Scholarships
SMU awards scholarships, fellowships and other financial assistance schemes to PhD students 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 Scholarships (Tier 1/ Tier 2)
The SMU Research Scholarships (Tier 1/ Tier 2) cover registration and subsidised tuition fees (see SMU PhD Programme Fees for details). As a scholarship recipient, you will receive a monthly living stipend (as shown in the table below according to your Nationality Group). These scholarships are renewed yearly, conditioned on good academic performance, for the first 4 years of your PhD candidature.
Beyond the scholarship duration, you may receive continued support through research assistantships and teaching assistantships (see Financial Assistance Schemes in Year 5) or industry grants at SMU.
Scholars under this scheme are not allowed to engage in any other gainful employment.
Stipend Rates (With Effect from 1 January 2024)
Table 1A: SMU Research Scholarship (Tier 1) Stipend Rates for Non-STEM1 PhD Students
| Nationality Group | Monthly Stipend (S$) |
|---|---|
| Singapore Citizen^ | 4,300 |
| Singapore Permanent Resident | 3,900 |
| International Student | 3,400 |
Table 1B: SMU Research Scholarship (Tier 1) Stipend Rates for STEM2 PhD Students
| Nationality Group | Monthly Stipend (S$) |
|---|---|
| Singapore Citizen^ | 5,000 |
| Singapore Permanent Resident | 4,000 |
| International Student | 3,750 |
Table 2A: SMU Research Scholarship (Tier 2) Stipend Rates for Non-STEM1 PhD Students
| Nationality Group | Monthly Stipend before Qualifying Examination (S$) | Monthly Stipend after Qualifying Examination (S$) |
|---|---|---|
| Singapore Citizen^ | 3,200 | 3,700 |
| Singapore Permanent Resident | 2,800 | 3,300 |
| International Student | 2,500 | 3,000 |
Table 2B: SMU Research Scholarship (Tier 2) Stipend Rates for STEM2 PhD Students
| Nationality Group | Monthly Stipend before Qualifying Examination (S$) | Monthly Stipend after Qualifying Examination (S$) |
|---|---|---|
| Singapore Citizen^ | 3,500 | 4,000 |
| Singapore Permanent Resident | 3,100 | 3,600 |
| International Student | 2,700 | 3,200 |
1 Applicable to PhD students from SOA, LKCSB, SOE, SOSS, YPHSL & CIS
2 Applicable to PhD students from SCIS
^ Singapore Citizen will be provided with 17% CPF contribution
Notes
- The monthly stipend rates are from 1 January 2024 onwards.
- These rates are not applicable to the PhD in Business (General Management).
- With effect from August 2023, a scholarship recipient must pass the Qualifying Examination before the 15th day of the month to be eligible for stipend increment in the next immediate month.
Terms and Conditions under SMU Research Scholarship (Tier 1/ Tier 2)
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 in Year 5
SMU’s academic research PhD students typically require 5 years to complete the PhD candidature. After you cease to receive the scholarship stipends at the end of Year 4 of your PhD programme, you may work as a Research Assistant (RA), Senior Teaching Assistant (STA) or Graduate Instructor (GI) 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 PhD programme except your dissertation.
The hiring procedures and rates of payment are based on prevailing guidelines.
Students' Training (such as workshops by the SMU Centre for Teaching Excellence and Centre for English Communication) are available to SMU PhD students. These programmes will strengthen your skills to better contribute as a RA, STA or GI.
