S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies

The S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS) is an autonomous graduate school and think tank at Nanyang Technological University (NTU) Singapore. RSIS describes its institutional focus as strategic studies and security affairs, with a wider mission covering international affairs and Asian perspectives (RSIS, Introduction, accessed 29 August 2026; RSIS, Welcome Message, accessed 29 August 2026). It is an academic and policy-research institution, not Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Defence or a statutory regulator.

Graduate education

RSIS offers Master of Science programmes in Strategic Studies, International Relations, International Political Economy and Asian Studies. Its own description presents the graduate school as a place for students to develop as scholars and practitioners, combining academic study with professional and regional perspectives (RSIS, Introduction, accessed 29 August 2026). RSIS also describes a Double Master's Programme with the University of Warwick in which students spend the first year at Warwick and the second year at RSIS (RSIS, Welcome Message, accessed 29 August 2026). Programme availability, admissions requirements and fees are separate questions that should be checked against current admissions notices.

Think-tank and research role

As a think tank, RSIS conducts policy-relevant and forward-looking research in national and international security, science and technology, society, and economic and environmental sustainability. Its research and education activities are organised through five research centres and three research programmes, supported by academic and executive leadership (RSIS, Introduction, accessed 29 August 2026). This research role produces analysis, teaching and engagement for policymakers, practitioners, researchers and students; it does not mean that an RSIS publication is automatically a government position or an official policy decision.

Institutional history and NTU relationship

RSIS was inaugurated on 1 January 2007. It developed from the Institute of Defence and Strategic Studies (IDSS), which was established on 30 July 1996; RSIS's history page describes the renaming as reflecting the maturation of IDSS into a research and graduate-teaching institution (RSIS, Welcome Message, accessed 29 August 2026; RSIS, Building the Foundations, accessed 29 August 2026). Its relationship with NTU is institutional: RSIS is an autonomous school within the university, not the whole university and not an independent government ministry.

Singapore and international engagement

RSIS maintains networks with policymakers, security analysts, academics and students, and uses lectures, research programmes, exchanges and dialogues to connect Singapore-based scholarship with regional and global issues (RSIS, Introduction, accessed 29 August 2026). Its convening role can be seen in events such as the RSIS 7th Trilateral Exchange 2026, but that dated dialogue is a separate event topic; participation in or hosting of a dialogue does not by itself create a treaty, defence pact or binding Singapore government commitment.