Research Focus
The intersection of Earth and environmental science, climate change and data-driven environmental research, including:
- Research on the global carbon cycle and ecosystem carbon fluxes;
- Monitoring and quantitative analysis of greenhouse gas emissions;
- Research on atmospheric chemical processes and air quality;
- Environmental remote sensing and multi-source data fusion analysis;
- Development of environmental monitoring technologies and model prediction methods;
- Application of artificial intelligence and machine learning in environmental science.
Programme Structure and Funding
This programme is a full-time PhD programme with a duration of 4 years, admitting only 1–2 students.
The programme offers full funding (Fully Funded). Eligible students may receive tuition funding and a corresponding living allowance; the specific arrangements are subject to the school’s final review outcome and the offer of admission.
President’s Graduate Fellowship
The fellowship is initially awarded for one year and renewed each semester based on academic performance, for a maximum of 4 years, and includes:
- Monthly allowance: Singapore citizens—S$4,800; Singapore permanent residents—S$4,400; international students—S$3,900;
- Full tuition fees;
- A one-time air travel allowance for a one-way ticket—up to S$750 (overseas students only);
- A one-time settling-in allowance of S$1,000 (overseas students only);
- In addition, the Graduate School may, at its discretion, provide an additional monthly allowance (for four years) and a one-time research allowance (after passing the PhD qualifying examination).
The specific amounts are subject to the final decision of the Graduate School. - Note: Fellowship recipients must remain in Singapore during the period of the award (except during approved leave).
Recipients may also be required by the Head of Department/programme supervisor to assist with teaching or departmental work. Dean’s PhD Fellowship: provides an additional 1 year of funding after the regular PhD fellowship ends.
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Funding content: tuition fees and living costs for the final year. - Number of awards: up to 3 per year, open only to new students entering in August.
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Note:
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Recipients must complete their PhD within 5 years, and the thesis should therefore be submitted within 12 months of the fellowship start.
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Only full-time PhD students who have already been awarded an NUS fellowship and admitted to the PhD programme are eligible.
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The fellowship is nominated by the department and awarded together with other fellowships at the time of admission.
NUS Research Scholarship
- Full tuition fee waiver
- Living allowance
Singapore citizens—S$3,800/month; Singapore permanent residents—S$3,400/month; international students—S$3,000/month.
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PhD qualifying examination allowance: after passing the PhD qualifying examination, an additional allowance of S$500/month is available; the specific payment period and renewal are subject to university regulations.
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Maximum funding period: PhD students may be funded up to the fourth year of their PhD.
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Fellowship renewal: initially usually awarded for 1 year, after which renewal is reviewed each semester based on the student’s academic performance in the preceding period and the faculty’s recommendation.
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Note:
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Fellowship recipients must reside in Singapore during the period of funding, except during approved leave;
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The relevant department or programme supervisor may require fellowship recipients to assist with certain teaching or departmental work;
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NUS does not provide additional funding for travel costs or other related costs;
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NUS does not guarantee that fellowship recipients will be able to obtain a position at the university after completing their degree. The programme also accepts self-funded applications. However, whether admitted with a fellowship or self-funded, all applicants must go through the same application and interview process, and are admitted on merit.
Entry Requirements
Atmospheric science, meteorology, environmental science, Earth science, geography, remote sensing science, computer science, artificial intelligence, data science, chemistry, physics, mathematics, statistics
- Academic background: a bachelor’s or master’s degree in atmospheric science, computer science, meteorology, environmental science, chemistry, physics, Earth science or a related quantitative field.
- Grade requirements: GPA ≥3.5/4.0. Applicants with a strong research record may have the GPA requirement appropriately relaxed.
- Language requirements: TOEFL: 100 (writing ≥22) (TOEFL iBT Home Edition accepted); or IELTS: 7.0; Applicants who have obtained a degree from an English-taught country may apply for an exemption.
- References: 2 academic references.
- Preferred qualifications: Experience with Earth system models such as WRF or GEOS-Chem. Programming skills (e.g. Python, Fortran, R) and familiarity with Linux-based HPC environments. Applicants with publications in JCR Q1 journals are preferred. Ideally two research experiences each lasting at least six months, with intellectual contributions rather than mere task execution.
Application Materials
- Degree certificate;
- Statement of purpose (no more than 1,900 words, of which 400 words cover background and motivation; 1,500 words cover the research plan, including references);
- GRE report (if available; can strengthen competitiveness; GRE General Test at Home accepted);
- Other relevant materials (e.g. publications, participation in seminars, workshops, conferences, relevant work experience, etc.);
- Transcripts;
- English test score report;
- 2 academic references.
Application Period
Intakes are in August or January; application periods:
- August intake: applications close on 1 November of the previous year; admission results are issued in late May of the intake year;
- January intake: applications close on 15 May of the previous year; admission results are issued in late October.
Application Process
From now until the end of August, applicants submit an English CV and relevant materials, and we will conduct a preliminary assessment. In September, those who pass the initial screening will be invited to interview with potential supervisors. In October, after passing the interview, applicants must formally submit their application materials through the official website. From November to February, shortlisted candidates are interviewed by the faculty admissions committee. In May, offers of admission are received. Note: the timeline above uses the August intake as an example.
August intake: 1 November; January intake: 15 May
Tuition and Living Costs
Tuition fees (tuition fees rise slightly each year)
- Academic year 2026/27—self-funded S$41,800/year, equivalent to approximately RMB 220,000/year.
- Students who already hold a master’s degree and have not previously received a Singapore government tuition subsidy/government funding may have the opportunity to apply for the MOE tuition subsidy—in which case tuition fees are approximately S$21,900/year (approximately RMB 115,000/year), subject to the school’s review outcome.
Living costs
RMB 100,000–200,000/year (depending on individual circumstances).
Career Prospects
The Department of Geography at the National University of Singapore (NUS) has long ranked first in Asia and in the global top ten; its PhD graduates, with solid research training and critical thinking, are highly competitive in the global job market. Overall, graduates have diverse employment channels, with over 73% of PhD graduates achieving full-time employment or signing postdoctoral contracts within 6 months of graduation.
In terms of career choices, PhD graduates mainly move into the following areas:
- Academia and research institutions: this is the most traditional path. Many PhD graduates take up faculty positions or undertake postdoctoral research at top universities worldwide, such as Yale University, the University of Hong Kong, Sun Yat-sen University and others.
Local universities such as NUS and Nanyang Technological University, as well as research institutions such as the Singapore Earth Observatory, are also important destinations. An NUS PhD is highly recognised in Asia-Pacific academia and is also favoured by international organisations such as the World Bank and UN-Habitat.
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Public sector and government agencies: the spatial analysis and policy assessment skills developed through geography training are highly valuable in government governance. Graduates enter various Singapore government agencies and statutory boards, such as the Singapore Land Authority, the Urban Redevelopment Authority and the Land Transport Authority, working in urban planning, resource management, policy-making and other areas.
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Private sector and enterprises: with the spread of geographic information systems (GIS), remote sensing and big data technologies, demand for geography PhDs in the technology and business sectors continues to grow. Graduates join the R&D centres of multinational companies, environmental consulting firms, sustainability departments and internet companies (such as Shopee), working in spatial data analysis, environmental consulting, market research and other areas.
The GeoAI and geographic information science directions that the NUS Department of Geography has focused on developing in recent years have further broadened students’ employment opportunities in high-tech fields.
