Frequently Asked Questions

The research-based graduate programmes provide training in a particular subject 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 also required to attend appropriate lectures and sit for written examinations.

Coursework-based graduate programmes involves attendance of formal classes. Degrees are awarded once the candidate pass the relevant examinations and achieve the required level of proficiency in the examinations.

The Faculty offers research programmes in the following departments:

• Department of Biological Sciences
• Department of Chemistry
• Department of Food Science and Technology
• Department of Mathematics
• Department of Pharmacy
• Department of Physics
• Department of Statistics and Applied Probability

For graduate research programmes, the admission requirements are as follows:

• A good NUS Honors degree (Second Class and above) or equivalent (e.g. a four-year Bachelor degree with at least an average grade of B or equivalent) in a relevant discipline
• TOEFL/ IELTS, where applicable
• GRE/ GATE, where applicable and
• Additional department requirements, where applicable. E.g. Interview. Please refer to the respective department websites.

There is no age limit.

Applicants whose native tongue or medium of university instruction is not completely in 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.

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.

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 applied.

Applicant may communicate with the organisations conducting the respective tests. For TOEFL and GRE tests, please refer to http://www.ets.org. For IELTS, please refer to http://www.ielts.org .

For TOEFL, please quote our University code 9087 and the specific department codes.

• Biological Sciences: 35
• Chemistry: 62
• Mathematics: 72
• Pharmacy: 47
• Physics: 76
• Statistics: 59

Applicants (except NUS graduates) applying for disciplines in the Faculty of Science should preferably submit GRE scores.

Please quote our University code of 0677 and the specific department codes.

• Biological Sciences: 0299
• Chemistry: 0301
• Mathematics: 0703
• Pharmacy: 0613
• Physics: 0808
• Statistics: 0705

There are two intakes per academic year – one in January and the other in August.

All application forms and supporting documents must reach our University by the following deadlines:

• Semester 1 (August) intake – 15 November of the previous year
• Semester 2 (January) intake – 15 May of the previous year

Applicants may do so via the online application system.

The Joint PhD programmes are offered in partnership with an institution. Interested applicants are to indicate their choice in the Graduate Admission System. The department will then assess their suitability for the Joint PhD programme.

Yes. Applicants may use the “Add New Application” feature in the application system. There is no limit to the number of programmes applicants may apply to. However, applicants will need to submit separate sets of supporting documents for each department/ programme for which they are applying. The application fee must also be paid for each application submitted. If applicants are successful in more than one application, applicants must choose to pursue only one programme. 

Applicants should submit one of the following documents:

• A bank statement of their finance or
• A letter of confirmation from a sponsor and the sponsor’s bank statement or
• Documentary evidence of scholarship or other award that they have obtained.

The financial statement should indicate a total of at least S$40,000 or its equivalent.

Applicants may pay via credit or debit card in the online application system.

Interested applicants should visit the website of any relevant Department/ Programme to check their research focus. If they have further questions, they may communicate directly with the Department/ Programme through the contacts indicated on the department / programme websites.

Applicants should request for their referee to check his/her spam/junk inbox. If their referee(s) did not receive the email, applicants should email scidrgs@nus.edu.sg to report this matter. Applicants should provide their name, application number, referee’s name and email address. The administrator will resend the email to their referee(s).

Similarly, applicants should email scidrgs@nus.edu.sg to report this matter. Applicants should provide their name, application number, their referee’s name and email address. The administrator will resend the email to their referee to resubmit the referral report.

Applicants may make changes online while it is still in the ‘Draft’ stage. Once they have clicked the ‘Submit’ button, they will not be able to make anymore changes. If applicants wish to make essential changes to their application after they have submitted the application, they should email scidrgs@nus.edu.sg to inform this matter. The administrator will advise accordingly.

All applicants will be informed by 31 May (for the August intake) or 31 October (for the January intake).

Deferment of admission is not encouraged. Applicants are advised to apply when they are ready. Should an unforeseen situation arise that requires an applicant to defer admission, they may forward their request, with reasons, to the Vice Dean (Graduate Programmes) through the supervisor and the Head of Department.

All full-time graduate students, including research scholars (local and international) and international self-financing students, must subscribe to a medical insurance policy which helps students to pay (in part or full) medical expenses incurred as a result of hospitalisation/ accident/ mental health treatment.

For research scholars, the premium will be deducted 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 may choose to opt out. However, students must submit documentary proof and sign an undertaking that they have the essential coverage. Details on the insurance scheme are available here.

International students who require an entry visa should refer to the website of the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) at http://www.ica.gov.sg for the list of countries. Registrar’s Office will assist to apply for a single-journey visa cum in-principle Student Pass approval on their behalf. The original approval letter issued by the ICA and their 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.

Upon student’s acceptance of the admission offered, the Registrar’s Office (RO) will initiate an online application for student with the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA). RO will then email the instructions to students to submit an application online. ICA will then process the application. Upon arrival, RO will email students with an in-principle approval letter for them to enter Singapore.

On their arrival in Singapore, students will be given a Social Visit Pass valid for two weeks to a month. During this period, they must complete the Student Pass application process with ICA. 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 their medical report.

All international students applying for 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, international students may wish to undergo a similar health examination before coming to Singapore.

Applicants should indicate on the application that they would like to apply for research scholarship by selecting the appropriate scholarship in the data entry field, “Source of Finance”.

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 honors (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.

Each Ph.D. scholarship carries a monthly stipend of S$2,000 (international students), S$2,200 (Singapore Permanent Resident) or S$2,700 (Singapore Citizen) and a full tuition/ research fee subsidy. No travel or other allowances are provided. Ph.D. candidates who have passed their PhD Qualifying Examination are eligible for a Ph.D. top-up of S$500 per month.

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 scholarship is generally awarded to Ph.D. candidates only. The maximum period of award is four years for Ph.D. candidates.

The Ph.D. top-up will expire at the earliest of the following dates:

• Two years from the date of award of the top-up; or
• At the end of the fourth year of the graduate candidature; or
• At the expiry of the Research Scholarship

The tuition fees are the same for both part-time and full-time research students. The fee rates change every academic year. For the most updated tuition fee rates, please refer here.

There is no bond. However, students are required to fulfill the requirements of the Graduate Assistantship Programme during the tenure period of the scholarship.

Yes. The fee is S$50, inclusive of GST, per application.

The monthly living expenses for a single international graduate student is approximately S$2,000 to S$3,000. 

The other fees are:

• Student Service Fee
• Health Service Fee

To find out more, please refer here.

Please email scidrgs@nus.edu.sg for more enquiries.

The relevant email addresses are indicated below:

• Department of Biological Sciences: dbsbox6@nus.edu.sg
• Department of Chemistry: chmadmin@nus.edu.sg
• Department of Food Science and Technology: food@nus.edu.sg
• Department of Mathematics: askmathpg@nus.edu.sg
• Department of Pharmacy: phabox7@nus.edu.sg
• Department of Physics: phygrad@nus.edu.sg
• Department of Statistics and Applied Probability: stabox1@nus.edu.sg