PhD Admission (August 2027 Intake) at NUS Faculty of Law, Singapore, with Fully Funded Doctoral Places (Stipend S$3,000 - S$3,800 per month): Apply by 31 October 2026

The Faculty of Law of the National University of Singapore (NUS Law) has opened applications to its Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) programme for the August 2027 intake. The application period runs from 15 September 2026 to 31 October 2026. There is only one admission exercise each academic year.

The PhD is awarded on the submission of a thesis of not more than 100,000 words that is a substantial piece of original research in a particular field of law, or a critical interpretation worthy of publication, written under the supervision of a Faculty academic member. Candidates start as probationary PhD students and must defend a 30 to 40 page research proposal at a Doctoral Candidate Qualifying Examination (DCQE) before a Thesis Committee within 12 to 18 months. PhD candidates must also take and pass six courses in their first year. The programme is full-time, with a minimum candidature of two years and a maximum of five years; most candidates complete within three to four years.

According to the Faculty announcement of 1 September 2026, NUS Law is offering several fully funded places for the PhD programme starting August 2027. Successful applicants will receive:

• a monthly stipend of between S$3,000 and S$3,800 per month (the full list of scholarships is on the NUS Graduate School scholarships page);
• a full tuition fee subsidy for a maximum of four years;
• an additional monthly stipend of up to S$500 per month for PhD students on applicable scholarships who pass the Doctoral Candidate Qualifying Exam;
• funding for research expenses and conferences up to a maximum of S$8,000 during the period of the programme, for all PhD students.

Outstanding applicants in any field of law are strongly encouraged to apply, and should consult the Faculty Research Interests webpage before applying.

• A good Bachelor's or first degree in Law (LLB/BA/JD); or a good Master's degree in Law (LLM/BCL/MJur/MPhil) with a relevant Bachelor's degree; or relevant equivalent qualifications.
• English proficiency: a minimum TOEFL iBT total score of 100 (old system) or 5 (new system), or a minimum IELTS (Academic) overall band score of 7.0. Applicants whose undergraduate degree is not from a Singapore Autonomous University or an institution in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the UK or the US (this includes Indian degrees) must either submit an IELTS or TOEFL score or a waiver request with a university letter or official transcript stating that English was the medium of instruction; waivers are considered case by case.
• GRE scores are optional, though evidence of strong quantitative, verbal and analytical skills strengthens an application.
• Final-year students may apply if they can meet the academic prerequisites by 30 June 2027; a provisional offer can be made on interim transcripts.
• International applicants are admitted: the PhD checklist asks international applicants for the passport biodata page as their identity document.

• National ID (for international applicants, the passport biodata page).
• CV or resume.
• Personal statement, about 750 words.
• Statement of purpose (motivational letter).
• Bachelor's or Master's transcripts (up to three, in order of relevance), with grading system and cumulative GPA.
• Degree certificate, or for those still graduating, a letter from the school confirming student status and expected graduation date.
• TOEFL or IELTS (Academic) score report, or an English-medium waiver request.
• Two academic or professional referee reports, at least one from an academic who has taught you, submitted online by the deadline (give your referees' institutional email addresses).
• A detailed research proposal of 2,500 to 3,000 words with a suggested thesis title, plus a preliminary reading list; state the word count at the end of the proposal.

Applicants who used generative AI tools to help draft their research proposal or personal statement must explain in those sections how the tools were used. Incomplete applications are not reviewed, and no reminders are sent for missing documents. There is no need to contact NUS Law faculty members about supervision.

Application fee: S$50 (inclusive of prevailing GST), paid online in the NUS Graduate Admission System. There is no acceptance fee for the PhD. Fees paid are non-refundable and non-transferable. Successful scholarship holders receive a full tuition fee subsidy for up to four years.

Apply online through the NUS Graduate Admission System (GDA3) and upload all supporting documents there; documents sent by email or post are not accepted unless requested. Applications must be submitted by 11:59 pm Singapore Time (GMT+8) on 31 October 2026, which is 9:29 pm IST on 31 October 2026. If your GDA status does not show 'under initial review' within five business days of paying the fee, email lawphdadm@nus.edu.sg with proof of payment.

Applications are reviewed after the closing date. Application outcomes are sent to the applicant's GDA3-registered email address. Successful applicants matriculate in August 2027; final official transcripts and degree certificates must reach NUS Law by 30 June 2027.