Program Overview

PhD Programme Structure

The PhD programme at the NUS Business School is designed to meet the demands of a successful career in research and academia. A doctorate is awarded for original contribution to a particular field of study, which can be in the theoretical or methodological domain, and should significantly add to an existing body of knowledge.

Programme Overview

The programme consists of a summer paper, an extensive coursework component followed by a qualifying examination, proposal defence, and dissertation. The courses and seminars help students acquire the requisite skills and fundamental knowledge, and develop the intellectual independence necessary to be an effective researcher. Good language skills and strong analytical skills are essential in research-based professions, and students are expected to develop and sharpen these attributes by the end of the programme.

Departmental Affiliation and Committees

The Business School has seven departments: Accounting, Analytics & Operations, Finance, Management & Organisation, Marketing, Real Estate, and Strategy & Policy. Students take their courses and conduct their research according to their departmental requirements and research orientation. Prospective students must indicate their preferred department of affiliation at the time of entry, in line with their research interests. PhD students should try to identify and attach to a thesis supervisor during the first year of the programme. Students need to constitute a PhD thesis committee of one supervisor and two committee members within two years.

Programme Requirements

• Departmental Affiliation & Thesis Committee: To facilitate a systematic approach to research with guidance, students must attach to a department and constitute a thesis committee.
• Coursework: For acquiring fundamental and essential knowledge in several domains, students must complete 10-12 approved courses, including core courses and electives.
• Summer Paper: To help PhD students kick-start their research early, a summer paper requirement is introduced into the programme, which must be submitted at the end of the first year.
• Qualifying Examination: To ensure that the student is ready to embark on independent research, a qualifying examination is conducted after completing coursework.
• Thesis Proposal: To help the candidate refine their research ideas, a written proposal and oral examination are required, typically during the third year of the programme.
• Teaching Development: Students may be required to assume teaching duties as part of their training after proposal defence.
• Doctoral Dissertation: An original piece of research that makes a significant theoretical contribution to a body of knowledge, which is evaluated by internal and external examiners, followed by an oral defence before the committee.

Time Frame

The time taken for completing doctoral studies varies from student to student. On average, it can take up to four to five years. Students with a strong academic background, research capabilities, and a clear focus can finish the degree sooner than this. The programme is structured as follows:

• Year 1 and 2: Coursework, summer paper, and qualifying examination.
• Year 3: Proposal defence.
• Year 4: The dissertation.