Programme Details

2 years Programme Duration
1 Aug (of prior year) to 31 Dec (of prior year) Application Period


Programme Structure

The MPhil in Asian Urbanisms is an interdisciplinary programme that is rooted in the urban studies tradition, but which also exposes our students to cognate ideas emerging from the humanities, economics, public policy, business, climate science, information systems/computer science (specifically, areas like geographic information system, smart city management and urban systems). The programme purposefully combines taught and research components so that students are equipped not only with knowledge, but also the ability to develop new understandings of how we can tackle complex urban problems.  

The curriculum consists of 8 credit units (CUs) of core courses and elective courses, and 12 CUs of a Master’s Thesis. These requirements are listed in greater detail below.


YEAR

CURRICULUM

1

Core Courses* (4 CUs)


Any 4 from:

  • Urban Studies: Theory and Method
  • Cities in Asia: Planning, Policy and Praxis
  • Principles of Sustainability
  • Introduction to Interdisciplinary Research
  • Studying Cities: Research Methods
  • Graduate Seminar with Invited Industry Partners

Elective Courses* (4 CUs)


Any 4 from:

  • Comparative Urbanisms
  • Urban Sustainability
  • Urban Technologies / Geographic Information Systems
  • Social Life of the City
  • Urban Economics & Policy
  • Urban & Regional Economics
  • Independent Study
  • Urban-related courses offered by Visiting Fellows

Ongoing: Develop Thesis Proposal

2

Thesis and Oral Defence (12 CUs)

Term 1


  • Prepare and defend thesis proposal
  • Conduct research

Term 2


  • Conduct research
  • Prepare and submit thesis
  • Conduct Defence for thesis

Graduation Requirements

  • Maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0
  • Complete 8 Course Units of relevant coursework
  • Complete 12 Course Units of Master’s Thesis
  • The Thesis Committee will comprise three members. 
  • Each student will have a Principal Supervisor and Co-supervisor, whom they will suggest on application and finalise during Year 1. It is strongly advised that prospective students get in touch with their prospective supervisor before they submit their application. The selection must be agreed with the Programme Director and CIS Dean. The Principal Supervisor must be a full-time faculty member from CIS and have prior supervisory experience. The Co-supervisor can be a full-time SMU faculty from either CIS or another school in SMU or, if agreed by all parties concerned, from another institution. There will also be a SMU full-time faculty who will serve as a “Member” to fulfil the committee quorum. 
  • To fulfil the graduation requirements of the degree, students will be expected to satisfactorily complete an oral defence of their thesis. 

Programme Fees

For Fees and payments on the tuition, please visit here on Fees, Scholarships and Financial Aid with the CGRS page.

Application Period

The Programme accepts applications on a rolling basis. Applications should be submitted no later than 31 Jan for the intake starting in August of the same year.

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