Online Application

APPLICATION INFORMATION

The PhD/MPhil in Economics programmes are full-time programme. We are now accepting applications for August 2025 intake, refer to the table below for the University’s application window.

The application period is from 1 August to 31 December of each academic year.

Note: Please indicate your preference for PhD/MPhil at the top of your Personal Statement. If you would like to be considered for both, please indicate your preference.

ONLINE APPLICATION:

Please use the online application system to submit your application. Supplementary instructions are given in each section of the online application form. You do not need to complete the form at one sitting; you can return to your partially completed application by logging in to the application portal.

Please read the Online Application Guide before submitting your application online here.
After submitting your application, you may use the Applicant Self Service functions to update information when necessary. Please read the Self Service Guide here.

To Reset Password, please click here.
If you have forgotten your User ID, please click here.
If you are facing any technical issues with your application, please email us at soephd@smu.edu.sg.

APPLICATION DOCUMENTS

The application portal will prompt you to upload your application documents online. Preferably, you can upload all your documents in PDF format. Please ensure that scanned documents are clear and legible. Failure to do so will result in delays to the processing of your application.

Please refer below for the list of supporting documents:

• Identity Card (For Singapore Citizens PR)
• Passport & Identity Card (For non-Singapore Citizens)
• Bachelor / Master Degree Certificate
• Official Transcripts for Bachelor / Master Degree (Please include the grading policy/system for your transcript)
• TOEFL / IELTS (For applicants whose medium of instruction at the Bachelor’s/Master’s level was not in English)
• GMAT / GRE
• Curriculum Vitae
• Personal and Research Statement
  Please indicate your preference for PhD/MPhil at the top of your Personal Statement.
• Two Referee Reports (academic referees preferred)

  Both your referees will receive an auto-generated email to complete the online referee report upon the submission of your online application.

For all non-English certificates or documents, a copy of the original certificates/documents and their official English translations must be submitted.

APPLICATION FEE

The application fee is S$15 (non-refundable). Payment can be made online upon the submission of your online application.

GMAT/GRE

GMAT or GRE scores are required for admission to SMU PhD programme. The test scores should be less than 5 years old prior to the proposed date of admission. GRE/GMAT (may be waived for SMU, NTU and NUS graduates).

For GMAT registration, visit www.mba.com/exams/gmat
For GRE registration, visit www.ets.org/gre

SMU’s GMAT institution code for PhD in Economics is F8D‐KD‐38.
SMU’s GRE institution code is 2861.

TOEFL / IELTS

Applicants must demonstrate proficiency in the English language. Applicants whose medium of instruction at the Bachelor’s/Master’s level was not English are required to submit TOEFL/IELTS scores. Only results obtained within the last 2 years will be considered.

For TOEFL registration, visit: www.ets.org/toefl
For IELTS registration, visit: www.ielts.org

SMU’s TOEFL institution code is 9014.