We invite graduates with strong academic potential and a keen interest in research to join DID’s research-based doctoral programmes. PhD admission criteria encompass a robust academic background, a passionate interest in a research topic, and good character. The following information will be considered for a careful evidence-based assessment:
- A good GPA in a relevant bachelor's or master's degree
- A well-crafted statement of purpose detailing research interests, career aspirations, and motivations for choosing CDE’s programme
- Letters of recommendation from academic or professional referees, offering valuable insights into the applicant's qualifications and research potential.
- A comprehensive CV highlighting academic accomplishments and pertinent experience.
- Applicants whose first language is not English are required to demonstrate their English proficiency by means of TOEFL / IELTS test scores. Applicants may be waived from this requirement if they completed their degree programme taught entirely in English, situated in an English speaking country/territory, for example (non exhaustive list) Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, United Kingdom, USA. *
- Standardised test scores such as the GRE.*
- Publications or involvement in research projects.
*Applicants who graduated from English-medium universities and have yet to sit for the TOEFL/IELTS/GRE tests may be required, at the discretion of the Head of Department or Vice Dean (Graduate Programmes), to undergo such tests to assess their suitability for university study and to attend interviews.
Minimum Scores
- TOEFLÂ score of 85 for Internet Based Test (IBT); or
- IELTS (Academic)Â score of 6.0.
Other tests (including the TOEFL Institutional Test) and those that claim to be predictions, estimations, equivalents, simulations, etc. (e.g., MyBestscores) of the TOEFL or IELTS will not be accepted.
Applicants can either
- upload a copy online and produce the original TOEFL/IELTS/GRE score sheets during matriculation; or
- upload a copy online and request Educational Testing Services (ETS) or testing institutes to send original TOEFL /IELTS/ GRE scores to NUS. (Scores should be sent to the Department in which the applicant is interested in pursuing his/her research. The institution codes of NUS are 0677 (for GRE) and 9084 (for TOEFL) respectively and with specific department code).
Tests score submission validity period:
- GRE: 5 years (after the date of the test)
- TOEFL: 2 years (from the date of the test)
- IELTS: 2 years (from the date the score was issued)
A candidate is normally admitted at the beginning of each semester of the academic year i.e. at either August or January.
August 2026 Intake and closing dates*
| 15 January 2026 | For International candidates (with or without application for scholarship); For Applicants residing in Singapore applying for scholarships (Round 1) |
| 1 March 2026 | For Applicants residing in Singapore and
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January 2027 Intake and closing dates*
| 1 August 2026 | For International candidates (with or without application for scholarship); For Applicants residing in Singapore applying for scholarships (Round 1) |
| 1 September 2026 | For Applicants residing in Singapore and
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Applications received after the deadlines will not be considered.
*There would be two evaluation rounds of scholarship applications.  Priority would be given to Round 1 scholarship applications.  Consideration of Round 2 applications would be subject to availability of scholarships.
Important: The University has not engaged any external agencies to undertake graduate student recruitment on its behalf. Candidates interested in our graduate programmes are advised to apply directly to the University and not through any agents. Candidates who apply through agents will not have any added advantage in gaining admission and the University reserves the right to reject such applications without giving reasons.
Tuition Fees payable is dependent on the type of programme, nationality, and whether candidates had previously enjoyed a Ministry of Education (MOE)/Singapore government subsidy or sponsorship by a government agency.
The tuition fees are published on Registrar’s Office website. Tuition fees are reviewed yearly and thus, subjected to revisions. 
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Master’s by Research |
PhD by Research Doctor of Philosophy (Industrial Design) |
NUS Research Scholarship (The main focus of the College is the PhD programme. Priority for the competitive NUS Research Scholarship will be given to the applicants for the full-time PhD programme.) |
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| President’s Graduate Fellowships
Singaporean/PR Graduate Fellowship (SGF) |
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Division of Industrial Design
didpgresearch@nus.edu.sgÂ
College of Design & Engineering, Postgraduate Research
cdepgresearch@nus.edu.sg