Doctor of Philosophy | Economics

• ​​​​​​​A Bachelor's degree in Economics or related field from a highly ranked university, with Honours (Distinction) or Second upper Honours and the ability to pursue research in the candidate's proposed field of advanced study.
  
  
• An adequate background in Mathematics/Quantitative Methods. 
  

• Applicants applying to the Economics programme are to note that the GRE (General) test is not mandatory, but GRE scores submitted along with applications would be taken into consideration. Those who did not graduate from the Autonomous Universities in Singapore are advised to take the GRE.
  

• A good language proficiency score: IELTS score at least 7.0 (overall); TOEFL score at least 105 (IELTS is preferred).  The IELTS/TOEFL score must have been attained within 2 years prior to application.
  
  
• Applicants who fulfilled either of the following criteria are exempted from the IELTS or TOEFL submission:
  
  • Native language is English.
  • Bachelor's or Master's Degree (must be at least 3 years of study) where English is the medium of instruction.  A letter from the respective universities is required indicating the duration of studies, name of programme and medium of instruction.
  • Applicants whose Bachelor's degree is from NTU, NUS, SMU or SUSS need not submit the letter.

• It is recommended that applicants contact a professor they are interested in working with to discuss the possibility of supervision for their proposed research topic.​

Application Period & Other Information

Please click here for the Admission Quick Guide.

Enquiries can be sent to ac-sss-ge@ntu.edu.sg.

Typically, Ph.D. students must complete the coursework requirement within the first three semesters (recommended two semesters for Economics students). They should maintain a minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average of 3.50. Students on scholarship might have additional requirements to fulfil such as teaching and service requirements. Students are encouraged to work closely with their supervisor and the graduate co-ordinator to ensure timely completion of all the requirements. 

Ph.D. students will have to submit and defend their thesis proposal as part of the Qualifying Examination (also known as the Confirmation Exercise). The Qualifying Examination should be completed within 12 months from start of candidature. The final completed thesis will be examined by a panel of internal and external examiners, after which, an oral examination (viva) will be held. 

Thesis submission is made at the end of four years which dovetails with the expiry of the scholarship. Candidature expires at the end of five years.