NUS Research Scholarship
The NUS Research Scholarship is the National University of Singapore's primary funding for international PhD and Master's by Research students. It covers full tuition fees, an SGD 2,500/month stipend (rising to SGD 3,200 after the PhD Qualifying Examination), conference travel allowance, and Singapore work permit costs. Singapore offers proximity, English-medium instruction, and a 1-year post-study work pass — making NUS one of the strongest research-track options for Sri Lankan candidates who want Asia-based opportunities.
National University of Singapore
University-funded
emoji_events Award Overview
Monthly Stipend
SGD 2,500-3,200/mo
Duration
Up to 4 yrs (PhD)
Extras
Full Tuition + Conference Allowance
fact_check Eligibility Criteria
Outstanding Bachelor's Honours
A good honours degree (first or second-upper class) or equivalent. Sri Lankan first-class engineering, science, or computing graduates from Colombo, Moratuwa, or Peradeniya are typically competitive.
Apply to a Research Programme
You must apply to a full-time research-track Master's (M.Sc by Research, M.Eng by Research) or PhD at NUS. Coursework programmes are not eligible.
English Proficiency
TOEFL iBT 85+ / IELTS 6.0+ / 6.5+ for some faculties. Sri Lankan applicants with English-medium tertiary education usually qualify through the medium-of-instruction route.
Supervisor Engagement
Identifying a supervisor early is strongly recommended. NUS departments expect candidates to have engaged with potential supervisors before the formal application — supervisor support significantly improves outcomes.
account_tree Application Process
Engage a supervisor
Browse NUS faculty pages for your area of interest, identify 2-3 supervisors, and email them in August-October with your CV and a 1-2 page research proposal.
Submit research programme application
Apply via the NUS Graduate Admissions System (graduate.nus.edu.sg). Tick the Research Scholarship consideration box; this same form acts as your scholarship application.
Faculty review + ranking
Your chosen faculty reviews academic suitability first. Top-ranked candidates with supervisor support are nominated for the Research Scholarship.
Scholarship offer + acceptance
Successful applicants receive an offer letter detailing tuition coverage, stipend, and start date. The scholarship runs for the standard programme duration with annual progress reviews.
Why NUS?
NUS is consistently ranked #1 in Asia and in the world top 10 for several disciplines. Singapore's proximity to Sri Lanka (4-hour direct flight) and the Sri Lankan diaspora community make it a familiar regional option with global-tier academic standards.
#8
QS World Ranking 2026
#1
Asia (QS / Times Higher Education)
SGD 3,200
Post-QE Monthly Stipend
Similar Scholarships
Other curated opportunities for Sri Lankan students.
Nanyang President's Graduate Scholarship (NPGS)
Nanyang Technological University
NUS Research Scholarship
National University of Singapore
Singapore International Graduate Award (SINGA)
A*STAR Singapore