Frequently Asked Questions
Degrees offered in SMA
General Questions
- Why should I join the SMA CPE programme?
- Why should I apply for an SMA Graduate Fellowship when I could just apply directly to an MIT degree programme?
- How long will it take for me to complete the MIT Masters degree and an NUS Masters degree?
- How long will it take for me to complete the direct PhD degree?
- For the direct PhD degree, why should I apply for the SMA Graduate Fellowship when I could apply directly to NUS?
- Will I be able to interact with MIT faculty and students while I am in Singapore?
- Who should I contact for additional information?
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Admissions
- What do you look for in an SMA candidate? What other considerations are taken into account, other than qualifications?
- Is it possible for the students who are under the Agency for Science Technology and Research (A*STAR) scholarship to apply for the CPE programme?
- Will other programmes be offered in the future?
- Besides the academic requirements, does good working/professional experience make one a more competitive applicant? How relevant is working experience in applying for SMA?
- If I'm bonded to work after I complete my Bachelor's degree, can I apply?
- Are the degrees offered through SMA widely recognized in other countries?
- Will I need to submit any references or recommendations?
- Do I need to write up a proposal as part of application for the direct PhD degree programme?
- Where can I find the detailed programme descriptions?
- What is the application process for the CPE programme that awards
(i) a Masters degree from MIT and a Masters degree from NUS?
(ii) direct PhD degree from NUS?
- What are the application deadlines?
- Is there an application fee?
- Will I need to submit my undergraduate degree results and certificate? Is there a minimum standard that one must meet?
- Will I need to attend an interview before I am admitted to MIT and NUS? What kind of questions will be asked during the interview?
- Will I need to complete two theses to receive my dual Masters degrees?
- For the Dual Masters degree programme, how many degrees will I receive?
- How is the PhD research project assigned? How is the research topic determined? Can students directly interact with professors and choose the project they are interested in?
- Will I need to apply for a visa to enter Singapore or the US ?
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Test Scores
- Is the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) required/International English Language Testing System (IELTS) required for admission?
- Is the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) required for admission?
- If I take the GRE test more than once, will SMA accept the higher score?
- Will SMA reimburse me the cost of taking the GRE and TOEFL/IELTS?
- Can I submit my GRE and TOEFL/IELTS scores together with the application materials?
- If I am unable to submit my GRE and TOEFL/IELTS scores together with the application materials, will my application still be considered?
- When is the latest date to submit the GRE score to the MIT host department?
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SMA Graduate Fellowship
- Do Singapore citizens and permanent residents receive a higher monthly stipend?
- If I am admitted into the PhD programme, will I receive any additional allowance?
- When will I know if I have been awarded an SMA Graduate Fellowship?
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Residency at MIT
- Will there be travel support for my trip to MIT?
- Will accommodations be provided? Will the lease be paid by SMA?
- How much time will I spend in residence at MIT?
- During my residency at MIT, will I receive any additional allowance?
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Residency in Singapore
- Will there be travel support for the trip from my home country to Singapore when I register with SMA?
- Will accommodations in Singapore be provided? Will the rent be paid by SMA?
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General Questions
- Why should I join the SMA CPE programme?
You will receive two degrees; one from MIT and the other from NUS, experience two different cultures; one in Boston and the other in Singapore, participate in a range of collaborative research and professional experiences in industry and academia and have access to numerous career opportunities in Singapore and Asia. One degree will provide you with a foundation in your field of study, while the other degree will expand upon this foundation, in order for you to specialise within a particular field of application. Above all, you will receive an SMA Graduate Fellowship which provides a monthly stipend, pays the full tuition fees at both MIT and NUS and covers your travel to MIT.
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- Why should I apply for an SMA Graduate Fellowship when I could just apply directly to an MIT degree programme?
You may apply only to MIT. However, as most students in the MIT Masters programmes must either provide their own financial support or obtain outside fellowships, an SMA Graduate Fellowship is an excellent option for funding. Furthermore, for many students the additional benefits that are associated with an SMA Graduate Fellowship are very attractive.
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- How long will it take for me to complete the MIT Masters degree and an NUS Masters degree?
18 months.
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- How long will it take for me to complete the direct PhD degree?
Between four to five years.
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- For the direct PhD degree, why should I apply for the SMA Graduate Fellowship when I could apply directly to NUS?
