Study in Singapore
The developed country of Singapore holds the title of being the most modern South Asian country for over a decade. This country-city- Island is the only of its kind globally and is often confused by its status. Singapore is a diverse country with a generous mix of Chinese, Malays, and Indians, among other ethnic groups. English, Tamil, Mandarin, and Malay are four recognized languages in Singapore. Malay is the national language of Singapore; and is as widely used as English.
Why Study in Singapore?
Singapore is viewed as the top study destination for foreign students because of its rich culture and diversity, secure environment, top-notch education, and reasonable tuition cost. Singapore welcomed 78,000 international students in the year 2019, and the number is only growing.
The proximity of Singapore to India has made it a popular destination for Indian students. Singapore has one of the best systems of education in the world, made evident in the standing of its universities globally.
Education System in Singapore
Singapore’s education system comprises preschool, primary school, secondary school, pre-university education, and university education. Education in Singapore is governed and planned by The Ministry of Education (MOE). The constant effort of the MOE has put Singapore on the list of the best education systems in the world.
A student must climb up the education ladder from – Preschool to University education to further up their career aspirations.
Pre-University Education
Students pursuing courses in the fields of humanities, arts and languages, science, and mathematics will receive pre-university education to prepare for higher education. Institutions issuing degrees at the Pre-university levels are –
- Junior colleges – junior colleges aim at making their students university-ready through structured curriculums that hone their skills and knowledge. Students can choose from two-year junior colleges or three-year centralized pre-university courses.
- Polytechnics – Polytechnic institutions offer students the choice to pursue diploma degrees over 3 years along with a breadth of subjects – tourism, biotechnology, digital media, engineering, business studies, etc. Students with interests in professional skills enroll in polytechnic offerings.
- Institutes of Technical Education – The Institutes of Technical Educations or commonly abbreviated – ITEs, represent the vocational and technical training provided in Singapore. ITEs see a significant enrolment of students passing from secondary levels. Students can graduate with National ITE Certificate (NITEC), Higher NITEC, Master NITEC, and diplomas.
University Education and Top Universities in Singapore
Singapore has 34 Universities, including six national universities.
- National University of Singapore (NUS)
- Nanyang Technological University (NTU)
- Singapore Management University (SMU)
- Singapore University of Technology & Design (SUTD)
- Singapore Institute of Technology and SIM University (SIT)
The two public universities of Singapore- National University of Singapore (NUS) and Nanyang Technological University are placed in the top 20 of the best universities in the world in 2021, occupying positions 11 and 13, respectively.
Students can choose to enroll in undergraduate, graduate, and doctorate degree programs at various public universities.
The SMU is the first autonomous institution in Singapore to be government-funded. Programs range from Business Management, Economics, Law and the Social Science, Information Systems Management, and Accountancy. Students graduate from the SMU with undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral degrees.
Singapore University of Technology & Design (SUTD) offers engineering design courses along with bachelor’s, Masters and Ph.D. degrees. Singapore Institute of Technology and SIM University (SIT) provides degrees in Engineering and Applied sciences, Health Sciences, Design, Interactive Digital Media, Education & Social Sciences.
Both private and State institutions in Singapore keep up with each other.
- The Singapore Institute of Management (SIM)
- Kaplan Singapore
- MDIS
- PSB
- London School of Business & Finance, Singapore
- East Asia Institute of Management
- TMC Academy
- Dimensions International College
Private Universities of Singapore
The private colleges and institutes of Singapore are governed by the Committee for Private Education (CPE). As a component of the Private Education Act, the CPE is run by the SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG) Board and mandates that private schools register with it.
List of the private universities of Singapore is –
- Curtin Education Centre
- Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Asia
- At-Sunrice GlobalChef Academy
- James Cook University Singapore
- Kaplan Singapore
- Management Development Institute of Singapore
- PSB Academy
- SDH Institute
- Singapore Institute of Management
- Singapore Raffles Music College
- Tum Asia
- University of New South Wales Asia
Bachelor’s or undergraduate programs are 3 to 4 year long. Many private institutions also offer their students fast-track degree courses of 2 to 2.5 years. Master programs are for durations of 1 year to 1.5 or 2 years. Satellite campuses – James Cook University and Curtin University offer master programmes of 1 to 2 years.
Quality of Education
A young Singapore has emerged as the best performing Asian country over the years, and this owes to the quality of the education it imparts. The PISA (Programme for International Students Assessment) has accessed Singaporeans to be high achievers. Singaporeans possess proficiency in Math and Science.
Education lies at the core beliefs of The Ministry of Education (MOE) providing a learning ecosystem like no other in the neighbourhood. The program aims to develop students’ ability to think and act creatively. Participation in projects is actively promoted among students, increasing their involvement and practical knowledge.
All teachers are trained at the National Institute of Education (NIE), thus, guaranteeing that all teachers are sufficiently capable of handling new-age classrooms.
Top Courses for Indian Students in Singapore
Singapore is quickly emerging as the best destination for international students. Indian students flock to Singapore to receive globally recognized education. Some of the top courses Indian students Study in academic institutions of Singapore include:
- MBA
- Hotel Management
- Banking and Finance
- Engineering
- Computer Science and IT
- Law
Four Universities of Singapore are bestowed with ranks for the subjects of Engineering and Technology. Globally the NTU and NUS are placed 4th and 9th respectively.
NUS, NTU, and Singapore Management University are placed at ranks 12, 20, and 38, respectively in subjects of Business and Management Studies; and 13, 25, 52 in subjects of Accounting and Finance.
NUS and NTU are in the top 20 in the subjects of Computer science and Information Technology.
