Jump to content

Singapore University of Social Sciences

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Singapore University of Social Sciences
Universiti Sains Kemasyarakatan Singapura (Malay)
新加坡社科大学 (Chinese)
சிங்கப்பூர் சமூக அறிவியல் பல்கலைக்கழகம் (Tamil)
Former name
SIM University[1]
TypeAutonomous university
Established2005; 21 years ago (2005) (as SIM University)
2017; 9 years ago (2017) (as the Singapore University of Social Sciences)[1]
EndowmentS$416.57 million[2]
ChancellorHalimah Yacob
PresidentTan Tai Yong
ProvostRobbie Goh
Faculty270+ full-time faculty and 1,400+ associate faculty.[3]
Students19,000
Location
463 Clementi Rd, Singapore 599494
,
463 Clementi Road, Singapore 599494
,
Singapore

1°19′45″N 103°46′35″E / 1.32917°N 103.77639°E / 1.32917; 103.77639
Campus
  • 9.2 hectares
Colours  Red
  Blue
Websitesuss.edu.sg
Map

The Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS) is a public autonomous university in Singapore.[4][5] Established in 2017 through the restructuring of SIM University, SUSS focuses on applied degree programmes primarily in the social sciences.[6]

SUSS offers undergraduate and graduate programmes through six academic schools. Its continuing education offerings are delivered through SUSS Academy, while the Institute for Adult Learning (IAL) operates as an autonomous institute within SUSS.

The Patron of SUSS is Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, the Chancellor is Halimah Yacob, and the Pro-Chancellors are Edmund Cheng and Loo Choon Yong.[7] Key academic leaders include President Professor Tan Tai Yong and Provost Professor Robbie Goh.[8]

The university is located at 463 Clementi Road. SUSS also uses external premises to conduct lessons.[9][10]

History

[edit]

SIM University (2005–2017)

[edit]

In 2005, SIM University (UniSIM) was established as a private university under the Singapore Institute of Management Group (SIM). Cham Tao Soon became the first chancellor and chairman.[11][12][13]

On 12 October 2016, Acting Minister for Education (Higher Education and Skills) Ong Ye Kung announced that the government invited UniSIM to become Singapore's sixth autonomous university.[14] On 11 November 2016, the SIM governing council voted to bring the university under the ambit of the Ministry of Education (MOE).[15][16]

In 2017, UniSIM was restructured as the Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS) and ceased to be a member of the SIM Group. SUSS became Singapore's sixth autonomous university under MOE.[17]

Establishment (2017–)

[edit]
SUSS logo

On 17 March 2017, SIM University was renamed Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS) and brought under the ambit of the Ministry of Education (MOE).[18][5]

Ong moved a bill in Parliament to confer autonomous status on SUSS. SUSS was officially granted autonomous status on 11 July 2017.[19][20]

In 2017, SUSS conducted an exercise to issue replacement certificates to those who held UniSIM certificates, with a statement indicating that the qualification was conferred under the former name.[21] SUSS held its first graduation ceremony as an autonomous university in October 2017, conferring 2,137 degrees.[22][23]

The university reduced its offerings in business and engineering programmes[5] while expanding programmes in the social sciences. All programmes include a compulsory social sciences module.[24]

On 1 April 2019, the Institute for Adult Learning (IAL) was restructured as an autonomous institute within SUSS. The two institutions collaborate on course design, development, and teaching. SUSS accredits and issues qualifications for tertiary programmes run by IAL.[25]

In January 2024, SUSS changed its Chinese name from 新加坡新跃社科大学 to 新加坡社科大学.[26]

In 2025, the government announced that SUSS will relocate to the site of the former Rochor Centre.[27]

Academic structure and programmes

[edit]

Academic schools

[edit]
Schools
SchoolFounded
S R Nathan School of Human Development2018
School of Business2018
School of Humanities and Behavioural Sciences2018
School of Law2018
School of Science and Technology–
School of Social Work and Social Development2025

SUSS offers programmes through six academic schools.

S R Nathan School of Human Development

[edit]

In 2018, the School of Human Development and Social Services was renamed the S R Nathan School of Human Development (NSHD) in honour of Singapore's sixth president, S. R. Nathan.[28]

The school offers programmes in Counselling, Early Childhood Education, Human Resource Management, Social Work, and Gerontology (postgraduate only).

School of Business

[edit]

SUSS School of Business (SBIZ) offers programmes in business and management. The Bachelor of Accountancy is accredited by the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA) and Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants (ISCA), qualifying graduates for direct entry into the Singapore CA Qualification's professional programme.[29][30][31]

School of Humanities and Behavioural Sciences

[edit]

SUSS School of Humanities and Behavioural Sciences (SHBS) offers programmes in translation and interpretation, including professional interpreter certification. The school was renamed from School of Arts and Social Sciences (SASS) in 2018.

