Graduate Education

4.1        Research Programmes

4.1.1     Degrees Offered

The NUS Business School offers a rigorous, full-time time Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) programme in selected areas of business administration. The programme is designed for local and international students who are keen to become management scholars and pursue academic careers.

The research degree programme provides training in a subject area through independent investigations, studies and experiments, culminating in the preparation of a thesis. Candidates are also required to complete appropriate courses.

4.1.2     Degree Requirements

Admission requirements

• ·        An outstanding Bachelor’s degree (in relevant disciplines)
• ·        Ability to pursue research in the candidate’s proposed field of advanced study

To apply, please submit the following documents together with the completed application form:

• -      Original official transcripts
• -      Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) / Graduate Records Examination (GRE) test scores (either one)
• -      Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)/ IELTS score
• -      Two academic reference letters

Curriculum structure and requirements

Year 1 and 2: Preparatory class, coursework, summer paper and Qualifying Examination

Preparatory class: As a measure to better prepare the Ph.D. students for the coursework requirement in Semester 1, a preparatory class of three weeks will commence prior the start of the semester. Four modules will be taught; Microeconomics, Econometrics, Optimisation and Data Analysis. The class time for each module is one and a half hrs. Classes of different time slots are conducted on a daily basis on Monday to Friday for these three weeks.

Summer Paper: To help the Ph.D. students kick-start their research early, a summer paper requirement will be introduced into the program. All first-year students (starting from the AY06/07 cohort) will be required to submit a summer paper at the end of their study in Year 1.

Coursework: Ph.D. students take a total of 10-12 doctoral level courses. Some of these courses are core courses conducted by the department. The remaining courses are electives conducted in other departments or faculties. For instance, students frequently take their electives in statistics, economics, sociology, psychology, computer science and industrial engineering.

Qualifying Examination: After finishing their coursework, students take a qualifying examination, usually at the end of the second year.  A qualifying examination is a comprehensive test of the student’s knowledge of the field and is made up of paper(s) set by the department. Passing the qualifying examination is the signal for the student to embark on the dissertation.

Year 3: Proposal Defence:  After clearing the qualifying examination, the doctoral student begins to put together a proposal for the thesis. The proposal is an original idea for investigation put forth by the candidate, after an extensive study of the topic. The student is expected to detail the research question and also provide an outline of the study design. The proposal needs to be defended before the thesis committee and other examiners.

Year 4: The Dissertation:  The doctoral candidate begins the final leg of the dissertation following the successful proposal defence. The dissertation is finally evaluated by internal and external examiners. Following this examination, there is an oral defence of the thesis before final submission. The Ph.D. is awarded when the candidate meets all the requirements of the program and the dissertation is awarded a passing grade by the examiners.

4.1.3     Financial Assistance and Awards

Lee Kong Chian Graduate Scholarships

The Lee Kong Chian Graduate Scholarships (“Scholarships”) were established from donations received from the Lee Foundation and are the University’s most prestigious scholarship awards for graduate students.

The selection of candidates will take place once a year, in time for the start of the academic year in August.  Up to five new Scholarships will be given each year. Not all Scholarships will be awarded unless there are candidates of sufficient merit.

Eligibility

The Scholarships are open to students of all nationalities who gain admission to any Ph.D. programme at the University. In keeping with the donor’s wishes, the Scholarships will be awarded to well-rounded individuals showing exceptional promise who have an appropriate balance of intellect and character. Scholarship recipients are selected on the basis of demonstrated academic excellence, leadership and a commitment to service.

Each award covers:

(i)     A monthly stipend of S$3,300;

(ii)    Tuition, examination fees and other approved fees at NUS;

(iii)   An annual book allowance of S$500;

(iv)    A one-off air travel allowance of two return tickets of up to S$4,000 (only for overseas students) subject to a maximum of S$2,000 per ticket; and

(v)     A one-off laptop allowance of S$1,500.

Award Period

The award is tenable for 1 year in the first instance; but subject to the Scholar’s satisfactory progress, it may be renewed each semester. The maximum period of award is 4 years.

No Bond is required.

Incoming Ph.D. candidates will have to indicate their interest in the Scholarship via the NUS Graduate Research Programme Application System.

