross disciplinary research, innovation, and collaboration, that is in line with the trends in arts and humanities Postgraduate Singapore education. It is the best course one can take to address real world creativity problems by students.