MSc (Venture Creation)

NUS Multidisciplinary Programme (Offered by Six NUS Schools and Faculties and Its Entrepreneurial Arm)

OVERVIEW

The National University of Singapore (NUS) Master of Science (Venture Creation) (MSc (Venture Creation)) is a multidisciplinary programme that draws from the expertise of:

• NUS School of Continuing and Lifelong Education
• NUS Business School
• NUS College of Design and Engineering
• NUS School of Computing
• NUS Faculty of Science
• Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine
• NUS Enterprise

It is an immersive graduate degree programme that combines experiential learning with the academic rigour of one of the top universities in Asia and the world.

Designed to transform mindsets and accelerate the translation of ideas into solutions, the programme targets aspiring entrepreneurs wanting to launch new ventures with success by providing mentorship in business development and access to NUS technologies, as well as opportunities to network for market access.

Gain exposure in hot topics such as Industry 4.0, digital supply chain, cybersecurity, biotechnology, medical technology and financial technology—just some of the modules offered by the six academic units and the entrepreneurial arm of NUS lending their weight to this programme.

The programme was previously marketed as the Master of Science (MSc) in Entrepreneurship.

Why This Programme?

Tap on more than 20 years of experience in nurturing entrepreneurship, with the expertise of NUS Enterprise, which spearheads such flagship initiatives as NUS Overseas Colleges and BLOCK71.

Deep dive into entrepreneurship with core/essential modules that provide all the guidance, skillsets and opportunities needed to transform ideas into viable businesses.

Build a strong technical foundation by harnessing the technical expertise of six academic departments to deepen skills and knowledge through a range of elective modules.

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 (Venture Creation) programme, there is one application period for each AY:

Programme	Intake	Application Dates
MSc (Venture Creation)	Semester 1 (Aug Intake)*	1 Oct of preceding year to 31 Jan of intake year (international applicants) / 28 Feb of intake year (Singapore Citizens and Singapore Permanent Residents)

* Although Semester 1 officially starts in Aug, students in the MSc (Venture Creation) programme attend a two-week summer programme in entrepreneurship in Jul.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Admission to the NUS MSc (Venture Creation) 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)
Skill/Experience	Strong interest in entrepreneurship and innovation, including demonstrated involvement in entrepreneurial activities
English Language	Applicants whose native tongue and medium of university instruction are not completely in English: Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) minimum score of 85 (Internet-based) and at least 22 for both the speaking and writing components; or, International English Language Testing System (IELTS) minimum Academic score 6.0 and at least 6.0 for both the speaking and writing components 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: Resume and complete or current academic transcripts and degree scroll(s) will need to be submitted with an application. 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 (Venture Creation) programme is offered on the following basis (with estimated time to complete the programme indicated below):

Full-time

12–18 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 NUS MSc (Venture Creation) is a 40-modular credit (MC) coursework-based Master’s Degree programme comprising:

Core/essential modules (28 MCs), and
Elective modules (12 MCs):

At least 8 MCs from Specialised Electives,
Up to 4 MCs from General Electives.

Note: Applicable to newly admitted students from August 2021 intake.

Kindly refer to the following table for a more detailed description of the programme structure.

July (two weeks)	Summer programme in entrepreneurship A two-week programme that offers an immersive experience of entrepreneurship in Singapore and Southeast Asia, to educate and inspire, and to create opportunities to connect deeply with peers and with the entrepreneurship ecosystem.
August to December	Experiential entrepreneurship internship / Innovation & Enterprise Internship* A semester-long-startup internship experience. Work alongside co-founders of innovative startups, feel the energy and get into the action, figure out what it takes for a business to thrive, connect with like-minded people from the startup community, and forge a network of friends and future partners.
August to December	New venture creation With the goal of helping students understand the process, challenges, risks and rewards of starting up a new business, this module equips students with the tools to improve their chances of successfully starting their own businesses.
January to June	Lean startup practicum / GRIP Venture Creation Practicum* This module provides guidance and support to accelerate ideas into viable businesses. Through a step-by-step hands-on approach and mentorship, students will be empowered with the knowledge, skillsets and tools to bring their startups from ideation to fruition.

*Applicable to the AY2023/2024 cohort

Core/Essential Modules

Students are required to complete 28 MCs of core/essential modules covering three key areas:

Foundation in venture creation (8 MCs)
Startup internship (8 MCs), and
Accelerated venture creation (12 MCs).

