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Teaching Scholarships & Awards

Since 2002, the Ministry of Education (MOE) has been taking greater ownership in the selection, management and development of our teaching scholars. In August 2002, we announced a new undergraduate teaching scholarship and award structure. This will allow us to continue attracting a steady stream of talented and dedicated young individuals into the Education Service each year.

The apex of the new teaching scholarship structure is the Overseas Merit Scholarship (Teaching) and the Local-Overseas Merit Scholarship (Teaching). These scholarships will continue to be awarded by the Public Service Commission.

In addition to the PSC Teaching Scholarships, MOE is offering the following scholarships and award :

The current Singapore Government Scholarship (Teaching), Local Merit Scholarship (Teaching), and Overseas Specialist Award (Teaching) have been replaced by the new structure with effect from 2003. Existing scholars and award holders under these schemes will continue to retain their present scholarships and awards.

Terms and Conditions

Choice of Undergraduate Studies

The Ministry requires all scholarship applicants to select teaching subjects as their choice of study. Recommended subjects are:

The Ministry will also offer competitive terms and conditions for the entire range of teaching scholarships and awards under the new structure. These include:

Post Graduate Programmes

Places of Study

Scholars will study in some of the best universities locally or overseas. Other than the National University of Singapore and Nanyang Technological University, we have scholars studying in Oxford University, Cambridge University, Imperial College, London School of Economics, Yale, Princeton and Cornell.

The Ministry will provide greater opportunities for our scholars and award holders to pursue Post Graduate programmes.

Masters Degree

Outstanding scholars and award holders may apply for a sponsorship for a one-year Masters degree immediately upon completion of their undergraduate studies.

PhD Programme

After sufficient years of experience in the teaching profession, scholars with the ability and desire to explore an area of education in greater depth may apply for a PhD scholarship.

Development Opportunities during Undergraduate Studies

MOE will actively engage and develop scholars during the course of their studies. We will customise development programmes for our teaching scholars and award holders so that they are better prepared upon their return to the Education Service. Teaching scholars can look forward to the following opportunities:

Attachment Programmes

Overseas Merit Scholars (Teaching) and Education Merit Scholars will be flown back for attachments in the MOE headquarters and our schools during each annual vacation. The scholars will be paid an allowance and assigned challenging policy projects while on HQ attachment. They will participate in policy forums and get to interact with top policy makers in MOE HQ and be exposed to the larger policy and strategic considerations guiding Education Policy. Merit scholars will also be sent for attachments at overseas educational institutions. This will allow our Merit scholars to understand how education systems and schools function in other countries. Scholars may also have opportunities to teach while on attachment.

All scholars and award holders will be attached to schools for several weeks during their vacation time, where they will be assigned senior teachers as mentors and guides. This will give them a chance to gain first-hand teaching experience during their undergraduate studies and undertake challenging school projects to stretch their capabilities.

All teaching scholars will attend the public policy seminar to gain insight into how policy-making is conducted in Singapore, as well as to have a better understanding of Singapore’s geo-political environment. The Ministry will sponsor outstanding local scholars and award holders for overseas seminars and programmes such as the Student Exchange Programme.

Further Opportunities for Interaction and Exposure

Career Opportunities

Upon completion of their undergraduate studies, teaching scholars and award holders will undergo the 1-year Post Graduate Diploma in Education programme at the National Institute of Education. They will then be posted to schools as trained teachers. Teaching scholars and award holders can look forward to exciting professional development and career advancement opportunities in the 3 different career tracks in the Education Service viz the Teaching, Leadership and Senior Specialist career tracks.

Scholarship Applications

Students who are interested in a PSC or MOE Teaching Scholarship should submit their applications online via the PSC Gateway from 1st September to 10 days after the release of the ‘A’ Level results. Students would only need to indicate the type of Service they wish to apply for (e.g. Teaching, Legal Service, Foreign Service, etc.) in the online application.

Enquiries

Please send email enquiries to