You may apply directly to NUS. However, an SMA Graduate Fellowship is an excellent option of having the unique opportunity to have your thesis co-supervised by both the MIT and NUS faculty. Additionally, you will be able to spend time in residence at MIT. These are benefits not provided under the regular NUS research degree programmes.
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- Will I be able to interact with MIT faculty and students while I am in Singapore?
Yes. You will be able to interact with faculty and students at MIT through video-conferencing. During the time you are in Singapore, some classes are taught using videoconferencing with students located at MIT. Students both at MIT and in Singapore can ask questions and participate in the classroom discussions equally.
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- Who should I contact for additional information?
For additional information, you can e-mail smart@nus.edu.sg or visit the SMA website at http://www.sma.nus.edu.sg or http://web.sma.nus.edu.sg.
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Admissions
- What do you look for in an SMA candidate? What other considerations are taken into account, other than qualifications?
Besides excellent academic standing and good GRE and TOEFL/IELTS scores, we also look for candidates with leadership qualities and strong co-curricular activities. Publication of articles, presentation of papers at conferences and relevant work experience will also be taken into consideration.
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- Is it possible for the students who are under the Agency for Science Technology and Research (A*STAR) scholarship to apply for the CPE programme?
Yes.
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- Will other programmes be offered in the future?
Currently, there are no plans to do so.
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- Besides the academic requirements, does good working/professional experience make one or more competitive applicant? How relevant is working experience in applying for SMA?
Having working/professional experience in a related area is an advantage. However, it is not a requirement.
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- If I'm bonded to work after I complete my Bachelor's degree, can I apply?
If the sponsoring organisation is willing to give you a deferment of the bond, you may apply for admission.
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- Are the degrees offered through SMA widely recognised in other countries?
Yes, as all the three universities involved in the alliance are well recognised all over the world.
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- Will I need to submit any references or recommendations?
You will need to submit three evaluation reports from either three faculty members or two faculty members and one supervisor, if you are employed, who know you well enough to write the evaluations.
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- Do I need to write up a proposal as part of application for the direct PhD degree programme?
In the Statement of Objectives, it will be useful to indicate the specific area you wish to work on, a brief description of the research topic and why you wish to work in this area. This will help the assessors to understand your interest better.
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- Where can I find the detailed programme descriptions?
They are available on the SMA website at http://web.sma.nus.edu.sg
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- What is the application process for the CPE programme that awards
(i) a Master’s degree from MIT and a Master’s degree from NUS?
(ii) direct PhD degree from NUS?
For (i), you must apply separately to both MIT and to NUS. You must also apply for the SMA Graduate Fellowship, which will be processed only after you have been independently and separately admitted to both MIT and to NUS. We strongly encourage you to submit all three applications simultaneously.
For (ii), you must apply directly to NUS. You must also apply for the SMA Graduate Fellowship. Both applications must be submitted simultaneously. All the required forms and materials can be optained from the SMA website at http://web.sma.nus.edu.sg .
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- What are the application deadlines?
The application deadlines are 2nd January 2010 for the Dual Masters’ degrees programme and 31st March 2010 for the direct PhD degree programme.
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- Is there an application fee?
MIT requires a US$75 application fee. NUS requires a S$20 online application fee. Both fees cannot be waived
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- Will I need to submit my undergraduate degree results and certificate? Is there a minimum standard that one must meet?
Yes. You will need to submit a transcript which has all the semester/term results as well as a copy of the degree certificate if it has already been issued. You will have to meet the performance standards stipulated by each university that is awarding the degree. For admission into NUS, you should have either a 1st or 2nd Upper Class Honours degree.
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- Will I need to attend an interview before I am admitted to MIT and NUS? What kind of questions will be asked during interview?
There is no interview requirement for admission into MIT. However, you will most likely need to undergo some form of interview for admission into NUS. The questions will assess your motivation and ability to complete the programme.
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- Will I need to complete two theses to receive my dual Masters degrees?
There is no requirement for writing any theses for the dual Masters degrees programme. Students will need to complete 16 weeks at Practice School stations for the MIT Master’s degree.
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- For the Dual Masters’ degrees programme, how many degrees will I receive?
You will receive two degrees; a Master’s degree from MIT and a Master’s degree from NUS.
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- How is the PhD research project assigned? How is the research topic determined? Can students directly interact with professors and choose the project they are interested in?
