SUTD Design and Engineering Scholarship

Overview

The SUTD Design and Engineering Scholarship is awarded by the Singapore University of Technology and Design to Singapore Permanent Residents and international students from Asian countries who want to study engineering or design at the undergraduate level. You apply for it at the same time you apply for admission — there's no separate application window. SUTD reserves the right to make no award in any cycle if no candidate meets the merit bar, so competition is real.

After graduation, you must work for a Singapore-registered company for six years. That bond is a firm condition, not a formality. If that commitment suits your plans, this scholarship gives you a well-funded path to one of Asia's most design-integrated engineering programmes.

Key Facts at a Glance

Eligibility Criteria

Nationality

You must be a Singapore Permanent Resident or an international student from an Asian country or region. Singapore citizens are excluded from this award.

Academic background

SUTD looks for strong A-level results, a polytechnic diploma, an IB Diploma, or Year 12 equivalent qualifications. There's no published minimum score, but the pool is competitive and you'll need to be near the top of your cohort.

Programme

You must be enrolling in one of these specific degrees: Bachelor of Engineering in Engineering Product Development, Engineering Systems and Design, or Computer Science and Design; or Bachelor of Science in Design and Artificial Intelligence. The programme must be MOE-subsidised.

Co-curricular record and leadership

SUTD expects an exemplary co-curricular activities record and clear evidence of leadership potential. Thin participation history will hurt your chances regardless of grades.

Ongoing requirements

From Term 2 onward, you need to maintain a CGPA of at least 3.5. You also have to complete 20 hours of university service every academic year for the full duration of the scholarship.

What the Scholarship Covers

• Subsidised tuition fees after the MOE Tuition Grant for up to 4 years
• Living allowance of SGD 6,000 per academic year
• On-campus accommodation at the lowest double-room rate
• One-time settling-in allowance of SGD 200
• One-time computer allowance of SGD 1,750 (AY2022 matriculants onwards)
• One-way economy airfare to Singapore
• Return economy passage to your home country

How to Apply

1. Submit your SUTD undergraduate admission application through the official SUTD admissions portal.
2. Indicate your interest in the SUTD Design and Engineering Scholarship within the same application form — there is no separate scholarship portal.
3. Upload all required supporting documents as part of your admission submission.
4. Wait to hear whether you are shortlisted; SUTD notifies candidates subsequently after reviewing the applicant pool.
5. Attend any interview or additional assessment if SUTD contacts you.
6. Accept the scholarship offer and sign the bond agreement if selected.

Required Documents

• Completed SUTD undergraduate admission application
• Official academic transcripts (A-level, polytechnic, IB, or Year 12 equivalent)
• Personal statement or essay as required by the admission form
• Co-curricular activities records and leadership documentation
• Valid passport or identity document showing nationality/PR status
• Any additional documents specified in the SUTD admissions checklist

Key Dates & Deadlines

The scholarship application runs alongside the SUTD undergraduate admission cycle. You do not submit a separate form at a later date — both happen together. SUTD does not publish a fixed annual scholarship deadline independently; check the admissions website each year for the current intake's closing date. Shortlisted candidates are notified after the application pool closes.

Tips for a Strong Application

What helps

• Apply early in the admission cycle before the pool fills up.
• Show a genuine connection between your co-curricular work and design or engineering — vague participation lists don't stand out.
• Describe leadership roles with concrete outcomes, not just titles.
• Be specific about which SUTD degree you intend to pursue and why it fits your goals.
• Demonstrate that you understand the 6-year bond and have thought through how it aligns with your career plan — scholarship committees notice when applicants seem unaware of the commitment.
• If you have research or project experience relevant to technology and design, include it with clear descriptions of your contribution.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Submitting a generic personal statement that could apply to any engineering scholarship.
• Underestimating the CGPA requirement — if you slip below 3.5 from Term 2 onward, you risk losing the scholarship.
• Ignoring the 20-hour annual service obligation when planning your schedule.
• Applying for a degree programme that isn't on the approved list for this scholarship.
• Assuming you'll automatically be considered without clearly indicating scholarship interest in your application form.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can apply for the SUTD Design and Engineering Scholarship?

Singapore Permanent Residents and international students from Asian countries or regions, excluding Singapore citizens, are eligible. You also need to be enrolling in one of the four approved SUTD undergraduate degrees.

Does the SUTD Design and Engineering Scholarship require a separate application?

No. You indicate your interest when submitting your SUTD undergraduate admission application. There is no standalone scholarship form or separate portal.

What is the 6-year bond attached to the SUTD Design and Engineering Scholarship?

After you graduate, you must work for a company registered in Singapore for six consecutive years. This is a contractual obligation, not a guideline. Breaking the bond typically triggers repayment requirements.

What CGPA do you need to maintain to keep the SUTD Design and Engineering Scholarship?

From Term 2 onwards, you must maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.5. Falling below this threshold can result in the scholarship being withdrawn.

What service obligation comes with the SUTD Design and Engineering Scholarship?

You must complete 20 hours of university service each academic year throughout your scholarship period. SUTD specifies what counts toward this requirement.

Does the SUTD Design and Engineering Scholarship cover accommodation?

Yes. The scholarship covers on-campus accommodation at the lowest double-room rate. It doesn't cover the cost of a single room or off-campus housing upgrades.

Is there a computer allowance under the SUTD Design and Engineering Scholarship?

Yes — a one-time allowance of SGD 1,750 is included for students who matriculate from AY2022 onwards. Students who matriculated before that intake should check with SUTD on whether this applies to them.

What happens if SUTD doesn't find a strong enough candidate for the SUTD Design and Engineering Scholarship in a given year?

SUTD reserves the right not to award the scholarship if no candidate in that cycle meets the merit bar. The award is not guaranteed regardless of how many people apply.

Can you transfer to a different degree programme and keep the SUTD Design and Engineering Scholarship?

The scholarship is tied to specific MOE-subsidised degree programmes at SUTD. If you transfer to a programme outside that approved list, your eligibility is likely affected. Contact SUTD's financial aid office before making any programme change.

Does the SUTD Design and Engineering Scholarship cover airfare both ways?

It covers one-way economy airfare from your home country to Singapore when you first arrive, and a return economy passage home after you finish your studies.