School of Law

[edit]

In January 2017, SUSS School of Law admitted its first cohort of 60 students to its LLB and JD programmes.[32] Both the Bachelor of Laws (LLB) and Juris Doctor (JD) are recognised under the Singapore Legal Profession Act; graduates with a minimum GPA of 3.5 are eligible to sit for the Bar Examination.[33][34] The school also offers a Master of Taxation in collaboration with the Tax Academy of Singapore.

School of Science and Technology

[edit]

SUSS School of Science and Technology offers programmes in Aerospace Systems, Biomedical Engineering, Built Environment, Electronics Engineering, Military Studies, and Technology. The Bachelor of Building and Project Management is accredited by the Singapore Institute of Surveyors and Valuers (SISV) and Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).[35] The BSc Facilities and Events Management is accredited by the International Facilities Management Association (IFMA) and RICS.[36] The BEng Aerospace Systems and BEng Electronics are accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Board (EAB) of the Institution of Engineers Singapore (IES).[37][38][39]

School of Social Work and Social Development

[edit]

The School of Social Work & Social Development (SSWSD) was established on 4 September 2025. It offers the Bachelor of Social Work (full-time and part-time), Graduate Diploma in Social Work (part-time), and Master in Social Work (part-time).[40][41]

Programme types

[edit]

SUSS offers full-time undergraduate programmes leading to a direct honours degree,[42] and part-time undergraduate programmes that lead to either a basic degree or an honours degree.[43] Programmes offer Professional Majors and several Major-Minor combinations.[44]

In May 2017, SUSS partnered with all five polytechnics to offer the SkillsFuture Work-Study Post-Diploma (WSPostDip) programme, an articulation pathway allowing polytechnic graduates to pursue part-time undergraduate degrees alongside on-the-job training.[45]

SUSS also offers graduate certificates, graduate diplomas, master's degrees, and doctoral degrees.[46] The SkillsFuture Career Transition Programme offers courses for adults changing industries or job roles.[47]

College of Interdisciplinary and Experiential Learning

[edit]
SUSS LifE logo

In September 2018, SUSS established the College of Lifelong and Experiential Learning (CLEL), later renamed the College of Interdisciplinary and Experiential Learning.[48] The college comprises two units: Core Learning and Experiential Learning.

Institute for Adult Learning

[edit]
IAL logo

The Institute for Adult Learning (IAL) was established in December 2008 under SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG) to train Continuous Education and Training (CET) adult educators, conduct workforce development research, and drive CET innovations. On 1 April 2019, IAL was restructured as an autonomous institute within SUSS.[25]

Campus

[edit]
SUSS Richard K.M. Eu Block C

The campus is located on rented premises at Clementi Road. SUSS also uses external premises at Ngee Ann Polytechnic.[9]

A 6-metre sculpture by Sun I-Yu titled "Celebrate The Extraordinary" stands outside Richard K.M. Eu Block C. The sculpture was created for the 2015 Southeast Asian Games and donated to SUSS after the event.[49][50]

Celebrate The Extraordinary, Sun I-Yu

In 2025, the government announced that SUSS will relocate to the site of the former Rochor Centre.[27]

Admission

[edit]

Minimum entry requirements include GCE 'A' levels, diplomas from the five local polytechnics or two local arts institutions,[51] International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma, or NUS High School Diploma. Applicants with good SAT1 scores may be considered. Some programmes have additional requirements.

Part-time programmes require applicants to have two years of full-time work experience, completed full-time National Service (for male applicants), be currently employed full-time, and be at minimum 21 years old.[52][53]

In 2018, SUSS received 5,700 applications for 700 full-time places.[54] In 2016, 388 applicants competed for 60 places in the Law programmes.[55]

Student support and initiatives

[edit]

In 2018, SUSS introduced a Marriage and Baby Bonus scheme offering part-time Singaporean and Permanent Resident students free modules for marriages registered or children born or adopted on or after July 2018.[56]

Research and support centres

[edit]

The Centre for Applied Research (CFAR) coordinates the university's research activities and maintains a repository of faculty and student research output.[57]

The Centre for Chinese Studies @SUSS (CCS@SUSS) monitors trends and developments in the Chinese-speaking world.[58]

C-three provides counselling services to SUSS students at no cost.[59]

