Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy (LKY SPP) at the National University of Singapore (NUS) offers Ph.D. in Public Policy program and scholarships. Applicants from worldwide can apply to this program to pursue their studies at NUS in Singapore.

This Ph.D. in Public Policy program aims to provide the next generation of thought leaders with solid knowledge and analytical abilities. One must have the necessary knowledge and skills to produce, assess, and communicate public policy research. It offers advanced training for individuals seeking employment in academic institutions, international organizations, governments, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) with large research commitments.

Generous scholarships, in addition to access to a range of teaching and research assistantships, are available. Admission to this program is highly competitive. Only about six-eight candidates are admitted every year.

Key Details of LKY School of Public Policy Ph.D. Scholarship

Application Date and Deadline:

• Application open date: August 1, 20223
• Application end date: December 10, 2023

Study Level: Ph.D.

Hosting Faculty: Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy

Hosting University: National University of Singapore (NUS)

Length of the Program and Scholarship: 4 years

Application Intake: August

Tests Required: GRE

Details of LKY School of Public Policy Ph.D. Scholarship

Two types of scholarships are available for Ph.D. candidates as follows:

1. NUS Research Scholarships are available to Ph.D. candidates of all nationalities. The Scholarships are initially valid for one year and are renewed yearly with good progress. The award may be payable for up to four years. Scholarship renewal is contingent on successful periodic evaluation. A candidate will lose their research scholarship if they receive a warning or are put on probation. Please read the amount details as follows:

• Monthly stipends for four years:

Singapore Citizen	S$2,800
Singapore Permanent Resident	S$2,400
International Student	S$2,200

• Tuition Fees Subsidies for four years
• Scholars in a Ph.D. program are eligible for an additional allowance of up to $500 per month upon passing the Ph.D. Qualifying Examination (QE). QE date will be within 12 to 18 months after registration of candidature. This stipend is renewable each semester, subject to the good performance of candidates, and the duration of the additional compensation may vary between Faculties and Schools.

2. Candidates with extraordinary promise or achievement in research are given the Presidents Graduate Fellowship (PGF). The University chooses a handful of Ph.D. research students each semester to receive the honor. Please read the details as follows:

• Monthly stipends:

Singapore Citizen	S$3,600
Singapore Permanent Resident	S$3,400
International Student	S$3,100

• Tuition Fees Subsidies for four years
• One-off air travel cost for the one-way ticket of up to S$750 for economy class. Also, up to 20 kg of baggage per trip only for newly registered international students.
• From the AY2023-24 intake, President’s Graduate Fellowship recipients are eligible for the NUSGS Research Incentive Award, a supplement to this fellowship program. NUS Graduate School Research Incentive Award comprises the following items:

1. A monthly allowance for over four years
2. A one-time research allowance upon passing the Ph.D. Qualifying Examination in the 2nd year of Ph.D. candidature

In addition to the above scholarships, Incoming Ph.D. students and existing NUS Research Scholars who have completed their Ph.D. Qualifying Examinations are eligible to apply for PGF fellowship awards (except for SMA and GPBE students). Subject to an annual evaluation of the scholar’s progress, the grant is tenable for up to four years. The applicants will receive the communication of the results sometime in May.

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The curriculum of the Ph.D. in Public Policy program

To graduate, a Ph.D. student must complete the following:

• Nine Core modules
• One Independent Study module
• One Elective module
• A Ph.D. Qualifying Examination (QE), followed by a thesis

Admission Criteria

The Ph.D. in Public Policy program at the LKY School is very competitive—the Ph.D. Admissions Committee evaluates the following factors to guarantee that they admit only students with excellent potential for high-quality doctorate work, prompt completion, and successful academic careers.

• Your application should provide evidence of academic excellence and suitable academic preparation, indicating your ability to perform well in the Ph.D. program, including the required coursework. This includes the relevance and quality of your undergraduate and graduate degrees and GRE test scores.
• You should apply if you intend to pursue an academic career in a university or an institution where intensive research is a core function. We think of our Ph.D. students as research and teaching apprentices who are in training for the academic profession. In your statement of purpose, the Admissions Committee will look for evidence of passion for research and hunger for knowledge.
• You should prepare a high-quality research proposal indicating a research topic per a potential supervisor’s research interests and the overall research interests of the LKY School. We regard Ph.D. students as junior research collaborators and, as such, they are an essential part of the School’s research community. You will contribute actively and productively to our research activities and publication output. The core research areas are:
• Policy Studies, Public Management and Governance
• Social Policy
• International Relations and Global Governance
• Economic Development and Competitiveness

You should therefore identify a potential supervisor from the LKY School faculty web page and state in your application with whom you would like to work and on what research topic. Only full-time, Associate, and Assistant Professors of the LKY School can be supervisors. Adjunct, Visiting, and Joint Appointment Professors are not included.

Please note that getting a potential supervisor’s consent does not guarantee admission. Your application will need to be assessed by the Admissions Committee. You may need to appear for an interview and a written examination. The Admissions Committee will not entertain any correspondence on admissions issues while your application is under consideration, except for instances when the Committee has sought clarification or further information.

Candidates from the following disciplines are eligible to apply to the Ph.D. program:

• Public Policy
• Public Administration
• Economics
• Political Science
• Social Science

Application Checklist

Candidates should make ready and submit the following documents:

• Online application form
• Degree scrolls and academic transcript (including grading description)
• Curriculum vitae or Resume
• GRE
• Research proposal, statement of intent, and a writing sample
• Two letters of reference (Academic)

Application Procedure

The application is online. Create your account and proceed with your application by preparing the proper documentation and fulfilling the requirements.

 

Apply Now

 

Please visit the website of the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy for further details about the graduate programs.

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