Admissions, Fees & Scholarships
Admission Requirements
- Undergraduate Bachelor's degree
- GRE or GMAT
- Cover letter
- Curriculum Vitae
- Statement of Purpose
- 2 referee reports (A link will be sent to your referees' email directly; Please ensure that you have entered the official organisational email address of your referees accurately.)
TOEFL/ IELTS
Applicants must show proficiency in the English language. Applicants, whose medium of instruction at the Bachelor's/Master's level was not in English, are to sit for either TOEFL or IELTS.
PhD Programme Fees and Tuition
Please refer to SMU PhD Programme Fees page for detailed and latest breakdown of fees and tuition. SMU scholarship provides waiver of the registration fee as well as full subsidised tuition for all students admitted into the programme from August 2016 intake.
SMU Scholarship
The scholarship provides waiver of the registration fee and full subsidised tuition for all the full-time PhD students admitted into the programme. Subject to satisfactory progress1 scholars also receive a monthly living stipend. The maximum scholarship duration is 4 years for PhD programmes. Beyond the scholarship duration, students may receive continued support through research assistantship (RA) or teaching assistantship (TA).
1At the end of each year, the School will assess the student's academic performance and recommend whether to renew the scholarship.
Monthly Living Stipend
| Citizenship | PhD | |
| Before Qualifying Exam *wef 1 Jan 2024 | After Qualifying Exam *wef 1 Jan 2024 | |
| Singapore Citizen | S$3,200 | S$3,700 |
| Singapore Pemanent Resident | S$2,800 | S$3,300 |
| Foreign Student | S$2,500 | S$3,000 |
From August 2015, Singapore Citizens will be provided with 17% CPF contribution
SMU PGR Scholars are not allowed to take up any other gainful employment during the period of their scholarship without prior approval from the University.
As part of their Post-Graduate by Research training, SMU PGR Scholars are expected to work, without extra remuneration, as part-time Research Assistant/Teaching Assistant for up to seven hours per week.
Conference Funding
Students are encouraged to attend academic conferences, and to present research papers at conferences. PhD students with papers accepted for presentation at reputable conferences may apply for funding up to a maximum of S$4,000.
Presidential Doctoral Fellowship
Presidential Doctoral Fellowships are awarded to outstanding PhD students. Students awarded the fellowship receive a higher monthly stipend for one year, and additional conference support of up to S$4,000 during the award period.
Postgraduate Insurance
For more information on Postgraduate Insurance, please click here.
Application
Applicants should indicate in their applications which programme they are applying for. Admission will be subject to the consideration by the Admission Committee.
How to Apply
Please click here on General Instructions for completing your Application.
For Applicant's Self Service Guide, click here .
For Applicant's Guide to Admissions, click here .
Online Application:
Online Application opens from 1 Aug 2024 - 31 Dec 2024 for AY2025 Aug Intake.
*If your application is received early, we may be able to interview you earlier and make you an early offer.
For New User | For Existing User | For Existing User (Created before 16 December 2024) |
You need to first register for an account with SMU before you can submit an online application form. Click on "Register New Account" below to proceed. | If you have already created an account with SMU, please go directly to the Login page to proceed with your application. | SMU has launched a new application portal on 16 December 2024. If you have already created an account with SMU, please go directly to the Login page to proceed with your application. |
| Login Now |
Kindly note that applications without supporting documents will not be reviewed.
