National University of Singapore Scholarships 2026

NUS scholarships refers to the financial awards offered by the National University of Singapore to support outstanding international students who pursue both undergraduate and graduate degrees at one of Asia’s top universities —NUS. As Singapore’s flagship institution, NUS consistently ranks among the world’s best—securing the 8th position globally in the 2026 QS World University Rankings meanwhile still maintaining its status as Asia’s number one university .

For international students, studying at NUS is not just an opportunity but a transformative one with the potentials to shape the future. The university combines rigorous academics with cutting-edge research facilities, strong industry connections, and a conducive multicultural campus environment. However, the cost of international education can be daunting. That is precisely where NUS scholarships come in.

These scholarships range from partial tuition support to fully funded packages covering tuition fees, living expenses, airfare, and more. Whether you are applying for undergraduate studies or pursuing a Master’s or PhD, there are scholarship options designed to attract the best and brightest from around the world.

In this carefully crafted article, we will guide you through every NUS scholarship available for international students in 2026—including the eligibility requirements, benefits, application deadlines, and step-by-step procedures to get a successful application. By the end, you will have all the information needed to pursue funding for your NUS education.

 

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Why Study at the National University of Singapore?

Before diving into specific scholarships, you must understand why NUS deserves a spot on your academic radar. The university offers compelling advantages that extend beyond its impressive rankings.

World-Class Academic Reputation

NUS’s 2026 QS World University Ranking of #8 reflects its exceptional academic standing . The university excels across multiple disciplines:

Strategic Location in Singapore

Singapore itself is a major draw for international students in Asia. The city-state offers:

• A clean, safe, and modern environment for students from divers cultural background
• English as the primary language of instruction and daily communication
• A strategic gateway to Asia’s growing economies
• World-class healthcare and infrastructure
• Multicultural society with diverse international community

Excellent Graduate Outcomes

Employers worldwide highly sought for NUS graduates. According to university data, 95% of NUS students find employment or pursue further studies within six months of graduation, with average starting salaries of SGD 5,800 per month (approximately USD 4,300) .

Cutting-Edge Research Facilities

The university invests heavily in research infrastructure, in partnership with global technology leaders like Google, IBM, and major pharmaceutical companies. Students gain hands-on experience with state-of-the-art equipment and methodologies.

 

Undergraduate Scholarships for International Students

Just like we noted earlier, NUS offers several undergraduate scholarships that specifically designed for international students all around the world. These awards recognize and reward academic excellence, leadership potential, and co-curricular achievements.

 

NUS International Undergraduate Scholarship

The NUS International Undergraduate Scholarship is the flagship undergraduate award for exceptional students from all countries (excluding Singapore) . Candidates are automatically considered for this scholarship when they apply for undergraduate admission—no separate application is required, just a simple straightforward process.

Requirements for NUS Undergraduate Scholarship:

To be considered eligible for the NUS undergraduate scholarship, you must:

• Be a citizen of any country except Singapore
• Have strong leadership qualities and potential
• Perform outstandingly on co-curricular activities record
• Give a poof of excellent high school academic results
• Apply for admission to a full-time undergraduate degree program

Important notice: Transfer applicants from other universities are not eligible

The Benefits of NUS Undergraduate Scholarship:

As a NUS scholar you are entitled to a lot of benefits which include but not limited to:

• 100% coverage of subsidized undergraduate tuition fees (after MOE Tuition Grant)
• SGD 4,500 annual living allowance
• SGD 1,350 one-time computer allowance upon enrollment
• SGD 4,000 annual accommodation allowance

Important Conditions:

• As a recipients you must take up the MOE Tuition Grant, which requires a 3-year service obligation to work for a Singapore-registered company after graduation
• You cannot hold other scholarships concurrently
• Lastly, you must maintain good academic standing for renewal each semester

Application Deadline: February 23, 2026

Apply: https://www.nus.edu.sg/oam

 

ASEAN Undergraduate Scholarship

The ASEAN Undergraduate Scholarship is specifically designed for citizens of ASEAN member countries (excluding Singapore) . This scholarship recognizes outstanding students from Southeast Asia who demonstrate academic excellence and leadership potential.

Eligible Countries:

• Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam
• Other ASEAN member states

Eligibility Requirements:

• You must be a citizen of an ASEAN country (excluding Singapore)
• Have excellent academic results from high school
• Demonstrate strong leadership qualities
• Plus a good co-curricular activities record

Benefits:

Similar to the NUS International Undergraduate Scholarship, this award covers full subsidized tuition fees and provides living allowances.

Application Process:

All eligible students are automatically considered through their undergraduate admission application . No separate scholarship application is required.

Apply: https://nus.edu.sg/oam/scholarships-for-asean

 

Science & Technology Undergraduate Scholarship

The Science & Technology Undergraduate Scholarship targets outstanding students from Asian countries (excluding Singapore) who are pursuing degrees in computing, engineering, and science fields at NUS .

