Certificate of Higher Education in Social Sciences

University of London

Programme Overview

Academic Level
Academic Level

Certificate/Foundation,

Awarded by
Awarded by

University of London, UK

Programme type
Programme type

Full-time, 1 year

Campus location
Campus location

SIM Campus

Application Dates
Application Dates

Applications are open till 2 Feb 2025 (Local and Intl)

Estimated Fees (incl. GST)
Estimated Fees

(incl. GST)*

S$14,725 to S$15,860

* All fees inclusive of current 9% GST (exclude textbooks / course materials, SIM application fee, preparatory / bridging course fee, and other fees). Refer to GST Notes under Fees Tab for more information.

Programme Outline

Awarded by University of London, UK and Developed by federation member, London School of Economics and Political Science, UK.

This programme is ideal for those who wish to pursue a University of London (UOL) degree programmes, but do not meet the UOL standard admission requirement, under the Economics, Management, Finance and Social Sciences (EMFSS) offered by LSE. It provides a good opportunity at getting a degree without losing additional time.  

The Certificate of Higher Education is a taught programme and students are required to attend a course of instruction at SIM. 

learning-outcome

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this programme, you will develop analytical and academic competence in order to allow you to undertake further study at undergraduate level. 

Further Studies

Graduates can progress to the UOL undergraduate EMFSS degrees with credit for up to four full modules.

Graduates can look forward in obtaining both a Certificate of Higher Education and a BSc degree from University of London upon progression to the Degree programme, a total of 3 years.

Hear from our students
University of London Programmes at SIM: A Gateway to Global Leadership
University of London Programmes at SIM: A Gateway to Global Leadership

Why is University of London (UOL) the leading choice of learning institution for future global leaders? We caught up with Oliver Trumble, Associate Director of London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), on the benefits for students who choose UOL for their education.
 

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Why study at SIM x University of London

uol-sim-leading-pvt-edu
SIM is the leading private education institution in Singapore.
uol-excellent-value
Excellent value with lower tuition costs in SIM.
uol-globally-recognised
Globally recognised – Programmes offered have the same academic standards as the London School of Economics and University of London, UK.
uol-lse-is-one-of-the-foremost
LSE is one of the foremost social science universities in the world with a worldwide reputation for the quality of its reasearch.
Learn more about the University of London

Intake Dates

2025 Sep intake

PROGRAMME DURATION

Sep 2025 to Jun 2026

APPLICATION PERIOD

Applications are open till 2 Feb 2025 (Local and Intl).

Early submission of eApplication is strongly recommended.

Minimum / Maximum period: 

1 year / 5 years 
The candidature period may be extended by the University on a case-by-case basis. 

Curriculum

Structure

  • Blended lectures, group discussions, workshops and online study. 
  • Additional compulsory tutorials and Academic Study Skills lessons will be organised for students.
  • Duration of each lesson is 3 hours. 
  • Full time classes are held in three-hour blocks between Monday and Friday, starting at 8.30am, 12pm, or 3.30pm.  
  • Classes are taught by local faculty, supplemented by webinars by the London School of Economics on the Virtual Learning Environment. 
  • Academic materials include Virtual Learning Environment, SIMConnect portal, subject guides, past exam papers and exam commentaries, reading lists and handbooks on good study strategies. 
  • Learning support include intensive revision, classes on study skills, academic writing and the Peer-Assisted Learning sessions. 
  • Minimum class size to commence is 10 students for each option. Students will be informed within 30 days after the application period. 
  • Average teacher-student ratio: 1:79 
    View a list of lecturers (PDF 60.8 KB)

Assessment & Attendance

  • Assessment by the University is made up of examinations and coursework (for selected modules).  
  • Attendance and Coursework are part of the University's requirements to sit for the examinations every May/June. SIM students may take resits in the Oct/Nov sitting.
  • Key dates: 
    • University Exams: May – Jun 2025
    • Results released: Mid-Aug 2025
  • All students are required to attain a minimum 90% class attendance. 
  • Student will not be permitted to register/sit for the university examinations if they fail to meet the attendance and SIM class tests/assignments requirement. 

Requirements to Graduate

  • The award of the Certificate requires successful completion of all 4 modules. 
  • Grading Scheme: 
    • 70-100: Distinction 
    • 60-69: Merit 
    • 50-59: Credit 
    • 40-49: Pass 
    • 0-39: Fail 

Modules

The programme consists of four Level 100 modules (or the equivalent). Modules will be allocated for students based on the option selected. 

Consider the modules that are available in the option that interest you and choose modules that are common to both that degree and this programme. 

Students who have little grounding in economics and are not keen on any of the Economics degrees may wish to choose an option which does not include economics (e.g. Option E). They can pick up economics in the later part of their degree, as required. 

