PhD (Social Work by Research)

The NUS Doctor of Philosophy (Social Work by Research) is a research intensive advanced programme for qualified social workers committed to research in social work practice or human services, under the supervision of an academic staff. 

The Programme

Coursework Requirement

  • 6 courses with at least 3 courses taken from graduate programmes offered by the department.
  • Of the 6 courses, student must take a core course, SW6770 Graduate Research Seminar.
  • At least 5 courses to be completed by 18th month of candidature.
  • Student must obtain a minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.50.

Other Mandatory Courses

  • NG5001 Academic Communication for Postgraduate Researchers
  • NG5002 Research Ethics for Graduate Researchers Info
  • Responsible Conduct of Research
  • A Culture of Respect and Consent and related courses
  • Where applicable, obtain a satisfactory grade in the graduate English course at advanced level

Qualifying Examination

  • PhD students are expected to pass qualifying exam (QE) at the end of 24th month of candidature.
  • The qualifying exam comprises of two comprehensive examinations and an oral defence of the thesis proposal.

Thesis Examination and Oral Examination

  • Thesis must be submitted before the end of candidature for examination.
  • After submitting the final thesis, PhD candidates must pass an oral examination on the subject matter of the thesis and related subjects.

The maximum candidature for both full-time and part-time candidates is 5 years. 

Admissions

Admission Requirements

Candidates seeking to enrol for a Doctor of Philosophy (Social Work by Research) should have the following qualifications:

  • a good Master's degree in social work; or
  • an NUS Honours degree (at least Distinction / Second Class Upper Division) or equivalent (e.g. a four-year Bachelor's degree with an average grade above B) in social work, subject to approval by the Faculty, on a case-by-case basis;
  • Graduate Record Examination (GRE), where applicable.
  • TOEFL/IELTS, where applicable.

GRE Scores

The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test report is optional. However, do note that evidence of strong quantitative, verbal, and analytical skills through GRE scores, in conjunction with evidence of research skills and experience will significantly strengthen your application. The GRE 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. For more information on the GRE General Test and to register for the test, please visit http://www.ets.org/gre.

English Language Proficiency

Applicants whose native tongue and medium of university instruction is not in English should submit the 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.

Minimum Score Required
TOEFL IELTS (Academic)
580 (paper-based) 7.0
237 (computer-based)
85 (internet-based), with minimum score of 22 for the writing section

TOEFL and IELTS are only valid for two years after the test and the validity should not expire before the beginning of the application period for the research programme. The Faculty's TOEFL institution code is 9081.

The Educational Testing Service (ETS) has indicated that score reports are valid only if our University receives them directly from ETS.

General Information

Please refer to https://fass.nus.edu.sg/prospective-students/graduate/research/application-information/ for general information on application periods, application materials and fees.

There is one intake per academic year, in August.

Application Period

Application period for the August intake opens from 16 May to 1 November (in the year preceding the intake).

Application Outcome

All applicants will be informed by 31 May (for the August intake).

Application Process

Applications for graduate research programmes can be made online here. You are encouraged to decide on your thesis advisor(s) in consultation with faculty who are interested to supervise your project. More information on application can be found here.

Application Documents

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 referees and their email addresses
  • Research proposal
  • Documentary evidence of financial support

Graduation Requirements

To successfully graduate with a PhD, students are expected to achieve the following:

  • Complete and pass 6 coursework courses (including an essential course SW6770)
  • Compulsory course NG5001 Academic Communication for Postgraduate Researchers and NG5002 Research Ethics for Graduate Researchers
  • Pass a PhD Qualifying Examination
  • Submit and pass a Thesis
  • Pass an Oral Examination
  • Obtain a minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.50
  • Where applicable, obtain a satisfactory grade in the graduate English course at advanced level

For more information on the programme requirements, please click here.

To successfully graduate with a PhD, students are expected to achieve the following:

  • Complete and pass 6 coursework courses (at least 75 % of the total unit requirements must be at level 5000 or 6000, including an essential course SW6770)
  • Compulsory course NG5001 Academic Communication for Postgraduate Researchers
  • Pass a PhD Qualifying Examination
  • Submit and pass a Thesis
  • Pass an Oral Examination
  • Obtain a minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.50
  • Where applicable, obtain a satisfactory grade in the graduate English course at advanced level

For more information on the programme requirements, please click here.

To successfully graduate with a PhD, students are expected to achieve the following:

  • Complete and pass 6 coursework courses (at least 75 % of the total unit requirements must be at level 5000 or 6000, including an essential course SW6770)
  • Pass a PhD Qualifying Examination
  • Submit and pass a Thesis
  • Pass an Oral Examination
  • Obtain a minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.50
  • Where applicable, obtain a satisfactory grade in the graduate English course at advanced level

For more information on the programme requirements, please click here.

Fees and Scholarships

Information on the tuition fees can be found here. 

