PhD in Asian Urbanisms

Singapore Management University (SMU)

The PhD in Asian Urbanisms is unique in its interdisciplinary and integrative approach. The programme is designed to purposively go beyond the traditional urban studies paradigm. In doing so, the programme exposes students to cognate ideas emerging from the humanities, economics, public policy, business, climate science, and information systems/computer science (including but not limited to areas like geographic information system, smart city management and urban systems). Critically, this is a postgraduate programme that focuses – both theoretically and empirically – on Asian cities. Students will be taught and supervised by world-class scholars that are committed to building an understanding of the pasts, presents and futures of Asian cities. Throughout the duration of study, students will benefit from being part of an Asian management university that is located in the heart of Asia. The intellectual trajectory of our programmes will start from the urban studies tradition but will then push students to go beyond it. Our commitment to such interdisciplinarity is rooted in the premise that it is the only way our students will be appropriately equipped to tackle the most complex problems facing Asian cities. The curriculum combines taught and research components, comprising core courses, elective courses, a PhD Qualifying Examination, and a PhD dissertation. The minimum duration of the programme is three years. Most students, however, are expected to take about four years to complete the programme. The maximum registration duration of the programme is five years, unless special approval for a longer duration is given by SMU. The maximum duration of receiving financial support from SMU PhD scholarship is four years.

College of Integrative Studies