FAQs
Programme Structure and Curriculum
We only accept students on full-time basis.
No, there is only one intake each year, in August.
Please refer to Programme Structure and Curriculum website.
The minimum candidature period is 3 years, and maximum period is 5 years. Most students complete in 4.5-5 years.
No. You can explore your specific areas of interest while taking courses and interacting with the faculty after you enter the programme. However, a clear and convincing statement of your research interest in your personal statement will help your application.
Generally no, though exemptions and waivers may be considered on a case-by-case basis.
The programme is not offered by distance learning. The courses are conducted at SMU campus and candidates are expected to attend all the courses in-person.
Admissions and Eligibility
Please see the Admissions Requirements on the website.
Work experience is not required.
You may apply for the PhD in Economics programme if you are in your final term and year of your undergraduate/postgraduate study. You will be required to submit a copy of your academic transcript that reflects the results from the first semester until the latest semester’s results. Upon completion of your study, please provide us with a copy of your final academic transcript and degree certificate.
More information can be obtained from the GMAT website and GRE website. The websites provide information about preparing and registering for the GMAT and GRE tests.
SMU's GMAT institution code for PhD in Economics: F8D-KD-38
SMU's GRE institution code is 2861
We do not have a minimum GMAT/GRE score, and consider each application on a holistic basis, taking into account all the credentials in your application.
You can send the rest of the application to us, even if you have not taken GMAT/GRE. However, we will not process your application without your GMAT/GRE score. You should email us (soephd@smu.edu.sg) your unofficial scores as soon as you receive them and arrange with the test centre for the official score report to be sent to SMU.
GMAT or GRE scores is a compulsory admission requirement. The test scores should be less than 5 years old prior to the proposed date of admission. Applicants from SMU/NUS/NTU with strong and appropriate academic backgrounds may use their academic transcripts as an alternative to the GRE/GMAT.
Applicants must show proficiency in the English language. Applicants, whose undergraduate/master programme’s medium of instruction was not in English, are required to submit either TOEFL or IELTS scores. Only results obtained within the last 2 years will be considered. More information can be obtained from the TOEFL website and IELTS website. SMU's institution code for TOEFL is 9014.
We do not have a minimum TOEFL/IELTS score as each applicant is evaluated on all the credentials.
You can send the rest of the application to us, even if you have not taken the TOEFL/IELTS. However, we will not process your application without your TOEFL/IELTS score. You should email us (soephd@smu.edu.sg) your unofficial scores as soon as you receive them and arrange for the official score report to be sent to SMU.
Applications
To apply for the PhD in Economics programme, please submit an online application via our website at economics.smu.edu.sg/phd-economics/admissions/online-application
Yes, there is a non-refundable application fee of S$15.
Full scholarships are available to outstanding candidates.
For more information on scholarships, research and teaching assistantships, please click here.