Fully Funded Singapore Management University (SMU) Academic Research PhD, 2023-24, Singapore

Deadline for applications: 31 January 2023

Academic research PhD programmes:

SMU awards scholarships, fellowships and other financial assistance schemes to PhD students on a competitive basis. We assess applicants for different award schemes at the time of admission based on qualification and suitability for these schemes.


Full Scholarships

The SMU PhD Full Scholarships cover registration and subsidised tuition fees (see SMU PhD Programme Fees for details). As a scholarship recipient, you will receive a monthly living stipend (as shown in the table below according to your citizenship). These scholarships are renewed yearly, conditioned on good academic performance, for the first 4 years of your PhD candidature.

Beyond the scholarship duration, you may receive continued support through research assistantships and teaching assistantships (see Financial Assistance Schemes in Year 5) or industry grants at SMU.

Scholars under this scheme are not allowed to engage in any other gainful employment.


Table 1A: Premium (Tier 1) Stipend Rates for PhD Students* 

CitizenshipMonthly Stipend (S$)
Singapore Citizen3,600
Singapore Permanent Resident3,400
Foreign Student3,100

*Applicable to PhD students from SOA, LKCSB, SOE, SOSS, SCIS** and YPHSL.
**Refers to SCIS PhD students admitted prior to 1 August 2018.


Table 1B: Premium (Tier 1) Stipend Rates for STEM PhD Students Admitted from 1 Aug 2018 Onwards

CitizenshipMonthly Stipend (S$)
Singapore Citizen5,000
Singapore Permanent Resident4,000
Foreign Student3,750


Table 2: Non-Premium (Tier 2) Stipend Rates for PhD Students

CitizenshipMonthly Stipend before
Qualifying Examination (S$)
Monthly Stipend after
Qualifying Examination (S$)
Singapore Citizen2,8003,300
Singapore Permanent Resident2,4002,900
Foreign Student2,2002,700

Notes

  • The monthly stipend rates are from 1 August 2021 onwards.
  • These rates are not applicable to the PhD in Business (General Management).
  • The PhD Qualifying Examination assesses students’ mastery of the foundation required for the next stage of the PhD programme, the dissertation.
  • From August 2015, Singapore Citizens will be provided with 17% CPF Contribution.
  • Scholarship recipient must pass the Qualifying Examination before the 25th day of the month to be eligible for stipend increment in the next immediate month.

Terms and Conditions under Full Scholarship

Scholarship recipients will have to observe the terms and conditions (for Singapore Citizens/Singapore Permanent Residents and for International Students) of the scholarship offer. Recipients will have to sign a letter of undertaking.


Financial Assistance Schemes in Year 5

After you cease to receive the scholarship stipends at the end of Year 4 of your PhD programme, you may work as a Research Assistant (RA)Teaching Assistant (TA) or Graduate Instructor (GI) on a part-time or full-time basis. If you work full-time, you will have to complete your studies on a part-time basis (as approved by the respective School).

If you are a foreign student, you may work up to 16 hours per week on a part-time basis. If you are working on a full-time basis, you will either be on an Employment Pass or a S-Pass to be approved by the Ministry of Manpower. However, to be granted approval to work on a full-time basis, you should have completed all requirements of the PhD programme except your dissertation.

The hiring procedures and rates of payment are based on prevailing guidelines.

Students’ Training (such as workshops by the SMU Centre for Teaching Excellence and Centre for English Communication) are available to SMU PhD students. These programmes will strengthen your skills to better contribute as a RA, TA or GI.

Source / More information: Official Website HERE.

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