– Author of this Blog

Md Rejuan Ahmed Mahim

I know the fear of the unknown — and the thrill of a new beginning. As a 2025 Russian Government Scholar and BAPO special intern, I share what I’ve learned to help you move forward.

The Singapore International Graduate Award (SINGA) is a prestigious scholarship for international students who want to pursue a PhD in science and engineering in Singapore. It is open for all non-Singaporean Citizens it means students from around the world can apply for the Scholarship including Bangladeshi Citizens.

Host Institutes for the programs: 

All the PhD programs are held in different prestigious universities in Singapore including:

• Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR)
• National University of Singapore (NUS)
• Nanyang Technological University (NTU)
• Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD)

Why This scholarship is so lucrative for international student:

All the scholarships around the world are very good, promising and offer great value for the students but this scholarship is very impressive as it offers a lot of opportunities for students. Let's highlight some of the opportunities provided by the universities:

• Full tuition fees for up to 4 years
• Monthly stipend of S$2,700, increasing to S$3,200 after passing the PhD qualifying exam
• One-time airfare grant of up to S$1,500
• One-time settling-in allowance of S$1,000
• Accommodation support is also provided by some host institutions

These are some of the benefits students get while in this scholarship .But if you are thinking of completing your PhD under this scholarship, then don't waste time and move to the next session where you’ll get to know if you are eligible for this scholarship programme or not .

Eligibility:

• Must be an international student (non-Singaporean, no prior tertiary education in Singapore)
• Hold a bachelor’s degree with excellent academic records
• Proficient in English (no fixed certificate required; assessed during interview or by the university)
• Only for PhD studies in science and engineering fields (excludes social sciences, humanities, economics, etc.)
• Master’s program applicants are not eligible.

This is by far one of the easiest requirements by any scholarship committee.

Number of Scholarship awarded each year: 

Each year, about 240 Singapore International Graduate Awards (SINGA) scholarships are awarded to international students worldwide for PhD studies in science and engineering fields in Singapore

Selection Criteria: 

• Must have excellent academic results in bachelor's and/or postgraduate studies.
• Should demonstrate a strong passion and potential for research in relevant fields.
• Requires two strong recommendation letters from academic referees.
• Good written and spoken English skills are essential; test scores may be requested.
• Must select a research project and supervisor aligned with their interests.
• Open to international students who haven’t studied in Singapore or hold residency.
• Co-curricular achievements may be considered during evaluation.
• Shortlisted applicants may face an interview, online or in person.

Mandatory Documents:

• Valid passport
• Recent passport-sized photograph
• Bachelor's academic transcripts (English translation required)
• Bachelor's degree certificate or university certification letter
• Master's academic transcripts and certificate
• Two academic referee recommendation reports.

Application window : 

• For the January intake, the deadline is typically 1 June of the preceding year        (e.g., 1 June 2025 for January 2026 intake).
• For the August intake, the deadline is usually 1 December of the preceding year (e.g., 1 December 2025 for August 2026 intake)

Students should submit their application before the deadline or students will miss the intake. So, keep a close eye on the scholarship deadline, if you are interested in this scholarship. 

Drawback for International students : 

Limited to Science and Engineering Fields:

SINGA only supports PhD studies in science and engineering disciplines. Applicants interested in humanities, business, social sciences, or architecture are not eligible.

Competitive Selection Process:

The scholarship is highly competitive, with selection based on academic excellence, research potential, and strong recommendations. Only shortlisted candidates are notified, and the process can be demanding.

Adjustment to Singapore’s Environment:

Recipients must adapt to Singapore’s culture, climate, and academic environment, which can be challenging for some international students.

Conclusion:

The Singapore International Graduate Award (SINGA) offers a prestigious, cost-free PhD opportunity for international students, combining full financial support with access to top research facilities and institutions. With 240 scholarships awarded annually, it empowers ambitious researchers in biomedical sciences, computing, engineering, and physical sciences to thrive in Singapore’s vibrant scientific ecosystem and pursue global research careers.