The NUS Real Estate PhD programme trains scholars in broad real estate related fields, including urban and real estate economics, real estate finance and investment, and urban planning and policies. Students will typically take coursework and complete a preliminary research paper during their first three semesters of study and attempt a written qualifying examination and the defense of their dissertation proposal within subsequent two semesters.

Upon entering the programme, students will work with the PhD programme director to identify an initial faculty mentor and develop a coursework plan. Students are encouraged to work with more than one faculty mentors in their first year of study to facilitate the formation of a productive research supervision relationship. At the end of the first year, each student should have identified a research supervisor or co-supervisors, who will be supervising the preliminary research paper and the written qualifying examination.