NTU Singapore PhD Scholarships 2027: NPGS & Research Scholarship Guide

Quick Overview

Feature	Details
Full name	Nanyang President’s Graduate Scholarship (NPGS) + NTU Research Scholarship
University	Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore
Coverage	Tuition fees + monthly stipend + allowances (conference, book, IT, thesis)
NPGS stipend (international)	S$4,300/month (S$5,300 citizens / S$4,800 PR), from Jan 2026 rates
Level	Full-time PhD only
Application window	Aug 2027 intake: opens ~October 2026 (Nanyang Business School: Oct 1, 2026 – Jan 31, 2027; NPGS annual window Oct/Nov–Dec)
All nationalities	✅ Eligible

NTU Singapore is Asia’s fastest-rising research university, and its graduate scholarships are among the region’s most generous: S$4,300/month for international PhD students on the Nanyang President’s Graduate Scholarship, plus conference, book, IT, and thesis allowances — on top of full tuition. The application window for the August 2027 intake opens around October 2026, so this is the month to prepare your research proposal.

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What Does It Cover?

Benefit	Details
Tuition fees	Covered for the duration of the PhD
Monthly stipend (NPGS, international)	S$4,300 (Singapore citizens S$5,300; PRs S$4,800)
Conference allowance	Up to S$5,000 per financial year
Book allowance	S$500 per year
IT allowance	S$1,500 one-time
Thesis allowance	S$600 one-time, disbursed in the final year
Coverage level	Full-time PhD only — NPGS does not apply to Master’s programs

The NTU Research Scholarship runs alongside NPGS with a similar package (tuition + monthly stipend) — the practical difference is prestige and allowances: NPGS is NTU’s premier award, granted by the university’s President.

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Eligibility

✅ You Must:

• Be of any nationality — NPGS and the Research Scholarship are open to international students

• Hold (or be on track for) an Honours (Highest Distinction) or equivalent at Bachelor’s level for NPGS

• Meet the PhD program’s academic and English requirements (IELTS/TOEFL for non-English-medium backgrounds; GRE/GMAT strengthens applications where required)

• Apply for admission to a full-time PhD program at NTU — the scholarship application is part of the admission application

❌ Not Eligible If:

• You’re applying for a Master’s degree — both schemes are PhD only

• You can’t document that you’re on track for the required honours classification (final-year students must provide official confirmation from their university)

• You miss the application window for your target intake (some schools close earlier — see below)

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How to Apply: Step by Step

Step 1: Confirm your school’s deadline

Most NTU programs for the August intake open October 1 and close January 31, but several schools close earlier: Art, Design & Media; Humanities; Social Sciences; and Wee Kim Wee Communication & Information close November 15; LKCMedicine and RSIS close December 31. Check your school’s page.

Step 2: Prepare your documents

Passport, transcripts (original + certified English translation), degree certificates, test scores (IELTS/TOEFL within 2 years; GRE/GMAT/GATE within 5 years), research proposal, CV, and publications if any.

Step 3: Secure two referees

You need two referee reports from referees with institutional email addresses (free-email addresses like gmail are not accepted). They receive an automated email and have 14 working days to complete the form.

Step 4: Apply via the graduate admissions portal

Submit online at gradadmissions.ntu.edu.sg and pay the S$50 application fee. Applying for admission is the same as applying for the scholarship — tick the NPGS/Research Scholarship option in the form.

Step 5: Interview and outcome

Shortlisted NPGS candidates are interviewed (typically December–January). Admission and scholarship offers arrive by email between February and May.

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How It Compares: Singapore PhD Funding

Feature	NTU NPGS	NTU Research Scholarship	NUS Research Scholarship (see Singapore guide)
Monthly stipend (intl)	S$4,300	Similar range	Comparable range
Allowances	Conference S$5K/yr, book, IT, thesis	Varies	Varies
Application	With admission application	With admission application	With admission application
Aug 2027 window	Oct 2026 – Dec/Jan 2027 (school-dependent)	Oct 1, 2026 – Jan 31, 2027	School-dependent

Both NTU schemes beat most European stipends on purchasing power — Singapore’s tax-free stipends, safe environment, and English-medium research make NTU a top choice. For the full NUS/NTU/A\*STAR picture, see our Singapore Scholarships 2027 guide.

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Insider Tips

1. The window opens in October — prepare in September

The Aug 2027 intake window opens around October 1, 2026 (Nanyang Business School’s published window: Oct 1, 2026 – Jan 31, 2027). Use September to finalize your research proposal so you can submit on day one.

2. Watch for school-specific earlier deadlines

ADM, Humanities, Social Sciences, and WKWSCI close November 15; LKCMedicine and RSIS close December 31. Don’t rely on the general January 31 date for these schools.

3. Your referees need institutional emails

Free-email addresses (gmail, hotmail, yahoo) are rejected for referee reports. Ask referees who can submit from their university/institutional address, and warn them about the 14-working-day window.

4. NPGS wants evidence of top-class honours

Final-year students must upload official confirmation that they’re on track for Honours (Highest Distinction) or equivalent. Get that letter from your registrar early.

5. GRE/GMAT strengthens the file even when optional

NTU says strong quantitative, verbal, and analytical scores “greatly enhance” chances. If you have valid scores within 5 years, include them.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is NPGS open to international students?

Yes — all nationalities are eligible. International students receive S$4,300/month.

Can Master’s students apply for NPGS?

No. NPGS is exclusively for full-time PhD programs.

When is the application window?

The NPGS annual window is typically October/November to December; the AY2027-2028 window is announced in due course. Nanyang Business School’s Aug 2027 intake runs Oct 1, 2026 – Jan 31, 2027. Check your school’s page.

Is there a separate scholarship application form?

No — applying for PhD admission through the NTU portal includes the scholarship application; select the scheme in the form.

Do I need GRE?

Only where your school requires it, but submitting valid GRE/GMAT scores strengthens your application regardless.

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Timeline Table

Date	Milestone
Sep 2026	Finalize research proposal; line up referees
Oct 1, 2026	Application portal opens for Aug 2027 intake
Nov 15, 2026	Early deadline: ADM, Humanities, Social Sciences, WKWSCI
Dec 31, 2026	Early deadline: LKCMedicine, RSIS
Jan 31, 2027	General application deadline (Aug 2027 intake)
Dec 2026 – Jan 2027	NPGS interviews
Feb–May 2027	Admission and scholarship offers
Aug 2027	PhD begins

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Your Action Plan

1. This month: Confirm your school’s deadline; start your research proposal.

2. By Sep 30: Ask two referees with institutional emails; prepare transcripts and test scores.

3. Oct 1, 2026: Submit on the portal with the scholarship option selected.

4. Nov–Dec 2026: Prepare for interview if shortlisted.

5. Feb–May 2027: Accept your offer and apply for the Student Pass.

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Share this with someone targeting a fully funded PhD in Asia — NTU’s October window is almost here.
Related guides: Singapore Scholarships 2027 (NUS/NTU/A\STAR) · Fully Funded PhD Scholarships 2027*