Eligibility Requirements:

Applicants must:

• Be a citizen of an Asian country (excluding Singapore)
• Have outstanding high school academic results
• Show strong leadership qualities
• Present excellent co-curricular activities record
• And apply for full-time undergraduate degrees in Computing, Engineering, or Science at NUS

Benefits attached:

• Full coverage of subsidized tuition fees (after MOE Tuition Grant)
• SGD 6,000 annual living allowance
• SGD 1,750 one-time computer allowance
• SGD 200 one-time settling-in allowance
• Annual accommodation allowance
• Travel allowance for flight from home country to Singapore and return flight after graduation

Terms and Conditions:

• Six-year service obligation: Graduates must work for a Singapore-registered company after completing their studies
• Must maintain minimum GPA of 3.5 for renewal each semester
• Cannot hold other scholarships concurrently

Application Process:

No separate scholarship application is required. All eligible students who apply for admission to relevant NUS courses are automatically considered. Shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interviews between January and July, with outcomes released by mid-July .

Apply: https://nus.edu.sg/oam/science-technology-undergraduate-scholarship

 

NUS Undergraduate Scholarship Application Timeline

For all undergraduate scholarships mentioned above, the application period for the 2026 intake runs from February 1 to March 19, 2026 . Here is what you need to know:

• One common application is required for consideration across multiple NUS scholarships
• Referee recommendation forms must be submitted by March 26, 2026
• Interviews for shortlisted candidates take place from March to May 2026
• Outcomes for NUS Scholarships are released by end-May 2026
• For scholarships administered by faculties or external organizations, outcomes may be released by end-July 2026

Application Process Steps:

1. Submit your application for admission to NUS
2. Fill and submit your online scholarship application via the Applicant Portal
3. Remind your referee to complete and submit the Referee Recommendation Form by March 26
4. Make yourself available for interviews if shortlisted
5. Check application status via the Applicant Portal
6. Accept scholarship offer online before the deadline

 

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NUS Graduate Scholarships for International Students

NUS offers an extensive range of graduate scholarships for international students pursuing Master’s and PhD degrees. These awards are highly competitive and equally provide comprehensive funding.

 

NUS Research Scholarship

The NUS Research Scholarship is the primary graduate scholarship at the National University of Singapore. It was designed to support outstanding students who pursue research-based Master’s and PhD degrees .

Eligibility Requirements :

• Open to all international students
• Excellent academic record (at least Second Class Honours Upper Division or equivalent)
• Bachelor’s degree for Master’s applicants; Master’s degree for PhD applicants
• Strong research potential (especially for PhD applicants)
• Must meet English proficiency requirements (IELTS/TOEFL may be required depending on program)

Scholarship Benefits :

Duration:

• Master’s candidates: Up to 2 years
• PhD candidates: Up to 4 years
• Renewal each semester is subject to satisfactory academic progress

Graduate Assistantship Programme:

International students admitted from AY2014/2015 are required to perform duties under the Graduate Assistantship Programme, which may include teaching or research assistance .

How to Apply:

Applicants should indicate their interest in the scholarship within their admissions application through the Graduate Admission System (GradApp). No separate bond is required beyond the standard terms .

Apply: https://nusgs.nus.edu.sg/research-scholarship

 

President’s Graduate Fellowship (PGF)

The President’s Graduate Fellowship is one of NUS‘s most prestigious awards, offered to a limited number of exceptional PhD students who demonstrate outstanding research potential or impressive academic achievements .

Eligibility Requirements:

• Open to all nationalities
• Incoming PhD students or current NUS Research Scholars who have passed their PhD Qualifying Examination
• Exceptional academic record and research potential
• Certain programs (SMA and GPBE) are excluded

Fellowship Benefits:

• Full coverage of tuition fees
• Higher monthly stipend than NUS Research Scholarship (SGD 3,400 for international students)
• One-time air travel allowance of up to SGD 750 for overseas students
• Additional academic perks

Duration:

Up to 4 years, subject to annual review of results and satisfactory progress.

Selection and Notification:

This is a highly competitive fellowship. Results are typically announced in May each year.

Apply: https://nusgs.nus.edu.sg/presidents-graduate-fellowship

 

Commonwealth Scholarship

The Commonwealth Scholarship is awarded to outstanding graduate students from Commonwealth countries pursuing research leading to a higher degree at NUS.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Must be from a Commonwealth member country
• Not a Singapore citizen or permanent resident
• Graduated with at least Second Class Honours (Upper Division) or equivalent
• Must be eligible for MOE Subsidy
• For new, incoming students only

Scholarship Benefits:

Note: Stipend rates take effect from January 1, 2026 .

