Study in Singapore

Higher Education Structure in Singapore

Study In Singapore

Singapore has many reasons to be one of the most well-liked study destinations, including a progressive educational system, a large number of international institutions, and top-notch facilities. For international students, the nation offers a platform where they can investigate their options for becoming global citizens and find employment opportunities in the fields they are interested in. The nation is home to a number of illustrious institutions, including the National University of Singapore (NUS) and Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU), which are ranked among the top 20 universities in the world by the QS World University Rankings 2023. 

These two are also Singapore's top two higher education institutions, with the former ranking first across all of Asia. Additionally, the nation is ranked fourth in 2023's QS Best Student Cities. Many multinational corporations have their regional headquarters in Singapore, which is situated in the center of the world's most dynamic economic region. The nation has also been successful in fostering an environment that is favorable for new startups, making it one of the best places for young minds to start their careers.

For students who want to experience life abroad while also saving some of their hard-earned money, Singapore is the best option. Students can receive an excellent education in the nation at very affordable costs. Research-based educational systems around the world promise a wide range of exciting careers. The most popular courses among international students are those in business, tourism, and travel. EduTrust, a quality assurance program run by CPE in Singapore, is to thank for the high caliber of services that Private Education Institutions (PEIs) provide in their overall educational offerings.

The Perks of Studying in Singapore

Due to its tolerant social norms and high standard of living, students find Singapore to be comfortable. They can travel and engage in a wide range of restorative activities thanks to the safe and secure environment in the nation. The following are additional important factors that are sufficient to entice international students to study in Singapore:

  • Singapore is known for its academic prowess not only in Asia but also worldwide.
  • Since gaining its independence in 1965, Singapore has thrived and developed into a global economic force.
  • People in Singapore respect various races, religions, and cultural traditions because it is a multicultural country.
  • Singapore was ranked as the second-safest city in the world in the 2019 Safe City Index by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU).

Higher Education Framework in Singapore

The system of higher education is unified. As in the Netherlands, there is no distinction between higher education for professionals and higher education for students. Public autonomous universities are places where students can further their education.

Diploma Courses

You can look into the six-month diploma programs offered in Singapore to students from India. These are some of the top Singaporean courses for Indian students because they advance skill development while broadening knowledge and perspectives in the classroom. With these worthwhile courses, students inevitably gain an advantage over their peers. Students must achieve high test scores on the SAT/ACT, TOEFL/IELTS, and GRE/GMAT (if necessary) in order to be accepted into these programs.

Undergraduate Courses

The average length of a bachelor's program is three to four years, with the exception of medicine, which requires five. Regular (pass) bachelor's degrees or honors degrees are frequently the only options offered by institutions for bachelor's degrees. A student may occasionally opt to pursue a program as either an honors degree or a pass bachelor's degree. Each university has a different definition of a bachelor's degree with honors. For instance, the honors bachelor program at the National University of Singapore (NUS) lasts four years, whereas the bachelor program is a three-year course of study.

Postgraduate Programs

Both taught/coursework master's programs and research master's programs are offered. A research master's program requires an honors bachelor's degree in a related field of study. For a taught master's, you need a pass (typical) bachelor's degree. Additionally, programs may impose requirements like an interview, a specific subject knowledge requirement, or an admission test (which could be either an external exam like the GMAT or GRE, or one created by the faculty itself). Master's degree programs that are taken full-time last one year and must typically be finished in two to three years. An optional concluding final project or thesis is included in the taught/coursework master's curriculum, but it is not required. The curriculum for a research master's degree consists of classes in addition to a final thesis.

Doctoral Programs

Each university and program has a different set of admission standards and nominal program lengths for PhD programs. Generally speaking, admission to a Ph.D. program is granted to bachelor's degree holders with honors or strong grades. Additional requirements are frequently present, such as excellent scores on an external exam (like the GMAT or GRE) or the faculty entrance exam. Additional requirements may be added by the faculty, such as relevant work or research experience. Depending on the course of study, the minimum program length can be anywhere between 2 and 5 years. Typically, PhD programs are divided into two stages:

  • Phase 1: enrolling in classes;
  • Qualification exams for PhDs;
  • The dissertation is the second stage.

In many cases, candidates must pass qualifying Ph.D. exams before being allowed to move on to the second phase. In addition, they have to present and defend a research proposal for their dissertation. There might also be additional specifications, like a minimum grade point average.

Popular disciplines and courses available in Singapore

Undergraduate and graduate degrees are offered by universities in Singapore in nearly every imaginable subject. Business, engineering, languages, or social sciences are among the degrees you can pursue. Following are a few of Singapore's most well-liked study options:

Information and Communications TechnologyMBANursing
Health StudiesMobile Application Development Using JavaEnterprise Computing Systems Management
Management Planning & Control SystemsHRMFinancial Services
PhysiotherapyAccountingPublic Health
EngineeringLawEconomics
Political ScienceLinguisticsMathematics
Physics  

Popular Cities in Singapore with the Best Universities

Singapore continues to astound many people with what it has to offer. Singapore is a sovereign city-state in Southeast Asia that boasts a consistently high-performing business hub. Thousands of international students study there in search of the best instruction in a range of subjects, particularly commerce and finance. Given how compact Singapore is, picking a neighborhood for your university life can be challenging. A few of Singapore’s cities are mentioned below, along with the reasons to study there.