Scholarships

Scholarships are available. Please refer to the website here for a list of scholarships, the criteria, and components of scholarship value. 

Applicants can apply for scholarships by indicating the scholarship they would like to be considered for on their application form.

NUS Research Scholarship

The NUS 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:

Nationality

PhD

Master

Singapore Citizen

$3,200

$3,200

Singapore Permanent Resident

$2,800

$2,400

International Student

$2,500

$2,300

*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.

Admin

Position Name E-mail
Master & PhD (Research) Coordinator Assoc Prof Srinivasan Chokkanathan swksrini@nus.edu.sg
Master (Coursework) Coordinator Assoc Prof Irene Ng swknyhi@nus.edu.sg
Graduate Diploma Coordinator Assoc Prof Irene Ng swknyhi@nus.edu.sg
Field Placement Director

Assoc Prof Peace Wong
(on sabbatical leave till 30 Jun 2025)

 swkwyj@nus.edu.sg
Graduate Field Placement Coordinator Ms Sophie Cheng sophie.cheng@nus.edu.sg

Examination Matters

  • No notices

Student Project/ Research

Other Matters

PhD Students

NAME THESIS TITLE
Pereira Carol Barbara Organisational Climate and Job Performance of Social Workers in Singapore
Chan Teck Wei The Lived Experiences Of Emotional Labour And Resilience Of Early Career Social Workers In Singapore
Yogeswari D/O Munisamy Trauma-Informed Supervision And Its Impact On Secondary Traumatic Stress, Vicarious Trauma And Post-Traumatic Growth In Social Work Supervisees
Chan Whee Peng Online Gaming Disorder

Testimonials

What made you choose to do a PhD in Social Work?
Having been a social worker for more than 20 years, the choice of doing a PhD in Social Work was never in doubt. However, going back to school after a long time was daunting and I hesitated for a long time before taking the plunge. I did not think I could go endure the PhD journey which I have often heard is an arduous one. But as my supervisor, A/P Esther Goh said, “What is the point if it is not difficult”.

Source: Straits Times (060321), medical social worker finds meaning in supporting COVID-19 patients

How has the NUS PhD in Social Work benefited you personally and professionally?
With the support from my organisation, I could pursue my PhD full-time which enabled me to immerse myself totally in learning. My learning curve was very steep as I had little experience in research. In my 4 years in NUS, I not only gained knowledge through coursework which helped to sharpen my mind, I grew personally as getting a PhD is not about intelligence but about focus and perseverance. Professionally, I am gradually shifting into education and  social work research and education. Having a PhD have opened up opportunities for research collaboration with colleagues from other departments in my organisation as well as people in other organisations.

How has NUS Department of Social Work supported you in your PhD journey?
The coursework which I had to complete was very helpful in helping me frame my PhD topic. The support from my supervisor was instrumental in the successful completion of my studies. She provided guidance throughout the process. She encouraged me to publish and her guidance gave me the confidence to do so. The professors, lecturers and other staff in the department were very approachable and encouraging as well.

Why did you choose to study a PhD at NUS?
The Department of Social Work has a great reputation and experienced faculty staff that would help guide me in my pursuit of a PhD. From my time in Washington University doing my master's in social work, I really enjoyed the rigour of research. It is important in providing evidence-based credibility in my work with clients and programmes that we develop at MSF and also when I was working in a FSC. I have always wanted to do a PhD for a long time and with the right timing, research interest areas (supervision and trauma), family support and life stage, coupled with the research scholarship provided by NUS, it felt like the right decision.

How has the PhD in Social Work benefited you personally and professionally?
Personally, I have grown in greater confidence as a social worker – in practice and teaching and now research. Doing research is like flexing another part of my brain and I like the sense of movement and development when I meet the milestones in the research process. When I read the readings and through the research process, it gives me time to integrate learning and to document what I have learnt. I also learnt about systematic review through my independent module.

Professionally, I see how research has a direct impact on practice with clients, training of younger workers and group supervision for social work supervisors. Through the PhD journey, I also had opportunities to participate in another faculty’s research. I enjoy the rigour in finding evidence and to scan the relevant literature. In addition, I got opportunities to share parts of my research at the Australian Childhood Foundation Conference 2022 and will be sharing at the Complex Trauma Institute Conference on post-traumatic growth later this year. It also helped me connect with others who are also doing research in this area. 

How has NUS Department of Social Work supported you in your PhD journey? 
I have a good supervisor who is very thorough and experienced in research methodology. My supervisor also coached me along the way – giving timely advice, being always available and providing honest feedback. My thesis committee is also very supportive and supported my PHD process. This became a resource for me as I got to consult the experts in their fields. The research seminar was very helpful in formulating my thesis as I got to hear how other postgraduate students were considering in their research journey. Whenever I need to consult a faculty member in my research, they have been very helpful.