PhD
Admission Requirements
The normal minimum criteria for admission as a PhD candidate are indicated below. However, meeting them does not imply automatic acceptance in the programme.
- A good Masters degree in a relevant discipline; or
- An NUS Honours degree (at least Second Class Upper Division) or equivalent (e.g. a four-year Bachelors degree with an average grade above B) in a relevant discipline, subject to approval by the Faculty, on a case-by-case basis.
English Language Proficiency
As the medium of instruction at the University is English, applicants whose native tongue and medium of undergraduate instruction is not English should submit TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or IELTS (International English Language Testing System) scores as evidence of their proficiency in the English language.
The minimum TOEFL scores required are as follows:
| 1. Internet-based test (iBT) | Minimum score of 85 (with a minimum score of 22 for the writing section) |
| 2. Paper-based test (PBT) | Minimum score of 580 |
| 3. Computer-based test (CBT) | Minimum score of 237 |
A minimum IELTS score of 6.0 in all sections and overall score is required.
TOEFL or IELTS scores are only valid for two (2) years after the test and the validity should not expire before the beginning of the application period. The Educational Testing Service (ETS) has indicated that score reports are valid only if our University receives them directly from ETS.
Graduate Record Examination
The GRE (Graduate Record Examination) 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.
For enquiries on the PhD programme, please email us at fasbox58@nus.edu.sg.
Application for Admission
| Application Period | 16 May to 1 November |
| Start of Programme | August |
| How to Apply | Step 1: Identify a research topic. Step 2: Step 3:
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| Application Fee | S$50.00 (inclusive of GST) for online application. Application fee is not refundable. |
| Outcome of Application |
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| Communication with Applicants |
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Completed/Incomplete application received after the application deadline (i.e. received on 2 November) will be considered for the next intake.
Important:
Due to the large number of applications received each year, we regret that we will not be able to attend to enquiries on the status of applications or receipt of documents. If you are concerned about the delivery of your documents, please send them via registered mail or courier.
Rejection of Application
Inaccurate or false information or omission of material information or no application fee payment will render your application invalid. The University has not engaged any external agencies to undertake graduate student recruitment on its behalf and it reserves the right to reject without giving reasons, applications submitted through any external agencies and applications that are incomplete or inaccurate. Persons admitted on the basis of inaccurate or false information may be expelled.
Tuition Fees
The annual tuition fees for government-subsidised graduate by research programmes are available here. The tuition fee subsidy from the Government of Singapore is administered by the Ministry of Education (MOE) and is offered to all eligible students. Students need not apply for the MOE Subsidy if they are eligible.
The University's fees are reviewed yearly and thus, subject to revision. The fees for the Academic Year will be made available every March or April of the year.
Please refer to the fees according to your year of admission (e.g. if you were admitted in August 2021, please refer to fees for students admitted in AY2021/2022). Tuition fees are billed by semester.
Students who are full-time NUS staff members may be eligible to apply for staff concession on the tuition fees of part-time, government-subsidised graduate programmes. Information on the staff concession is available at the Staff Portal.
Mandatory Miscellaneous Student Fees
Mandatory miscellaneous student fees payable per semester are available here. All students registered on a full-time or part-time basis are charged the miscellaneous student fees. The miscellaneous student fees are due at the same time as the tuition fees.
Please refer to the fees according to your year of admission (e.g. if you were admitted in August 2021, please refer to fees for students admitted in AY2021/2022).
All full-time graduate students (local and international) are required to subscribe to the University's medical insurance scheme which covers:
- Personal Accident Insurance Coverage
- Hospitalisations, Surgical and Mental Health Insurance Scheme
- Outpatient Specialist Care
Information on this scheme is available on UHC website.
Research students who have submitted their thesis will still be required to pay the Health Service Fee as long as the student remains as full-time and has not been conferred the degree.
Further Information
- Detailed information: Fees for Graduate Programmes
- MOE Tuition Fee Subsidy Eligibility Guidelines
- Service Obligation Scheme
Financial Aid
Candidates applying for the PhD programme are welcomed to apply for the following:
- NUS Research Scholarship
- Dean's PhD Fellowship
- President's Graduate Fellowship
- Commonwealth Scholarship
For enquiries on tuition and miscellaneous fees or financial aid, please contact the NUS Graduate School.