Name of the CityReasons to study there
OrchardFor foreign students wishing to study in Singapore, Orchard comes highly recommended. When you want to be in the CBD, this area continues to hold its allure as the most practical location. Orchard's cost of living is substantially higher than that of other parts of Singapore, similar to Sentosa.
Bukit TimahThe natural scenery of Bukit Timah is what is most well-known about it. The Bukit Timah Nature Reserve and the Jurong Bird Park are two must-see destinations for visitors to Singapore. Bukit Timah is more than just a popular tourist destination; it's a great place to live while attending university in Singapore.
Tiong BahruTiong Bahru, also known as "Singapore's Brooklyn," is a popular student neighborhood in Singapore. Tiong Bahru has earned the reputation as one of Singapore's hippest neighborhoods despite being one of the city's older residential areas. Because Tiong Bahru will undoubtedly inspire your creativity, all artistic students should think about attending school here.
DoverDover, despite its diminutive size, has a lot to offer to foreign students studying in Singapore. Located in Queenstown, Dover is close to the communities of Clementi, Commonwealth, Holland Village, West Coast, Ghim Moh, and Kent Ridge. Despite Dover's small size, it is home to a significant number of educational institutions that serve students of all academic levels. 
SentosaSentosa, also known as Sentosa Island, is known as Singapore's resort island and draws both domestic and foreign visitors. You can enjoy the abundance of breathtaking seascapes in this area. International students who enjoy being surrounded by luxury and glitz should consider Sentosa. 
ClementiClementi is primarily a residential planning area and is close to other Singapore neighborhoods that are good for students, including Bukit Timah, Bukit Batok, Jurong East, and Queenstown. Its purpose is to give the neighborhood's residents a well-organized way of life. 
Kent RidgeA ridge in Queenstown's Pasir Panjang contains the community of Kent Ridge, which is next to Dover. The region, which is primarily a lowland evergreen forest, was formerly known as Pasir Panjang. To honor the Duke and Duchess of Kent's visit, Kent Ridge was given a new name in 1952. 

Average Monthly Expenses in Singapore for International Students

The Singapore Dollar (SGD) is the official unit of exchange in Singapore. Your tuition costs will vary depending on where and at what level you decide to study. In general, you should budget between SGD 14,000 and SGD 50,000 annually. Numerous scholarships are offered to international students. Some of these are provided by the Singapore Ministry of Education, while others are provided by various institutions separately. Generally speaking, public institutions will have lower tuition costs than private ones.

The living expenses of international students must also be taken into account. You should plan to set aside approximately SGD 10,000 annually. During the academic year, you can work up to 16 hours a week, and you can work full-time over the holidays. Your institution must first give its approval before you can apply for a job.

Students’ Visa Requirement

A student visa is required for foreign students who want to attend school in Singapore. Your institution will grant you a visa at the same time as your letter of approval. You must apply for a student pass with the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) no later than two weeks after receiving acceptance. Additionally, this must occur no later than one month prior to the start of your course and no earlier than two months prior. This procedure will be carried out using SOLAR, the Student's Pass Online Application and Registration System. Your institution will provide you with registration information that you must use to complete and submit the necessary forms. When you get to the country, you will then need to finish the procedure. The disembarkation/embarkation card you received upon arrival in Singapore must be brought with you to your appointment with the ICA in order to accomplish this. There are two kinds of student visas available in Singapore.

For individuals up to the age of 19: For those who intend to attend a private university or college, the Singapore Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) will handle the processing of student pass applications directly.

Over the age of 20: If you want to enroll in commercial, fine arts, language, or vocational courses, you might need to go through an interview. 

Here is the list of documents students need to have to apply for a student visa in Singapore.
  • a passport that is currently valid for at least three months
  • Letter of acceptance from an IHL (Institute of Higher Learning)
  • original receipt for the visa application fee
  • Forms 16 and V36, which are used to apply for visas, must be completed.
  • Bank statements serve as evidence of your ability to pay for your education and living expenses. 
  • Academic transcripts (degrees, diplomas, certificates) from an Indian institute
  • Results of the GMAT, TOEFL, GRE, and (if applicable) PTE exams
  • a letter from a bank approving the loan, if a student loan is necessary. and proof of investments.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Engineering, computing/IT, design and creative arts, science, hotel management, MBA, medicine, architecture, and travel and tourism are some of the popular academic fields taught in Singapore. Finance, cybersecurity, entrepreneurship, digital media, and data analytics are some of the courses with the fastest-growing enrollments.

One of Asia's largest educational hubs, Singapore, is a fantastic choice for Indian students. In addition to having a multicultural, liberal, and active community, it has tuition that is relatively inexpensive. Indian students are particularly drawn to Singapore because it has some of the best universities in the world, high academic standards, and top-notch faculty. Singapore's economy is also booming, so qualified graduates can easily find employment there.

If you've chosen to pursue a Master's degree at a Singaporean university, you must compile the necessary paperwork to demonstrate that you meet the requirements of the institution. Give a personal statement, as well as your full name, address, and any qualifications you have previously held.

In Singapore, the application deadlines for master's programs are typically in the summer (June–July) or the winter (January–February). Do not forget that some universities do not have application deadlines, so you are free to submit your application whenever you are prepared.