Apart from the other supporting documents required for Ph.D. admission, candidates interested in the Scholarship must also submit a personal essay and a record of co-curricular activities or community service. Short-listed candidates will be invited to an interview either in Singapore or their home country.

For more details, please refer to http://www.nus.edu.sg/registrar/gdfa/gd-lkc.html

NUS Research Scholarship

The NUS Research Scholarships are awarded by NUS to outstanding graduates for research leading to a higher degree at the university.  The scholarships are tenable for one year in the first instance and are renewable annually, subject to satisfactory progress and performance. Each scholarship carries a monthly stipend of S$2,000* (for International Students) S$2,200 (for Singapore Permanent Residents) and S$2,500 (for Singapore Citizens) and a full research fee subsidy.

The maximum period of award is four years for Ph.D. students. However, we do take into account the various contingencies, and support our Ph.D. students beyond the stated duration whenever possible. The student has to work six hours a week with their mentors/supervisors for the duration of the scholarship. The work can involve the learning of new research techniques, implementation of projects and other forms of research and teaching assistance. The work contributes to the ongoing development of the student as a scholar and a teacher.

All students with a scholarship are covered by the university group health insurance scheme for a nominal premium. Dependents (e.g., spouse and children) of the student are not eligible for such coverage at the moment.

The scholarship is given with the understanding that the student is committed full-time to the program. The student is not allowed to undertake other forms of employment (including self-employment) during the period of scholarship. The only exception is when the student functions as a graduate student researcher to one of the faculty members. For information on these matters, please see Other Opportunities at http://bschool.nus.edu.sg/PhD/FinancialSupport/OtherOpportunities.aspx

*The term for the NUS Research Scholarship are being reviewed. Revised terms of the scholarship will be implemented from the January intake onwards.

Graduate Student Researchers

This scheme allows graduate students to work part-time assisting faculty members for a maximum of sixteen (16) hours per week (including the six hours of work required for the research scholars). The remuneration rate is about $12 to $15 per hour.

President Graduate Fellowships

The PGF is open to full-time candidates of all nationalities. Incoming Ph.D. students and current NUS Research Scholars (with the exception of SMA and GPBE students) who have passed the Ph.D. Qualifying Examination (QE) are eligible to be considered for the award.

(i)    A monthly stipend throughout the period of award as follows:

(ii)   Tuition fees at the University;

(iii)  A one-off air travel allowance for one one-way ticket of up to S$750 (only for overseas students); and

(iv)   A one-off settling allowance of S$1,000 (only for overseas students).

The award is tenable for an initial one year and, subject to the awardee’s satisfactory progress, renewable annually up to a maximum of 4 years. For candidates who were transferred from a NUS Research Scholarship to a PGF, the total period of their tenure on both schemes must not exceed four years. For more details, please refer to http://www.nus.edu.sg/registrar/gdfa/gd-pgf.html

Teaching Opportunities

Students may be appointed as part-time tutors in their respective departments. The remuneration ranges from $30 to $60 per teaching hour for research scholars. The scheme is meant to develop the students’ pedagogical skills. Appointment and opportunity vary depending on departmental requirements, and student capabilities.

Post-Qualifying Examination Top-Up

Ph.D. students who pass their qualifying examination after the coursework receive an additional $500 per month for a period of two years.

4.2        Coursework Programmes

4.2.1     Degrees Offered

• •       M.B.A.
• •       NUS-PKU Double Degree MBA
• •       NUS-HEC Paris Double Degree MBA
• •       APEX M.B.A. – English
• •       APEX M.B.A. – Chinese
• •       UCLA NUS Executive M.B.A.
• •       Double Degree with Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy
• •       S3 Asia M.B.A. with Korea University (KU) and Fudan University (FU)

4.2.2     Degree Requirements

M.B.A.

• •       Strong academic record in undergraduate study from a reputable, degree-granting academic institution.
• •       Minimum of two years full-time work experience.
• •       Good analytical writing assessment, verbal, quantitative and total scores for the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) are required.
• •       Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is required if the medium of instruction during undergraduate studies was not in English.
• •       Shortlisted applicants may be required to take further evaluation tests and/or attend an interview.

>NUS-PKU Double Degree M.B.A.

