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 2026)
| SMU Research Scholarship (Tier 1) | ||
| Nationality | Stipend Rates | |
| Singapore Citizen^ | S$5,300 | |
| Singapore Permanent Resident | S$4,800 | |
| International Student | S$4,300 | |
| SMU Research Scholarship (Tier 2) | ||
| Nationality | Stipend Rates | |
| Before Qualifying Exam | After Qualifying Exam | |
| Singapore Citizen | S$3,800 | S$4,300 |
| Singapore Permanent Resident | S$3,400 | S$3,900 |
| International Student | S$3,100 | S$3,600 |
^ Singapore Citizen will be provided with 17% CPF contribution
Notes
- The monthly stipend rates are from 1 January 2026 onwards.
- These rates are not applicable to the PhD in Business (General Management).
- Previous stipends rates before 1 January 2026, please click here.
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. At the end of Year 4 of the PhD programme, scholarship stipends disbursement will be ceased. Recipients may work as a Research Assistant (RA), Senior Teaching Assistant (STA) or Graduate Instructor (GI) on a part-time or full-time basis. If recipients chose to work full-time, recipients would have to complete their studies on a part-time basis (as approved by the respective School).
If recipients are international students, they may work up to 16 hours per week on a part-time basis. If recipients are working on a full-time basis, they 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, recipients should have completed all requirements of the PhD programme except the 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.
