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SUTD PhD Programme

SUTD PhD Programme

With strong research links to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Zhejiang University, the SUTD PhD Programme offers you a chance to collaborate with the best minds in their fields and conduct breakthrough research that will make a difference to the world.

Our fluid, stimulating and open setting creates an environment which places a strong emphasis on interdisciplinary and collaborative research and provides opportunities for industry internships, overseas research attachments and teaching experience.

The SUTD PhD Programme also features:

  • Access to multiple world-class faculty with co-supervision flexibility
  • Leading-edge research experience through potential overseas research attachments at top universities worldwide
  • Close research collaboration and exposure to industry through local or overseas internships
    • PhD Industry Internships: PhD students can embark on an Industry Internship Programme (of up to 6 months). This will expose them to hands-on experience with industry projects,  a broader research scope to supplement their PhD research, network with other research industries and attain course credits for their candidature
  • Participation in a multi-disciplinary design experience
    • PhD Big-D Project: A task-based, self-driven entrepreneurial programme that aims to transform ideas, inventions and scientific understandings into tangible products, systems and/or services
  • Professional development programme and teaching experience
  • Attractive scholarship funding

Curriculum Overview

Upon enrolment, students will pursue a PhD under these academic tracks:

  • Architecture and Sustainable Design (ASD) – focusing on sustainable architectural and urban solutions to meet the present and future needs of buildings and cities
  • Engineering Product Development (EPD) – focusing on innovative technology-intensive products that span multiple disciplines
  • Engineering Systems and Design (ESD) – focusing on large-scale complex systems whose performance and function depend on their technology and socio-economic context
  • Information Systems Technology and Design (ISTD) – focusing on information systems that interact with the physical world, humans and machines
  • Science and Math – focusing on wide-ranging, interdisciplinary research that is grounded in Science and Math fundamentals and with practical applications
  • Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) – focusing on understanding social and technological transformations through empowering lenses of humanities and social sciences

Students who successfully complete the programme will graduate with a Doctor of Philosophy degree under the same academic pillar.

PhD Coursework

Candidature Period (Full-time)

  • Minimum Residency: 3 years
  • Maximum Residency: 5 years

Academic Calendar

The academic calendar for the PhD Programme starts in September and ends the following August.
Each Academic Year is divided into three semesters where coursework is taken:

  1. September to December
  2. January to April 
  3. May to August

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