Yong Pung How School of Law

Online Application

Key Application Date For 2024 Intake

The PhD in Law, Commerce and Technology is a Full-Time programme.

The University's application window is listed below.

IntakeOpening Date for ApplicationClosing Date for Application
August
(Academic Year 2024)		1 August
( 2023 )		31 January
( 2024 )
Admission Interview / Application Result
(Interview will be arranged after the application deadline, shortlisted applicants will be invited)
To Be Confirmed

Admission Process

Please click here on General Instructions for completing your application.

An application is ONLY considered complete when

  • Online application is submitted before the closing date
  • Application fee is paid before the closing date
  • All supporting documents received before the closing date

Failure to complete the above will render the application invalid. Shortlisted applicants will be required to participate in an interview.

STEP 1: Online Application

For PhD online application system step-by-step guide, click here.

Important Note:

  • Please save or screenshot the receipt of the application fee as one supporting document. 
  • After successful payment of the application fee, applicants should go back to the online application page and complete the final step. On the final step, read the declaration carefully, and click the ‘Submit’ button if 'I Agree'. Only submitted application can be received and reviewed.
  • It's recommended to use the web browsers on a computer to complete the online application.
  • If something wrong with the online application system, please email us at lawphd@smu.edu.sg with User Name, Register Email, Application Number, Screenshot with the error message and website link if any.
For New UserFor Existing User
Please register an account with SMU before you can submit your application onlinePlease login with your User ID and Password to access your application
Register New AccountLogin Now


STEP 2: Submission of Supporting Documents

Apart from Recommendation Forms, please email the soft copies of all supporting documents listed in the table below at lawphd@smu.edu.sg. Recommendation Forms should be emailed at lawphd@smu.edu.sg by referees directly.

An Acknowledge email will be sent to applicants when soft copies of supporting documents are received by programme office.

Hard copies of supporting documents will be verified if applicants are selected after the admission interview.

How to Email Supporting Documents

Apart from your Recommendation Forms which your referees are to email to lawphd@smu.edu.sg directly, please

  • Lable and place all supporting documents in a Google Drive folder.
  • Name the Google Drive folder according to your name indicated in your identification document (NRIC or passport) and email the folder's link with editor access to lawphd22@gmail.com.
    (Please DO NOT just share folder access to lawphd22@gmail.com as the folder may be forwarded to the admission committee as well.)
  • Please indicate in the email's subject header as "2024 PhD : <Name>"
  • For international applicants who do not have access to Google, please email lawphd@smu.edu.sg for assistance.

Supporting Documents List

(Please pay attention to all instructions and label documents accordingly. Only the right format of documents will be reviewed.)

(Documents that are not in English should be translated and certified by the issuing institution or a Notary Public/Commissioner of Oath)

Identification Document(s):

  • Singapore Citizen: A copy of NRIC
  • Singapore Permanent Resident: A copy of NRIC, passport and re-entry permit
  • Foreigner: A copy of your passport personal particulars page

Two Recommendation Forms
(Please Download Template: PDF)
(Important Note: other testimonials/letters of recommendation are not accepted in lieu of the Recommendation Form Template)


  • The use of the recommendation form template given is compulsory.
  • Recommendation forms should NOT be more than 6 months old from the date of application.
  • All recommendation forms are confidential. Applicants should not have seen the content written. Referees can email the signed copy of the recommendation form/referrals directly to lawphd@smu.edu.sg without copying the applicant.
  • Where possible, at least one of the references should be from someone who has taught you or supervised your work in university studies. If applicants have left school for some years and are unable to submit academic references, please provide 2 references from your employers.
  • Referees should submit the form before the application deadline. the form will not be considered if it was submitted after the deadline.
  • The subject header should indicate 'Referral for ...".

Degree Certificate(s)

The original or certified true copy of your Bachelor / Master degree certificate

CV

A concise resume that provides chronological information about your educational background, work experiences and accomplishments.

Transcript(s)

The original or certified true copy of your official transcripts certified by the issuing institution (Please include the grading policy/system for your transcript)

Writing Sample

All applicants are required to submit 1 writing sample (such as a published paper and/or undergraduate report).
The writing sample can not exceed 10 pages (A4) excluding the cover page if any. The whole article or report is not required if it contains too many pages.

Statement of Purpose

All applicants are required to submit a statement of purpose, which can be up to maximum 2,000 words. The statement should address the following questions at least:

  1. Your reasons and goals for applying to the SMU PhD programme;
  2. List faculty members that you are most interested in working with SMU YPHSL faculty list can be foundhere. 
    No need to contact possible supervisor in advance.

Test Results

English Proficiency Test Results (TOEFL or IELTS) are required if the medium of instruction in your university education was not English.
GRE is required.

Detailed requirements can be found here.

Proof of Payment

Paymentfor the application fee must be done via credit card online
Screenshot or save the successful payment acknowledgment or receipt.

Other supporting documents

No more than 6 pages (A4)

STEP 3: Admission Interview

The application for SMU YPHSL PhD programme is not on a rolling basis. Once the application is closed, PhD admission committee will access supporting documents received. 

Only shortlisted applicants will be invited to the admission interview via email. Please check out Inbox and Spam Folder regularly.

The schedule of admission interview for the 2023 intake will be updated later.

The admission interview will be via zoom.

OTHER Application Guides 

  • For Applicant's Self Service Guide, click here.
  • For Applicant's Guide to Admissions, click here.
  • For Applicant's Guide to Forgot Retrieving Your User ID and/or Password, click here.