PhD in Public Policy

This programme aims to train the next generation of thought leaders with the analytical skills and substantive knowledge needed to generate, evaluate, and communicate research in public policy. It provides advanced training for candidates to assume positions in academic institutions, international organisations, governments and NGOs with significant research commitments.

This programme will train our students with high-level theoretical, methodological, and substantive expertise in public policy, as well as the communication skills necessary for successful careers in teaching and research.

Generous scholarships, in addition to access to a range of teaching and research assistantships, are available. Admission to this programme is highly competitive. Only about six-eight candidates are admitted every year.

Class Profile

Below is a snapshot of some our PhD Students and PhD Candidates.

“The School’s focus on Asia complements my research interests, making it the ideal school for me to work on topics close to home. This is in line with my career goals, as I hope to contribute to research and policy work in Asia. The highly qualified and illustrious faculty is also a major factor, as I will be learning from experts in the field.”

Woo Jun Jie
PhD Candidate

“Asia is rapidly becoming the center of world events, and Singapore is in the center of Asia in terms of both geography and culture, so studying here gives me a perfect perch from which to observe and study how the world is changing.”

Reuben Hintz
PhD Candidate

“The diversity of culture, socio-economic conditions, natural resources, environmental risks and associated policy challenges in Asia makes the region a fertile ground for research study related to climate change. The PhD programme provides a comparative advantage to study this diversity.”

Sreeja Nair
PhD Student

“I believe the school provides an ‘Asian approach’ on public policy studies. The programme offers not only public management and governance studies, but also international relations and security studies which are relevant to my interest”

Dedy Permadi
PhD Student

Click here to view more PhD Student profiles.

Curriculum

PhD students are expected to complete the programme in four years, and must complete seven core modules, two electives, and a PhD qualifying examination and dissertation.

Click here for more details.

Tuition Fees & Financial Aids

Subsidy is available for International Students and Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents. There are also financial aids in the forms of scholarships. Click here to learn about the cost of fees, and here for the financial aids available.

Admissions Criteria

The PhD in Public Policy programme is a very competitive programme, where only a handful of students, typically six-eight a year, from more than 100 applicants will be selected.

Click here for more details on admissions criteria and required documents.

FAQs

Click here to find out common questions asked on the PhD Programme.

Enquiries

Aside from the comprehensive information on our admissions page, if you have any other queries or would like to receive a copy of our programme brochure, please submit your request via our query form. Alternatively, you may also speak to our admissions officers at +65 6516 8004.