Singapore University of Social Sciences

What Singapore University of Social Sciences does

Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS) is one of Singapore's autonomous public universities, established in 2005 (formerly SIM University) and operating under the Ministry of Education. The university delivers a portfolio of more than 80 academic programmes and over 200 Continuing Education and Training (CET) courses per semester, spanning undergraduate degrees, graduate certificates/diplomas, master's and doctoral programmes, professional law programmes (LLB and JD), and corporate training through SUSS Academy. Its core academic architecture is organized across seven schools: S R Nathan School of Human Development, School of Business, School of Humanities and Behavioural Sciences, School of Law, School of Science and Technology, School of Social Work and Social Development (launched September 2025), and the College of Interdisciplinary & Experiential Learning. Delivery is built on a modular, stackable curriculum framework grounded in the institution's Head, Heart, Habit (3H) philosophy, with the Canvas learning management system underpinning online course delivery and AI-enabled tools (chatbots, virtual tutors, Gradescope-assisted grading) supporting assessment.

SUSS serves a student body of approximately 27,500 (as of September 2025), of which 75% are adult learners — a structural mix that differentiates it from Singapore's research-intensive peers. The remaining 25% are fresh school-leavers entering full-time programmes. The university generates revenue through government-subsidized tuition for Singapore citizens (full-time and part-time), per-course and per-module fees for graduate and CET programmes, SkillsFuture Credit-funded CET delivery, and corporate training via SUSS Academy. It distributes through direct enrollment (website and on-campus), articulation partnerships with all five Singapore polytechnics under the SkillsFuture Work-Study Post-Diploma programme, the SkillsFuture Singapore portal, and SUSS Academy's enterprise sales channel.

The institution's strategic positioning combines three reinforcing layers: (1) Singapore's first university dedicated to lifelong learning, serving mid-career professionals, silver learners, and degree-hungry working adults; (2) a social-impact mandate reflected in programmes such as Social Work, Early Childhood Education, Gerontology, and partnerships with the National Council of Social Service, raiSE, and Family Justice Courts; and (3) growing research and policy influence via the Hoffmann Fellowship with the World Economic Forum, the Singapore Opportunity Index with MOM and Burning Glass Institute, and the 2025 pursuit of AACSB and EFMD accreditation. SUSS is government-funded, not publicly traded, and operates without external shareholders.

Name

Singapore University of Social Sciences

Legal name

Singapore University of Social Sciences

Website

https://suss.edu.sg

Company type

Public

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

Singapore University of Social Sciences is a Singapore autonomous public university serving 27,500+ students across undergraduate, graduate, and continuing education programmes, with a 75% adult learner base, modular stackable curriculum, and strong social-services and policy-research orientation.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Social Sciences & Public Policy Research Universities (EDAHABAD)

akta.pro secondary industry

Dual/Joint Degree Programs (International) (EDAIABAD)

Keywords

• Higher education
• Lifelong learning
• Undergraduate degrees
• Continuing education
• Corporate training

Headquarters

HQ city

Singapore

HQ country

Singapore

HQ region

Asia

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Tuition Fees - Undergraduate Programmes: Full-time and part-time undergraduate programmes charged at subsidized tuition rates for Singapore citizens, with separate fee structures for permanent residents and international students. Government subsidies available through MOE.
2. Graduate Programme Fees: Graduate certificates, diplomas, master's, and doctoral programmes with tiered pricing. Stackable programme architecture allows progressive qualification attainment. LEAP scheme offers free CET courses for SUSS graduates.
3. Continuing Education and Training (CET): Over 200 courses per semester including professional certificates, SkillsFuture courses, modular undergraduate/graduate courses, and short courses ranging from 1 day to several weeks. Fee-based with government subsidies available.
4. SUSS Academy Corporate Training: Customized corporate training and industry-specific courses delivered through SUSS Academy. Business Development team handles corporate enquiries for tailored training solutions.
5. Work-Study Post-Diploma (WSPostDip): SkillsFuture programme integrating skills-based modules with on-the-job training for polytechnic graduates, providing articulation pathways to SUSS degree programmes with credit recognition.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS) is a public autonomous university in Singapore that delivers undergraduate degree programs, graduate degree programs, continuing education courses, and corporate training through its SUSS Academy arm. It is designed for adult learners and working professionals, offering flexible modular pathways across the social sciences, business, technology, education, and humanities disciplines.

