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. 

Application Process

Intake: August
Application Period: 16 May to 1 November, the year before the intake
Application Outcome: By 31 May of intake year
Note: You are encouraged to decide on your thesis advisor(opens in new tab)(opens in new tab) in consultation with faculty who are interested to supervise your project. Refer to the guidelines for the research proposal.(opens in new tab)

opens in new tab)Academic Year (AY) at NUS:

  • Semester 1: August–December
  • Semester 2: January–May

Admission Requirements

Academic 
  • A Master's degree in Social Work; or
  • An NUS Bachelor’s degree with Honours (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

Note: The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test report is optional but can be used to strengthen your application. GRE scores are valid for five years from the test date and score reports are valid only if our University receives them directly from the Educational Testing Service. Our University Code is 0677. More information: http://www.ets.org/gre(opens in new tab)
English Language Applicants whose native tongue is not English AND medium of university instruction is not in English

  • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL):
    Minimum score of 580 for the paper-based test or
    Minimum score of 237 for the computer-based test or
    Minimum score of 85 for the Internet-based test (with a minimum score of 22 for the writing section)

or

  • International English Language Testing System (IELTS):
    Minimum Academic score of 7.0

Note: TOEFL / IELTS scores are valid for two years from the test date and should not have expired at the point of application. Expired scores will not be considered for the application. Our Faculty’s TOEFL Institution Code is 9081. More information for TOEFL: https://www.ets.org/toefl.html(opens in new tab) and for IELTS: https://ielts.org/(opens in new tab)

Note: Applicants are responsible for ensuring that application information and all supporting documents are truthful and correct. NUS reserves the right to verify information provided as part of an application. False or misleading information in an application (including but not limited to test scores, resumes, certificates, transcripts, etc.) is grounds for admission rejection, revocation and/or dismissal from the University.

Programme Candidature

  Maximum Candidature
 Full-time 5 years
 Part-time 5 years

Note: International applicants must be accepted into an approved full-time course in Singapore to apply for a Student’s Pass. For more information, refer to the Singapore Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) website(opens in new tab).

Programme Structure

The PhD (Social Work by Research) comprises:

  • 6 courses, with at least 5 completed by the 18th month of candidature, including:
    • At least 3 courses from NUS Social Work graduate programmes
    • 1 core course: SW6770 Graduate Research Seminar
  • Qualifying Examination (QE) by the 24th month of candidature, comprising:
    • 2 comprehensive examinations
    • Oral defence of the thesis proposal
  • Thesis Submission
  • Oral Examination on the thesis and related subjects

Graduation Requirements

Programme Complete the following:

  • 6 courses, including:
    • At least 3 courses from NUS Social Work graduate programmes
    • 1 core course: SW6770 Graduate Research Seminar
  • Qualifying Examination
  • Thesis Submission
  • Oral Examination
  • Other Mandatory Courses
    • NG5001 Academic Communication for Postgraduate Researchers
    • NG5002 Research Ethics for Graduate Researchers Info
    • Responsible Conduct of Research
    • Where applicable, obtain a satisfactory grade in the graduate English course at advanced level

See more information on the programme requirements(opens in new tab).
Grade Point Average (GPA)  Minimum 3.5 (out of maximum 5.0)

Please see also the University’s minimum standards for Continuation and Graduation Requirements(opens in new tab). Specific programmes may implement stricter or additional requirements.

Fees and Scholarships

Tuition Fee See here for the tuition fees.(opens in new tab)
Application Fee S$50 (including 9% GST)

  • Non-refundable and non-transferable.
Miscellaneous Student Fees As published by Office of the University Registrar(opens in new tab)

  • Payable every regular semester.
Scholarships Scholarships
See the Scholarships page for the list of available scholarships*.(opens in new tab)Applicants may indicate the scholarship(s) they wish to be considered for on the application form.

*Subject to terms and conditions. Kindly refer to respective bodies offering the scholarship for more information.

NUS Research Scholarship
The NUS Research Scholarship provides a monthly stipend and full tuition fee subsidy*. No travel or other allowances are provided.

Singapore Citizen  S$3,800
Permanent Resident  S$3,400
International Student  S$3,000

The scholarship is awarded for one year and may be renewed each semester, subject to satisfactory progress and the University’s approval. The maximum scholarship period is four years for PhD candidates.

*CPF contributions are provided at the prevailing employer contribution rate, in addition to the monthly stipend.

PhD Students

Name Thesis Title
Chan Teck Wei The Lived Experiences Of Emotional Labour And Resilience Of Early Career Social Workers In Singapore
Chan Whee Peng The Dynamics of Parent-Child Relationship in Response to the Progression of Gaming Disorder
Sophie Cheng

Dynamics Of Hope Within The Therapeutic Relationship Between Social Workers And Their Patients
Zheng Liren

Becoming and Being a Social Worker: Professional Identity Formation in Social Work Students

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