• •       A good bachelor's degree.
• •       Minimum three years of work experience after bachelor's degree.
• •       Good analytical writing assessment, verbal, quantitative and total scores for the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) are required.
• •       For candidates from China: the Common Entrance Examination is required.

APEX M.B.A. – English

• •       A good first degree in any discipline.
• •       Minimum of ten years’ full-time postgraduate work experience.
• •       Holds senior position or has the potential to assume senior managerial positions in the near future.
• •       Outstanding candidates with eight to nine years work experience will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
• •       TOEFL is required if the medium of instruction during undergraduate studies was not English.
• •       A good GMAT score may be required on a case-by-case basis.

APEX M.B.A. – Chinese

• •       A good first degree in any discipline.
• •       Minimum of eight years' full-time postgraduate work experience with no less than five years of managerial experience.
• •       Currently holding a senior managerial position.
• •       Outstanding candidates holding senior managerial positions who do not meet the above criteria will be considered on a  case-by-case basis.

UCLA-NUS Executive M.B.A.

• •       A bachelor’s or equivalent degree from a regionally accredited institution, and a scholastic average of B or better in the last two years of undergraduate coursework and in any post-baccalaureate study.
• •       Applicants are expected to hold a degree representing completion of at least four years of study with above average scholarship from a university or university-level institution.
• •       Minimum ten years of full-time work experience and current employment with high-level managerial responsibility.
• •       Corporate sponsorship is encouraged.
• •       Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) will be required if the applicant’s native language is not English.
• •       The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) is not required for admission, but is recommended highly for those candidates whose prior academic work does not show distinction or clear evidence of strong quantitative and logical reasoning skills.

* Masters in Public Policy (MPP)

• •       A good NUS honours degree (second class and above) or equivalent (e.g., a four-year bachelor's degree with at least an average grade of B or equivalent); or  a good bachelor's degree and successful completion of a placement test; or exceptionally, other qualifications and experience subject to approval by the Board of Graduate Studies.
• •       Preferably some background in Mathematics and Economics.
• •       A good command of the English Language (minimum TOEFL score of 620 or IELTS of 6.5).

* Masters in Public Administration (MPA)

• •       A NUS honours degree (at least second upper) or an equivalent degree, such as a four-year bachelor's degree with an average grade of B or better; or a good bachelor degree and passed the school’s placement test. Other qualifications may be accepted subject to approval of NUS Board of Graduate Studies.
• •       At least five years of work experience.
• •       In addition, the candidate should have a good command of the English Language (minimum TOEFL score of 620 or IELTS band of 6.5).
• *    Candidates have to fulfil the admission requirements for both degree programmes to gain admission to the Double Degree Programme.

S3 Asia M.B.A.

•       A good undergraduate degree from a reputable academic institution.

• •       A minimum of two years (for KU and NUS) or three years (FU) of full-time post-graduation managerial experience.
• •       Good Graduate Management Admission Test  (KU and NUS) or GRK (FU) scores.
• •       Applicants whose native tongue or medium of undergraduate instruction was not English will be required to submit TOEFL/IELTS scores as evidence of their proficiency in English (NUS) or pass an English admission test (KU and FU).
• •       An admissions interview.

4.2.3     Financial Assistance and Awards

M.B.A.

Scholarships & Bursaries

1.      Asian Development Bank-JAPAN Scholarship Programs, ADB-JPS

2.      NUS-APEC Scholarship

3.      Peh Chin Hua Bursary

4.      Mohammed Bin Rashid Fellow Programme (only for Arab students)

5.      NUS MBA Study Awards

         •        Dean’s Award

         •        Director’s Award

         •        Merit Award

6.      Saw Centre MBA Finance Scholarship

7.      Spring Singapore’s Management Development Scholarship

8.      Tan Kah Kee Postgraduate Scholarship

9.      Lee Kuan Yew Scholarship

10.    Ian Ferguson Scholarship

11.    Lien Foundation Scholarship

12.    Sampoerna Foundation

13.    CapitaLand International Scholarship

14.    International Business Fellowship Programme

         (for the Double Degree Programme with Peking University)

International M.B.A.

Scholarships & Bursaries

1.      IM.B.A. Study Awards

2.      IM.B.A. Alumni Leadership Award

3.      Asian Business Fellowship (ABF) Programme

4.      Peh Chin Hua Bursary