The School of Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE) offers higher degree programmes by research, on a part-time and full-time basis. We are #3 in Asia and #9 in the world for Civil & Structural Engineering, according to the 2025 QS World University Rankings by Subject.
Full-Time Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D):
Minimum period of candidature is 24 months, maximum is 60 months
Part-Time Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D):
Minimum period of candidature is 36 months, maximum is 60 months
Students can choose to pursue a Doctor of Philosophy degree in one of the following research areas:
Construction Technology and Management
- Construction Technology and Management
- Risks and Project Financing
- Facility and Infrastructure Management
Environmental and Water Resources
- Membrane Technology in Environmental Engineering
- Water Reclamation Technologies
- Waste Reuse and Resource Recovery
- Environmental Biotechnology
- Integrated Urban Water Management
- Environmental Fluid Mechanics
- Sediment Transport
- Coastal Management
Geotechnical Engineering
- Foundations of High-Rise Buildings
- Land Reclamation
- Underground Space Development
- Tropical Soil Engineering
- Rock Mechanics and Engineering Geology
Maritime Studies
- Maritime Energy and Sustainable Development
- Maritime Logistics
- Port Economics and Management
- Maritime Strategy and Risk Management
- Strategic and Quality Management in Shipping
- Supply Chain Management
Structures and Mechanics
- Computational Mechanics
- Earthquake Engineering and Structural Dynamics
- Protective Technology
- Fire Engineering
- Concrete and Steel Technology
Transportation Engineering
- Transport Modelling and Traffic Management
- Transport Planning
- Congestion Pricing
- Road Safety Engineering
There are two intakes each year - August or January. Applicants are advised to upload their applications 4 months before their desired intake.
Intake in August or January is subjected to the school's selection and recommendation. The University reserves the right to admit applicants in other semesters.
TOEFL/IELTS is required for applicants whose Bachelor programme is not conducted in English. Test dates must be within 2 years or less from date of application.
- TOEFL: 600 / 100 (Paper / Internet)
- IELTS: 6.5 (Academic)
Admission & Programme Information
Admission Criteria
A good Honours degree, at least Second Class Honours, Upper Division or Honours (Distinction) and the ability to pursue research in his proposed field of advanced study.
Application Period
There are two intakes each year – August or January
- August Intake: 1 October to 28 February 2026
- January Intake: 1 June to 31 July
Each application is chargeable at S$50 (Net)
List of Supporting Documents
Tuition Fees
Coursework Components
- 18 AUs with CGPA 3.50
- Communication course (3 AUs)
- Graduate English (HWG703)* & University Teaching for Teaching Assistants (HWG702)*
Research Component
- Qualifying examination & confirmation by end of Year 2
- Submission of thesis for examination
- PhD oral examination
Programme Structure
- All candidates will commence as Research Students in the first instance. Subsequently, the candidate will be required to pass the Qualifying Examination and Confirmation Exercise in order to be confirmed as a PhD candidate.
- The candidate will pursue the research work under the supervision of the supervisor and submit for examination a thesis based on the research work done. The candidate must keep in frequent and regular contact with the supervisor regarding the research throughout the candidature period.
- The candidate is required to attend classes and pass the examination to meet the coursework requirements such as Academic Unit (AU) and Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA).
- Candidates are required to complete all the coursework and undergo a Qualifying Examination cum Confirmation Exercise within the period stipulated.
- Upon completion of the research, the candidate is required to submit the thesis in a form ready and acceptable for examination before the expiry of the maximum candidature.
- In addition to being examined on the thesis, a candidate for the degree of PhD must pass an oral examination) on the subject matter of the thesis and other related subjects.
Candidature Period
| Full Time | Part-Time | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Programme | Minimum | Maximum | Minimum | Maximum |
Doctor of Philosophy | 2 years | 5 years | 3 years | 5 years |
Current students: Please refer to the school's intranet.
Prospective students: For more information, you may send in an enquiry.
Research Scholarships
- Nanyang President's Graduate Scholarship
- NTU Research Scholarship
- Provost Graduate Award