Duration:

• Master’s candidates: Up to 2 years
• PhD candidates: Up to 4 years
• Renewed annually subject to satisfactory progress

How to Apply:

Applicants may apply for the scholarship within their admissions application through GradApp and fulfill additional scholarship application requirements stated there.

Apply: https://nusgs.nus.edu.sg/commonwealth-scholarship

 

Singapore International Graduate Award (SINGA)

The Singapore International Graduate Award (SINGA) is another prestigious PhD scholarship jointly funded by Agency for Science, Technology and Research (STAR) and Singapore’s top universities, including NUS .

Eligibility Requirements:

• Open to all international students (excluding Singapore citizens and permanent residents)
• Excellent academic record
• Strong interest in research
• Good written and spoken English
• Applying for PhD or EngD programs in:
  • Biomedical Sciences
  • Computer and Information Science
  • Engineering and Technology
  • Physical Sciences

Scholarship Benefits:

• Full coverage of tuition fees for up to 4 years
• Monthly stipend:
  • SGD 2,700 before passing Qualifying Exam
  • SGD 3,200 after passing Qualifying Exam
• One-time airfare grant of up to SGD 1,500
• Settling-in allowance of SGD 1,000

This is a bond-free scholarship .

How to Apply:

Applications are submitted online through the official SINGA portal. Applicants must browse and select research projects of interest and submit required documents, including academic transcripts, degree certificates, and two recommendation reports .

Application Timeline:

Deadlines vary by intake, so early application is advised.

Apply: https://sms-applicant-app.a-star.edu.sg/

 

NUS MBA ADB Scholarship

The NUS MBA ADB Scholarship is a fully funded opportunity for outstanding candidates from Asian Development Bank (ADB) member countries, the goal is enable them pursue NUS MBA program without financial burden on them.

Eligibility Requirements:

• You must be a national of an ADB member country (list includes Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Pakistan, Philippines, Vietnam, and others)
• No dual citizenship with non-ADB member country
• Under 35 years old at time of application
• Bachelor’s degree from accredited institution
• Minimum 2 years of full-time professional work experience
• Good GMAT/GRE scores
• English proficiency: TOEFL minimum 100 or IELTS minimum 7.0
• Must agree to return and work in home country after graduation

Scholarship Benefits:

• Full tuition fees covered
• Monthly living allowance (including housing)
• Books and instructional materials allowance
• Medical insurance
• Travel expenses (to and from Singapore)

Application Deadlines for August 2026 Intake:

• Full-time MBA: January 15, 2026
• Part-time MBA: February 2, 2026

Application Process:

1. Submit NUS MBA application through the official portal
2. Complete video assessment within 1-3 working days of submission
3. If shortlisted, attend live online interview
4. Submit separate ADB Scholarship Application Form
5. Await notification

Important Note:

Applications must be submitted by the Round 2 deadline to be considered for ADB funding. Early applications are strongly encouraged as scholarships are awarded on a rolling basis .

Apply: https://nusgs.nus.edu.sg/nus-mba-scholarships

 

Tuition Fee Allowance (TFA)

Tuition Fee Allowance (TFA) provides partial or full tuition fee waiver for graduate students. Unlike the research scholarships, the TFA may not include a living stipend .

Eligibility:

Open to international students with strong academic records who are admitted to graduate programs at NUS.

Benefits:

Covers part or all of tuition fees, depending on the specific award and program.

How to Apply:

Applicants are typically considered automatically upon admission, but should check specific program requirements.

 

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Graduate Scholarships Comparison Table

To help you compare options at a glance, here is a summary of major graduate scholarships:

English Language Requirements

Most NUS programs require proof of English proficiency for international students whose previous education was not conducted entirely in English. Here are the standard requirements:

Important Notes:

• Test scores must be valid for at least one month from the application submission date
• Some programs may offer conditional admission with additional language training
• You may get exceptions if your previous degree was taught entirely in English

Step-by-Step Application Process for NUS Scholarships

Follow these carefully chosen steps to maximize your chances of securing an NUS scholarship award:

1: Research Programs and Deadlines

Begin by exploring NUS’s extensive range of programs. Identify which degree aligns with your academic and career goals. Note that application deadlines vary by program, but generally fall between January and March 2026 .

2: Prepare Required Documents

Gather all necessary documents before starting your application. Typical requirements include :

• Valid passport
• Academic transcripts and degree certificates
• Updated CV/resume
• Statement of Purpose (for Master’s) or Research Proposal (for PhD)
• 2-3 recommendation letters
• English proficiency test scores (IELTS/TOEFL)
• GRE/GMAT scores (if required by program)
• Passport-sized photos

3: Contact Potential Supervisors (PhD Applicants)

NUS strongly advise that PhD applicants should contact potential supervisors early. A supervisor who is willing to support your application can significantly strengthen your chances of admission and funding.

