Centre for Quantum Technologies Singapore
The Centre for Quantum Technologies (CQT) at the National University of Singapore represents one of the world's foremost research institutions dedicated to advancing quantum science and technology. Established in 2007 as Singapore's Research Centre of Excellence, CQT brings together physicists, computer scientists, and engineers to explore the strange and powerful world of quantum mechanics. The Centre has grown into a vibrant international community of over 200 researchers working on fundamental quantum physics and its applications in computing, communication, and sensing. CQT's research has contributed groundbreaking discoveries that push the boundaries of human understanding while developing technologies that promise to revolutionize information processing. The Centre maintains an exceptional track record of publications in leading scientific journals including Nature and Science. CQT's graduate program offers aspiring quantum scientists the opportunity to train alongside pioneering researchers at the cutting edge of this transformative field. The Centre's collaborative atmosphere and world-class facilities create an ideal environment for doctoral research. As quantum technologies transition from laboratory curiosities to practical applications, CQT graduates are positioned to lead this technological revolution.
- Acceptance Rate
- 65.0%
- SAT Range
- 1050–1250
- ACT Range
- N/A
- Avg GPA
- 3.25
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- Tuition (In-State)
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- Tuition (Int'l)
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Student Life & Environment
Life as a graduate student at CQT revolves around research, with the Centre's laboratories and offices becoming the primary environment where students spend their days, and often their evenings and weekends as well. The Centre's purpose-built facilities on the National University of Singapore campus include shared spaces designed to encourage informal interaction and collaboration among researchers from different groups, recognizing that some of the best ideas emerge from casual conversations over coffee rather than formal meetings. Weekly seminars bring distinguished visitors from around the world to present their latest work, giving graduate students regular exposure to the frontiers of quantum research and opportunities to ask questions and make connections. Group meetings within each research team provide more focused discussion of ongoing projects and papers, while centre-wide events build community across the different scientific approaches represented at CQT. The broader NUS campus offers the full range of university amenities including housing, dining, recreation facilities, and student organizations, though CQT students may find themselves gravitating toward the quantum community rather than the general student population. Singapore itself offers one of the highest qualities of life in Asia, with clean streets, excellent public transportation, diverse cuisine, and cultural attractions that help compensate for the intensity of graduate research. The international composition of CQT creates a naturally cosmopolitan environment where graduate students interact daily with colleagues from Europe, the Americas, Asia, and beyond.
Location & Surroundings
Singapore provides an ideal base for quantum research, combining generous government investment in science, world-class infrastructure, and a strategic position at the crossroads of Asia that facilitates international collaboration. The Singapore government has committed billions of dollars to research and development, with quantum technologies identified as a national priority that receives sustained funding regardless of global economic conditions. This investment translates into stable support for graduate students, well-maintained equipment, and resources for conference travel and research visits that may not be available at institutions in less well-funded environments. Singapore's Changi Airport serves as Asia's premier aviation hub, with direct flights to virtually every major city on the continent and extensive connections to Europe, North America, and Australia, making international collaboration and conference attendance practical and efficient. The island nation's small size means that everything from government ministries to industry headquarters to cultural attractions lies within easy reach, eliminating the commuting burdens that consume time in larger cities. Singapore's emphasis on education and research has attracted a concentration of talent that enriches the intellectual environment beyond what the city's modest population might suggest. The cost of living runs high by Asian standards, though graduate stipends are calibrated accordingly. English serves as the primary language of business and education, eliminating language barriers for international students while creating natural bridges to the global scientific community.
Costs & Career Outcomes
CQT offers unique opportunities that emerge from its structure as a dedicated quantum research centre with resources and focus that traditional university departments cannot match. Graduate students work directly with faculty who are among the world's leading quantum researchers, publishing in journals like Nature, Science, and Physical Review Letters while still completing their degrees. The Centre's strong theory-experiment connections mean that theoretical students can see their ideas tested in world-class laboratories, while experimental students benefit from theoretical insight that guides experimental design and interpretation. Industry connections with technology companies developing quantum computers provide windows into commercial applications and potential career paths outside academia. The Singapore National Research Foundation supports quantum technology development, creating opportunities for applied research that may eventually become products and services. International collaborations mean that CQT students frequently visit partner institutions for research stays, conference presentations, and academic exchanges that broaden their networks and perspectives. The small size of the quantum research community globally means that graduate students at CQT interact regularly with researchers they may only know from publications, building relationships that will shape their careers. Postdoctoral positions at top institutions worldwide await CQT PhD graduates, who leave with publication records and training that command respect throughout the quantum research community. Singapore's strategic investments in quantum technology suggest that opportunities within the region will only grow as the field matures.
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