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Research Programmes : Frequently Asked Questions
Application Matters Q : What is a research programme? A : The research programme provides training in a particular subject area through independent investigation, study and experimental work, culminating in the submission of a thesis on the research undertaken. A supervisor or supervisors will be appointed for each candidate. Candidates are required to attend appropriate lectures and sit for written examinations.
Q : In what disciplines are research programmes available in the Faculty of Science? A : The Faculty offers research programmes in the following Departments and Programmes:
Q : What are the admission requirements? A : For the Graduate research programme they are as follows:
Q : Is there any age limit? A : There is no age limit.
Q : Is TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or IELTS (International English Language Testing System) a pre-requisite for admission? A : Applicants whose native tongue or medium of university instruction is not English should submit TOEFL or IELTS score as evidence of their proficiency in the English language. Alternatively, applicants should supply a documentary proof that the medium of instruction for their first degree was conducted 100% in English.
Q : What is the minimum TOEFL/IELTS score required? A : A minimum TOEFL score of 85 is required for the internet-based test (with a minimum of 22 for the writing section), or 580 for the paper-based test, or 260 for the computer-based test; while a minimum IELTS score of 6.0 is required.
Q : What is the validity period of TOEFL/IELTS score reports? A : TOEFL/IELTS score reports are only valid for two years after the test and the validity period should not expire before the beginning of the application period for the relevant intake for which you are applying.
Q : How do I register for TOEFL/IELTS? A : You may communicate with the organisations conducting the respective tests. TOEFL & GRE http://www.ets.org
IELTS http://www.ielts.org
GMAT http://www.gmac/gmac
For TOEFL, Please quote our University code 9087 and the specific department codes. Pharmacy - 47 Biological Sciences - 35 Chemistry - 62 Mathematics - 72 Physics - 76 Statistics - 59 Q : Is GRE (Graduate Record Examination) a pre-requisite for admission? A : Applicants (except NUS graduates) applying for disciplines in the Faculty of Science should preferably submit GRE scores.
Please quote our University code 0677 and the specific department codes. Physics - 0808 Mathematics - 0703 Statistics - 0704 Chemistry - 0301 Pharmacy - 0613 Biological Sciences - 0299 Q : How many intakes are there per year? A : There are two intakes per academic year - one in January and the other in August.
Q : When are the deadlines for submission of application? A : All application forms and supporting documents must reach our University by the following deadlines:
Q : Can I apply for admission online? A : Yes, you can do so via our
online application system.
Q : How can I get a set of the application materials? : You are advised to apply online via
https://integral.nus.edu.sg/pif/pif_adm_web.homepage
If you are unable to do so, you may click here to download the application form.
Q : When will I know the outcome of my application? A : All applicants will be informed by 31st May (for the August intake) or 31st October (for the January intake).
Q : Can I apply for more than one programme at the same time? A : Yes, you may. However, you must use separate application forms and attach separate sets of supporting documents for each Department/Programme/degree for which you are applying. The application fee must also be paid for each application submitted. If you are successful in more than one application, you must choose to pursue only one programme.
Q : If I intend to pursue my studies on a self-financing basis, what type of financial statement should I submit? A : You should submit one of the following documents:
- A bank statement of your finance; or - A letter of confirmation from a sponsor and the sponsor's bank statement; or - Documentary evidence of scholarship or other award that you have obtained. The financial statement should indicate a total of at least S$15,000 or its equivalent. Q : How do I pay for the application fee? A : For paper applications, local applicants should make the payment by cheque while foreign applicants should make the payment by bankdraft. The cheque or bankdraft, drawn on a bank in Singapore, should be crossed and made payable to the "National University of Singapore". The payment must be made in Singapore currency (S$20.00 or S$40.00) or the equivalent in US dollars.
Please write your name, postal address and programme applied for on the reverse of the cheque/bankdraft. For online applications, the following are the various modes of payment for local and foreign applicants: For Local Applicants: - E-payment (credit card or internet banking) or - Crossed cheque for S$20.00 or S$40.00 made payable to National University of Singapore. Please write your name, mailing address and the programme applied for on the reverse of the cheque; or - Make payment by NETS at the Student Service Centre (located at Level 1, Yusof Ishak House) between 8.30am and 5.00pm from Monday to Friday. For Foreign Applicants: - E-payment (credit card or internet banking) - expected to be available in February 2007; or - Crossed bankdraft (drawn on a bank in Singapore in either SS20.00/S$40.00 or the equivalent of US dollars) made payable to National University of Singapore. Please write your name, mailing address and programme applied for on the reverse of the bankdraft. All the payments must be accompanied by the Application Fee Payment Form which is available from the relevant webpage from which you obtain the application form. Q : How do I work out a research proposal? A : You may visit the website of the relevant Department/Programme to check their research focus. If you have further questions on this, you may communicate directly with the Department/Programme through the contacts indicated in their websites.
Q : If I am successful in my application, can I defer admission? A : Deferment of admission is not encouraged. You are advised to apply when you are ready.
