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Introduction to the NUS-SJTU Joint Ph.D. Program

The NUS-SJTU Joint Ph.D. program is a collaborative effort between the National University of Singapore (NUS) and Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU). This program offers students the opportunity to pursue a joint Ph.D. degree from both universities.

About Shanghai Jiao Tong University

Shanghai Jiao Tong University is a world-renowned higher education institution in the People’s Republic of China. It has a long history and a highly-regarded reputation in China and beyond.

Degree Requirements

The full-time Joint Doctoral program is offered by the College of Design and Engineering at NUS and SJTU. This Ph.D. program has all the academic requirements of the normal Ph.D. degree of both NUS and SJTU. Faculty members from both universities participate in the teaching of modules and the joint supervision of research projects. Students are registered at both NUS and SJTU and graduate with a joint degree.

Coursework Element

The research degree program includes an element of coursework in the same or related fields, providing a graduate-level foundation and preparing the student for research. For doctoral coursework requirements, students are required to undertake coursework as specified by the relevant department of the home university, comprising not less than 24 Units (typically 6 graduate courses). Students of some departments may be required to read additional courses. Doctoral students are expected to achieve a GPA of at least 3.50 in the best 6 courses (equivalent of 24 Units), inclusive of core courses (if any).

Doctoral Seminar

The required coursework includes a “doctoral seminar” to cultivate a strong research culture among graduate students. A doctoral student is expected to attend seminars and deliver presentations of their research work. Participation in seminars is an integral part of graduate study, helping to enhance knowledge, broaden research outlook, sharpen thinking, and improve communication skills. A ‘Completed Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory’ grade is awarded on the basis of attendance, presentation, and document submission. All research students are expected to obtain a Completed Satisfactory grade for the doctoral seminar course.

Ph.D. Qualifying Examination

A doctoral candidate must complete a prescribed set of modules before proceeding to the Ph.D. Qualifying examination (QE). The QE comprises a comprehensive written examination and an oral defense of the Ph.D. thesis proposal. The written comprehensive examination tests the general competence of the candidate in their discipline(s), while the oral defense ensures that the candidate is prepared to embark on their thesis research. The QE should usually be taken 12 to 24 months from the start of the Ph.D. candidature. Doctoral students are expected to pass both the written comprehensive examination and the oral defense.

Thesis Component

The Ph.D. requires a thesis, which is not measured by Units. The thesis will be examined by internal/external examiners from NUS, SJTU, and other universities.

Oral Defence Examination

The Oral Defence of the thesis will be conducted at the home university. The Oral Defence examiners will comprise examiners of the thesis, mutually agreed by both the home and partner universities.

Residence

Candidates would spend at least 2 semesters of their candidature each at NUS and SJTU, either reading modules and/or undertaking research. The cost of travel between home and partner universities (and any other expenses involved) will be incurred by the students. Candidates would spend their final semester of study at their home university.

Research Scholarships

Full-time candidates may be awarded a research scholarship from their home university and are bound by the terms and conditions of the research scholarship. Research Scholarship would be applied together with the admission of the joint Ph.D. program.

Conferment of Joint Degree

Conferment of the joint degree will be by both universities, which awards one certificate bearing the crests of both the home and partner universities. The degree awarded to all successful candidates is identical except that a candidate may use the title of either Ph.D. (NUS-SJTU) or Ph.D. (SJTU-NUS) with their home university mentioned first. Each university shall issue a transcript for their respective courses, with a remark indicating that the candidate has taken certain modules at the other university, where applicable.

Applications

Applications for the Joint Ph.D. program should be submitted to the university which the candidate wishes to be registered with as their home university. The minimum admission criteria are at least a relevant Bachelor’s degree with Honours (at least Second Class Upper) or its equivalent.

Application Forms

All applicants are to draft and attach the Cotutelle Agreement with their application form. Incoming candidates (registering NUS as Home university), existing NUS Ph.D. students, and existing SJTU Ph.D. students should check with SJTU directly for specific requirements.