4: Submit Your Admission Application

Apply online through the NUS admissions portal. For undergraduate applicants, this is the Applicant Portal. For graduate applicants, use the Graduate Admission System (GradApp) .

5: Indicate Scholarship Interest

Most scholarships do not require separate applications—you simply indicate your interest within the admission application . However, some awards like the ADB Scholarship require additional forms .

6: Complete Video Assessment (if required)

For certain programs like the MBA, you may need to complete a video assessment within days of submitting your application.

7: Attend Interviews

If shortlisted, you will be invited for interviews, typically conducted online. These take place between January and July for undergraduate applicants and on a rolling basis for graduate programs .

8: Check Application Status

Monitor your application portal regularly for updates. NUS typically release Undergraduate scholarship results by end-May 2026, with other awards following by end-July 2026 .

9: Accept Your Offer

If selected, accept your scholarship offer online before the specified deadline and sign the Letter of Acceptance and Undertaking via the Applicant Portal .

Key Application Deadlines for 2026

Here is a consolidated timeline of important dates:

 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Are NUS scholarships fully funded for international students?

Yes, many NUS scholarships cover full funding. Major awards like the NUS Research Scholarship, President’s Graduate Fellowship, SINGA, and NUS International Undergraduate Scholarship provide comprehensive coverage including tuition, monthly stipends, airfare, and other allowances .

Do I need to apply separately for NUS scholarships?

For most undergraduate scholarships, you don’t need a separate application. NUS automatically considers all eligible students through their admission application. However, some graduate scholarships like the ADB Scholarship require separate applications .

What GPA do I need for NUS scholarships?

Requirements vary by scholarship:

• Undergraduate: Strong high school results (exact GPA depends on your country’s grading system)
• Commonwealth Scholarship: At least Second Class Honours (Upper Division) or equivalent
• NUS Research Scholarship: First Class or equivalent strongly preferred
• Science & Technology Scholarship: Must maintain minimum 3.5 GPA for renewal

Does NUS scholarships require IELTS?

IELTS requirements depend on your program and previous education. Standard requirements are 6.5 overall for undergraduate and 7.0 overall for graduate programs . If you completed your previous degree entirely in English, you may qualify for exceptions

When are NUS scholarship deadlines for 2026?

• Undergraduate scholarships: February 1 – March 19, 2026
• NUS International Undergraduate Scholarship: February 23, 2026
• ADB Scholarship (MBA): January 15, 2026
• Graduate programs generally: January-March 2026

Can international students work while on scholarship?

Yes, graduate scholarship holders typically participate in the Graduate Assistantship Programme, which involves teaching or research assistance duties . This provides valuable professional experience while supplementing income.

What is the MOE Tuition Grant and do I need to take it?

The MOE Tuition Grant is a subsidy provided by the Singapore Ministry of Education that significantly reduces tuition fees for international students. Most undergraduate scholarship recipients must take up this grant, which requires a 3-year service obligation to work for a Singapore-registered company after graduation .

Do NUS scholarships require a bond?

Some scholarships require bonds while others do not:

• NUS Research Scholarship: No bond, but Graduate Assistantship duties required
• SINGA: Bond-free
• Science & Technology Scholarship: 6-year service obligation
• NUS International Undergraduate Scholarship: 3-year MOE Tuition Grant obligation
• ADB Scholarship: Must return to home country after graduation

Can I apply for multiple NUS scholarships?

Yes, most undergraduate awards allow you to apply for multiple scholarships through a single application . For graduate programs, indicate your interest in scholarships within your admission application.

How competitive are NUS scholarships?

NUS scholarships are highly competitive due to the university’s global reputation and the comprehensive funding provided. Selection is based on academic excellence, research potential (for PhD), leadership qualities, and co-curricular achievements . Strong recommendation letters and a well-crafted research proposal (for PhD) can significantly improve your chances.

Where can I find the official application links?

• Undergraduate Admission and Scholarships: NUS Office of Admissions
• Graduate Admission: NUS Graduate School
• NUS MBA: NUS Business School
• SINGA: Official SINGA portal

 

Our Goodluck Message!

The National University of Singapore represents a world-class educational destination for international students, and its scholarship programs make this prestigious institution accessible to talented individuals from around the globe.

What sets NUS apart is not just its impressive rankings or comprehensive funding—it is the holistic experience of studying in Singapore, a global hub of innovation, culture, and opportunity. As an NUS scholar, you will join a community of bright minds from diverse backgrounds, access cutting-edge facilities, and build networks that span the globe.

At Opportunity Hook, we believe that financial barriers should never stand between talented students and their educational dreams. The NUS scholarships featured in this guide exist precisely to remove those barriers.

Start preparing today. Review the requirements, gather your documents, and take that first step toward your NUS education. The application windows are approaching, and your future awaits.

 

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