View Modules

Module Code	Module Title	MCs
TR3301 / ETP3321*	Summer Programme in Entrepreneurship	4
TR5302 / ETP5301*	Experiential Entrepreneurship Internship / Innovation & Enterprise Internship*	8
TR5049 / ETP5311*	Lean Startup Practicum / GRIP Venture Creation Practicum*	12
BMS5405S	New Venture Creation	4

*Applicable to the AY2023/2024 cohort

Elective Modules

Students must complete 12 MCs of elective modules, with at least 8 MCs from Specialised Electives and up to 4 MCs from General Electives (elective module offerings are subject to change and may not be offered every semester).

View Modules

Specialised Electives
NUS Enterprise
Module Code	Module Title	MCs
TR5101 / ETP5341*	New Venture Finance	4
TR5102 / ETP5331*	Intellectual Property Basics for Entrepreneurs	4
BMS5121S	Digital Transformation & Strategy	4
BMS5123S	Entrepreneurship Business Development	4
BMS5203S	The Knowledge & Innovation Economy 4.0	4
BMS5124S	Entrepreneurial Management	4

General Electives
Business-related
Module Code	Module Title	MCs
BMS5105	Big Data & Business Strategy	4
BMS5117	Game Theory for Managers	4
BMS5119	Asian Family Business	4
BMS5122	Legal Fundamentals for Entrepreneurs & Managers	4
BMS5125	Sustainability Strategy	4
BMS5205	Business Analytics	4
BMS5208	Sustainable Supply Chains	4
BMS5506	Understanding & Influencing Consumers	4
BMS5512	Marketing Analytics	4
BMS5702A	Asian Management and Leadership: Learning From Zheng He	4
Management of Technology-related
Module Code	Module Title	MCs
MT5006	Strategic & New Product Development^	4
MT5007	Management of Technological Innovation^	4
IE5211	New Product Development^	4
Technology-related
Module Code	Module Title	MCs
CS5228	Knowledge Discovery and Data Mining	4
CS5242	Neural Networks and Deep Learning	4
CS5272	Embedded Software Design	4
CS5321	Network Security	4
CS5322	Database Security	4
CS5331	Web Security	4
CS5332	Biometric Authentication	4
CS5339	Theory and Algorithms for Machine Learning	4
CS5421	Database Applications Design and Tuning	4
CS5422	Wireless Networking	4
CS5424	Distributed Databases	4
CS5425	Big Data Systems for Data Science	4
CS5439	Software Security	4
EE5025	Intellectual Property: Innovations in IoT	2
IND5021	Managing the Digital Supply Chain	4
IND5022	Data Analytics for Smart Manufacturing	4
IND5024	Strategic Procurement in a Digital World	2
IS5003	Platform Design and Economy	4
IS5004	Enterprise Architecture	4
IS5005	Digital Engagement	4
IS5006	Intelligent System Deployment	4
IS5007	Strategising for Global IT-enabled Business Success	4
IS5116	Digital Entrepreneurship	4
IS5117	Digital Government	4
IS5126	Hands-on with Applied Analytics	4
IS5128	Digital Innovation	4
IS5151	Information Security Policy and Management	4
IS5152	Data-Driven Decision Making	4
IS5451	Pervasive Technology Solutions and Development	4
MDG5227	Bio-Innovation & Entrepreneurship^†	4
MDG5236	Pathways to Biomedical Innovation and Enterprise^†	2
MDG5237	Biomedical Innovation Capstone^†	2
ST5227	Applied Data Mining^	4

^ Subject to approval
* Applicable to the AY2023/2024 cohort
^† Offered once every two years starting Semester 2, AY2019/2020

For more details about the modules (e.g. laboratory-based or not, subsidy status), please click here.

View study schedule.

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

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

To graduate from the NUS MSc (Venture Creation) programme, students must meet the following requirements:

Programme and/or Specialisation	Read and pass a total of 40 MCs, comprising: 28 MCs of core/essential modules 12 MCs of elective modules At least 8 MCs from Specialised Electives Up to 4 MCs from Generalised Electives *Note:* Applicable to newly admitted students from August 2021 intake.
Module and/or Qualification	Not applicable
Cumulative Average Point (CAP)	Minimum 3.0 (out of maximum 5.0) Please see also the University’s minimum standards for Continuation and Graduation Requirements specific programmes may implement stricter or additional requirements.
Other	Any other additional requirements that may be prescribed by the Programme Management Committee for MSc (Venture Creation), or the University.

