Faculty of Dentistry
Research Programmes
The Faculty has a vibrant research culture to support the Faculty’s mission “Improve oral health through academic excellence, high-impact research and quality clinical service”.
In a research programme, research candidates conduct independent research under the guidance of supervisors, attend classes leading to examinations and submit a thesis based on their research findings.
Surrounded by a wealth of facilities and personnel from related faculties, the Faculty is well poised to provide degrees in Master of Science (M.Sc.) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in the five key areas namely:
- Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine
- Oral Systemic Health and Diseases
- Bioengineering and Biomaterials
- Craniofacial Imaging and Simulation
- Public Oral Health and Cariology
Being a small Faculty, we are highly selective in admitting candidates with suitable qualifications. The minimum and maximum periods of candidature are as follows:
| Minimum | Maximum | |
| Master of Science | 1 year | 3 years |
| Doctor of Philosophy | 2 years | 5 years |
Research candidates may be admitted as full-time or part-time students. However, foreign students on student pass must pursue their studies on a full-time basis. The minimum and maximum periods of candidature for both full-time and part-time programmes are the same.
For MSc candidates:
- Good Honors degree (at least Second Class Lower / GPA 3.5 to 3.99) or equivalent in a relevant discipline; or
- Good Bachelor degree in relevant discipline with at least two years of relevant work experience.
For PhD candidates:
- Good Master’s degree in relevant discipline.
- Candidates with Second Class Upper Honors degree (GPA 4.0 to 4.49) or equivalent in a relevant discipline may also be admitted directly into a Ph.D. programme at the discretion of the faculty.
- Students with locally or internationally accredited BDS, DDS and MBBS degrees may be admitted directly into the Ph.D. programme at the department’s recommendation. They are required to take the Ph.D. Qualifying Exam within 18 months from the registration date.
Other Requirements
- Interview (at the discretion of Faculty);
- Proficiency in English Language (both verbal and written);
- All applicants except those from universities in Singapore, USA, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Philippines are to submit evidence of English language proficiency:
- TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) – minimum 580 (paper-based score) / minimum 237 (computer-based score) / minimum 85 (internet-based score) OR
- IELTS (International English Language Testing System) – the score should be 6 and above
[Please note that the TOEFL/IELTS scores are valid for 2 years from the test date. Candidates need to submit fresh scores if they took the test more than two years ago]
- GRE Scores [PhD applications only]
Aggregate minimum score of 320 is set for the GRE Verbal (V) and Quantitative (Q) sections and a minimum score of 3.5 is set for the Analytical (A) section
Coursework Requirements
MSc (+ thesis not exceeding 40,000 words)
- 1 compulsory Statistics course – MDG5108 Biostatistics for Basic Research or IE5002 Applied Engineering Statistics
- 1 compulsory DY 5190 Graduate Seminar course
- 1 compulsory course NG5001 Academic Communication for Graduate Researchers
- Any 1 elective course (at level > 5000 and > 4MC)
PhD (+ thesis not exceeding 80,000 words)
- 1 compulsory Statistics course – MDG5108 Biostatistics for Basic Research or IE6002 Advance Engineering Statistics
- 1 compulsory DY5190 Graduate Seminar course
- 1 compulsory module NG5001 Academic Communication for Graduate Researchers
- Any 3 elective courses (at level > 5000 and > 4MC)
In addition, it is mandatory for all research students to make Pre-conference Presentations to the Faculty every time they attend conferences for poster/oral presentation.
Please visit this link for details on the NUS Research Scholarships
Research scholars are required to render a nominal 6 hours of work per week without remuneration. The work rendered will be in the nature of research done by the research scholar for supervisors or other related academic work as designated by the supervisor or Vice Dean Research Office. Please note that the University does not guarantee employment to research scholars upon completion of their candidature.