Besides being a technologically advanced country, Singapore is a hub for quality education and a dream place for international students. However, affording education in Singapore is not everyone’s cup of tea. It’s an expensive country if you don’t have a scholarship in hand. Among all the scholarship options available in Singapore for international students, SINGA Scholarship ranks at the top.
Singapore International Graduate Award is a scholarship award offered for doctoral students aspiring to pursue their graduate studies in top-notch universities in Singapore. Applications for this scholarship for the 2024 – 2025 intake are open. Let’s get into the complete details of this scholarship opportunity.
General Details
Host Country: Singapore
Host Universities: Multiple universities (Full details mentioned below)
Funded by: A*STAR Agency for Science, Technology & Research
Degree Level: PhD (Doctoral study programs)
Number of Scholarships: Approximately 240 per year
Scholarship Type: Fully funded and Merit-based
Scholarship Duration: up to 4 years
Scholarship Intakes: August and January
Deadline: June 1, 2024 for the upcoming intake
Eligibility Requirements for SINGA Scholarship
The SINGA scholarship award has the following set of eligibility requirements:
- You must be an international student studying in Singapore for the first time.
- Singaporean citizens, Singapore Permanent Residents, and International students studying or who have studied in tertiary institutions of Singapore before are not eligible.
- You must have a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field with an excellent academic record and a passion for research.
- You must have good skills in written and spoken English. You can show your language proficiency with a relevant certificate or with your language skills in the interview. However, specific universities that you’re applying for might ask you for specific language proficiency certificates.
- You must have good reports/letters of recommendation (LORs) from academic referees.
Research Areas in SINGA Scholarship
SINGA supports doctoral studies in a wide range of research areas related to the following fields:
- Biomedical Sciences
- Physical Sciences
- Computing and Information Sciences
- Engineering and Technology
The specific research areas and topics that you’ll get funding in will mainly depend on the participating universities and research institutions there in Singapore. You can explore the websites of individual universities and research institutions for available PhD programs, areas, topics, and supervisors. You’ll be asked to indicate your preferences for supervisor during the application process, especially in the online application form.
Host Universities and Research Institutes in the SINGA Scholarship
You can get admission and a SINGA scholarship award in only the following universities and research institutes. Each of the universities/institutes has information regarding PhD research areas, projects, and supervisors that you can choose from.
- A*STAR Supervisors and Projects
- National University of Singapore (NUS) Graduate School
- Nanyang Technological University (NTU) Graduate School
- Singapore Management University (SMU) School of Computing and Information Systems (SCIS)
- Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD) Pillars/Clusters and Research Centers
Financial Coverage/Benefits of the SINGA Scholarship
As mentioned before, SINGA is a fully funded scholarship award that covers all of your expenses during your PhD studies in Singapore for up to 4 years. It also provides you with a monthly stipend. The complete financial coverage can be broken down into the following aspects:
- All of your tuition fees will be exempted.
- Your initial monthly stipend will be S$ 2,200 which will then be increased to S$2,700 when you pass the Qualifying Examination.
- You’ll receive a one-time airfare grant up to S$1,500.
- You’ll also get a one-time settling-in allowance of S$1,000.
An estimated monthly cost of living in Singapore for international students is S$1400 to S$2000 as per the stats given by A*STAR.
Required Documents for the Application Process of SINGA
You’ll need the following educational documents during the online application process for this scholarship:
- A copy of your passport or identity card
- All academic transcripts, reports, and documents translated into English
- 2 letters of recommendation (LORs) from academic referees
- A recent passport-size picture (only in .png or .jpeg format)
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Research Proposal and/or Statement of Purpose (SOP)
- English Proficiency Certificate and GRE scores (if needed by a specific university)
- Any other relevant certificates (Volunteer Experience, Work/Research Experience, Achievements etc.)
How to Apply for the SINGA Scholarship in Singapore?
The application process for the Singapore International Graduate Award is completely online. The whole process can be done in the following steps:
1. Browse and Select Your Prospective Research Project
First of all, you will have to go through the websites of above given research areas. Then list down the PhD research projects that you’re interested in.
2. Prepare Your Documents
Before starting your online application, make sure to prepare the required documents in advance. You can check out the list of documents that you’ll need during the application process. You don’t need to mail any hard copy copy of your documents to the SINGA office. The documents should only be submitted online as per their guidelines in the application portal.
3. Apply on the Online Portal
Once you’re ready with your documents and have selected your research project, register an account on the A*STAR Scholarship Application Portal. Account registration is quite simple and easy to follow on their website. Make sure you provide all your information accurately on the application portal.
After logging in, you’ll see all the available scholarships. Select the option – “Singapore International Graduate Award (SINGA)” – in the application portal. Provide all the necessary information and upload the required documents.
The application will be completed and processed once your referees submit their online recommendation reports before the deadline. Therefore, you must start your application process as early as possible. You can access the scholarship application portal via the Official Website
You’ll be notified of your result within 12 weeks from the application closing date only if you’re shortlisted.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the duration of SINGA scholarship?
The scholarship is awarded for the complete timeline of your PhD studies in Singapore. SINGA awardees normally complete their doctoral studies in 4 years.
How many scholarship intakes are there in one year?
There are two intakes for SINGA scholarship each year: August intake and January intake.
What are the selection criteria for SINGA scholarship?
SINGA is a merit-based scholarship. The applicants are selected based on their academic records, publications, recommendation letters/reports from academic referees, personal achievements, research skills, and interviews if shortlisted.
Can I apply without a passport?
No, you cannot apply without having a valid passport. You will need to provide your passport details and upload a copy during the application process.
If I have not completed my bachelor’s/master’s studies, can I apply for SINGA?
Yes, you may still apply if you haven’t completed your bachelor’s/master’s studies by providing a provisional degree certificate, the latest transcripts, and a letter from your university, indicating that you’re currently studying and are expected to graduate by the given timeline.
Will my university admission be separately considered if I am not awarded SINGA?
If you wish to be considered separately for a specific university admission, you’d need to apply to both SINGA and the university parallelly at the same time. However, if you only apply to SINGA and are selected, you will not need to submit a separate application for your university admission.
How are the interviews conducted if you are shortlisted for SINGA?
SINGA typically conducts interviews for shortlisted candidates virtually, either through Zoom or Skype. There are no face-to-face interviews.
Is there any age limit for SINGA?
No, there is no such age limit for SINGA scholarship applicants. Though this scholarship is targeted at younger applicants, mature applicants with relevant research experience are also considered for selection.
Can SINGA scholarship be availed for PhD studies in Business Management, Humanities, etc.?
SINGA only supports PhD studies in the fields of Science, Engineering, and Technology. The scholarship cannot be availed for PhD studies in Business Management, Humanities, Architecture and Finance, etc.
Can I do part-time jobs in Singapore during my PhD studies?
Since SINGA is a fully-funded scholarship, you will not be allowed and you won’t need to take up part-time jobs during your PhD studies in Singapore.
Can I work in Singapore after graduation?
Yes, if you’re keen to work in Singapore, you can avail many career opportunities as an international PhD graduate. However, working after graduation is not mandated by SINGA scholarship. It will all depend on your choice and preferences.
