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What scholarships are available for studying in Singapore for a Master's/PhD?

24 Sept 2026 · Answered by Smitha Satish S · 2 min read
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Singapore offers several fully-funded scholarships for Master's and PhD students, including the SINGA award covering full tuition and a SGD 2,700 to SGD 3,200 monthly stipend, the A*STAR Graduate Scholarship, NUS President's Graduate Fellowship, and the ADB Japan Scholarship Program for developing country citizens.

Smitha Satish S
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Singapore is one of the best-funded graduate study destinations in the world, and the scholarship landscape is genuinely competitive but very rewarding if you qualify. Most fully-funded awards target research-intensive programs at NUS, NTU, SMU, and SUTD. Here is a structured breakdown of what is available and what each covers.

Government and University Scholarships for PhD Students

Scholarship Funding Body Coverage Monthly Stipend
Singapore International Graduate Award (SINGA) A*STAR / Singapore Government Full tuition, one-time airfare grant, settling-in allowance SGD 2,700 to SGD 3,200
A*STAR Graduate Scholarship (AGS) Agency for Science, Technology and Research Full tuition at NTU, NUS, SMU, or SUTD Generous stipend (amount varies by cohort)
President's Graduate Fellowship (PGF) NUS and NTU Full tuition, relocation and airfare allowances SGD 3,100 to SGD 4,800
Nanyang President's Graduate Scholarship (NPGS) NTU Full tuition and extensive stipend benefits Competitive (merit-based)
University Research Scholarships (RSS) NUS, NTU, SMU, SUTD Tuition fees for full-time research Master's or PhD Monthly stipend (varies by university)

Regional and Alternative Scholarships for Master's Students

Scholarship Eligibility Coverage
ADB Japan Scholarship Program Citizens of ADB developing countries (including India) Full Master's degree in economics, management, or science at designated institutions including NUS
Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan Citizens of Commonwealth countries Postgraduate degrees in science and integrated fields
ASEAN Foundation Scholarships Students from ASEAN member states Graduate-level coursework financial assistance (limited eligibility for Indian students)
MOE Tuition Grant Scheme International Master's students at Singapore universities Government subsidy reducing tuition fees significantly. Requires 3-year work bond with a Singapore-registered company after graduation.

My Advice

For Indian students, SINGA and the ADB Japan Scholarship Program are your strongest fully-funded starting points for a PhD or Master's respectively. Apply to SINGA through the A*STAR portal and note that it is highly competitive - your research proposal and alignment with Singapore's science and technology priorities matter enormously. If you do not secure a full scholarship, the MOE Tuition Grant is a practical fallback that still saves a significant amount, though the 3-year work bond is a commitment you should weigh carefully before accepting.

More expert answers

Rakshitha Muthukumar
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Yes, Singapore offers several fully funded PhD programs for international students, with comprehensive financial support.

You can expect:
- Full tuition coverage for the duration of your PhD
- Monthly stipend (typically SGD 3,600 - 4,550 for international students; higher for citizens/permanent residents)
- Additional allowances for books, computers, conferences, and sometimes overseas research attachments
- Living expenses and other research-related costs are usually included

Funding details, stipend amounts, and covered fields vary by scholarship and university. Application deadlines and eligibility are subject to change.

If you want help identifying the best-fit programs or understanding the application process, connect with your LeapScholar counsellor.

Arati Rai
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Yes, there are several scholarship options for studying in Singapore.

Based on your profile (Master’s in Business Administration, 7.4 CGPA, 60 months of work experience, 30 LPA CTC), you can consider:

- NUS Graduate School Research Scholarship: Full tuition and monthly stipend for research-based Master’s at NUS. Apply during admissions.
- NUS Commonwealth Scholarship: For Commonwealth citizens (including India) in research Master’s/PhD at NUS. Covers full tuition and stipend. Apply during admissions.
- Singapore International Graduate Award (SINGA): For research Master’s/PhD at NUS, NTU, SMU, or A*STAR. Covers full tuition, monthly stipend (from SGD 2,000), airfare, and settling-in grant. Apply on the SINGA portal; deadlines subject to change.
- MOE Tuition Grant: 40 - 60% tuition reduction for international students at public universities. Requires a 3-year work bond in Singapore after graduation.

