School of Computing and Information Systems

Part-Time Study

  • Students who wish to pursue PhD in Computer Science (Part-Time) may enroll in Master of Science in Computing to complete the coursework and Qualifying Examination (QE), before joining the PhD program to complete the dissertation.
  • Partial scholarships are available to cover the tuition fees of the Master of Science in Computing and PhD in Computer Science programmes.
  • At this time, we are accepting only Singapore citizens and permanent residents for part-time study

Application to AY2025-26, Term 1 Intake (August 2025) for PhD Part-Time Study is Open from 1 November 2024 to 30 April 2025


General Instructions for Completing Your Application

Please use the online application system to submit your application. Supplementary instructions are given in each section of the online application form. Once you have completed the online application, we suggest you print and keep a copy of the form for your record.

Please send in the required supporting documents once you have submitted your online application. Your application will only be processed when we have received the supporting documents and application fee.

Online Application System

FOR NEW USER

You need to first register for an account with SMU before you can submit an online application form.

Click on "Create New Account" below to proceed.

CREATE NEW ACCOUNT  GUIDELINE TO USING THE ONLINE APPLICATION SYSTEM

Upon successful submission of your online application, you will be given an application number.

Do take note of this application number for future enquiry and checking of application status.

FOR EXISTING USER

If you have already created an account with SMU, please go directly to the Login page to continue with your application.

LOGIN NOW

CHECKING YOUR APPLICATION STATUS

Login here to check on your submitted application status. You will not be able to update submitted application.

LOGIN HERE   GUIDELINE TO USING THE APPLICANT SELF-SERVICE SYSTEM

GUIDELINE TO RETRIEVING APPLICANT SELF-SERVICE LOGIN INFORMATION

Important Notes to Applicants

  • Online applications received without the complete set of supporting documents will be rejected.
  • Online applications will not be processed until application fee is made. If payment is not received by end of the application deadline, the application will be considered as rejected.

Should you have any enquiries regarding your application, please email to MScomputing@smu.edu.sg

Required Supporting Documents

  • Identity Card (For Singapore Citizens and PR)
  • TOEFL / IELTS (for applicants whose medium of instruction for Bachelor Degree is not English)
  • GRE / GMAT (waived for SMU, NTU, NUS and SUTD graduates)
  • Bachelor Degree Certificate
  • Official Transcripts for Bachelors Degree (please include the grading policy/system for your transcript. i.e. score range of the grade)
  • Master Degree Certificate (if applicable)
  • Official Transcripts for Master Degree (if applicable)
  • Resume

  • Two Referee Reports

    Please list two referees (academic referees preferred) who can provide supporting evidence of your professional experience and performance. A link will be sent to the referee’s email address for completion of the online referee form. Please provide the correct email address and follow up with your referees to ensure that they have submitted the forms.

  • Any other supporting documents

    RESEARCH STATEMENT

    Please propose a research topic that you would like to undertake in the programme, the technical potential and real-world relevance of the topic, and how do you think our programme could equip you to work on the topic.

For all non-English certificates or documents, a copy of the original certificates/documents and their official English translations must be submitted.

On Part-Time PhD in Information Systems or PhD in Computer Science

A: Currently, we are only accepting Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents for part-time study. Foreign students may consider full-time study.

A: Part-time students are expected to spend 5-7 years to complete the PhD programme.

A: Similar programme fees apply for full-time and part-time study.

Please refer to  SMU PhD Programme Fees page for detailed and latest breakdown of fees.

A: Partial scholarships will be awarded to students on a competitive basis. It will provide waiver of subsidized tuition fees.

A: If you have missed the application deadline, please submit your online application for the next intake. As the application period is fixed, we are not able to extend the application deadline.

A: Working experience is not a requirement for admission into the PhD programme.

A: You may apply for the PhD programme if you are in your final term and year of your undergraduate study. You will be required to submit a copy of your transcript which should reflects all the results except the last term results. Upon completion of your undergraduate study, please provide us with a copy of your final transcript and degree certificate.