PhD
Entry Requirements
Students intending to read PhD by research must fulfil any of the following:
A good Masters degree in a relevant discipline;
OR
An NUS Honours degree (at least Distinction/Second Class Upper Division) or equivalent (e.g., a four-year Bachelor’s degree with at least an average grade of B or equivalent) in a relevant discipline, subject to approval by the Faculty, on a case-by-case basis.
Graduate Record Examination
The GRE is optional. However, do note that evidence of strong quantitative, verbal, and analytical skills through GRE scores, as well as indicators of research skills and experience will significantly strengthen your application.
If you would like to submit your GRE score report, the GRE Board policy states that scores are reportable for five years and score reports are valid only if our University receives them directly from Educational Testing Service. The University Code is 0677.
English Proficiency
Applicants whose native tongue and medium of university instruction is not English should submit their TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or IELTS (International English Language Testing System) score as evidence of their proficiency in the English language. As such, only if the applicant meets both criteria, i.e. native tongue is not in English AND medium of university instruction is not in English, must they submit the TOEFL/IELTS. However, as some Departments/Programmes may be more stringent in their requirement, please check the website of the respective Department(s)/Programme(s) you are applying to or contact them directly if you are unsure.
The following minimum TOEFL score is required:
- 85 for the internet-based test (with a minimum score of 22 for the writing section); or
- 580 for the paper-based test; or
- 237 for the computer-based test.
- Alternatively, an IELTS result of 6.0 is required.
TOEFL or IELTS results are only valid for two years after the test and the validity should not expire before the beginning of the application period for the coursework programme. The Educational Testing Service (ETS) has indicated that score reports are valid only if our University receives them directly from ETS. The Faculty's TOEFL institution code is 9081.
Application Process
Application Deadline:
- (1st intake) 16 May (in the year preceding the intake) – 1 November ( in the year preceding the intake)
- (2nd intake) 2 November (more than a year preceding the intake) – 15 May (in the year preceding the intake)
To learn about the application process and supporting documents, please click here.
Tuition Fees
Travel Grant for Conference Attendance/Participation
Full-time PhD students admitted are given financial support for their attendance/participation in conferences (local, regional or international) throughout their candidature.
To apply, please download the application form here.
Graduate Research Support Scheme (GRSS)
Full-time graduate research students may apply for financial support of a maximum of S$6,000 to conduct overseas fieldwork trip directly related to their PhD thesis throughout their candidature. This scheme finances airfare, daily allowance and other research-related expenses as deem appropriate by the Faculty approving committee.
Only candidates who have passed their PhD QE are eligible for GRSS grant. Those who have not sat for the QE may submit an advance application but fieldwork must commence only after passing the QE
To apply, please download the application form here.
Financial Assistance for Student Projects
Full-time PhD students may claim 100% of actual expenditure, subject to a maximum of S$500 per student throughout the candidature period.
Part-time Work for Foreign Non-Research Scholars
- Foreign full-time graduate students who are not research scholars must seek approval to work part-time.
- Part-time work is allowed up to a maximum of 16 hours per week during the term
Scholarships
NUS Chinese Studies offers many scholarships to enhance your school life. However, each student is only allowed to accept 1 scholarship program during the course of his/her studies.
Interested applicants should take note of the eligibility and conditions of each scholarship.
- Han Tan Juan (Han Shanyuan) Award
You may wish to find out more about other scholarships that NUS offers here
Accommodation
Contact
For further enquiries, please email fasbox61@nus.edu.sg