Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Programme

Overview

The English Language and Literature (ELL) department offers a program of study leading to the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in the fields of Applied Linguistics, English language/Literacy education, Literature, and Literature education. While our PhD students are encouraged to develop broad research expertise, they cultivate a primary specialization in a chosen area.

For specific areas of research expertise and specializations of faculty in the ELL department, please refer to the following link: Our People. Prospective applicants are strongly encouraged to contact a potential supervisor before applying.

For a list of our current PhD students and their research topics, please refer to the following link:
Current students

Entry Requirements

Applicants are required to have at least a bachelor’s degree with honors at Second Upper Class or equivalent, a master’s degree in a relevant field of study, and the ability to pursue research in the applicant's proposed field of advanced study.

Applicants who are not graduates of autonomous universities in Singapore are required to submit a good Graduate Record Examination (GRE) score. The GRE test should be taken not more than five years before the date of application. International applicants and graduates of universities with non-English medium of instruction are also required to submit a recent Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score. See detailed requirements for GRE and English language competency  here. Additional evidence of written and spoken proficiency in English may also be required.

Shortlisted applicants will undergo an interview as part of the selection process.

PhD students can complete their program of study on a full-time or part-time basis. However, the maximum candidature period for both is the same at five years.

Upon admission, a candidate will be assigned a supervisor and a Thesis Advisory Committee. The candidate is required to complete four courses at the graduate level and pass the Qualifying Examination by the end of the first 18 months of study for full-time candidates (24 months for part-time candidates).  By the end of the candidature period, the candidate is required to submit a thesis not exceeding 100,000 words and defend the thesis at an Oral Examination.

More information on application procedures, entry requirements, courses of study, the Qualifying Examination, thesis requirements, and the Oral Examination can be found  here.

Scholarships

Academically outstanding full-time students are eligible to apply for the Nanyang President’s Graduate Scholarship, Nanyang Technological University Research Scholarship, or the National Institute of Education Scholarship. More information on scholarships can be found here. 

Student Testimonial:

Dr. Cao Feng on his PhD student experience at NIE

Contact Information

	PhD Programme Leader A/P Vahid Aryadoust Email: [email protected]
	Administrative Support Mdm Faridah Taib Email: [email protected]