PhD in Psychology

It is a four-year full-time programme.

No, the programme can only be taken on a full-time basis.

No, there is only one admission intake in August each year.

Students are required to complete 52 course units to meet the graduation requirement.

Students will complete most of the foundation and elective courses in Years One and Two of the programme. They are also expected to complete and defend their Master's Thesis by the end of Year Two. The programme will then focus more on research projects, and contributions to academic publications and presentations as students advance progressively in their training.

For more details, please refer to Programme Structure and Curriculum.

The programme is not offered by distance learning. The courses are conducted at SMU campus and students are expected to attend all the courses personally.

Please click here for more information on the admission requirements.

Work experience is not required.

The GRE General is required for all applicants except those graduating with a bachelor degree (in any discipline) from SMU, NUS, NTU, SUTD, SIT, and SUSS (i.e., Singapore autonomous universities). Applicants from these universities will be considered without GRE scores (however, they are encouraged to submit their scores if available).

GRE Psychology Subject test is not required. However, applicants without a bachelor degree in psychology are strongly encouraged to take it and submit their result so that their knowledge in basic psychology can be taken into consideration when we review their application.

GRE General and Psychology Subject tests must be taken within five years prior to applying to the programme.

Applicants must show proficiency in the English language. Applicants, whose Undergraduate medium of instruction was not in English, are to sit for either TOEFL or IELTS. More information can be obtained from the TOEFL website and IELTS website. SMU's TOEFL institution code is 9014.

There is no minimum GRE or TOEFL score requirement.

The GRE test score is valid for 5 years from the date of the examination. TOEFL / IELTS results are valid for 2 years.

More information can be obtained from the GRE website which provides information on preparing and registering for the GRE tests. SMU’s GRE institution code is 2861.

Applications must be submitted online. Click here to start. Please read the General Instructions carefully before submitting your application.

Yes, there is a non-refundable application fee of S$15. Applications received without the application fee will not be processed.

Full scholarships are available on a competitive basis. For more information on scholarships, please click here.

Applicants may send application without the GRE test scores. However, applications cannot be processed until the GRE scores are received before the closing date for application. Applicants should fax or email us the unofficial scores as soon as possible and arrange with the test centre for the official score report to be sent to SMU.

Applicants may send application without the TOEFL/IELTS scores. However, applications cannot be processed until the TOEFL/IELTS scores are received before the closing date for application. Applicants should fax or email us the unofficial scores as soon as possible and arrange with the test centre for the official score report to be sent to SMU.

An official copy of the full transcript is acceptable in lieu of a Bachelor's degree certificate if the latter is not available during the application period. However, applicants must ensure that they will be able to commence lessons in the intake that they are applying for.

The Psychology PhD programme does not offer a terminal master degree. That is, the MSc degree in Psychology is awarded as part of the progression towards the PhD degree. A student who did not complete all the PhD degree requirements is not automatically awarded the MSc degree, although in exceptional circumstances he/she may be awarded the MSc degree if the student successfully completes all the MSc degree requirements and is deemed by the School to be in good standing and of satisfactory performance.

In most cases, students with a Master's degree will still need to take the required courses and complete the Master's thesis for meeting the Ph.D. graduation requirement of 52 course units. However, applicants with a Master's degree can also submit information regarding their previously earned Master's degree (e.g., official transcript, Master's thesis) along with their application. If the applicant is admitted to the programme, we will review on a case-by-case basis on possible exemptions from certain courses and/or Master's thesis.

As the programme is designed to equip our students with the necessary skills to evaluate, conduct and publish research, we expect our graduates will be qualified to work in academic settings. There should also be good opportunities for Psychology PhD holders trained in research psychology in the public and private sectors.