Career Outlook
The efforts of the MOE have resulted in the emergence of a highly knowledgeable and skilled workforce. Emerging graduates from educational institutions of Singapore have out taken Japan in PISA scores for readability and science. Singapore has the presence of many MNC big heads like Unilever, IBM, General Motors, and their likes.
Data scientists, IT professionals, HR professionals, and marketing professionals are most sought after in the Singapore employment space.
Working In Singapore as a Student
An Indian student with a valid Student Pass issued by the Immigration Checkpoint Authority (ICA) is permitted to work for 16 hours a week during a term and full-time during vacations. The criterion for a part-time employment opportunity is also that the university enrolled into must be approved by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM).
To work in Singapore a student is required to possess either of the three –
- Training work permit – This permit is mandatory for international students undergoing practical training in Singapore. This pass is valid for a period of 6 months.
- The Training Employment Pass – An international student being trained practically for professional posts and with an earning capacity of SGD 3,000 a month is eligible for a Training Employment Pass
- Work Holiday Pass – Issued to graduate international students between ages 18 to 25 with the intent to work and holiday in Singapore. This pass is valid for a period of 6 months.
Source: Ministry of Manpower, Government of Singapore (www.mom.gov.sg)
Cost of Studying and Living in Singapore
Studying abroad carries with it a major cost. The predominant cost for the obvious is the cost of education. Education in Singapore can be affordable in comparison to countries like the UK, USA, and Australia. The fee an International student is charged varies on whether they choose to study at a public or a private institution. Without a doubt, the cost for pursuing programs with public institutions is more economical as compared to their private counterparts.
The public institutions of Singapore see a steady intake of both Singaporeans and international students.
However, across private and public bodies – the cost of education varies among – Singaporeans, Singapore PR, ASEAN residents, and non-ASEAN residents. Non-ASEAN residents pay the highest fees. Indian students fall in the category of Non-ASEAN.
Per year fees for Indian students studying in Singapore
| Pre-University | $21,000 | Approx INR 11,65,000 |
| Independent Pre-University | $18,000 – $28,800 | Approx INR 9,99,000 – INR 15,54,000 |
| Polytechnic | $10,400 | Approx INR 5,77,000 |
| Institutes of Technical Education (ITE) | $14,370 – $20,480 | Approx INR 7,98,000 – INR 11,37,000 |
Public University fees per year for Indian students studying in Singapore
| NUS | NTU | SMU | |
| International students | $17,500 | $17,500 | $24,500 |
| INR 9,71,000 | INR 9,71,000 | INR 13,59,000 |
Cost of living in Singapore as an Indian student
Accommodating is the next big expense after college fees. An Indian student can choose among hostels, rentals, government accommodations, or homestays. Mentioned below are accommodations options and the cost they entail –
| University hostels | $200 – $700 | Approx INR 11,200 INR 39,050 |
| Rental apartments | $800 – $2,000 | Approx INR 44,600 – INR 1,11,500 |
| Off-campus hostels | $400 | Approx INR 22,300 |
| Housing & Development Board (HDB) Flats | $200 – $1,000 | Approx INR 11,200 – INR 55,800 |
| Home stay | $900 – $2000 | Approx INR 50,200 – INR 1,11,500 |
Transportation: An effective public transportation system connects Singapore to the rest of the world. An Indian student in Singapore would need $100 to $250 as monthly conveyance.
Scholarships for Indian student
Scholarships are awarded to Indian students from both private and public education bodies. The government of Singapore recognizes the efforts of meritorious students and awards them in gratitude for scholarships.
Mentioned are some of the scholarships a student from India can apply to –
- Lee Kong Chian Graduate Scholarships at the National University of Singapore – Awarded to Ph.D. students studying in Singapore.
- INSEAD-Syngenta MBA Scholarships for Developing Country Leaders – pursuing Masters in Business Administration (MBA) at INSEAD
- Singapore International Graduate Award (SINGA)– Student with exceptional graduate and postgraduate record and showing a willingness to pursue Ph.D.
- Science & Technology Undergraduate Scholarship from NUS – Asian students pursuing under graduation at NSU
- Singapore Millennium Foundation Scholarships – post-doctoral or Ph.D. students admitted into NUS and NTU.
Visa Application
An Indian student accepted into the Singapore education system on a full-time program is eligible for a Student Pass or Student Visa.
The process of application and requirement differs depending on the type of institution intended for study.
To attain a Student Pass – a student to be accepted into a full-time course approved in Singapore. Students pursuing part-time courses, courses conducted on weekends, and courses offered in the evenings are not eligible for a Student Pass.
Post Study Work Permit
An Indian student in Singapore, after completing their graduation is issued a Short-Term Visit Pass. This short-term pass is issued to a student on the expiry of their Student Pass. The pass allows students to stay back in Singapore for 90 days in search of a job. However, while on a short-term pass a student is not permitted to be employed.
Long-term Social Visit Pass (LTVP) – A student graduating from a university enlisted on the Institute of Higher Learning (IHL) can stay back and work in Singapore for a period of 1 year on an LTVP. LTVP cannot be renewed.
Employment Pass – A minimum remuneration of SGD 4,500 per month and employment to managerial, specialized, and executive jobs grants the international student an Employment Pass. Additionally, the student should have graduated with professional degrees from the good universities of Singapore. The employer sponsors this work visa.
S Pass – A minimum remuneration of SGD 3000 per month and employment as specialist or technicians, grants, and international candidate an S Pass. Additionally, the candidate must have a degree or diploma with acceptable educational qualifications to qualify for an S Pass. The employer sponsors this work visa.
Entry Pass – Issued to graduate international students that set up business in Singapore, and are registered with the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA). The business must be a private establishment or must be intended towards the same. There is a list of other criteria a candidate needs to comply with.
