NUS-SUTD Joint Ph.D.

Research degree programme includes an element of coursework in the same or related fields. This provides a graduate-level foundation and prepares the student for research.

For doctoral coursework requirements, the student is required to undertake coursework as specified by the relevant department of the home university. This comprises not less than 24 Units (typically 6 graduate courses). Students of some departments may be required to read additional course.

Doctoral students are expected to achieve a GPA of at least 3.50 in the best 6 courses (equivalent of 24 Units), inclusive of core courses (if any).

English language requirements (if not exempted) include having to take and obtain at least a Grade C) in the Graduate English Course (Advanced level).

To cultivate a strong research culture among graduate students, the required coursework includes a “doctoral seminar”.

A doctoral student is expected to attend seminars and also deliver presentations of his/her research work. Participation in seminars is an integral part of graduate study as it helps to enhance knowledge, broaden research outlook, sharpens thinking and improves communication skills.

A ‘Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory’ grade is awarded on the basis of attendance, presentation and document submission. All research students are also expected to obtain a satisfactory grade for the seminar course.

A doctoral candidate must complete a prescribed set of modules before proceeding to the Ph.D. Qualifying Examination (QE). The QE comprises a comprehensive written examination and an oral defence of the Ph.D. thesis proposal. The written comprehensive examination tests the general competence of the candidate in his/her discipline(s), while the oral defence ensures that the candidate is prepared to embark on his/her thesis research. The QE should usually be taken 12 to 24 months from the start of the Ph.D. candidature.

Doctoral students are expected to pass both the written comprehensive examination and the oral defence.

The Ph.D. requires a thesis, which is not measured by Units. The thesis will be examined by internal/external examiners from NUS, SUTD and other universities

The Oral Defence of the thesis will be conducted at the home university. The Oral Defence examiners will comprise examiners of the thesis, mutually agreed by both the home and the partner universities.

Candidates would spend at least two semesters of their candidature each at NUS Engineering and SUTD, either reading modules and/or undertaken research. The cost of travel between home and partner universities (and any other expenses involved) will be incurred by the students.

Candidates would spend their final semester of study at their home university.

Full-time candidates may be awarded with a research scholarship from his/her home university and is bound by the terms and conditions of the research scholarship. Research Scholarship would be applied together with the admission of the joint Ph.D. programme.

Conferment of the joint degree will be by both universities, which awards one certificate bearing the crests of both the home and the partner universities.

The degree awarded to all successful candidates is identical except that a candidate may use the title of either Ph.D. (NUS-SUTD) or Ph.D. (SUTD-NUS) with his/her home university mentioned first.

Each university shall issue a transcript for their respective courses, with a remark indicating that the candidate has taken certain modules at the other university, where applicable.

Applications for the Joint Ph.D. programme should be submitted to the university which the candidate wish to be registered with as their home university.

The minimum admission criteria is at least a relevant Bachelor’s degree with Honours (at least Second Class Upper) or its equivalent.

• Existing NUS students
• Incoming candidates (registering NUS as Home University)