NIE Overseas Graduate Scholarship (Visual & Performing Arts)

OBJECTIVE

The National Institute of Education Overseas Graduate Scholarship (NIE OGS) will sponsor outstanding candidates to pursue full-time doctoral studies overseas. Upon completion of their doctoral studies, candidates will return to NIE to serve as educators and academics.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

The applicant must fulfill the following criteria:

• Be a Singapore Citizen.

• Has excellent academic records with very good Honours or Master’s degrees (or professional qualifications of equivalent standing), with relevant teaching and some research experience.

• Has the passion to pursue a challenging career in academia.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF SCHOLARSHIP

The scholarship is tenable for a period of three years. The scholarship will provide:

• Two sets of economy class air tickets (one at commencement and completion of doctoral studies, and one to return to Singapore for data collection for doctoral thesis).

• Overseas maintenance allowance.

• Stipend.

• Pre-studies allowance (at commencement of doctoral studies).

• Thesis allowance (upon completion of doctoral studies).

• Tuition and other compulsory fees.

• Conference and fieldwork grants (by application).

A scholar studying in the United States may be considered for a fourth year of sponsorship if the required minimum period of candidature is at least 4 years.

The scholar may be required to serve a few months in the Ministry of Education (MOE) Headquarters before embarking on his/her doctoral studies (if applicable).

The scholar will be required to enter into a bond to serve the National Institute of Education Nanyang Technological University (NIE NTU) as an employee for a period of five years upon obtaining the doctoral degree.

NIE NTU reserves the right to revise the terms and conditions of the scholarship as it deems fit.

Music

The Visual & Performing Arts (VPA) Department at the NIE offers a vibrant and intellectually rich environment for the preparation of arts educators in drama, music and visual art. Deeply rooted in arts education and attentive to developments in contemporary artistic practice, the department values both strong practitioner expertise and rigorous theoretical grounding. Committed to Singapore’s context and internationally engaged in outlook, VPA prepares arts educators for both pre-service and in-service settings, while also offering graduate programmes in the arts and arts education.

This call is open to applicants who wish to pursue a PhD in Music within a dynamic and forward-looking academic setting. Proposed research should be grounded in strong disciplinary foundations in music while engaging contemporary developments in a technology-pervasive world. Projects may span both musical art and sound arts, and should speak meaningfully to Singapore’s multicultural context while contributing to wider conversations in Music and Music Education.

Applicants should meet the following criteria:

• Familiarity with the Singapore education system, with at least three years of teaching experience in a K-12 or pre-tertiary institution.

• At least a Second Class Honours (Upper Division) degree, or a Master’s degree, in Music or a related field.

• Experience in music-related research, academic publishing, and presenting at international and/or regional conferences is highly preferred.

• A strong record of artistic or professional practice, or creative works, including areas such as performance, composition, conducting, or music production, where relevant.

• Demonstrated passion and commitment to serving as an academic staff member at NIE, particularly in teaching, research, and service in areas related to Music and Music Education.

APPLICATION PROCESS

The following supporting documents must be submitted together with the application form to NIE NTU, through Workday, by the closing date:

a. Curriculum Vitae (which should include academic qualifications, employment history, scholarships & awards, a brief description of your research experience and publication list if available).

b. A succinct write-up (2 pages) on the research topic which you intend to pursue.

c. A succinct write-up (4 pages) on your commitment and interest in the area of study applied for and the expected contribution to NIE, schools and the Singapore education system.

d. An abstract of any thesis previously written.

e. Copies of two pieces of research work that you consider to be your most significant works (if available).

f. All relevant educational certificates and transcripts including GCE ‘O’ Level, GCE ‘A’ Level, Polytechnic Diploma, University Degree(s).

g. Letters for scholarships, prizes, other awards, memberships in academic & professional societies (if available).

h. A copy of the letter(s) of offer from each university applied to for admission to doctoral studies (if available).

i. A copy of the letter(s) of offer for other scholarships and/or awards applied for and the outcome of these applications (if available).

j. A minimum of two confidential referees’ reports (preferably from academic referees) printed on the official letterhead, to be sent directly to hrdacad@nie.edu.sg.

CONTACT INFORMATION

For clarification or more information, please contact:

Area of Study

Head, VPA for Music here.

Terms and Conditions of Scholarship

NIE Human Resource Department - Email to hrdacad@nie.edu.sg.

CLOSING DATE

All applications, together with the required documents (a) to (j), must be submitted by 31 August 2026.

Please note that NIE reserves the right to consider only complete applications accompanied by all required documents.

Each application will be assessed on its own merits. Only shortlisted candidates will be notified.

Hiring Institution: NIE