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.
Others
Financial Assistance
Scholarships
Full scholarships covering registration and tuition fees, and including a stipend are available to outstanding candidates.
PhD scholarship
Citizenship | Monthly Stipend Before Qualifying Examination* | Monthly Stipend After Qualifying Examination* |
| Singapore Citizen | S$2,800 | S$3,300 |
| Singapore Permanent Resident | S$2,400 | S$2,900 |
| Foreign Student | S$2,200 | S$2,700 |
MPhil scholarship
Citizenship | Monthly Stipend |
| Singapore Citizen | S$2,800 |
| Singapore Permanent Resident | S$2,000 |
| Foreign Student | S$1,900 |
Notes:
- The monthly stipend rates are from 1 August 2021 onwards.
- From August 2015, Singapore Citizens will be provided with 17% CPF contribution.
- The scholarships are renewable yearly, condition on good academic performance, for the first 4 years of the PhD candidature.
- Beyond the scholarship duration, students may receive continued support through research assistantships and teaching assistantships or industry grants at SMU.
- Scholarship recipient must pass the Qualifying Examination before the 25th day of the month to be eligible for stipend increment in the next immediate month.
Conference Funding
Students are encouraged to attend academic conferences, and to present research papers at conferences. PhD students with papers accepted for presentation at reputable conferences may apply for funding up to a maximum of S$3,500.
Presidential Doctoral Fellowship
Presidential Doctoral Fellowships are awarded to exceptionally qualified PhD students. Students awarded the fellowship receive a higher monthly stipend for one year, and research trip support.
For more details on scholarships, fellowships and other financial assistance schemes, please click here.
PhD Programme Fees
For more information on PhD Programme Fees, please click here.
Postgraduate Insurance
For more information on Postgraduate Insurance, please click here.
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.
| Intake | Opening Date for Application | Closing Date for Application |
| August 2025 | 1 August 2024 | 31 December 2024 |
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.
For New User
You need to first register for an account with SMU before you can submit an online application form. Click on "Register New Account" below to proceed.
For Existing User
If you have already created an account with SMU, please go directly to the Login page to proceed with your application.
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.
Our formal requirements for MPhil and PhD are:
- A strong Bachelor or Master degree
Bachelor or master degree in Economics (or related fields) with considerable mathematics and statistics, and with evidence of research potential. We do accept students with non-economics background – there are generally students from disciplines with a heavy mathematics component (engineering, physics, math/stats majors)
- Excellent GRE or GMAT scores
Applicants from SMU, National University of Singapore (NUS), and Nanyang Technological University (NTU) with strong economics and technical backgrounds and excellent CGPAs may use their undergraduate/masters transcript as an alternative to the GRE/GMAT.
- Excellent TOEFL or IELTS scores
Students from English speaking undergraduate/master programmes do not need to submit TOEFL or IELTS score. However, you should consider whether including proof of English proficiency will help your application.
- Personal and Research Statement
Describe your academic interests, motivation, and objectives for pursuing PhD study, research experience, and any other information that you wish to highlight about yourself. It is your opportunity to convince us of your potential and suitability as a researcher in economics.
- Two Referee Reports
- Curriculum Vitae
- Admission interview
We consider each application on a holistic basis, taking into account all the information presented in your application. We also consider if the applicants research interests and motivations broadly complement the academic interests of our research faculty. To view our faculty’s research areas and areas of expertise, please click here. All shortlisted applicants will be interviewed, and our admission decisions will be based on an assessment of your entire application package.
Regarding mathematics: a PhD program in Economics is mathematically demanding. A strong mathematical background is essential just to get through the first year core courses. An ideal background would include multivariable calculus, real analysis, intermediate level linear algebra, and a strong foundation in probability and statistics.