SMU PhD Award Scholarships 2023-24, Singapore
Deadline for applications, 31 January 2023
PhD Programmes
All the PhD programmes are full-time. Most programmes accept only one intake per year, in August. The PhD in Computer Science/Information Systems accepts two intakes per year, in January and August.
The University’s application windows are listed below.
| Intake | Opening Date for Application | Closing Date for Application |
|---|---|---|
| August[For all programmes] | 1 August (of prior year) | 31 January (of intake year) |
| January[For PhD in Computer Science/PhD in Information Systems only] | 1 February (of prior year) | 30 June (of prior year) |
* A successful candidate who applies early may be provided with an early offer.
How to apply?
All applications would have to be submitted online. In each of the programmes’ websites, you will find detailed instructions on the application procedure. If you have already created an account with SMU (that is, you are an ‘existing user’), you can simply login and put in your application. If you are a ‘new user’, you would have to ‘create an account’ before you can apply. Once you have applied online, you will have to submit your hard copies either through post or personally to the respective Programme Administrators.
With particular reference to the compulsory tests (GMAT or GRE / TOEFL or IELTS), you may first submit your online application without the respective test score(s). You should fax or email the unofficial score(s) as soon as possible while requesting for Education Testing Services (ETS) to send the official score(s) to the respective Programme Administrators.
The application links for the respective programmes are below.
- PhD in Accounting
- PhD in Business Programmes
- Finance
- Marketing
- Operations Management
- Organisational Behaviour & Human Resources
- Strategic Management & Organisation
* On the respective PhD in Business programmes’ webpages, please scroll down to the ‘How to apply’ sections.
- PhD in Economics
- PhD in Psychology
- PhD in Computer Science
PhD in Information Systems - PhD in Law, Commerce and Technology
- PhD in Asian Urbanisms
What happens after the PhD application is submitted?
In each of the Schools there will be a selection committee which will assess your full application package. A shortlisted candidate may be interviewed in one of these ways – face-to-face, or via telephone or web-conferencing.
Once the selection of candidates is made by the Schools, the admission offer letters will be sent to successful candidates. An estimated timeline of the application process is listed below.
| Intake | Month in which successful candidates could expect to receive the admission offer letters | Period by which successful candidates would accept the admission offer letters |
|---|---|---|
| August[For all programmes] | March (of intake year) | Latest by mid-April (of intake year) |
| January[For PhD in Computer Science/PhD in Information Systems only] | August (of prior year) | Latest by mid-September (of prior year) |
Scholarships
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*
| Citizenship | Monthly Stipend (S$) |
|---|---|
| Singapore Citizen | 3,600 |
| Singapore Permanent Resident | 3,400 |
| Foreign Student | 3,100 |
*Applicable to PhD students from SOA, LKCSB, SOE, SOSS, SCIS** and YPHSL.
**Refers to SCIS PhD students admitted prior to 1 August 2018.
Table 1B: Premium (Tier 1) Stipend Rates for STEM PhD Students Admitted from 1 Aug 2018 Onwards
| Citizenship | Monthly Stipend (S$) |
|---|---|
| Singapore Citizen | 5,000 |
| Singapore Permanent Resident | 4,000 |
| Foreign Student | 3,750 |
Table 2: Non-Premium (Tier 2) Stipend Rates for PhD Students
| Citizenship | Monthly Stipend before Qualifying Examination (S$) | Monthly Stipend after Qualifying Examination (S$) |
|---|---|---|
| Singapore Citizen | 2,800 | 3,300 |
| Singapore Permanent Resident | 2,400 | 2,900 |
| Foreign Student | 2,200 | 2,700 |
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.