1. Who can apply for the TLL PhD programme?
The TLL PhD programme is open to all students worldwide.
2. What are the eligibility criteria?
Applicants must hold a Master or Bachelor (Hons) degree in a relevant field.
GRE is compulsory for all foreign students holding degrees from institutions other than NUS and NTU. TOEFL is compulsory for those whose medium of undergraduate instruction is not English.
3. What are the terms of the PhD Fellowship?
Graduate students join TLL as Junior Research Fellows. The fellowship includes monthly salary, tuition fee subsidies, medical, and flexi-benefits, etc.
4. Are there any service commitment period (or bond) associated with the PhD Fellowship?
The TLL PhD Fellowship is bond-free.
5. How long is the PhD programme?
Typically, the graduate students will take 4-5 years to complete the PhD candidature.
6. The PhD degree conferment is by which Institution?
Your PhD degree will be conferred by the university you are registered with. You can either register with National University of Singapore (NUS) or Nanyang Technological University (NTU).
7. How can I apply for the PhD programme?
Submit the completed application form, together with all supporting documents to:
Dr. Frederic Berger
Chair, Graduate Committee
c/o Ms Rachel Ng or Wong May Lin
Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory
1 Research Link, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117604
8. What is the application fee?
Application for the TLL PhD programme is free.
9. What is the closing date of the application?
There are 2 application cycles each year. The closing dates are 1 June and 1 Dec.
10. When do I commence my PhD candidature if I submit my application before the 1 June (or 1 Dec) deadline?
Typically, the entire review period will take up to 3-4 months from the application deadline. If you are successful in the application, you may start work in TLL as soon as all paperwork has been processed. The starting date in TLL is flexible and need not coincide with NUS/NTU academic intake/enrolment (which usually starts in Aug and Jan). You will start on your research work in TLL first, while waiting for the next intake/enrolment with NUS/NTU.
11. What are the supporting documents to be included in the application package?
The supporting documents should include:
- Curriculum Vitae
- Certified copies of GRE/GATE/TOFEL/IELTS score sheets
- Certified copies of all educational transcripts (translated into English if they are not)
- 3 recommendations letters (If these are not sent directly from the referees. The letters must come in sealed envelopes with University stamp & authorized signature on the flap of the envelope)
- Scientific publications, if any
- Copy of passport
12. Can I send in the application package through email instead of postal mail?
It is advisable to send the application package via postal mail since there are many supporting documents to be included.
13. Can my referees send the recommendation letters via email?
Yes, email is acceptable. However, please advise your referees to send the letters from their institutional email accounts. Recommendation letters sent from internet-based email account (e.g. YahooMail, Gmail, Hotmail, etc) will not be accepted.
14. Is GRE compulsory? Can the requirement be waived?
GRE is compulsory and this requirement cannot be waived. The only exception is for NUS or NTU graduates with First Class or Second Class Upper Honours.
15. I have not taken the GRE / TOEFL yet. Can I still apply for the PhD fellowship?
Yes, you may still submit your application. However, you must clearly indicate in the application form the expected date for which the GRE/GATE test scores will be available. Students cannot be formally accepted to the program without official results that exceed the Universities’ minimal standards.
16. What is the minimum GRE requirement?
Under the new GRE format, the minimum requirements are Verbal 500, Quantitative 700 and Analytical Writing 3.5. These are minimum requirements. Because many factors are considered, some students with scores exceeding these may still be declined.
17. Is GRE Subject Test score required?
No. Only GRE General Test scores are required.
18. Can GATE be accepted in place of GRE?
Yes, GATE scores can be accepted in place of GRE for students graduating from India.
19. Is TOEFL (or IELTS) compulsory?
TOEFL (or IELTS) is compulsory for applicants whose native language is not English, or whose medium of undergraduate instructions was not in English.
20. What is the minimum TOEFL or IELTS scores?
The minimum TOEFL score is 580 (Paper-based Test) and 260 (Computer-based Test) and 85 (Internet-based Test).The minimum IELTS score is 6.
21. Are official TOEFL and GRE records sent by ETS necessary, or can I send certified true copies of the test scores?
You can send certified true copies of the TOEFL & GRE test scores for this application.
22. Are there any selection interview?
Shortlisted applicants are required to attend at least one interview.
23. How and when will I be notified of the application outcome?
Short-listed candidates will be notified by email to attend the interview within 1 month from the closing date for each application cycle.
24. I have a proposed thesis supervisor in mind. Should I contact him/her directly?
The intake of PhD students is centralized in TLL. Your application form and CV will be circulated to all PIs/group leaders who have vacancies in their groups. It is not necessary to contact the PIs directly.