DesignSingapore Scholarship is for individuals with creativity, drive and passion for design. The scholarship will groom designers to become designer leaders who will use strategy and innovation to make things better by design. Our scholarship holders may come from different fields of design, but they share one uncommon trait – they are game changers and aspire to contribute to Singapore and the design sector. We are on the lookout for talented individuals with creative flair, the drive to push boundaries; and a heart to serve Singapore.

• What areas of study can I apply for?
• Who is eligible?
• What does the scholarship cover?
• How will the scholarship develop you?
• What is the bond upon graduation?
• How do I apply for the DesignSingapore Scholarship?
• What is the selection process?

What areas of study can I apply for?

The programme should be a full-time undergraduate or postgraduate design-related degree at a reputable local or overseas institution.

Possible fields of study:

• Architecture
• Business Innovation
• Design Management
• Digital Design (Interaction Design/User Experience Design)
• Fashion Design
• Industrial Design
• Interior Design
• Landscape Design
• Service Design
• Urban Design
• Visual Communications

Other fields of design study may also be considered.

Who is eligible?

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Be a Singapore Citizen or Permanent Resident
• Have completed National Service (for male applicants)
• Have successfully gained admission to a full-time undergraduate or postgraduate design-related course in a reputable Singapore or overseas institution

Applicants who are applying for postgraduate studies and have at least 3 years of professional working experience, would have an advantage.

What does the scholarship cover?

The DesignSingapore Scholarship covers full tuition and compulsory fees for the course of study. The scholarship also provides annual living allowance, pre-studies allowance, developmental course allowance and travel allowance.

How will the scholarship develop you?

The scholarship will develop you holistically in your design journey. Apart from supporting you in your studies, where you will develop your technical, creative and communications skills, you will be paired with a mentor from the DesignSingapore Associates Network for the duration of your studies to help you push boundaries in your work. Also, upon employment, DesignSingapore Council will link you up with an experienced industry mentor to provide guidance.

Upon award of the scholarship, you will be designated a DesignSingapore Associate. You will be assigned to contribute to DesignSingapore Council projects and initiatives that are developmental in nature as part of the DesignSingapore Associates network.

You will be obliged to fulfil a compulsory 4-week internship in Singapore during the course of your studies. The internship could be self-sourced. DesignSingapore Council could also facilitate introductions to companies we are in touch with.

What is the bond upon graduation?

The scholarship recipient will need to be employed in Singapore on a full-time basis in a design-related role with a Singapore-registered company. The bond period will need to be served in Singapore upon graduation.

The bond period depends on the duration of sponsorship of your course, as well as whether your course is local or overseas.

Close to graduation, DesignSingapore Council will help facilitate job introductions with companies we are in touch with. Scholarship holders can also self source for their own jobs in Singapore. 

How do I apply for the DesignSingapore Scholarship?

Step 1

Complete and submit your online application at the DesignSingapore Scholarship portal: https://www.designsingapore.org/scholarship. 

Please upload the following documents with your online application:

• Softcopy of your portfolio/project case studies* in PDF format (file size less than 5MB)
• Academic results and awards
• Curriculum vitae
• Record of Co-Curricular Activities (CCA)
• 1,000-word essay of your personal perspective on design and how you hope to contribute to Singapore’s design industry upon graduation

*For applicants from non-design backgrounds and who do not have a design portfolio can submit project case studies. These case studies need to show examples of your design thinking process and outcomes.

Step 2

Submit a hardcopy of your application documents and physical portfolio:

a) By courier/registered mail:

DesignSingapore Scholarship Secretariat
DesignSingapore Council
Ministry of Communications and Information
111 Middle Road
National Design Centre
Singapore 188969

All submissions must be received by 5.00pm on 12 April 2019.

OR

b) In person:

DesignSingapore Council
111 Middle Road
National Design Centre
Level 4
Singapore 188969

Submissions in person must be made on 12 April 2019 between 9.00am-12.00pm and 2.00pm-5.00pm. All submissions must be received by 5.00pm on 12 April 2019.

Your hardcopy submission must include the following documents:

• Printed copy of the online application form
• Certified true copies of relevant academic records and/or transcripts (photocopies of the original must be endorsed by your school or a notary public – please refer to FAQ Q10)
• Copy of letter of admission to institution (with proposed course of study)
• Printed copy of information on proposed course of study
• Printed copy of your curriculum vitae and/or record of activities (including participation in exhibitions, competitions, design activities, awards and accomplishments)
• Printed copy of your record of Co-Curricular Activities (CCA)
• Letters of recommendation from two referees (referees cannot be immediate relatives of the applicant). Referees are requested to enclose the letter, seal it in an envelope, and sign across the envelope seal
• Printed copy of your portfolio and/or samples of your works (development sketches and best works) and/or project case studies, as well as a softcopy (pdf) saved in a CD or thumbdrive
• Printed copy of 1,000-word essay of your personal perspective on design and how you hope to contribute to Singapore’s design industry upon graduation
• Other relevant supporting documents (if applicable)

Please submit a CD or thumbdrive with following files (in pdf, jpeg or doc format), with file names as follows:

• [Your Name]: Online Application Form
• [Your Name]: Academic Records and Transcripts
• [Your Name]: Letter of Admission to Institution
• [Your Name]: Information on the proposed course of study
• [Your Name]: Curriculum Vitae and record of Co-Curricular Activities (CCA)
• [Your Name]: Portfolio/Project case studies
• [Your Name]: Essay

Hardcopies of the printed documents should be bound in A4-format folder, and your portfolio in A3- or A4-format. All folders must be labelled securely with your:

• Name
• NRIC number
• Application reference number (Once the online form has been submitted in Step 1, please refer to the top right hand corner of your exported application form, which should read DSG-2019-XXXX)

Please retain a copy of your application for personal reference. DesignSingapore Council will retain all supporting documents and portfolios submitted.

What is the selection process?

Shortlisted applicants will be invited to attend up to two rounds of selection interviews between April and May 2019. Successful applicants will be informed after all the interviews have been completed. All scholarship recipients must attend a Scholarship Award Ceremony in August 2019.

The DesignSingapore Council reserves the right not to disclose the reasons for approving or rejecting any application, and to reject any incomplete application.

Assessment Criteria

Applicants will be assessed on:    

• Potential to contribute to Singapore’s design sector
• Potential for creativity and leadership
• Achievements, recognition and experience in design and design thinking
• Quality of portfolio/project case studies (originality of concepts, depth of development and exploration of ideas, competency in execution, technical ability, and range of work and skills)
• Academic results and track record of co-curricular activities
• Articulation and persuasion skills
• Transdisciplinary design skills

For further queries or clarifications, please visit the Frequently Asked Questions page or contact us at MCI_Dsg_Scholarships@mci.gov.sg.