FAQs

The programme may only be taken on a full-time basis.

No, there is only one admission each year. It begins in August.

The first year of the PhD in Business (Finance) programme shares the same courses as the MSc in Finance programme. Students will proceed to Year 2 subject to fulfilling minimum GPA requirement and satisfactory completion of qualifying examination and oral presentation of thesis proposal. Candidates are to form Thesis Committee by the end of Year 1. Works on the thesis start in Year 2. Prior to the submission of the thesis, the student must complete 4 credit units of Advanced Research Topics (ARTs). Each ART can be a 1/2 or 1 credit unit course.

For more details, please refer to Programme Structure and Curriculum.

The duration of the PhD in Business (Finance) programme is usually 4 years.

These programmes are designed to have a predominant research component. Because of the tight academic schedule and work on thesis preparation, it will be extremely useful for students to have a good idea of their specific research topic at the point of admission.

Exemptions and waivers are considered on a case-by-case basis.

The programme is not offered by distance learning. The courses are conducted at SMU campus and candidates are expected to attend all the courses physically.

The minimum requirements for admission to the programme are:

• Undergraduate Bachelor's degree
• Satisfactory GRE or GMAT results

Applicants must show proficiency in the English language. Applicants, whose undergraduate medium of instruction was not in English, are to sit for either TOEFL or IELTS.

Work experience is not a compulsory requirement.

More information can be obtained from the GMAT website and GRE website. The websites provide information about preparing and registering for the GMAT and GRE tests.

SMU's GMAT institution code is as follows:

• PhD in Business (Finance): F8D-7V-78
• PhD in Business (OBHR): F8D-7V-29
• PhD in Business (Marketing): F8D-7V-60
• PhD in Business (Strategic Management & Organisation): F8D-7V-28
• PhD in Business (Operations Management): F8D-7V-22

SMU's GRE institution code is 2861.

We do not have a minimum GMAT/GRE score as each applicant is evaluated on all the credentials.

You can send the rest of the application to us, even if you have not taken the GMAT/GRE. However we will not process your application without your GMAT/GRE score. You should fax us your unofficial scores as soon as you receive them and arrange with the test centre for the official score report to be sent to SMU.

No, GMAT/GRE is a compulsory requirement for every applicant regardless of the academic background and qualifications.

Applicants must show proficiency in the English language. Applicants, whose Undergraduate medium of instruction was not in English, are to sit for either TOEFL or IELTS. More information can be obtained from the TOEFL website and IELTS website. SMU's institution code for TOEFL is 9014.

We do not have a minimum TOEFL/IELTS score as each applicant is evaluated on all the credentials.

You can send the rest of the application to us, even if you have not taken the TOEFL/IELTS. However we will not process your application without your TOEFL/IELTS score. You should fax us your unofficial scores as soon as you receive them and arrange with the test centre for the official score report to be sent to SMU.

To apply for the PhD in Business (Finance), please submit an online application via our website at
/phd-business-finance-research/admissions-fees-scholarships

Yes, there is a non-refundable application fee of S$15.

Scholarships will be available to outstanding candidates for the full-time programme by research.