FAQs (PhD)

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ADMISSION MATTERS

1. When is the intake?
There is one intake per academic year, in August.

2. When will the application be open?
Application period for the August intake opens from 16th May and closed on 1st November (in the year preceding the intake).

3. When will I know the outcome of my application?
All applicants will be informed by 31st May (for the August intake).

4. What are the requirements for admission?
For the PhD programme they are as follows:

  • Normally a good Masters degree in a relevant discipline; or
  • An NUS Honours degree (at least Distinction/Second Class Upper Division) or equivalent (eg, 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;
  • GRE, where applicable
  • TOEFL/IELTS, where applicable

You may refer here for our admission requirements.

5. How do I go about applying?
Applications for admission to graduate research programmes can be apply online. The online application system is available here.

Please refer to this link for more information on application: https://fass.nus.edu.sg/prospective-students/graduate/research/application-information/

6. What are the supporting documents required for submission?
Supporting documents required during application are:

  • Personal particulars such as passport, re-entry permit or Singapore NRIC or citizenship certificate.
  • Transcripts and educational certificates
  • GRE score report, where applicable
  • TOFEL/IELTS score report, where applicable
  • Two academic referee and their email addresses
  • Research proposal
  • Documentary evidence of financial support

7. Do I need to confirm an advisor during application?
You are encouraged to decide on your thesis advisor(s) in consultation with faculty who is interested to supervise your project.

PROGRAMME RELATED MATTERS

8. What is the candidature period for PhD students?
The maximum period of candidature for both full-time and part-time candidates are 60 months (5 years).

9. Does PhD student have to take courses during their candidature?
In addition to the thesis research which a student works under his or her advisor, he or she is required to attend classes and pass 6 courses including SW6770. A PhD student has to maintain a GPA of 3.50 in every semester.

FEES-RELATED MATTERS

10. What are the types of scholarship available?
Please refer to the website http://www.fas.nus.edu.sg/research/scholarship  for a list of the scholarships, the criteria and components of scholarship value.

11. How do applicants apply for scholarship?
Applicants can apply for scholarship by indicating the scholarship they would like to be consider for on their application form.

12. What does the NUS Research Scholarship cover?
The Research Scholarship will carry a monthly stipend plus tuition fee subsidy, i.e., the scholar's tuition fee will be paid for by the University. No travel or other allowances are provided.

The stipend is as follows:

    • Singapore citizen*: S$2,800
    • Singapore Permanent Resident: S$2,400
    • International student: S$2,200*

*With effect from 1 August 2015, Central Provident Fund (CPF) contributions shall be provided at a rate pegged to the prevailing employer's contribution rate set by CPF, on top of the monthly stipend received.

PhD candidates who have passed their PhD Qualifying Examination are eligible for a PhD top-up of S$500 per month.

The Research Scholarship is initially awarded for one year.  It may be renewed, subject to the scholar’s satisfactory progress, each semester at the University’s discretion. The maximum period of a scholarship is normally four years for PhD candidates.

OTHERS

13. I have a question that is not listed here.
Please write to us at swkbox1@nus.edu.sg.

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