Singapore universities are known for academic programs in business and technology. However, top universities in the country also offer strong courses and programs in the humanities that connect with a wide range of disciplines. This interdisciplinary nature gives students the flexibility to pursue many possible careers after graduation.
Another advantage of pursuing an arts and humanities degree in Singapore is the quality of education and the opportunities to study at partner institutions through university exchange or collaboration programs.
In addition to high educational standards, Singapore’s quality of life, multicultural environment, and widespread use of English in the classroom make it attractive for international students from neighboring Southeast Asian countries. However, the cost of living and education can be high, so students should compare tuition and living expenses carefully before applying.
Below, you will find some of the best current and historically notable humanities universities and colleges in Singapore.
Top Schools Offering Humanities Programs in Singapore
1. National University of Singapore
The National University of Singapore (NUS) traces its roots to a medical school established in 1905. The institution acquired its current name and status through the merger of the University of Singapore and Nanyang University in 1980. NUS is Singapore’s flagship university and, in the 2026 QS World University Rankings, was ranked 8th worldwide and 1st in Asia.
NUS is considered one of the best humanities universities in Singapore. Its College of Humanities and Sciences (CHS) offers an interdisciplinary undergraduate experience that gives students access to courses and facilities from both the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences and the Faculty of Science.
The CHS Common Curriculum comprises 13 courses, or about one-third of the total curriculum. Students can also chart individualized pathways through a variety of major and minor combinations, depending on how broad or specialized they want their studies to be.
Under CHS, students can read a four-year Honours degree program leading to a Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Social Sciences, or Bachelor of Science.
For Academic Year 2026/2027, annual subsidized tuition for Humanities and Sciences is SGD 8,300 for Singapore citizens, SGD 11,600 for Singapore permanent residents, SGD 18,050 for ASEAN international students, and SGD 21,400 for other international students. These subsidized rates apply to students who receive the MOE Tuition Grant. Students who are not in receipt of the MOE Tuition Grant pay SGD 36,650 per year.
2. Nanyang Technological University
Nanyang Technological University (NTU) was inaugurated on July 1, 1991, when Nanyang Technological Institute was reconstituted as NTU and incorporated the National Institute of Education. It has developed into a research-intensive global university and continues to rank strongly among young universities worldwide.
Prospective students can select from NTU’s undergraduate programs under the School of Humanities. The single-major programs offer a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Chinese, English, History, Linguistics and Multilingual Studies, or Philosophy. Students may also pursue double-major options combining two humanities disciplines, such as Chinese and English, English and History, English and Philosophy, History and Chinese, History and Linguistics and Multilingual Studies, and other combinations. Additional double-major options include English Literature and Art History, and Psychology and Linguistics and Multilingual Studies.
NTU also offers graduate study through the School of Humanities. Coursework master’s programs include the Master of Arts in Translation and Interpretation, Master of Arts in Linguistics, and Master of Arts in Creative Writing and Publishing.
The School of Humanities also offers research graduate programs leading to Master of Arts and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in areas such as Art History, Chinese, English, History, Linguistics and Multilingual Studies, and Philosophy.
3. Yale NUS College
- Study Program
- Degree/s Offered: Bachelor’s; the college closed on June 30, 2025, and no longer admits new students
Yale-NUS College was founded in 2011 through a partnership between Yale University in the US and the National University of Singapore. It was a liberal arts and sciences college with an international student body, drawing students from more than 70 countries during its operation.
Yale-NUS College closed on June 30, 2025, with the Class of 2025 as its final graduating class. Students graduating after June 2025 are supported by NUS and NUS College and receive the same NUS-awarded degree as earlier Yale-NUS graduates. Therefore, prospective students should not treat Yale-NUS as a current application option.
The college was known for its interdisciplinary Common Curriculum, which accounted for 31% of the Yale-NUS curriculum. The 10 Common Curriculum courses were taken mainly during the first three semesters and exposed students to the sciences, social sciences, and humanities.
Historically, Yale-NUS students chose from 14 majors, including Anthropology, Arts and Humanities, Economics, Environmental Studies, Global Affairs, History, Life Sciences, Literature, Mathematical, Computational and Statistical Sciences, Philosophy, Philosophy, Politics and Economics, Physical Sciences, Psychology, and Urban Studies.
Students could also explore minors from another major or one of three independent minors: Chinese Studies, Global Antiquity, and Innovation and Design. Collaborative degree options included a five-year Double-Degree Programme in Law and Liberal Arts jointly offered with the NUS Faculty of Law.
4. Singapore University of Social Sciences
The history of the Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS) dates back to 2005 as Singapore’s first private local university for adult learners. In 2017, SUSS was launched as Singapore’s sixth autonomous university under the Ministry of Education. In 2018, its School of Arts and Social Sciences was renamed the School of Humanities and Behavioural Sciences (SHBS).
Among the best humanities universities in Singapore, SUSS offers full-time and part-time undergraduate options, as well as graduate certificate, graduate diploma, and master’s programs through SHBS. The current SUSS program finder lists 12 undergraduate program entries and 10 graduate program entries under SHBS.
Humanities and social science-related programs available at SUSS include Chinese Studies, English Language and Literature, Malay Language and Literature, Tamil Language and Literature, Sociology, Translation and Interpretation, Communication, Public Safety and Security, and Psychology. SHBS also offers graduate programs in areas such as Applied Linguistics, Global Security and Strategy, Organizational Psychology, Applied Research in Social Sciences, and Psychology.
5. Singapore Institute of Management – Global Education
Singapore Institute of Management – Global Education (SIM-GE) is one of Singapore’s private education institutions. It offers more than 140 programs, from diplomas to bachelor’s and master’s degrees, through partnerships with universities in Singapore, Australia, the UK, the US, Canada, and France.
One social science-related bachelor’s option at SIM-GE is the Bachelor of Science (Business Administration) and Bachelor of Arts (Sociology), a double degree awarded and developed by the University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, US. The Sociology component gives students tools to understand social systems, human behavior in groups, and societal issues, while the Business Administration component provides a foundation in areas such as management, financial analysis, international business, marketing, and operations and supply chain.
Students registered under the program can benefit from lower tuition costs at SIM compared with studying at UB in the US, while being admitted as regular UB students. The full-time double degree is delivered over 12 semesters and can be completed in four years. Students must complete at least 150 credits with a minimum overall and UB GPA of 2.0 to be awarded the degrees. Estimated fees for the program are SGD 64,615.20 to SGD 98,786.70 for Singapore citizens and permanent residents, and SGD 71,416.80 to SGD 109,185.30 for international students. These estimates include GST but exclude application fees, preparatory or bridging course fees, and other fees.
Studying humanities in Singapore can offer an enriching academic experience because of the country’s strong higher education system, international outlook, and interdisciplinary program options. Students should compare current program availability, admissions requirements, tuition fees, and living costs before applying.
Hopefully, this guide to the best humanities universities in Singapore was informative and helpful. To learn more about studying abroad, check out the Guide to Study in Singapore and Available Programs for International Students!
