Study in Singapore
If you're looking to study at a university in Singapore, you will find many study degrees, offering top-tier education in a modern, dynamic city-state. With modern teaching tools, technology and research facilities, Singapore's universities deliver top-quality courses that nurture your creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship. Strong links between universities and neighbouring industries also ensure relevant courses for you to gain valuable practical skills.
Singapore is an open and cosmopolitan city-state and island country that welcomes more than 86,000 international students from 120 nationalities every year. As a choice destination for advanced education, Singapore is unique in providing a safe and stimulating environment to develop the next generation of world leaders.
Why study in Singapore?
1. Local universities are among the best in the world
Singapore is known as an important business and education hub. With that in mind, it's hardly surprising that local universities are ranked among the best in the world, often earning their places in the top 15 best higher education institutions.
Universities in Singapore are especially renowned for their courses in Business and Management.
2. English is widely spoken
You don't need to worry about language barriers while studying in Singapore. English is spoken almost everywhere, from restaurants to banks, from public institutions to shopping centres, and so on.
According to recent data, English has actually become the most commonly spoken language in Singaporean homes.
3. Advantageous scholarships and government subsidies
There's no way around it: tuition fees in Singapore are high. But that shouldn't discourage you. As an international student, you can apply for government subsidies, which significantly reduce the costs of your education.
Scholarships are another excellent option to lower your expenses. You can contact the universities for more details or check out scholarship opportunities on Mastersportal.
4. Singapore is one of the most prosperous states
Singapore has developed a stable and healthy economy, based on a solid infrastructure and the proper implementation of modern technology. This fact makes the island city-state an attractive destination for people who want to earn high wages and enjoy a high living standard.
In 2020, for example, the average salary in Singapore was around 5,700 USD per month. So if you plan to stay here after graduation, you'll be fairly compensated for your work and knowledge.
5. Fun activities and attractions will keep you entertained
After you finish classes, Singapore offers a wide range of activities and places where you can relax and enjoy your free time. From restaurants to parks, from museums to cinemas — it's all there, waiting for you.
We recommend visiting the Marina Bay Sands, the Gardens by the Bay, the Orchard Road, the Singapore Flyer, Sentosa Island, the Asia Civilisations Museum, etc.
Which universities and colleges to attend in Singapore?
Higher education institutions in Singapore are divided as follows:
- 6 public universities
- 5 polytechnics
- 2 art institutions
- around 15 private universities
Singapore's higher education institutions offer a wide range of education programmes to both local and international students. Private universities offer special pathway programmes dedicated to international students. Many of them include study exchange programmes through partnerships with overseas universities.
Examples of universities in Singapore we recommend:
- National University of Singapore (NUS)
- Nanyang Technological University
- Singapore Management University
- Singapore University of Technology and Design
- Emeritus Institute of Management
What is it like to study in Singapore?
Over the years, Singapore has evolved from its traditional British-based education system to one catered to the needs of individuals and nurtures talent. The strength of Singapore's education system lies in its broad-based curriculum.
Students acquire relevant skills and abilities to succeed in competitive international environments.
What to study in Singapore?
Universities in Singapore provide undergraduate and graduate degrees in almost any field you can imagine. You can pursue a degree in Business, Engineering, Languages, or Social Sciences.
Here are some of the most popular study options in Singapore
How to apply
All universities in Singapore have a website with a simple and straightforward online application process.
You simply have to choose the degree(s) you wish to enrol in and submit all required documents.
Carefully check all the required application documents and make sure they are all translated into English. For instance, an internationally recognised Bachelor's degree or equivalent is the main requirement when enrolling for a Master’s degree at a university in Singapore.
- Make sure to know what the language requirements are, and whether you need to prove skills in English before enrolling in a degree programme.
- Show how you performed as a student, and be sure to know what your Grade Point Average (GPA) was during your studies.
- To help your chances of going to Singapore, be sure to apply to more than one university!
How to qualify for a University in Singapore?
Take Preparation Courses
These kinds of courses enable degree-seeking students to get an extra educational boost just before they start their Master’s degree or other post-graduate degree programmes.
Try a pre-M.B.A., pre-Law, or pre-Medicine programme, as well as any other foundation or preparation courses that will allow you to study in the degree programme of your choice.
Improve your English through an English-language prep course
If you’re attending a degree programme in Singapore, you will sometimes need to prove that your language skills are good enough to participate in the classes and understand the lectures. These courses will also prepare you for any of the English-language tests that universities require.
English-language tests
There are over 150 English-taught programmes in Singapore.
Universities in Singapore will want to see proof that you have good English-language skills, so that you can easily succeed in their courses. Almost all Singapore universities accept these official English exams:
- PTE Academic
- IELTS
- TOEFL
- C1 Advanced
Many study programmes have a bilingual policy, combining English with Malay, Mandarin or Tamil study languages.
