The Lion City of Singapore, with its articulately planned and steady growth, lays great emphasis on the value and contribution of education towards its flourishing economy.
International students get to experience a truly sophisticated cosmopolitan living at its finest.
With a progressive education system, Singapore offers an exemplary standard of academics imparted across all levels of education that stands a class apart worldwide.
The education system includes;
Singapore comprises of Public schools as well as International Schools that follow the foreign education system.
Students can pursue higher education from;
Apart from the Universities of Singapore, which are autonomous, the Council for Private Education regulates all other private institutes of higher education.
A number of leading international universities have collaborated with Singapore to
Here is a brief review of the prevalent study options in Singapore across different levels in Singapore Dollars:
| QUALIFICATION | DESCRIPTION | DURATION | AVERAGE ANNUAL FEES |
|---|---|---|---|
| Certificates Diploma Advanced Diploma |
Provided by institutions offering specialized technical training to students and preparing them with the required skill sets for their aspiring field of industry. | 6-18 months | SDG$10,000-SDG$15,000 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | Undergraduate programs focusing on academic knowledge in a variety of courses across various disciples. | 3-4 years | SGD$15,000- SGD$19,000 |
| Post Graduate Diploma | Vocational in nature, this qualification aims to develop practical skills of students in a speedy manner. Students can apply after completing their bachelors’ degree preferable in a similar field. It can sometimes be equivalent to a masters’ qualification. | 6-14 months | SDG$15,000-SDG$25,000 |
| Master’s Degree | Postgraduate programs provide a broader view of the subject area and available for coursework as well as research merit. It requires relevant bachelor’s degree from a similar field. | 1-2 years | SGD$20,000- SGD$54,000 |
| Doctoral Degree Higher doctoral degree |
PhD is a premier research award which require a masters’ degree and a pre-approved research proposal by a panel of institute academics for admission. | 2-5 years | SDG$20,000-SDG$40,000 |
*Please note all fee figures are indicative
Many institutions offer variety of financial assistance for international students in the form of
There are a number of lucrative scholarships offered to International students in addition to the Tuition Grant Scheme introduced by the Ministry of Education that grants subsidies to students studying at local public universities. This is applicable for undergraduate as well as post-graduate students.
By and large, there are 2 semester intakes by Singapore universities;
There are a few institutes who offer a third intake in the month of October as well.
Based on the university and course you are applying for and the qualifications you have, the application process and their deadlines vary to a great extent. Therefore, it is highly recommended to get a clear understanding based on your choices and be well aware of submission dates to avoid any end moment crisis.
The Ministry of Manpower in Singapore allows International students to work part-time for 16 hours per week for the duration of their course and full-time during holiday breaks.
International students are eligible to enjoy this policy on their Student Pass itself, provided their university supports a part-time work program.
Once students have successfully completed their course, undergraduate or postgraduate, they can choose to continue staying in Singapore for another year, even without an immediate job offer, by applying for a Long-term Visit Pass.
International Students who do manage to secure a job during this time get issued a Work Pass to give them the permission to stay and work in Singapore.
Additionally, International students who choose to opt for financial assistance provided under the Tuition Grant Scheme requires them to sign an agreement, committing to work for at least 3 years in a Singapore registered company after completing graduation.
Given the level of attraction Singapore poses for investors, the job prospects are expected to continue booming making it a lucrative option for international students for pursuing their higher education.
International Students are required to possess a Student Pass as per the Immigration regulations.
The Student visa is automatically issued as soon as you are offered a confirmation of acceptance by a university in Singapore, however International students will be required to apply for the Student Pass with the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority.
Students must ensure that they contact the authority within 2 weeks of receiving the acceptance letter from the university, through SOLAR- Student’s pass Online Application Registration System, which is where your institute will also register you in order to obtain a student pass. You will be required to complete e-Form 16 and pay the application fee.
This Student Pass will also allow you to work for 16 hours while you study in Singapore.
Some basic documents and requirements for the visa and permit are:
We understand that students may feel some apprehension since the process of acquiring the visa and pass varies in comparison to the usual, however our expert faculty at OEC will guide and assist you every step of the way offering you the best chance of success.
All you need to do is;