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English Language Proficiency Courses

A good command of English provides a strong platform for a learner to successfully complete a degree programme. As such, all part-time undergraduate students admitted to Singapore University of Social Sciences​ from the January 2016 intake (with the exception of the Chinese Studies1, Bachelor of Early Childhood and Chinese Language Education2, Malay and Tamil undergraduate programmes) need to attain at least one of the following:

  • a Grade B4 in GCE 'O' level English Language, or
  • a Grade B4 in GCE 'AO' level General Paper, or
  • a Grade B4 in English Paper 121, 1120 or 1119 at SPM, or
  • a Grade C in Literature in English/English Language and Linguistics/Knowledge and Inquiry in GCE 'A' level /H2 level, or
  • a Grade C in H1 General Paper, or
  • a Grade 4 in English for IB Diploma holders, or
  • a CAP of 3.0 in English Language for NUS High School Diploma holders, or
  • an IELTS (Academic)# score of 6.5, or a TOEFL# score of 580 (paper-based) or 85 (internet-based), or a PTE Academic# score of 58, or C1 Advanced# score of 180, or a MUET* score of at least Band 4. 

1All part-time undergraduate students enrolled in the​ Bachelor of Chinese Studies from the January 2024 intake need to attain at least one of the following: 

  • a Grade C5 in GCE 'O' level English Language, or
  • a Grade C5 in GCE 'AO' level General Paper, or
  • a Grade C5 in English Paper 121, 1120 or 1119 at SPM, or
  • a Grade D in Literature in English/English Language and Linguistics/Knowledge and Inquiry in GCE 'A' level /H2 level, or
  • a Grade D in H1 General Paper, or
  • a Grade 3 in English for IB Diploma holders, or
  • a CAP of 2.5 in English Language for NUS High School Diploma holders, or
  • an IELTS (Academic)# score of 6.0, or a TOEFL# score of 500 (paper-based) or 61 (internet-based), or a PTE Academic# score of 58, or C1 Advanced# score of 180, or a MUET* score of at least Band 4. 

#Test scores must be obtained within the last 2 years at point of admission.

* Test scores must be obtained within the last 5 years at point of admission

2All part-time undergraduate students enrolled in the​ Bachelor of Early Childhood and Chinese Language Education from the January 2025 intake need to attain at least one of the following:

Applicants with Singapore educational certificates

  • a Grade C5 in GCE 'O' level English Language, or
  • a Grade C5 in GCE 'AO' level General Paper, or
  • a Grade C5 in English Paper 121, 1120 or 1119 at SPM, or
  • a Grade D in Literature in English/English Language and Linguistics/Knowledge and Inquiry in GCE 'A' level /H2 level, or
  • a Grade D in H1 General Paper, or
  • a Grade 3 in English for IB Diploma holders, or
  • a CAP of 2.5 in English Language for NUS High School Diploma holders, or
  • an IELTS (Academic)# score of 6.0, or a TOEFL# score of 500 (paper-based) or 61 (internet-based), or a PTE Academic# score of 58, or C1 Advanced# score of 180, or a MUET* score of at least Band 4. 

#Test scores must be obtained within the last 2 years at point of admission.

* Test scores must be obtained within the last 5 years at point of admission.

Applicants with non-Singapore educational certificates

  • a high school-equivalent English score of 60%. The certificates will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

If not, students will be required to complete the course SDE101 Essential English Skills and English Proficiency Assessment that will evaluate students' English skills in listening, reading, grammar and writing, by the stipulated deadline indicated in the course site of their enrolled semester. This requirement does not apply to selected undergraduate programmes where the English Language requirement is an admission criterion.

Students who pass SDE101 will be considered as having met the English Proficiency (EP) needs.

To ensure that students acquire proficiency in the English language, passing SDE101 will be specified as a graduating requirement with effect from January 2019 intake. Students who fail SDE101 must complete four Language Enhancement Courses (LECs) that are specially designed to strengthen their English language skills and help them do better in their academic studies. However, students who fail SDE101 in the first attempt are eligible to retake the diagnostic test a year after the previous attempt. If students pass in any of the subsequent attempts, they will be exempted from the remaining language enhancement courses from the following semester. Unlimited attempts to retake the diagnostic test will be given to students who have 40cu remaining in their candidature.

The fee for SDE101 will be waived for the 1st attempt and it will be charged at $37.50 (excluding GST) from the 2nd attempt onwards. The LECs are either free of charge or cost between $70 and $80 (excluding GST). You are advised to take at least one LEC per semester; failure to complete any of the LECs will result in the restriction of the number of credits (to a maximum of 10cu per semester) you are allowed to take in subsequent semesters. 

English Language Proficiency Courses

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