Bachelor of Social Sciences in Public Policy and Global Affairs

Single Degree

Programme Type

Full-time

The Bachelor of Social Sciences (Honours) in Public Policy and Global Affairs is a four-year programme to prepare students for a career and leadership role in both public and private sectors in Singapore as well as in the Asian region.

With an interdisciplinary orientation and a focus on Singaporean society, the direct honours degree programme offers courses that equip its graduates with multi-dimensional practical knowledge in areas such as policy analysis, programme evaluation, public financial management, human resource management, and non-profit management that enables them to contribute to the public, non-profit, or business sectors in Singapore. The professional training in political dynamics, international politics, comparative public administration, and global affairs also lays a solid foundation for graduates for a possible career in regional and international governmental organisations as well as regional and international non-governmental organisations.

For GCE 'A' level certificate holders:

  • NTU General Admission Requirements
  • A good grade in General Paper/Knowledge & Inquiry/H1 Level History/English Literature/Geography

For International Baccalaureate Diploma holders:

  • NTU General Admission Requirements
  • A good grade in English at Standard Level

For NUS High School Diploma holders:

  • NTU General Admission Requirements
  • Good Overall CAP in English Language

For International Students & Students with other qualifications:

  • NTU General Admission Requirements
  • A good grade in General Paper/English at Senior High School Level

More details on admission can be found at the Office of Admissions website.

Eligible students will be invited to apply for course exemptions at the start of their first semester.

The Bachelor of Social Sciences (BSocSci) (Hons) in Public Policy and Global Affairs (PPGA) is designed as a four-year course. To graduate, students are required to complete 125 academic units (AUs) from the PPGA Major Requirements, Interdisciplinary Collaborative Core (ICC) and Broadening and Deepening Electives (BDE).

The distribution of the courses of study and the number of academic units are shown in the table below.

Curriculum Structure
AY2025-2026 Intake
A. Major RequirementsB. Interdisciplinary Collaborative Core (ICC)C. Broadening and Deepening Electives (BDE)Total (AUs)
CorePrescribed ElectivesGP* or two HA4000 level coursesCommon CoreProfessional SeriesCare, Serve, Learn
153781411337125

*Graduation Project


Table A: PPGA Major Requirements (CORE and Major PE)

Major Requirements 60

PPGA Core Courses (15 AU)
HA1001 Introduction to International Relations and Foreign Policy
HA1002 Introduction to Political Theory and Policy
HA1003 Introduction to Public Administration and Policy
HA1011 Politics of Singapore
HA1012 Fundamentals of Politics

 
3
3
3
3
3

Prescribed Elective in PPGA (37 AU)
Students are to choose seven (7) HA2/3xxx courses; and four (4) HA4xxx courses from the list of PPGA prescribed electives.

 
37
Graduation Project
Students who are not eligible to do GP must take two (2) HA4xxx courses.
 
Take note:
1.  Students are to opt-in to read Graduation Project.
2. To obtain Honours (Highest Distinction & Distinction), students must complete their graduation project.
 
8

 

 

Table B: Interdisciplinary Collaborative Core (ICC)

ICC – Common Cores 14
CC0001 Inquiry and Communication in an Interdisciplinary World 2
CC0003 Ethics & Civics in a Multicultural World 2
ML0004 Career and Innovative Enterprise for the Future World 2
CC0015 Healthy Living & Wellbeing 2
CC0006 Sustainability: Society, Economy & Environment 3
CC0007 Science & Technology for Humanity 3
ICC – Professional Series 11
HW0208 Academic Communication in the Social Sciences (Effective Communication II)2
Digital Proficiency – choose one from a pool of courses 3
Internship 5
Professional Preparation 1
ICC – Care, Serve, Learn 3

 

Table C: Broadening and Deepening Electives (BDE)

BDE (Students may choose from the list of courses offered by NTU) 37


Our graduates go on to a wide range of sectors and many different types of jobs*

Industries

  • Public Administration and Defence
  • Society and Community
  • Financial and Insurance
  • Administrative and Support Services Activities
  • Information and Communication
  • Healthcare
  • Education
  • Arts, Entertainment and Recreation
  • Scientific Research and Development, Logistics and Supply Chain Management

Jobs Titles

  • Policy and Planning Manager
  • Management Executive
  • Research Officer
  • Management Consultant
  • Journalist
  • Compliance Officer/Risk Analyst

The professional training in political dynamics, international politics, comparative public administration, and global affairs also lays a solid foundation for PPGA graduates for a possible career in regional and international governmental organizations as well as regional and international non-governmental organizations.


* From NTU Career Tracks 2020