PhD
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The research Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) programme is primarily intended to develop scholars and academics who can contribute, through undertaking original research, to our knowledge and understanding of the Southeast Asian region. We aim to produce future researchers and academics who will be conversant with prevailing epistemological, theoretical, and methodological issues in their specifc fields of study and who can contribute to better understandings of key questions of scholarship and policy on Southeast Asia. The research thrusts of the programme ultimately reflect the expertise and visions of the Department's academic staff.
For enquiries on the PhD programme, please email us at fasbox58@nus.edu.sg.
Degree | Doctor of Philosophy |
Start of Programme | August |
Language of Instruction | English |
Location | Singapore |
Mode of Study | Full-Time or Part-Time
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Duration of Degree | Maximum candidature for both Full-Time and Part-Time: Five (5) years |
Residency Requirement |
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Coursework Requirements | Complete and pass at least six (6) courses or 24 units, unless exemption has been granted by the University, which include:
Optional: Up to two (2) Independent Study courses - SE5660 and/or SE6660 Note: Students should discuss with their thesis advisors on the relevant courses they need to take. |
English Language Requirement |
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PhD Qualifying Examination (QE) | Students must pass a Qualifying Examination (QE) within the first 2 years of the PhD candidature. A second QE may be attempted within this period if the student fail at the first attempt. Students must fulfill the following before being allowed to sit for the QE:
The QE comprises:
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Thesis | Students must complete and submit a thesis within the maximum period of candidature.
A PhD thesis should not exceed 80, 000 words (including footnotes but excluding appendices, bibliography, maps, charts, statistical tables, graphs, illustrations, etc.). |
PhD Oral Examination | Students must present himself/herself for an oral examination on the subject matter of the thesis and related subjects after submitting his/her thesis.
The oral examination comprises an oral presentation followed by an oral defence/open discussion. |
Minimum Grade Requirements |
Note: Students may be issued an academic warning or placed on probation or issued letter of dismissal for poor performance in the PhD QE, research thesis or other programme requirements. |
Award of Degree | A student will be recommended for award of degree if he/she has met the following requirements:
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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
- FASS Scholarship in Buddhist Studies
- President's Graduate Fellowship
- Commonwealth Scholarship
- Harvard-Yenching Institute (HYI)-NUS Joint Scholarship Programme
For enquiries on tuition and miscellaneous fees or financial aid, please contact the NUS Graduate School.
Admission Requirements
Candidates seeking admission to the programme leading to the Doctor of Philosophy degree should have:
- A good Honours and Masters degree in relevant disciplines such as the humanities, social sciences, area studies, and other inter-disciplinary studies with evidence of having read subjects related to Southeast Asia or Asia; and
- the ability to pursue research in the candidate’s proposed field of advanced study.
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
With effect from the August 2023 intake, all PhD applicants are required to submit their GRE (Graduate Record Examination) scores. Applicants must obtain the minimum GRE scores as follows:
Verbal Reasoning & Quantitative Reasoning sections | Aggregate minimum score of 320 |
Analytical section | Minimum score of 3.5 |
Applicants with an excellent academic track record from renowned universities may request a waiver of this requirement by uploading a note in the "Documents Upload" section, providing reasons for waiver.
The GRE Board policy states that scores are reportable for five (5) years and score reports are valid only if our University receives them directly from Educational Testing Service (ETS). The University Code is 0677.
Meeting the above requirements does not imply automatic acceptance into the programme.
Application for Admission
The University has not engaged any external agencies to undertake graduate student recruitment on its behalf. Candidates interested in our graduate programme are advised to apply directly to the University and not through any agents. Candidates who apply through agents will not have any added advantage in gaining admission and the University reserves the right to reject such applications without giving reasons.
Application Period | 16 May to 1 November |
Start of Programme | August |
How to Apply | Step 1: Identify a research topic and consult with your proposed thesis advisor. 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.