- The department offers the Doctorate in Philosophy, requiring both coursework and the submission of a written thesis. Admission into the Ph.D. programme requires a good Master’s degree or equivalent in a relevant discipline. The maximum period of candidature is 60 months.
- Ph.D. candidates are required to read and pass a minimum of 6 coursework courses (4 units each), with a maximum of 2 Independent Study courses. At least 50% of the total units requirements must be at level 6000. Up to 25% of the total units requirements may be at level 4000, subject to the approval of the department. The remaining units must be at level 5000 or above. The coursework requirement includes the compulsory Graduate Research Seminar that will be assessed on a “satisfactory” / “unsatisfactory” basis. Gaining a satisfactory pass in the Graduate Research Seminar is a condition for continuing in the graduate programme, and all graduate students are required to enroll in the course in the first year of their studies. Credits for relevant coursework taken in another NUS programme or elsewhere may be transferred subject to department approval.
- PhD students admitted from AY2022 are required to take and pass the course NG5001 Academic Communication for Graduate Researchers. In addition, PhD students admitted from AY2024 are required to take and pass the course NG5002 Research Ethics for Graduate Researchers.
Arts and Social Sciences
Philosophy
philsjm@nus.edu.sg
3 Arts Link, Block AS3, #05-22, Singapore 117570Founded in 1954 in the vibrant equatorial metropolis of Singapore, the Department of Philosophy is a global centre of philosophical education and research. With interests spanning a wide range of topics and traditions, our faculty have made notable contributions to epistemology, moral and political philosophy, metaphysics, philosophy of mind, philosophy of language, aesthetics, philosophy of science, philosophy of mathematics, and the history of philosophy. Our graduate programme is home to local and international MA and Ph.D. students who work closely with department faculty, and our popular undergraduate program provides students with a world-class learning experience with ample opportunity for roundtable discussion and independent research. Explore these pages to learn more about one of academic philosophy’s best-kept secrets.
| Commitment | Average Candidature | Maximum Candidature |
|---|---|---|
| Full Time | 4.5 Years | 5 Years |
| Part Time | 4.5 Years | 5 Years |
Bachelor’s or master’s degree holders with a relevant background who are interested in epistemology, moral and political philosophy, metaphysics, philosophy of mind, philosophy of language, aesthetics, philosophy of science, philosophy of mathematics, and the history of philosophy.
| Criteria | Minimum Score | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| GPA | An M.A. in Philosophy from NUS or equivalent qualifications from a recognized foreign university; or a good Bachelor's degree with relevant research or working experience. | ||
| English Proficiency Tests | TOEFL Internet-based | 85 / 120 | |
| IELTS | 6 / 9 | ||
GRE is optional. However, evidence of strong quantitative, verbal, and analytical skills through GRE scores, as well as indicators of research skills and experience will significantly strengthen your application.
- In place of the statement of purpose and research proposal, applicants to the department’s graduate program should instead submit a short Statement of Research Interest (max. 500 words) and a Writing Sample ( max. 5,000 words for Ph.D.).
- Intellectual qualities and background training needed to successfully complete the graduate program
Please refer to the Faculty’s website here for the complete admission requirements and here for a list of supporting documents required.
| Category | Application Window | Application Result Released | |
|---|---|---|---|
Semester 1 Intake (August) | All students of any nationalities | Application Opens: May 16 2025 Application Closes: November 1 2025 | May 31 2025 |