References

[edit]
  1. 1 2 "Milestones". SUSS. Archived from the original on 9 August 2017. Retrieved 9 August 2017.
  2. ↑ "Annual Reports". Archived from the original on 23 October 2021. Retrieved 31 August 2019.
  3. ↑ "SUSS Facts & Figures".
  4. ↑ "Autonomous Universities in Singapore". Ministry of Education Singapore. Archived from the original on 29 June 2015. Retrieved 14 April 2017.
  5. 1 2 3 "SIM University renamed Singapore University of Social Sciences". Channel NewsAsia. 17 March 2017. Archived from the original on 17 March 2017. Retrieved 17 March 2017.
  6. ↑ "Singapore University of Social Sciences to offer more full-time degree courses, places". The Straits Times. 9 May 2017. Archived from the original on 5 August 2017. Retrieved 5 August 2017.
  7. ↑ "Patron, Chancellor and Pro-Chancellor | SUSS". SUSS. Retrieved 8 September 2026.
  8. ↑ "Key Academic Leaders | SUSS". SUSS. Retrieved 22 June 2024.
  9. 1 2 "SUSS Campus Facilities". suss.edu.sg. Archived from the original on 15 April 2017. Retrieved 14 April 2017.
  10. ↑ "SUSS External Premises" (PDF). suss.edu.sg. Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 April 2017. Retrieved 14 April 2017.
  11. ↑ "Professor Cham Tao Soon Retires As Chancellor And Chairman of SIM University; Succeeded By Mr Gerard Ee". SUSS. Archived from the original on 21 January 2018. Retrieved 14 April 2017.
  12. ↑ "Gerard Ee succeeds veteran professor as UniSIM head". SUSS. Archived from the original on 15 April 2017. Retrieved 14 April 2017.
  13. ↑ "Prof Cham Tao Soon". NTU. Archived from the original on 22 January 2018. Retrieved 21 January 2018.
  14. ↑ Auto, Hermes (12 October 2016). "Proposal for UniSIM to become Singapore's sixth autonomous university | The Straits Times". www.straitstimes.com. Retrieved 10 May 2023.
  15. ↑ "Government Proposes For UniSIM To Become Singapore's Sixth Autonomous University". SUSS Government Proposes For UniSIM To Become Singapore's Sixth Autonomous University. 12 October 2016.
  16. ↑ "SIM University closer to becoming Singapore's sixth autonomous university". SUSS SIM University closer to becoming Singapore's sixth autonomous university. 11 November 2016.
  17. ↑ "UniSIM renamed S'pore University of Social Sciences". TODAYonline. Retrieved 25 May 2021.
  18. ↑ "SIM University To Be Renamed Singapore University of Social Sciences". suss.edu.sg. 17 March 2017. Archived from the original on 25 March 2017. Retrieved 18 March 2017.
  19. ↑ "Singapore University of Social Sciences Bill Second Reading Speech by Mr. Ong Ye Kung, Minister for Education (Higher Education and Skills)". Ministry of Education. Archived from the original on 4 March 2019. Retrieved 24 May 2018.
  20. ↑ "SUSS Is Officially A Singapore Autonomous University". 11 July 2017. Archived from the original on 26 October 2017. Retrieved 11 July 2017.
  21. ↑ "Degree Certificate Request Registration Form". 2 February 2018. Archived from the original on 9 June 2017. Retrieved 18 June 2017.
  22. ↑ "SUSS Convocation 2017 – Our Inaugural Graduation Celebration As An Autonomous University". SUSS. 12 October 2017. Archived from the original on 21 October 2017. Retrieved 12 October 2017.
  23. ↑ "Employability boost for SUSS students at graduation". The Straits Times. 11 October 2018. Archived from the original on 12 October 2018. Retrieved 12 October 2018.
  24. ↑ "SUSS to weave social impact into all courses". 12 October 2017. Archived from the original on 10 August 2018. Retrieved 4 March 2019.
  25. 1 2 Institute for Adult Learning to be Restructured as Autonomous Institute within Singapore University of Social Sciences | http://www.ssg-wsg.gov.sg/new-and-announcements/19_Nov_2018.html Archived 28 November 2018 at the Wayback Machine
  26. ↑ "SUSS Unveils Refreshed Brand Identity to Welcome New Growth Chapter | SUSS". www.suss.edu.sg. Retrieved 10 January 2024.
  27. 1 2 Tushara, Elisha (6 March 2025). "SUSS' new campus to be located at former Rochor Centre". The Straits Times. ISSN 0585-3923. Retrieved 7 March 2025.
  28. ↑ Singapore University of Social Sciences renames school after late president S R Nathan | http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/singapore-university-of-social-sciences-renames-school-after-late-president-s-r-nathan Archived 22 February 2018 at the Wayback Machine
