Research Programmes : Programme Requirements
The following is a synopsis of the general requirements for both Master and PhD programmes. Please visit the websites of the individual departments for more details.

COURSEWORK REQUIREMENTS

Masters
  • Candidates are required to attend and pass examinations in a minimum of 3 modules ( 2 modules from level 5000 and above + 1 compulsory seminar module ).
  • Candidates must pass a minimum of three modules from among the prescribed modules with an average grade of at least B-, which is a CAP of 3.00 in order to graduate.

PhD
  • Candidates are required to attend and pass examinations in a minimum of 6 modules ( 5 moduels from level 5000 and above + 1 compulsory seminar module ).
  • Candidates must pass a minimum of six modules from among the prescribed modules with an average grade of at least B, which is a CAP of 3.50 in order to graduate.
  • The number of modules taken may vary from department to department. Please check with your department for more information.
These courses are to be selected in consultation with their thesis supervisor(s) and/or department(s).
The best two and five coursework modules would be selected to compute the CAP for the Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degree respectively.

ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENT
All international students are required to take an English Language proficiency test (Diagnostic English Test) unless exemption has been granted. This test will determine whether candidates would need to take the Graduate English course.
Masters - Achieve an intermediate level of proficiency in the Graduate English course.
PhD - Achieve an advanced level of proficiency in the Graduate English course.
To fulfill the English Language requirement, students must obtain a Grade C and above.

CONTINUATION REQUIREMENT
Masters - For continuation in the Master's programme, a student's CAP should not fall below 2.5 or equivalent for two consecutive semesters, or 3.0 for three consecutive semesters.
PhD - For continuation in the PhD programme, a student's CAP should not fall below 3.0 or equivalent for two consecutive semesters, or 3.5 for three consecutive semesters.
Termination of candidature would result if a student fails to maintain the minimum CAP.

PhD QUALIFYING EXAMINATION (QE)
The PhD Qualifying Examination comprises:
  • A comprehensive examination.
  • An oral defence of the PhD thesis proposal.
  • Please refer to the respective departmental websites on additional requirements.
Before sitting for the Qualifying Examination, PhD candidates must satisfy the following:
  • Obtain satisfactory grades (at least grade C) in the Centre for English Language Communication graduate English modules at intermediate level (if applicable).
  • Satisfy the coursework requirements for PhD.
  • Other departmental requirements.
The comprehensive examination (CE) tests the general competence of the candidate in his/her discipline(s) or field(s), whereas the oral defence of the PhD thesis proposal ensures that the candidate is prepared to embark on his/her thesis research.
The QE should be taken before the end of the fourth semester of their Graduate Programme. A second attempt may be taken no later than six months after the first, failed attempt. This applies to both full-time and part-time PhD candidates. Candidates who fail their PhD QE will graduate with a Master of Science degree.

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

Masters
  • Achieve a minimum CAP of 3.0 for all required modules.
  • Obtain at least a grade C in the graduate English courses conducted by the Centre for English Language Communication at intermediate level (if applicable).
  • Pass the Masters Thesis.

PhD
  • Achieve a minimum CAP of 3.5 for all required modules.
  • Obtain at least a grade C in the graduate English courses conducted by the Centre for English Language Communication at advanced level (if applicable).
  • Pass the PhD Qualifying Examination.
  • Pass the PhD Thesis.
  • Pass the PhD Oral Examination.

DURATION OF CANDIDATURE
Research candidates may be admitted as full-time or part-time students. However, foreign students on student's pass must pursue their studies on a full-time basis.
The minimum and maximum period of candidature for Graduate Programme students (leading to) : Masters (1 year min. and 3 years max.), PhD (2 years min. and 5 years max.)
The minimum and maximum periods of candidature for full time or part-time students are the same.

RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT
Applicants who are not residing in Singapore or would like to do their research in overseas insitutions, must spend a period of residence in Singapore for a minimum of 6 months for Masters degree or 18 months for Doctoral degree during his/her candidature.
Applicants who are awarded Research Scholarship must reside in Singapore during the duration of the scholarship award.
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