Product overview

Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS) operates as a comprehensive university offering a platform of academic programmes, professional certifications, and continuing education services. The portfolio includes undergraduate and graduate degree programmes across seven schools (S R Nathan School of Human Development, School of Business, School of Humanities and Behavioural Sciences, School of Law, School of Science and Technology, School of Social Work and Social Development, and College of Interdisciplinary & Experiential Learning). The university provides over 80 programmes, 200+ CET courses per semester, and professional certificate programmes through SUSS Academy for corporate training. Key offerings include specialized graduate programmes (Master of Artificial Intelligence for Business, Master of Gerontology, Master of Social Work), law programmes (LLB and Juris Doctor), SkillsFuture-funded work-study pathways, and workplace safety courses. The institution uses Canvas as its learning management system and offers AI-related courses including Introduction to Generative AI. The New SUSS Curriculum launched in 2023 provides flexible major-minor combinations with experiential learning components.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Undergraduate Degree Programs Full and part-time undergraduate degrees in social sciences, business, technology, education, and humanities, designed for adult learners and working professionals seeking flexible study pathways.
• Graduate Degree Programs Master's and doctoral-level degree programs offered across multiple schools, targeting working professionals seeking advanced qualifications with flexible scheduling.
• Continuing Education Courses Short courses, certificates, and modular continuing education offerings designed for adult learners pursuing lifelong learning and professional development.
• SUSS Academy Corporate Training Customised corporate training programmes and executive education delivered to organisations through SUSS Academy, targeting workforce upskilling and capability development.

Quantifiable outcome

• 95% employment rate for Social Work graduates within six months of graduation
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability6 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