Projects are determined primarily by the Singapore faculty members. Though the assignment of students depends on the availability of projects and thesis advisors, students are encouraged to seek out potential thesis advisors. Research topics in CPE are all highly competitive and cutting-edge. They are often challenging, interdisciplinary and explore new areas in defined disciplines. Students are encouraged to work with the thesis advisors to define specific topics and chart their research paths.
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- Will I need to apply for a visa to enter Singapore or the US?
Anyone who is not a US citizen or permanent resident requires a J-1 visa to be a student at MIT. For entry into Singapore, depending upon your citizenship, a visa may be required. You will need to check with the Singapore Embassy/Consulate in your home country.
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Test Scores
- Is the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
/ International English Language Testing System (IELTS) required?
a) For the Master’s degree awarded by MIT, TOEFL/IELTS is required. .
b) For the direct PhD degree, the minimum TOEFL requirement is 580 (paper-based) or 237 (computer-based) or 85 (internet-based). The minimum IELTS requirement is 6. Students are generally encouraged to take the tests but can submit a request for waiver of IELTS/TOEFL together with your application if you fall into one of the following categories:
- received instruction in English in their primary and secondary schools.
- been in an English speaking country for four years or longer.
- received first degree from an American, British, Canadian, Australian or New Zealand university.
- received first degree from NUS or NTU.
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- Is the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) required?
The GRE scores must be submitted with the application materials for admission into the dual Masters degrees. For the direct PhD degree programme, applicants can write in to request for waiver.
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- If I take the GRE test more than once, will SMA accept the higher score?
The better score will be taken into consideration.
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- Will SMA reimburse me the cost of taking the GRE and TOEFL/IELTS?
The reimbursement will be made only after students successfully complete a term of studies with SMA. To qualify for the reimbursement, the tests must have been taken within 1.5 years from the point of admission.
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- Can I submit my GRE and TOEFL/IELTS scores together with the application materials?
For the dual Masters’ degrees programme, MIT requires that GRE scores be sent directly to the host department by ETS. For the direct PhD degree programme, you may submit the scores together your application materials to the SMA Office.
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- If I am unable to submit my GRE and TOEFL/IELTS scores together with the application materials, will my application still be considered?
The GRE should be taken early enough for the score to be sent to MIT by the application deadline. However if you know that the GRE scores cannot reach the MIT host department in time, you should indicate the date on which you have taken the examinations. Please note that a delay in the receipt of your test scores may cause a delay in the consideration of your application.
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- When is the latest date to submit the GRE score to the MIT host department?
We strongly recommend that the GRE scores reach the MIT host department by the application deadline.
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SMA Graduate Fellowship
- Do Singapore citizens and permanent residents receive a higher monthly stipend?
Yes, they receive an additional S$500 a month.
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- If I am admitted into the PhD programme, will I receive any additional allowance?
All PhD students will receive an additional top-up of S$500 per month, payable from the passing date of the PhD Qualifying Examination until the end of the fourth year of candidature.
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- When will I know if I have been awarded an SMA Graduate Fellowship?
You will receive notification from the SMA Singapore Office in March/April 2010.
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Residency at MIT
- Will there be travel support for my trip to MIT?
You will receive travel support in the form of a round-trip economy class air ticket and living allowances.
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- Will accommodations be provided? Will the lease be paid by SMA?
If you’d like to have on-campus housing at MIT, you’ll have to apply for the accommodation online. You will be responsible for paying the lease and related fees.
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- How much time will I spend in residence at MIT?
For the dual Masters degrees programme, you will spend the first Fall semester in residence at MIT. If you are admitted into the direct PhD degree, you may spend up to two semesters in residence at MIT, either as continuous or non-continuous stays, subject to the required approvals.
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- During my residency at MIT, will I receive any additional allowance?
For each trip, you will receive an additional living allowance of US$1,000 per month up to a maximum of US$6,000. This living allowance is for covering your expenses for accommodation, insurance, food, transport etc. while you are at MIT.
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Residency in Singapore
- Will there be travel support for the trip from my home country to Singapore when I register with SMA?
You will be responsible for your own travel expenses.
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- Will accommodations in Singapore be provided? Will the rent be paid by SMA?
The SMA office will provide a list of off-campus accommodation as there is a limited number of on-campus rooms available. You will have to apply for the accommodation through the SMA office which will forward your application to the person in charge of the housing you have selected. You will be responsible for paying the rent and related fees.
Updated on 24 September 2009
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