  29. ↑ "Singapore University of Social Sciences 2018 ADMISSIONS". suss.edu.sg. Archived from the original on 14 April 2017. Retrieved 14 April 2017.
  30. ↑ "Singapore University of Social Sciences 2018 ADMISSIONS" (PDF). suss.edu.sg. Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 January 2018. Retrieved 17 January 2018.
  31. ↑ "Singapore Chartered Accountant Qualification". Singapore Accountancy Commission. Archived from the original on 13 October 2018. Retrieved 7 February 2018.
  32. ↑ "New school's cohort urged to focus on family, criminal law". SUSS. Archived from the original on 15 April 2017. Retrieved 14 April 2017.
  33. ↑ "SUSS Bachelor of Laws". suss.edu.sg. Archived from the original on 12 April 2017. Retrieved 14 April 2017.
  34. ↑ "SUSS Juris Doctor". suss.edu.sg. Archived from the original on 3 June 2017. Retrieved 14 April 2017.
  35. ↑ "SUSS Bachelor of Building and Project Management". suss.edu.sg. Archived from the original on 24 April 2017. Retrieved 14 April 2017.
  36. ↑ "SUSS BSc Facilities and Events Management". suss.edu.sg. Archived from the original on 18 May 2017. Retrieved 14 April 2017.
  37. ↑ "EAB". www.ies.org.sg. 15 May 2017. Archived from the original on 29 March 2023. Retrieved 29 March 2023.
  38. ↑ "SUSS BEng Aeropsace Systems". suss.edu.sg. Archived from the original on 15 April 2017. Retrieved 14 April 2017.
  39. ↑ "SUSS BEng Electronics". suss.edu.sg. Archived from the original on 15 April 2017. Retrieved 14 April 2017.
  40. ↑ Hannah Martens (25 March 2025). "New social work & development school at SUSS to address S'pore's need in social service sector". Mothership.sg.
  41. ↑ Gabrielle Chan (25 March 2025). "SUSS to open new social work school with refreshed curriculum and more specialisations". The Straits Times.
  42. ↑ "Full-time Bachelor's Degrees - Undergraduate Programmes | SUSS". SUSS. Retrieved 22 June 2024.
  43. ↑ "Part-Time Bachelor's Degrees - Undergraduate Programmes | SUSS". SUSS. Retrieved 22 June 2024.
  44. ↑ "Programme Overview programmes". SUSS. 2 February 2018. Archived from the original on 2 February 2018. Retrieved 2 February 2018.
  45. ↑ "Work-Study Post-Diploma for Poly Graduates | SUSS". SUSS. Retrieved 22 June 2024.
  46. ↑ "Graduate Studies - Masters & PhDs, Diplomas & Certificates | SUSS". SUSS. Retrieved 22 June 2024.
  47. ↑ "SkillsFuture Career Transition Programme (SCTP) | SUSS". SUSS. Retrieved 22 June 2024.
  48. ↑ "$500 lifelong learning credit for 30,000 SUSS alumni". The Straits Times. Archived from the original on 9 September 2018. Retrieved 9 September 2017.
  49. ↑ "Five More Community Torches Unveiled as Singaporeans Prepare to Rally as One". sportsingapore.gov.sg. Archived from the original on 4 September 2017. Retrieved 6 June 2017.
  50. ↑ "Celebrate The Extraordinary". 28th SEA Games. 2015. Archived from the original on 4 September 2017. Retrieved 6 June 2017.
  51. ↑ "Art Education". Archived from the original on 20 January 2019. Retrieved 19 January 2019.
  52. ↑ "SUSS Full-time Admission". suss.edu.sg. Archived from the original on 14 April 2017. Retrieved 14 April 2017.
  53. ↑ "SUSS Part-time Admission". suss.edu.sg. Archived from the original on 27 March 2017. Retrieved 14 April 2017.
  54. ↑ Work attachments pay off for SUSS grads | http://www.suss.edu.sg/Happenings/Documents/MC2018-42.pdf Archived 3 October 2018 at the Wayback Machine
  55. ↑ "Huge demand for UniSIM law school despite lawyer glut". Today. Archived from the original on 29 May 2018. Retrieved 29 May 2018.
  56. ↑ "SUSS scheme rewards part-time students free modules if they marry or have children". Archived from the original on 10 August 2018.
  57. ↑ Centre for Applied Research | http://www.suss.edu.sg/about-suss/Centres/Pages/CFAR.aspx Archived 25 March 2017 at the Wayback Machine
  58. ↑ "UniSIM Centre for Chinese Studies (UCCS) 新跃中华学术中心". SIM University. Archived from the original on 8 August 2016.
  59. ↑ "Services | Singapore University of Social Sciences". www.suss.edu.sg. Archived from the original on 4 March 2019. Retrieved 4 March 2019.
[edit]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Singapore_University_of_Social_Sciences&oldid=1378722839"