33 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Singapore Federation of Chinese Clan Associations (SFCCA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 February 2026SFCCA announced new training courses in partnership with SUSS to nurture community leaders and enhance governance. SFCCA has over 250 member clan associations representing Chinese community organizations across Singapore.
• raiSE (Singapore Centre for Social Enterprise)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 February 2026raiSE partnered with SUSS and NCSS to launch a S$1 million sandbox programme in Q2 for social impact startups to pilot solutions with social service providers. This is part of raiSE's S$10 million blended finance initiative over five years.
• National Council of Social Service (NCSS)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 February 2026NCSS partnered with raiSE and SUSS to launch a S$1 million sandbox programme in Q2 for social impact startups to pilot solutions with social service providers in Singapore.
• Ministry of Manpower (MOM)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 January 2026The Singapore Opportunity Index was developed by MOM in partnership with SUSS and the Burning Glass Institute to recognize employers excelling in workforce outcomes including progression, pay, retention and gender parity.
• Burning Glass InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 January 2026Burning Glass Institute collaborated with MOM and SUSS to develop the Singapore Opportunity Index, an initiative to help firms and workers understand how workplace practices shape career outcomes.
• International Academy for Integrated Care (IAIC)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 November 2025SUSS launched a multi-region study on perceptions of aging and aging well at the IAIC 2025 event, involving insights from Singapore, Canada, Mainland China, Hong Kong SAR, and the United Kingdom to guide targeted policies and interventions.
• Project Futurus (Hong Kong)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSUSS partnered with Hong Kong-based Project Futurus to pilot dysphagia-friendly menus in mainstream restaurants like Imperial Treasure and 5 Senses Café & Restaurant, addressing swallowing difficulties affecting approximately 174,000 seniors in Singapore.
• World Economic Forum (WEF)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHoffmann Fellowship Programme collaboration between SUSS and the World Economic Forum, supporting leadership development and global networking opportunities.
• Singapore AirlinesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for industry collaboration and potential student placement or research opportunities.
• SingHealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare partnership for education and research collaboration.
• Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFinancial services partnership for education and regulatory research.
• National Healthcare Group Polyclinics (NHGP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMaster Collaboration Agreement to nurture graduates with person-centered health coaching abilities through joint programmes.
• Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for public safety and security education and research collaboration.
• Nanyang Polytechnic (NYP)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorArticulation pathway partnership under Work-Study Post-Diploma programme enabling polytechnic graduates to pathway into SUSS degree programmes with credit recognition of up to 50 credit units.
• Ngee Ann Polytechnic (NP)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorArticulation pathway partnership under Work-Study Post-Diploma programme enabling polytechnic graduates to pathway into SUSS degree programmes with credit recognition.
• Republic Polytechnic (RP)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorArticulation pathway partnership under Work-Study Post-Diploma programme enabling polytechnic graduates to pathway into SUSS degree programmes with credit recognition.
• Singapore Polytechnic (SP)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorArticulation pathway partnership under Work-Study Post-Diploma programme enabling polytechnic graduates to pathway into SUSS degree programmes with credit recognition.
• Temasek Polytechnic (TP)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorArticulation pathway partnership under Work-Study Post-Diploma programme enabling polytechnic graduates to pathway into SUSS degree programmes with credit recognition.
• Financial Planning Association of Singapore (FPAS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMOU between SUSS Finance and FPAS to strengthen industry partnership, supporting finance education and professional development.
• China Accreditation Test for Translators and Interpreters (CATTI)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to enhance SUSS's position as a translation and interpretation training and certifying institution in Singapore.
• Institute of Public Relations Singapore (IPRS)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMoU signed for student development collaboration, providing real-life opportunities for students.
• Nanyang Confucian Association (NCA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMOU to provide scholarships, sponsored by the Kongzi Culture Fund Ltd, to deserving BACL students in SUSS.
• National Library Board (NLB)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for research and educational collaboration.
• Chulalongkorn UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational academic partnership for student exchange and research collaboration.
• King Mongkut's University of Technology North Bangkok (KMUTNB)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational academic partnership for education and research collaboration.
• Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational academic partnership for regional collaboration.
• Universitas Indonesia (UI)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational academic partnership for regional collaboration.
• Beijing International Studies UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational academic partnership for education and cultural exchange.
• BCA AcademycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with Building and Construction Authority for Building and Project Management and Facilities and Events Management programmes.
• ST AerospacecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMOU signed to collaborate in areas of research and training where both parties undertake associate training at each other's facilities.
• Singapore Armed Forces (SAF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMOU signed to cooperate as strategic partners to support the continuing education of SAF personnel.
• Singapore Computer Society (SCS)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMOU signed to promote development of skills and knowledge of IT students in Singapore.
• Singapore Psychological SocietyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for psychology education and professional development.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Singapore Institute of Technology: Singapore's newest autonomous university focused on applied learning and industry-relevant degrees, partnering with overseas universities. Directly comparable to SUSS in its applied, work-integrated pedagogy and target audience of adult learners seeking career-focused qualifications.
• Singapore University of Technology and Design: Autonomous Singapore university founded in 2009, focused on design and technology education with strong industry partnerships. Comparable as a newer-generation Singapore autonomous university serving similar school-leaver and adult learner segments with industry-relevant curricula.
• SIM Global Education: Singapore's largest private education provider, offering diploma, degree, and continuing education programmes in partnership with overseas universities. Directly competes with SUSS for adult learners and CET enrolments, with similar revenue model reliant on tuition and corporate training.
• Kaplan Singapore: Major private education provider in Singapore offering diploma, degree, and professional certificate programmes. Competes with SUSS in the part-time degree, CET, and adult learner segments, particularly for working professionals seeking flexible, industry-aligned qualifications.
• PSB Academy: Private education institution in Singapore offering certificates, diplomas, and degrees across business, technology, and engineering. Competes with SUSS in the CET and SkillsFuture-aligned course market, targeting similar working adult segments.

Broad incumbents

• Singapore Management University: One of Singapore's autonomous universities, focused on business and management education. Comparable to SUSS as a city-state university competing for the same Singapore student pool and corporate training partnerships, though more research-intensive and narrowly business-focused.
• Nanyang Technological University: One of Singapore's two largest autonomous universities, ranked globally and research-intensive. Competes with SUSS for top school-leavers, faculty talent, and government research funding, though positioned as a comprehensive research university rather than a lifelong learning specialist.
• National University of Singapore: Singapore's flagship and oldest autonomous university with global top-15 ranking. Competes with SUSS for top-tier students, government grants, and faculty, and operates continuing education (NUS-ISS) programmes that overlap with SUSS's CET portfolio.

Emerging players

• The Open University (UK): UK's largest university for part-time, flexible, and distance learning with a strong lifelong learner mandate. Conceptually comparable to SUSS as a pioneer in modular, stackable, and remote-access higher education for working adults.

Regional players

• Wawasan Open University: Malaysian private open university focused on flexible, affordable higher education for working adults. Regionally comparable to SUSS in its open learning model, adult learner focus, and modular programme design across Southeast Asia.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/showcase/suss-graduate-studies
• Xx.com/suss_sg
• Facebookfacebook.com/suss.sg

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Singapore University of Social Sciences