Study in Singapore – A guide for International Students
Why Singapore
Singapore is known for its high-quality education in every discipline. Singapore’s economy attracts multinational companies of many countries that generate employment. In addition to the highly competitive local universities, a number of international institutes have set up campuses in Singapore offering a range of options for every student. Some programs have inbuilt internships or industry partnerships that make students employable.
- With a strategic location right in the heart of South East Asia, the influences of the east and the west converge here thus exposing the student to a multicultural environment.
- Singapore is a developed nation with a high standard of living.
- The same standard of education and living at a lower cost as compared to the west.
- Many universities from all over the world have set up campuses and collaborations in Singapore
- Singapore’s National universities like NTU/NUS/SMU are amongst the highly-rated universities in the world. Singapore is close to home being just 5 hours away by flight.
- Safety: The Singapore Government takes law and order very seriously and strict action is taken against any offenders as a result of which crime rate is very low. It is considered to be one of the safest destinations in the world.
Application Process
There are 3 major intakes –
- Feb/March
- July/ August
- Oct/Nov
Most institutes have an application fee ranging between 250-500SG$. The average offer letter turnaround is 2-4 weeks.
Cost of Studying
The living costs in Singapore are between 12000 to 14000 SG$.
The tuition fees are –
- UG 20,000-30,000 SG$ pr year
- PG 25,000-35,000 SG$ Pr year
The lower costs of living and proximity to home make it an attractive alternative to studying in the United Kingdom or the United States. The PEIs offer degrees from these countries at a much lower tuition fee than at the main campus. The degrees you would get would be similar to if you were studying in the main campuses of these universities in the UK, Australia, or the United States.
Living
There are several accommodation options available to students. The institutions will help in organizing the accommodation for you which could be in private apartments or halls of residence.
Students can consider private hostels or renting private housing options like – landed property, apartments, condominiums, and serviced apartments. A more affordable option in this category is to rent privately from tenants of the Housing Development Board (HDB) flats.
Choosing the right education program and finding the best university to study in Singapore play a vital role in your future success. Along with this, choosing the right education consultant that can guide you towards your goal is also important.
Find the best universities to study in Singapore with 3RDiConsulting. Offering a unique boutique counselling & mentoring approach, we guide our students towards the path of success.
Student Visa or Pass
After receiving an acceptance letter from the institution of your choice, you can apply for a student’s pass or visa. This is so you are eligible to stay in Singapore during your study. It is important to note that the acceptance letter is valid for 2 weeks only. Therefore, the visa application is made once you receive the letter. You should apply for the visa at the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) of Singapore. The application can be done online through SOLAR (Student’s Pass Online Application & Registration) system. Applying for a visa will require cost. The processing fee is USD 30 or INR 1,131.53. There is also an additional issuance fee. You will be required to pay USD 60 or INR 2,262.91. Having English proficiency is a must. You need to have a TOEFL or IELTS certificate to demonstrate your English language skill. Click here to visit the website of the ICA.
Work Permit
Students are allowed to find part-time jobs to earn extra income during their stay in Singapore. There are many companies that offer work opportunity that can help the students financially. However, there are several requirements regulated the Ministry of Manpower (MOM). Students are required to have a work permit in order to find a part-time job. Visit this link to find a list of institutions that allow foreign students to find part-time work. If you are on a scholarship program, make sure you ask permission from your sponsor before looking for a job.
Types of work permit:
- Training Work Permit
- Training Employment Pass
- Work Holiday Programme (WHP)
Top Institutions
- National University Singapore
- Singapore Management University
- Nanyang Technological University
- Singapore Institute of Management
- LaSalle College of Art & Design
- PSB Academy
- S P Jain Global
- MDIS