OVERVIEW

The National University of Singapore (NUS) Master of Science (Building Performance and Sustainability) (MSc BPS) is offered by the NUS College of Design and Engineering.

As a multi-disciplinary educational programme, MSc BPS aims to offer graduates of different disciplines, who are engaged in design, construction, commissioning, operation and maintenance of building systems and services, an opportunity to acquire knowledge and practice in the broad field of Building Performance and Sustainability.

This awareness is vital for those engaged in such activities in the 21st century, as humanity is confronted by the consequences of climate change. This global phenomenon necessitates a paradigm shift towards creating buildings that are not only comfortable and healthy for their occupants, but which are also sustainable for the environment.

The MSc BPS programme was developed with an eye on the challenges that the building sector is facing, with emphasis on the rapid urbanisation that is occurring in the tropics, and on similar fundamental issues related to climates and cultures around the world—all issues with the potential to impact billions of people.


Why This Programme?

  • Join a university that is ranked among the top in the world for Architecture & Built Environment1.

  • Acquire a sound understanding of the importance of sustainability in building creation, as well as the operation and maintenance of building systems, through a multi-disciplinary approach.

  • Graduate with an internationally recognised degree and be qualifi­ed for practice in the broad fi­eld of Building Performance and Sustainability.

1  QS World University Rankings by Subject 2022 

APPLICATION FOR ADMISSION

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):

  • Semester 1: Aug–Dec
  • Semester 2: Jan–May
  • Special Term (Part 1): May–Jun
  • Special Term (Part 2): Jun–Jul

For the MSc BPS programme, there is one application period for each AY:

Programme Intake Application Dates
MSc BPS Semester 1
(Aug Intake)
Dec of the year preceding the intake year to Mar of the intake year

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Admission to the NUS MSc BPS programme is granted on a competitive basis as places in the programme are limited. Applicants should possess the following minimum requirements:

Academic

Bachelor’s Degree (preferably with honours) in a relevant discipline

Skill/Experience

For holders of Bachelor’s Degrees with honours, relevant practical experience preferred

For holders of Bachelor’s Degrees without honours, at least three years of relevant work experience

English Language

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


Note: Please see application information here.

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.

MODE OF STUDY AND PROGRAMME CANDIDATURE

The NUS MSc BPS programme is offered on the following basis (with estimated time to complete the programme indicated below):

 Full-time  12 months 
 Part-time  24 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.

PROGRAMME STRUCTURE

The MSc BPS is a 40-Unit coursework-based Master’s Degree programme comprising: 

  • Core/essential courses (12 Units), and

  • Prescribed elective courses (28 Units);

    or

  • Core/essential courses (12 Units),

  • Prescribed elective courses (20 Units), and

  • Unrestricted elective courses (8 Units);

    or

  • Core/essential courses (12 Units),

  • Prescribed elective courses (20 Units), and

  • Dissertation (8 Units).

Core/Essential Courses

The courses listed here are required, regardless of whether a student chooses to take the prescribed elective course track, the prescribed and unrestricted elective course track, or the prescribed elective course and dissertation track (see above).

View Courses

Course Code Course Title Units
BPS5111 Integrated Building Design 4
BPS5112
Green Building Integration and Evaluation Studio (taken over two semesters)
8

 

Elective Courses

Students must complete between 20 Units to 28 Units of prescribed elective courses, depending on the track chosen (see above). If a student chooses to do 20 Units of prescribed elective courses, an additional 8 Units must be taken either from unrestricted elective courses or the dissertation.

View Courses

Prescribed Elective Courses
Course Code Course Title Units
BPS5221 Microclimate Design 4
BPS5222
Indoor Environmental Quality
4
BPS5223
Building Energy Performance – Passive Systems
4
BPS5224 Building Energy Performance – Active Systems 4
BPS5225 Building Energy Audit and Performance Measurement and Verification 4
BPS5226 Smart Buildings and Facilities 4
BPS5227
Maintainability and Green Facilities Management
4
BPS5228
Advanced Building Materials and Structures
4
BPS5229
Data Science for the Built Environment
4
BPS5300
Topics in Building Performance and Sustainability
4
Unrestricted Elective Courses
Complete any TWO approved graduate-level courses from any Department/Faculty.
Course Code Course Title Units
BPS5000 Dissertation 8

 


Note: For more information about the courses listed above (as well as other courses offered in the current academic year), please visit NUSMODS.

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

To graduate from the NUS MSc BPS 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 prescribed elective courses;
    or
  • 12 Units of core/essential courses,
  • 20 Units of prescribed elective courses, and
  • 8 Units of unrestricted elective courses;
    or
  • 12 Units of core/essential courses,
  • 20 Units of prescribed elective courses, and
  • 8 Units of dissertation

Course and/or Qualification

Pass BPS5112 Green Building Integration and Evaluation Studio

Attain 40 Units within a maximum period of four semesters for full-time students, and six semesters for part-time students

Grade Point Average (GPA) 

Minimum 3.0 (out of maximum of 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


FEES AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

Kindly note that all fees for the NUS MSc BPS programme quoted on this page are exclusive of prevailing GST, unless otherwise stated (GST rate will be increased from 8% to 9% with effect from 1 Jan 2024). The University reserves all rights to review fees as necessary and adjust accordingly without prior notice.

Tuition

S$42,056.08 (excluding GST) /
S$45,841.13 (including 9% GST)

Financial Assistance

Starting AY2023/2024, tuition fee rebates will be provided for this programme as an NUS Master's Degree by Coursework programme not subsidised by the government:
• All Singaporeans and Singapore PRs (non-NUS alumni) will receive a 10% tuition fee rebate
• All NUS alumni will receive a 15% tuition fee rebate

For more about loans and other financial assistance, please refer to the NUS Office of Admissions.

Application

S$60.00 (including 8% GST, with effect from 1 Jan 2023)

• Non-refundable and non-transferable
Acceptance S$2,160.00 (including 8% GST, with effect from 1 Jan 2023);
S$2,180.00 (including 9% GST, with effect from 1 Jan 2024)

• Payable upon acceptance of offer
• Non-refundable and non-transferable
• Will be credited towards tuition fees

Miscellaneous Student Fees

As published by NUS Registrar’s Office

• Payable every regular semester



Programme at a Glance*

Upcoming Event(s):

Watch this space for updates!

Next Intake:

Application Period:
1 Dec 2023–31 Mar 2024

Updating soon!

* For full details, please refer to main write-up.

For enquiries, contact us.

Brochures

• PDF Brochure

Video
MSc in Building Performance and Sustainability

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

For Frequently Asked Questions relevant to Design and Environment programmes, please click here.


For enquiries, contact us.

We will guide you through the next steps of your transformative journey.

 
24 May 2023