FEES AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

Kindly note that all fees for the NUS MSc (Venture Creation) programme quoted on this page are exclusive of prevailing GST, unless otherwise stated (GST rate will be increased from (i) 7% to 8% with effect from 1 Jan 2023; and (ii) 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$50,000.00 (excluding GST) / From S$54,000.00 (including 8% GST) to S$54,500.00 (including 9% GST)* * A range is being shown here because the exact amount will vary due to the GST rate increase. To learn more, click here. Note: The tuition fees for this programme are payable based on the number of MCs taken in a semester. The amount stated above is for 40 MCs. Students who are required to take more than 40 MCs for programme completion may be subjected to additional tuition fees.
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 will receive a 10% tuition fee rebate* • All NUS alumni will receive an additional 5% tuition fee rebate * Singaporeans and Singapore PRs may enjoy tuition fee subsidies under SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG); the 10% tuition fee rebate mentioned above will apply only to those modules that are not SSG-funded. For more about loans and other financial assistance, please refer to the NUS Office of Admissions.
Application	S$50.00 (excluding GST) / S$54.00 (including 8% GST, with effect from 1 Jan 2023); S$54.50 (including 9% GST, with effect from 1 Jan 2024) Non-refundable and non-transferable
Acceptance	S$5,000.00 (excluding GST) / S$5,400.00 (including 8% GST, with effect from 1 Jan 2023); S$5,450.00 (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:
AUG 2023
Note: The MSc (Venture Creation) summer programme in entreprenurship is conducted in Jul.

Application Period:
1 Oct 2022–31 Jan 2023^# (International)
1 Oct 2022–28 Feb 2023 (Local)

Apply now!

* For full details, please refer to main write-up.
^#Application submitted beyond deadline will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

For enquiries, contact us.

Video

Infographic

• Choosing a Path Less-Travelled

• Nothing Ventured, Nothing Gained

• Getting More By Going All-In-One

• Carousell hits US$1 billion: The story of Asia’s latest unicorn

• Entering the billion-dollar league: PatSnap becomes first NUS-supported unicorn

• The NUS MSc in Venture Creation: immersive experiential learning at Asia’s top university

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Click on the links below for more information:

Is work experience required for admission into the programme?

Work experience is not a pre-requisite for admission into the programme. However, because admission to the programme is on a competitive basis, applicants are encouraged to provide, along with their educational qualifications, details of any relevant work experience (including demonstrated involvement in entrepreneurial activities) so that their applications are more complete and representative of their achievements.

Is a video personal statement compulsory for admission into this programme?

From AY2021/2022 intake onwards, video personal statement is no longer compulsory. Instead, shortlisted candidates may be required to complete timed video interview at a later stage.

You may upload a written personal statement during the application.

I am interested to apply for the upcoming intake (e.g. AY2023/2024) but the Graduate Admission System (GDA2) only shows the current intake (e.g. AY2022/2023). Am I applying for the correct intake?

Applicants can rest assured that they are applying for the correct intake and may proceed with their applications.

An AY is technically considered to start in August (Semester 1). However, because the MSc (Venture Creation) programme starts with a Summer Programme in July (Special Term Part 2), the intake period is reflected in GDA2 as Semester 4 of the current AY. For example, the Summer Programme for the AY2023/2024 cohort runs in July 2023, which is reflected in GDA2 as AY2022/2023 Semester 4.

What support and funding is available to aspiring student entrepreneurs at NUS?

In this area, the MSc (Venture Creation) programme taps on the expertise of NUS Enterprise, which plays a pivotal role in fostering innovation and entrepreneurship among the NUS community, and developing Singapore’s start-up ecosystem. NUS Enterprise spearheads flagship initiatives such as the NUS Overseas College programme and BLOCK71.

Student entrepreneurs interested in the support and funding initiatives offered by NUS Enterprise can find out more here: https://enterprise.nus.edu.sg/funding/.

What career support services can NUS offer to graduates of the programme who prefer to enter the workforce instead of becoming entrepreneurs?

The Centre for Future-ready Graduates offers career resources that can be accessed by graduating students. The Centre aims to enhance students’ employability and ensure that they are career-ready upon graduation. Some of the support initiatives include career readiness programmes, campus recruitment talks, career fairs, and even one-on-one coaching with a certified career advisor.

Find out more here: http://nus.edu.sg/CFG/students.

For more Frequently Asked Questions, click here.

For enquiries, contact us.