Modules can be credited to BSc Accounting and Finance OR Finance OR Business and Management OR Economics and Management 

  1. AC1025 Principles of accounting 
  2. EC1002 Introduction to economics 
  3. FN1202 Introduction to finance
  4. ST104A Statistics 1 (half module) and MT105A Mathematics 1 (half module) 

Modules can be credited to BSc Data Science and Business Analytics OR Economics 

  1. EC1002 Introduction to economics 
  2. MN1178 Business and management in a global context 
  3. MT1186 Mathematical methods 
  4. ST1215 Introduction to mathematical statistics

  1. IR1198 International relations: Theories, concepts and debates
  2. MN1178 Business and management in a global context 
  3. PS1130 Introduction to international political thought 
  4. PS1172 Introduction to political science 

Modules can be credited to BSc Management and Digital Innovation only 

  1. IS1060 Introduction to information systems 
  2. IS1181 Digital infrastructures for business 
  3. MN1178 Business and management in a global context 
  4. ST104A Statistics 1 (half module) and MT105A Mathematics 1 (half module) 

View modules information

View sample of class schedule (PDF 414 KB)

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Admission Criteria

Accepted Entry Qualifications

  • Must be 18 years old by 31 December in the year of registration with University of London  
  • Must have completed the following GCE ‘O’/’A’ Level:  
    • 1 ‘A’ level and 4 ‘O’ level passes; OR 
  • International Baccalaureate Certificate with minimum 20 points or better, OR
  • Its equivalent

Equivalent International Qualifications

  • University of London International Foundation Certificate 

For information on international qualifications, refer to SIM’s International Student Prospectus

Other Requirements

  • GCE ‘O’ level – minimum grade C6 (or its equivalent) 

 
Other acceptable Tests of Proficiency (TOP) in lieu of O level English (must be taken within the last 3 years): 

  • IELTS 6.0 (with no band less than 5.5). 
  • TOEFL iBT Test of English as a Foreign Language overall score of 87 or above with at least 21 in both Reading and Writing Skills sub-tests and at least 19 in both Speaking and Listening sub-tests. 
  • Pearson Test of English (Academic) score 54 or above, with at least 54 in both Reading and Writing elements. 

  • GCE ‘O’ level – minimum grade C or C6 (or its equivalent) 
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Fees & Financial Aid

All fees inclusive of current 9% GST (exclude textbooks / course materials). 

GST Notes:

  • Fees published are inclusive of current GST of 9%. The parts of fees not invoiced, not paid and where services are not rendered in year 2023 are subject to the new GST rates effective on 1 Jan 2024. Refer to IRAS website here for more details.
  • For invoice generated in 2023 for services to be rendered in 2024, if payment is collected by 2023, 8% GST will apply.
  • For invoice generated in 2023, if the payment is received in 2024 and service is rendered in 2024, 9% GST will apply. Credit note against original invoice and a new invoice bearing 9% GST will be issued.
  • For invoice generated in 2023 and service is rendered in 2023, if payment is collected in 2024 (i.e. late payment), 8% still applies.


View all payment modes

Programme Fees

Estimated Overall Programme Fee: S$14,725

Payable to SIM 

SIM programme fees for 4 full modules: S$8,894.40

Payable to University of London (UOL) 
UOL Application Fee (One-Time Payment): £65.40
UOL Module Fee (4 modules): £2,738.08
Exam admin fee (Per paper): S$203

*The fees above are inclusive of the prevailing Goods and Services Tax.
While SIM fees do not fluctuate during a student's study period, the other fees to UOL are likely to increase each year.

Estimated Overall Programme Fee: S$15,860

Payable to SIM 

SIM programme fees for 4 full modules: S$10,028

Payable to University of London (UOL) 
UOL Application Fee (One-Time Payment): £65.40
UOL Module Fee (4 modules): £2,738.08
Exam admin fee (Per paper): S$203

*The fees above are inclusive of the prevailing Goods and Services Tax.
While SIM fees do not fluctuate during a student's study period, the other fees to UOL are likely to increase each year.

Mandatory Fees

All fees inclusive of prevailing GST. 

Student Development Fee 

Applicable to all students embarking on a full-time Diploma or Undergraduate programme at SIM. This fee goes towards activities that will help in students’ personal growth and equip them with functional skills that enhance their employability.

Payable with the programme fees’ first instalment. 

S$512.30

International Student Induction Fee 

A one-time fee payable by new full-time international students. This fee covers pre-arrival and arrival support, including activities to enhance the international student learning experience.

As applicable, payable with the programme fee's first instalment. 

S$436.00 

Application Fee 

Payable for each application form that is submitted. Fee is non-refundable and non-transferable. The fee will be refunded fully only if the intake does not commence. Unpaid applications will not be processed. 

Local applicants:
S$109.00

International applicants:
S$545.00 (not inclusive of Student’s Pass application)