FAQs

The SMU Bachelor of Social Science degree programme is typically completed in four years. Students may be able to complete the programme in less time through the granting of credits or course exemptions, or fast-tracking by taking more courses during the regular terms and/or in the summer terms.

On average, students read four to five courses in each regular term. Students on good academic standing can enrol up to a maximum of 5.5 course units (CU).

The BsocSc programme is only offered as a full-time course of study.

Eligibility for exemptions will be assessed by the Dean's Office after an applicant receives an offer of admission into SMU and accepts the offer.

Students may receive exemptions for the Numeracy (1CU) and Writing and Reasoning (1CU) requirements if they satisfy the exemption criteria. Depending on their pre-university academic qualifications, students may qualify for exemptions in other curricular components, such as Major Requirements and Free Electives.

Students can try our simple Exemptions Calculator* to find out how many modules exemptions they could be eligible for.
*This calculator provides only indicative exemptions. Exemptions will be finalized after student's matriculation in SMU.

Transfer of credits will be considered on a case-by-case basis upon admission.

Places in the DDP are limited and keen competition is to be expected. To be eligible for direct entry into the DDP, applicants must have excellent academic results. Freshmen who are offered direct entry into the DDP are deemed to be provisionally enrolled. Provisionally enrolled students must fulfil the stipulated double degree requirements by the end of their second year, failing which, they would be asked to withdraw from the double degree programme and pursue a single degree.

Students who were not offered direct entry into the DDP may apply for enrolment in the double degree programme at the end of their first or second year. Prior to that, they must meet the cumulative GPA of at least 3.40, and satisfy all prevailing requirements stipulated by the School that they are applying to read their secondary degree in.

Non-Law double degree students may find it possible to complete a DDP in four years by taking courses in the summer terms. Law students who are enrolled in the DDP can expect to complete the programme in five years.

DDP students are required to pay the higher of the tuition fees if both degree programmes are priced differently.

Students who wish to be enrolled in the Politics, Law and Economics (PLE) major must declare their interest in the major at the point of application for admission into SMU. Once enrolled in the PLE major, the student can only change the first major through a programme transfer.

Students enrolled in the Psychology/Political Science/Sociology (PPS) major will only need to declare a first major in one of the three majors by the end of their second year of study.

Minors are not offered in SOSS. However, students are encouraged to take up a second major in their area of interest.

Yes, students are allowed to take up a second major offered by SOSS or by another school. Students may opt for a second major by the end of their second year of study, not at the point of application for admission to SMU.

The Dato' Kho Hui Meng Career Centre (DKHMCC) in SMU works with several employers to source as many internship opportunities across multiple industries as possible for SMU students to apply to. These are maintained on a searchable database OnTRAC II. Students can access this database to apply for internships sourced by DKHMCC or self-propose their own internships.

BSocSc graduates have successfully entered a wide array of industries in a myriad of positions such as, communications, human resource management, management consulting, policy formulation and analysis, public service, and international relations.

You can find out more here.