URA Scholarship Programme
Find out how the URA Scholarship Programme can help you build a career in shaping Singapore's urban future.
Last updated on 9 October 2026
The URA Scholarship develops outstanding and passionate individuals who aspire to shape Singapore's urban future. Scholarship recipients will gain broad exposure to Singapore's long-term planning and urban development projects, contributing to the creation of a vibrant, sustainable and liveable city. Applicants are welcome to apply prior to pursuing their undergraduate studies or up until the final year of their undergraduate degree.
Scholarship benefits
Shape Singapore's urban landscape while building an extraordinary career. Elevate your future with URA's comprehensive scholarship package:
Full tuition coverage at global well-accredited universities
Funded exchange programmes / study trips
Maintenance and pre-studies allowances
Work attachment at URA
Airfare for overseas scholarship recipients
4-year (local) or 6-year (overseas) bond
Mid-term scholarship recipients receive full sponsorship from award date, including back payment.
Who we are looking for
Don't just dream about the future – help us build it! If you’re someone passionate about making Singapore a great city to live, work and play, apply for the URA scholarship today and turn your ideas into reality.
We evaluate candidates based on a holistic set of criteria, including:
Academic Performance: Results from GCE O-Level / GCE A-Level / International Baccalaureate / NUS High Diploma / Polytechnic / University.
Leadership Potential: Demonstrated impact in school or community.
Well-Rounded Character: Balanced academics and co-curricular activities.
Passion for City-Shaping: Your vision for Singapore's future cityscape.
Citizenship: Open to Singapore Citizens committed to shaping our nation's future.
Accepted disciplines
We offer varied career paths for individuals from multiple disciplines. Your field of study can contribute to shaping Singapore's future. Explore the diverse roles and disciplines that contribute to URA's mission.
Roles and disciplines we hire from:
Role | Discipline(s) |
|---|---|
Urban Planner |
|
Architect |
|
Economist |
|
Civil Engineer |
|
Systems Analyst |
|
Data Scientist |
|
Our multi-disciplinary approach ensures every perspective contributes to creating a vibrant, sustainable and liveable Singapore.
Application process
At URA, we are committed to nurturing future urban visionaries. Find out more about the process to apply for a scholarship.
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1. Submit application
Whether you are just beginning your university adventure or are already on your way, you have the opportunity to join us in shaping Singapore's future. Our scholarship application windows are designed to accommodate students at different stages of their academic journey:
Pre-university applicants: January to March annually
Mid-term applicants: December to February annually
2. Online writing test and preliminary interview
This stage gives us the chance to learn more about you. Shortlisted applicants will be invited to complete a timed writing test, which assesses your ability to construct coherent arguments, followed by a preliminary interview to understand your motivation, interests and suitability for the scholarship.
3. Assessment centre and psychometric tests
We want to see you in action. Selected applicants will complete cognitive and personality assessments, and attend an assessment centre, where our management team will observe individual and group activities to better understand your thinking, communication and interaction styles. Reference and disciplinary checks may also be conducted at this stage.
4. Final interview
You're almost there! In this final stage, you will attend an interview with senior management to discuss your aspirations, values, and how you envision contributing to URA and the public service.
5. Hear our offer
Successful applicants can expect to hear our offer by 30 April.
What our scholarship recipients say
Toufiq Andry Guruh, Architecture
"The URA scholarship opened doors for me to explore diverse cities as a student, shaping my perspective on urban design."
Wu Jia Min, Sociology and Environmental Governance
"I love URA's dedication to innovation and its multi-disciplinary, forward-thinking work in planning for our future."
Zann Tay, Civil Engineering
"URA scholarship exposed me to diverse city-planning issues, shaping my unique viewpoint in urban development today."
Joash Chin, Data Science and Analytics
"URA scholarship guided my studies, leading to a fulfilling career developing software for urban planning in Singapore."
Scholarship applications are currently closed
Sign up to be notified when the next application period opens.
Frequently asked questions
Who we are looking for?
If you’re someone passionate about making Singapore a great city to live, work and play, apply for the URA scholarship today and turn your ideas into reality!
Can I apply for the URA Undergraduate Scholarship after receiving my results?
We have only one application window each year. As we require your A-Level results as part of the application, we encourage you to start preparing your application early using the draft function, and upload your results once you have received them before submitting.
Please refer to the application dates above to ensure you submit within the window.
Should I apply for the URA Undergraduate Scholarship now or only after I have completed my National Service?
We encourage you to apply as soon as possible and not wait until you have completed your National Service.
Do I need to have a confirmed university offer before applying for the URA Undergraduate Scholarship?
No, a confirmed university offer is not required when you apply. However, you will be asked to indicate your preferred course and university as part of your application. Should you be awarded the scholarship, you will need to secure a confirmed offer before commencing your studies.
I want to apply for the URA Mid-Term Scholarship. When can I apply and what information do I need to provide as part of my application?
If you are a university undergraduate in your penultimate year (i.e., 2nd last year of undergraduate studies) or earlier, you may apply on BrightSparks when applications open in December. As part of your application, please have your personal details, academic achievements, and latest university transcripts ready.
Is there a bond attached to the scholarship?
Scholars are required to serve a bond with URA upon graduation. The bond duration is 4 years for local studies and 6 years for overseas studies.
Does URA offer scholarships for postgraduate or master's studies?
URA does not offer scholarships for postgraduate or master's studies at this time. Our scholarships are available for undergraduate studies only.
What countries can I go to for my studies?
We do not limit scholars to specific countries. However, the university you attend must be well-accredited.