Have you given the English proficiency test or are you planning to give it in Singapore for a Master's?
No, we have never personally taken an English test. For a Singapore Master's at NUS, NTU, or SMU, expect IELTS Academic 6.5 to 7.0 overall or TOEFL iBT 85 or higher, unless your degree earns a Medium of Instruction waiver, and remember scores stay valid for 2 years.
No, we have not personally sat an English proficiency test, since booking one for a Master's application is not something we do ourselves. What matters for you is the specific score band that NUS, NTU, and SMU typically expect, along with whether you can skip the test entirely.
Accepted Tests And Typical Score Requirements
| Test | Typical Requirement For Postgraduate Study |
|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | Overall band of 6.5 to 7.0, depending on the faculty |
| TOEFL iBT | 85 to 100 or higher, with competitive programs like law, public policy, or business leaning toward the top end |
Key Planning Details Before You Book
- Check for a Medium of Instruction waiver if your bachelor's or previous master's was taught entirely in English.
- Confirm the specific admissions page of your target program, since exemption policies differ by university and faculty.
- Remember your test score is only valid for 2 years from the test date, so time it against your application deadline.
My Advice
Check whether your previous degree qualifies for a Medium of Instruction waiver before you spend money booking IELTS or TOEFL, since that single email to your target faculty's admissions office can save you an entire exam cycle if you already qualify.
Do you even need IELTS for Singapore?
Which test, what band, or whether you can skip it. Sorted in one free session.
More IELTS questions
- Will I be able to pass the English proficiency exam given my concerns about language skills?
- What are the chances of getting a conditional offer letter requiring IELTS even if I have a good 12th standard score?
- Can I study in the UK without IELTS, and which universities accept other English tests?
- Would you suggest me to give IELTS first before starting the application process in Germany/Italy for a Master's?
- Do I need to score well in GRE, GMAT, or IELTS to get good scholarships in top business schools for a MBA?
- Is it possible to get an IELTS exemption if my transcript states that my medium of instruction was English?
- Will you help with the IELTS application process and provide guidance on the required documents and deposits?
- Do I need an IELTS scorecard for the APS certificate required for Germany university applications?
More Singapore questions
- Other than Canada and Netherlands, are there better countries to study science and technology in Germany/Singapore?
- Which country do you think is better for my management course abroad?
- What are the career prospects in Singapore after completing an MPH at NUS as an Indian student?
- Is it possible to pursue a master's in artificial intelligence and machine learning abroad in Ireland/Singapore?
- Can you track an Employment Pass application on the MOM portal when your employer files it?
- Have you discussed your abroad education plan with your parents in UK/Australia?
- Is my daughter planning to settle down abroad with permanent residency or just study in Singapore/USA for a Master's?
- Do I need to submit individual mark sheets for backlogs during the application process in Germany/Singapore for a Master's?