SMU awards scholarships and other financial assistance schemes to students enrolled in Master of Philosophy (MPhil) programmes on a competitive basis. We assess applicants for different award schemes at the time of admission based on qualification and suitability for these schemes.
SMU Research Scholarship (MPhil)
The SMU Research Scholarship (MPhil) cover registration and subsidised tuition fees (see SMU Master by Research Programme Fees for details). As a scholarship recipient, you will also receive a monthly living stipend (as shown in the tables below according to your Nationality Group). Scholars under this scheme are not allowed to engage in any other gainful employment.
Beyond the scholarship duration, you may receive continued support through research assistantships, teaching assistantships or industry grants at SMU.
Stipend Rates (With Effect from 1 January 2024)
Table 1A: SMU Research Scholarship (MPhil) Stipend Rates for Non-STEM1 Master by Research Students
| Nationality Group | Monthly Stipend (S$) |
|---|
| Singapore Citizen^ | 3,200 |
| Singapore Permanent Resident | 2,400 |
| International Student | 2,300 |
Table 1B: SMU Research Scholarship (MPhil) Stipend Rates for STEM2 Master by Research Students
| Nationality Group | Monthly Stipend (S$) |
|---|
| Singapore Citizen^ | 3,500 |
| Singapore Permanent Resident | 2,700 |
| International Student | 2,600 |
1 Applicable to Master by Research students from SOE, SOSS & CIS
2 Applicable to Master by Research students from SCIS
^ Singapore Citizen will be provided with 17% CPF contribution
Terms and Conditions under SMU Research Scholarship (MPhil)
Scholarship recipients will have to observe the terms and conditions (for Singapore Citizens/Singapore Permanent Residents and for International Students) of the scholarship offer. Recipients will have to sign a letter of undertaking.
Financial Assistance Schemes
After you cease to receive the scholarship stipends at the end of Year 2 of your MbR programme, you may work as a Research Assistant (RA) or Teaching Assistant (TA) on a part-time or full-time basis. If you work full-time, you will have to complete your studies on a part-time basis (as approved by the respective School).
If you are an international student, you may work up to 16 hours per week on a part-time basis. If you are working on a full-time basis, you will either be on an Employment Pass or a S-Pass to be approved by the Ministry of Manpower. However, to be granted approval to work on a full-time basis, you should have completed all requirements of the MbR programme except your thesis. The hiring procedures and rates of payment are based on prevailing guidelines.