Living in Singapore
Let's take a closer look at tuition fees and living costs in Singapore:
Tuition fees
There is no online database with average fees at universities in Singapore. Still, international students should know that studying here is anything but cheap. Let's take the National University of Singapore (NUS) as an example:
- Tuition for Bachelor's degrees: 17,750–24,300 EUR/year; Degrees in Medicine, Dentistry, and Music cost between 75,700–99,450 EUR/year
- Tuition for Master's degrees: 22,200–40,800 EUR/year; Dentistry degrees costs around 59,600 EUR/year
These fees can change every year; always check the official university page to see how much you need to pay. As an international student, you can apply for a subsidy from the Singapore Ministry of Education (MOE) and significantly reduce your tuition costs.
If you enrol at a private university in Singapore be prepared to pay even higher tuition fees.
Living costs
Due to the high standard of life, the costs of living are also high in Singapore. As an international student, you can spend anywhere between 700 and 1,500 EUR per month, depending on the type of housing and your lifestyle.
Here's a breakdown of average living expenses in Singapore:
- accommodation (on-campus housing): 200–385 EUR/month
- accommodation (privately rented flat): 1,100–3,300 EUR/month
- utilities (only if you rent a flat): 80–140 EUR/month
- food and groceries: 175–275 EUR
- monthly transport pass: 75 EUR; students may get a discount
- three-course meal for two at a mid-range restaurant: 43.50 EUR
- 1 loaf of bread: 1.40 EUR
- 1 litre of milk: 1.90 EUR
- 1 kg of apples: 2.80 EUR
- 1 kg of bananas: 2.10 EUR
- 1 cappuccino: 3.50 EUR
About Singapore
Located in Southeast Asia, Singapore has a land area of about 710 square kilometres – one of the smallest countries in the world and the smallest in the region. Singapore commands an enormous presence in the world today with its free trade economy and highly efficient workforce.
Singapore is the fourth biggest commercial centre in the world, with major economic sectors in: trade, financial services, oil and petroleum refining, electronics manufacturing, biomedicine, and tourism.
Although Tamil is the main official language in Singapore, English is the main language of instruction, and also the second mother tongue for Singapore people. Singapore is home to a mix of four major communities: the Chinese, Malay, Indian, and Eurasian.
Typically, Singapore has just one season all year round, where you will experience a warm but humid weather, and many rainfalls.
Iconic places to visit
Singapore is a bustling, cosmopolitan place, offering wide and diverse leisure options. From high-rise buildings, to landscaped gardens, to a vibrant nightlife and numerous shopping centres, no one can get bored in Singapore.
Here are some of Singapore’s top attractions:
- Gardens by the Bay
- Buddha Temple and Museum
- ArtScience Museum
- Civilian War Memorial
- The triple-towered Marina Bay Sands
- Sri Mariamman Temple
- Sultan Mosque
- Singapore Zoo
Fun facts
- During the 14th century, the small but strategically-located island of Singapore was named “The Lion City” or Singapura.
- Singapore is one of the three city-states in the world; the others are Vatican and Monaco.
- According to a study by the British Council, Singaporeans have the fastest walking speed of all people worldwide. On average, they can walk about 6.15 km in an hour.
- The world’s first night zoo, The Night Safari, is in Singapore.
- The largest fountain in the world is in Singapore, at the heart of Suntec City.
- The longest human domino chain was set in Singapore in 2000.
- Singapore is also a Commonwealth member, and for this reason, Singapore citizens have rights to vote in all elections in the U.K..
Universities, colleges and schools in Singapore
Singapore
- National University of Singapore (60 PhDs)
- Singapore University of Technology and Design (3 PhDs)
- James Cook University (12 PhDs)
- Singapore Management University (15 PhDs)
- Nanyang Technological University (26 PhDs)
Interested in scholarships for Singapore? Check out our scholarship search page.
How to Apply to a Master's in Singapore
If you've decided to study a Master's degree at a university in Singapore, you will have to gather the right documents to prove that you fit the university requirements. Provide complete personal information, previous qualifications, financial information, and a personal statement.
What documents do I need to provide to apply in Singapore?
To apply to a university in Singapore you will likely be asked to provide some of the following documents:
- birth certificate;
- recent photos;
- your passport or national identity card;
- one or more reference letters from past employers or teachers;
- copies of past diplomas or certificates, including your graduated Bachelor's degree;
- academic transcripts;
- letter of intent;
- Curriculum Vitae;
- Some form of proof that you can support your stay in the country during your studies.
Depending on the subject or specialization of your chosen Master's, you might also be asked to provide scores for additional tests like the GRE, GMAT or LSAT. Check if your programme requires any of these, or others.
The list of documents depends on the specific requirements of universities in Singapore so you might be asked to include additional documents. It’s also likely you’ll have to provide official English translations of your documents, or translations in the local language.
Prove your English skills
Because you’ll study an international degree in English, you'll have to present a language certificate. Some popular options for international students are IELTS, TOEFL or C1 Advanced language certificates. You’ll have to meet a minimum language score set by the university, and your test scores shouldn’t be older than 1-2 years. If you don’t meet the minimum language requirements, you will have to improve your skills and scores by taking an English preparation course.
Application deadlines for Singapore
The deadlines for applying to a Master's in Singapore are usually during summer (June-July), or in winter (January-February). Keep in mind that some universities don’t have application deadlines, which means you can apply whenever you are ready.
To avoid delays or missed deadlines send your required documents with plenty of time in advance.