The NUS Commonwealth Scholarship 2025 offers a fully funded opportunity for academically talented students from Commonwealth countries to pursue Master's or PhD research programs at the National University of Singapore (NUS). This scholarship supports students who demonstrate academic excellence and a passion for contributing to global research and innovation. Funded by NUS and the Singapore Ministry of Education, the award aims to strengthen international collaboration through education.

About the NUS Commonwealth Scholarship 2025

The scholarship allows eligible students from Commonwealth countries (excluding Singapore citizens and permanent residents) to enroll in full-time Master's or PhD research programs across a wide array of disciplines offered at NUS.

Host Country: Singapore

Host Institution: National University of Singapore (NUS)

Study Levels: Master’s (by research) and PhD

Scholarship Type: Fully Funded

Application Deadline: 10 August 2025

Benefits of the NUS Commonwealth Scholarship 2025

• Monthly stipend of up to SGD 2,700 (for PhD) and SGD 2,500 (for Master’s)
• Tuition fees fully covered
• Additional stipend of up to SGD 500/month after passing the PhD qualifying examination
• Access to NUS research resources, academic mentorship, and professional development opportunities

Eligibility Criteria

To apply for the NUS Commonwealth Scholarship 2025, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Be a citizen of any Commonwealth country, excluding Singapore
• Hold at least a Second Class Upper Honours or Honours (Distinction) undergraduate degree or equivalent
• Be eligible for the Ministry of Education (MOE) Subsidy in Singapore
• Fulfill all admissions criteria for the intended graduate program

Application Process

1. Apply for Admission to NUS:
   • Submit an application for a full-time Master's by research or PhD program at NUS.
   • Use the NUS Graduate Admission portal (GradApp).
2. Indicate Interest in Scholarship:
   • While completing the application form, select "Commonwealth Scholarship" under the "Source of Finance" section.
3. Submit Required Documents:
   • Academic transcripts
   • Degree certificates
   • Curriculum Vitae (CV)
   • Research proposal (for PhD applicants)
   • One-page personal statement
   • Proof of English proficiency (if applicable)
   • Contact details of two referees
4. Letters of Recommendation:
   • Referees must upload recommendation letters directly to the system by 26 March 2025
5. Shortlisting and Interviews:
   • Shortlisted candidates will be notified by NUS between late March and May 2025 for an interview
6. Notification of Award:
   • Final decisions will be communicated by late May 2025
   • Candidates must accept the scholarship offer before the deadline provided

Duration of Scholarship

• Master’s (by research): Up to 2 years
• PhD: Up to 4 years

Graduate Assistantship RequirementScholarship recipients are required to participate in the Graduate Assistantship Programme (GAP). This involves:

• Performing teaching or research-related duties
• A workload of up to 16 hours per week

Conditions of Award

• Must remain enrolled full-time in the research program
• Must maintain satisfactory academic performance and research progress
• May not concurrently hold other scholarships or engage in employment unless approved
• Must reside in Singapore throughout the study duration

No Bond RequirementThere is no service bond required for the scholarship. However, recipients are expected to fulfill all program and assistantship responsibilities.Supported Fields of StudyThe NUS Commonwealth Scholarship supports research across all faculties including:

• Engineering
• Science
• Social Sciences
• Humanities
• Business
• Computing
• Law
• Medicine
• Public Policy

How to Strengthen Your ApplicationApplicants are advised to:

• Highlight academic achievements and research experience
• Submit a clear, focused research proposal (for PhD)
• Obtain strong recommendation letters
• Demonstrate alignment with NUS faculty and research goals
• Indicate long-term goals and how the NUS program supports them

Important Dates

• Application Start: 1 February 2025
• Application Deadline: 10 August 2025
• Referee Submission Deadline: 26 March 2025
• Interview Period: March – May 2025
• Scholarship Offer Notification: Late May 2025
• Program Start: August 2025

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the NUS Commonwealth Scholarship 2025?

A fully funded graduate research scholarship for international students from Commonwealth countries to study a Master's (by research) or PhD program at the National University of Singapore.

2. What does the scholarship cover?

It covers tuition fees, monthly stipend (up to SGD 2,700), and an additional top-up allowance (up to SGD 500) for PhD students after the qualifying examination.

3. Can I apply for this scholarship if I am not from a Commonwealth country?

No. The scholarship is exclusively open to citizens of Commonwealth countries except Singapore.

4. How long is the funding duration?

2 years for Master’s (by research) and up to 4 years for PhD programs.

5. Do I need a separate application for the scholarship?

No. Indicate your interest in the scholarship within the NUS GradApp admissions application.

6. Are assistantship duties mandatory?

Yes. Scholarship recipients must perform assistantship duties up to 16 hours per week.

7. What happens if I don’t meet progress requirements?

NUS reserves the right to reduce, suspend, or terminate the scholarship if progress is unsatisfactory or conditions are not met.

8. Is there a bond after graduation?

No, there is no bond or service requirement after graduation.

Apply Now

Interested candidates should visit the NUS Graduate School official website for further details and access to the online application system.

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