Scholarship details and deadlines are subject to change. For tailored guidance, reach out to your LeapScholar counsellor.

Abhishek Mehta
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Leap Scholar's Counsellor
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Yes, there are scholarship programs available for international students pursuing master's degrees in Singapore.

- Major universities like NUS, NTU, and SMU offer merit-based scholarships, tuition fee rebates, and special scholarships for students from specific backgrounds.
- Some scholarships require you to have prior academic or alumni connections to the university, or to submit essays or meet specific criteria.
- Application processes and deadlines vary by scholarship and are subject to change.

Vandna Rani
Vandna Rani Verified
Leap Scholar's Counsellor
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Most government scholarships in Singapore are available only to Singapore citizens or permanent residents, and typically require a service bond after graduation.

- Eligibility: International students are generally not eligible for major government scholarships like the PSC Master's Scholarship or Lee Kuan Yew Scholarship. - Bond requirements: These scholarships usually require recipients to work in Singapore's public sector for a set period after completing their degree. - Coverage: Scholarships often include tuition, maintenance allowance, and other benefits, but are restricted to citizens or permanent residents.

If you are an international student, you may want to explore university-specific scholarships or private funding options instead. Scholarship policies are subject to change.

Abhishek Mehta
Abhishek Mehta Verified
Leap Scholar's Counsellor
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Yes, Singapore universities offer scholarships for international master's students, including Indian applicants. Many scholarships cover full tuition fees and provide a monthly stipend for living expenses.

To improve your chances:
- Maintain a strong academic record - high grades are essential.
- Emphasize your work experience - highlight relevant achievements (your 35 months of experience is valuable).
- Craft a compelling Statement of Purpose - clearly state your goals and alignment with the scholarship.
- Secure strong recommendation letters - from credible academic or professional referees.
- Apply to multiple scholarships - increase your chances by targeting several options.

Some scholarships may require a higher IELTS score than 6.5. Admission and scholarship requirements are subject to change.

Tharun Kumar U
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Your scholarship options in Singapore depend heavily on whether you are applying for a coursework master's or a research master's. The largest, most generous awards are generally reserved for research-based programmes, so check this distinction before you build your funding plan.

Key Scholarships for Indian Students

ScholarshipProviderWhat it covers
NUS Research ScholarshipNational University of SingaporeFull tuition waiver plus S$2,900 a month, typically up to 2 years
NTU Research ScholarshipNanyang Technological UniversityTuition plus monthly stipend, up to 2 years for master's awards
Lee Li-Ming ScholarshipNUS, Master of Landscape ArchitectureS$50,000, specifically includes Indian applicants
Enpee Group ScholarshipNUS Lee Kuan Yew School, Master in Public AdministrationSpecifically for Indian and Nigerian citizens
School-specific merit scholarshipsNUS and NTU coursework programmesPartial to full tuition support, varies by programme

What to Check Before You Apply

  • Research versus coursework: confirm whether your target programme is classified as research-based, since this determines which scholarships you can even apply for.
  • Programme-specific awards: engineering and public policy schools often list their own scholarships separately from the university-wide ones.
  • Application timing: scholarship deadlines can fall earlier than the general admissions deadline, so apply well ahead of your intake.

My Advice

If funding is your top priority, seriously consider a research master's over a coursework one, since that is where the NUS and NTU Research Scholarships sit. If you are set on a coursework programme, check your specific school's page directly, engineering and business schools especially, since several run their own targeted awards worth up to S$20,000 that general scholarship guides often miss.

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