Should an unforeseen situation arise that requires you to defer your admission, you may forward your request, with reasons, to the Vice-Dean (Graduate Programmes) through the supervisor and the Head of Department. Q : Do I need to purchase a medical insurance policy? A : All full-time graduate students, including research scholars (local and foreigners) and foreign self-financing students, must subscribe to a medical insurance policy which helps you to pay (in part or full) medical expenses incurred as a result of hospitalisation/accident/mental health treatment.
For research scholars, we will deduct the premium from the stipend on a semestral basis. Self-financing local students who have similar coverage (for hospitalisation and personal accident) bought elsewhere and do not wish to subscribe to our scheme can opt out but must submit documentary proof and sign an undertaking that they have the essential coverage. Details on the insurance scheme are available at the Registrar website Immigration Matters Q : How do I apply for entry visa? A : For foreign students who require an entry visa {please refer to the website of the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority(ICA) at http://www.ica.gov.sg for the list of countries, our Registrar Office will help to apply for a single-journey visa cum in-principle student's pass approval on your behalf.
The original approval letter issued by the ICA and your valid passport must be presented to the Duty Officer at the Immigration checkpoint upon arrival in Singapore. No deposit is required by the Immigration Office. Q : How do I apply for a student's pass? A : Upon offer of admission by our Faculty to our graduate programme, the Registrar's Office (RO) will initiate an online application for you with the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA). At the appropriate time, RO will send you some information for you to submit an application online. ICA will then process the application. Upon approval, RO will then send you an in-principle approval letter for you to enter Singapore if an entry visa is required.
On your arrival in Singapore, you will be given a Social Visit Pass valid for two weeks to a month. During this period, you must go to RO to enrol your candidature. You will then be advised by RO about your application for your Student's Pass. All foreigners applying for a Student's Pass of six months or more will have to undergo a medical examination. Issuance of the Student's Pass will be subject to the outcome of your medical report. Q : Is a medical check-up required before I go to Singapore? A : All foreigners applying for a Student's Pass of six months or more will have to undergo a medical examination. Issuance of the Student's Pass will be subject to the outcome of the medical report. Those who are found to have active Tuberculosis or HIV infection will not be granted the Student's Pass, and as such, will have to return to their country at their own expense. In view of this, foreign students may wish to undergo a similar health examination before coming to Singapore.
Financial Matters Q : How do I apply for scholarship? A : You should indicate on the application form for research programmes, that you would like to apply for research scholarship.
Q : Who is eligible to apply for a Research Scholarship? A : The Research Scholarship is awarded to outstanding candidates to pursue a full-time graduate research degree at NUS.
Applicants should be university graduates with at least second class honours (upper division) degree or equivalent and at the time of the award of the Research Scholarship, must have applied for and been assured of admission as a candidate for a graduate research degree programme at this University. There is no restriction on the nationality of applicants. A limited amount of funds is available each academic year. They are therefore awarded on a very competitive basis. Q : What is the emolument of the Research Scholarship? A : Each PhD scholarship carries a monthly stipend of S$2,000 (international students), S$2,200 (Singapore Permanent Resident) or S$2,300 (Singapore Citizen) and a full tuition/research fee subsidy. No travel or other allowances are provided. No bond is required. PhD candidates who have passed their PhD Qualifying Examination are eligible for a PhD top-up of $500 per month.
Q : What is the tenure of the Research Scholarship? A : The Research Scholarship is initially awarded for one year. It may be renewed annually on the basis of a scholar's performance in the previous year.
The maximum period of award is two years for Masters candidates and four years for PhD candidates. Q : What is the tenure of the PhD top-up? A : The PhD top-up will expire at the earliest of the following dates:
- Two years from the date of award of the top-up; - At the end of the fourth year of the graduate candidature; or - At the expiry of the Research Scholarship. Q : What are the tuition/research fees for part-time and full-time students? A : The tuition fees are the same for both part-time and full-time research students. The tuition/research fees per year for academic year 2006-2007 are as follows:
- S$4,350 for Singapore citizens and permanent residents; and - S$4,790 for foreign students All fees indicated above are subject to change at any time. Q : Is there an application fee for research programmes? A : Yes, the fee is S$20.00 (online application) or S$40.00 (paper application) per application.
Q : What is the estimated cost of living in Singapore? A : The monthly living expenses for a single foreign graduate student is about S$1,500 to $2,000. Do visit the Registrar's Office website for more information.
Q : In addition to the tuition/research fees, do I need to make other payments? A : The other fees are:
- Registration Fee (payable once only) : S$52.50 - Examination Fee (payable once only) : S$262.50 for Masters, S$525 for PhD - Copyright Fee (per academic year) : S$13 - Student Activity & Services Fees (per semester) : S$33.60 - Academic Related Fees ~ excluding Copyright Fee (per semester) :S$5.25 All fees indicated above are inclusive of Goods and Services Tax with effect from January 2004. The fees indicated above are subject to change at any time. Contact Details Q : Whom can I contact if I would like to find out more about the applicaton procedure for admission to research programmes? A : Please email scidrgs[at]nus.edu.sg for more enquiries.
Q : Whom can I contact if I would like to find out more about the research programmes of the individual Departments? A : The relevant email addresses are indicated below:
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