1. What are the types of National Day Awards (NDAs) processed by PSD?
PSD processes nominations for the Public Administration, Commendation, Efficiency and Long Service Medals. The purpose of the NDAs is to give recognition to the most deserving officers who have consistently delivered exemplary service, shown specific outstanding achievements, efficiency, competence, and devotion to duty. Other criteria are length of service and seniority.


2. What are some of the foreign scholarships processed by PSD?
PSD administers the UK and the Canadian scholarships on behalf of the respective UK and Canadian Scholarship Commissions.

a. UK Commonwealth Scholarship

The UK Commonwealth Scholarship is awarded by the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU) in the UK. One or two awards are offered annually to Singapore applicants for postgraduate studies.

The ACU invites applications in August/September every year. Eligible candidates should check the closing date for submission of applications with PSD, which is usually around late November. The results for the scholarship are typically announced the following April.

Applicants should refer to the attached documents for details on eligibility and terms and conditions. Please check the site for updates before submitting your application.

Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan (.pdf)

Application Guide (UK) (.doc)

Application Form(UK) (.pdf)

Further information on the UK Commonwealth Scholarships can also be obtained from http://www.csfp-online.org

b. Canadian Commonwealth Scholarship

As part of the Canadian Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Program, the Government of Canada offers Singapore Citizens one to two scholarships each year to undertake postgraduate studies in Canada.

Scholarships are granted for a masters or doctoral degree in Canada. Candidates who have already secured a place with a Canadian university can also apply for the scholarship.

The Canadian Scholarship Commission usually invites applications starting in August/September annually. The deadline for submission of applications from eligible candidates to PSD would be in late November.

Applicants should refer to the attached documents for details on eligibility and terms and conditions. Please check the site for updates before submitting your application.

Application Guide (Canada) (.doc)

Application Guide (Canada) (.doc)

Further information on the Canadian Commonwealth Scholarships can also be obtained from http://www.scholarships-bourses-ca.org or http://www.aucc.ca.

Please contact PSD staff at 1800-334-7610 or email psd_pau@psd.gov.sg for enquiries relating to the UK and Canadian Commonwealth Scholarships.


3. How can I apply for a job in the Singapore Public Service?
Each ministry conducts its own recruitment exercise, depending on vacancy. These vacancies are posted on the One-Stop Job Portal at http://www.vog.gov.sg and are also advertised in local newspapers. You may submit your application online.


4. How can I find out if my degree is recognised by the Singapore Civil Service?
The Civil Service recruits people based on the principles of meritocracy, impartiality and incorruptibility. We do this through open competition, regardless of race, religion, age, and gender. With these principles, each Ministry decides on its criteria for recruitment based on the organisation's needs. The hiring department looks at more than the academic qualifications. Other important considerations include relevant experience, past track record and personal qualities such as leadership. The candidate with the best overall fit to the requirements of the job and the culture of the organisation will be appointed.

Generally, a degree is recognised if the institution or university is accredited by the government of the country where it is located. This applies to degrees obtained via full-time or part-time studies as well as distance learning or twinning programmes. For professional qualifications such as law, accountancy and engineering, the foreign degrees must also be recognised by the relevant professional bodies in Singapore.

Students should check a university's accreditation status if they wish to join the Civil Service upon graduation. They can check the status in guidebooks such as the Commonwealth Universities Yearbook. The universities and professional bodies will also be able to advise on the status. A list of guidebooks, education centres and professional bodies is available at http://www.vog.gov.sg/data/StaticContent/WhatYouShouldKnow-accreditation.htm


5. Is having post-graduate qualifications more advantageous when applying for a job in the Civil Service?
Generally, the entry qualification for graduate appointments in the Civil Service is a bachelor degree or an equivalent professional qualification. Candidates who have obtained post-graduate qualifications, like a Masters or PhD, which are directly relevant to the job, may be given additional increments.


6. Is the Civil Service part of the Public Service?
The Singapore Public Service employs some 110,000 public officers working in 15 Ministries, more than 50 Statutory Boards and nine Organs of State. Within the Public Service is the Civil Service, comprising more than 60,000 officers working in the Ministries and Organs of state. They work in various schemes of service, including the Administrative Service, legal, education, police, civil defence as well as other generic schemes.