Program Overview

PhD Program

Entry Requirements

Students intending to read PhD by research must fulfill any of the following:

• A good Masters degree in a relevant discipline;
• An NUS Honours degree (at least Distinction/Second Class Upper Division) or equivalent (e.g., a four-year Bachelor’s degree with at least an average grade of B or equivalent) in a relevant discipline, subject to approval by the Faculty, on a case-by-case basis.

Graduate Record Examination

The GRE is optional. However, evidence of strong quantitative, verbal, and analytical skills through GRE scores, as well as indicators of research skills and experience, will significantly strengthen your application.

English Proficiency

Applicants whose native tongue and medium of university instruction is not English should submit their TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or IELTS (International English Language Testing System) score as evidence of their proficiency in the English language. The following minimum TOEFL score is required:

• 85 for the internet-based test (with a minimum score of 22 for the writing section);
• 580 for the paper-based test;
• 237 for the computer-based test. Alternatively, an IELTS result of 6.0 is required.

Application Process

Application Deadline:

• (1st intake) 16 May (in the year preceding the intake) – 1 November (in the year preceding the intake)
• (2nd intake) 2 November (more than a year preceding the intake) – 15 May (in the year preceding the intake)

Tuition Fees

Information on tuition fees is available.

Travel Grant for Conference Attendance/Participation

Full-time PhD students admitted are given financial support for their attendance/participation in conferences (local, regional, or international) throughout their candidature.

Graduate Research Support Scheme (GRSS)

Full-time graduate research students may apply for financial support of a maximum of S$6,000 to conduct an overseas fieldwork trip directly related to their PhD thesis throughout their candidature. This scheme finances airfare, daily allowance, and other research-related expenses as deemed appropriate by the Faculty approving committee.

Financial Assistance for Student Projects

Full-time PhD students may claim 100% of actual expenditure, subject to a maximum of S$500 per student throughout the candidature period.

Part-time Work for Foreign Non-Research Scholars

• Foreign full-time graduate students who are not research scholars must seek approval to work part-time.
• Part-time work is allowed up to a maximum of 16 hours per week during the term.

Scholarships

NUS Chinese Studies offers many scholarships to enhance your school life. However, each student is only allowed to accept one scholarship program during the course of his/her studies. Interested applicants should take note of the eligibility and conditions of each scholarship.

• Han Tan Juan (Han Shanyuan) Award

Accommodation

Information on accommodation is available.