Singapore
Spotlight: Singapore
The Singapore Advantage
Globally Ranked Universities
NUS and NTU consistently rank in the world’s Top 20
Strategic Asian Location
Positioned at the heart of global trade and innovation, Gateway to Southeast Asia’s booming economies
Safe & Efficient City
Low crime, clean streets, world-class healthcare, and an excellent public transport network
Future-Ready Education
Strong emphasis on innovation, technology, and entrepreneurship, preparing graduates for tomorrow’s industries
Close to Home, Globally Connected
Just a short flight from India, while still offering a truly international experience
Career Opportunities
Access to global companies (Google, Facebook, Grab, DBS, etc.)
From School to University
How Singapore Study Works
| Topic 🎯 | What it means✔️ |
|---|---|
| Study Path | Kindergarten → Primary → Secondary → Post-Secondary → University |
| Undergraduate Routes | Bachelor’s in 3–4 years, Polytechnic Diploma holders can get advanced entry |
| Postgraduate Routes | Master’s (1–2 yrs, coursework/research), PhD (3–5+ yrs) |
| Intakes | Main intakes in August/September |
| Costs & Budget | Tuition (UG): SGD 25k–55k/yr, PG: SGD 20k–50k/yr. Living: plan SGD 1.2k–2k/mo |
Universities & Badges
Decode Singapore Universities in 10 Seconds
Autonomous Universities
National-level public universities, highly selective, globally ranked - NUS, NTU, SMU
Foreign University Campuses
Transnational Education hubs – James Cook University, ESSEC, Curtin, INSEAD
Private Education Institutions
major players partner with global universities - SIM Global Education, Kaplan, PSB Academy
Lifelong Learning & Professional Pathways
Adult upskilling & modular learning – NTUC LearningHub, SUSS (IAL), NUS SCALE
University of the Arts Singapore
first national arts university in Southeast Asia - LASALLE College of the Arts, NAFA
Polytechnics & ITE Pathways
Post-secondary institutions focused on applied learning - Singapore Poly, Temasek Poly, Republic Poly
Career-Linked Accreditations (your cheat-sheet)
| Subject | Badge to look for | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Engineering | EAB (IES), PEB | Ensures Washington Accord recognition |
| Law | SAL Specialist Accreditation, Ministry of Law | Certifies legal expertise, admission standards |
| Medicine | SMC, AHPC, SPC, OOB, SDC | Licensure for doctors |
| Architecture | BOA | Registration as licensed architects in Singapore |
| Psychology | SPS | Professional recognition for psychologists |
| Teaching | NIE / MOE | mandatory for teacher training & PGDE |
| Social Work | SWAAB | Accredits social work degrees & practice standards |
| Dietetics / Nutrition | SNDA | Recognizes accredited dietetics programs |
Apply • Qualify • Work
Am I Eligible? 🤔
| Academic Range | Competitive Scores | English Readiness | Waiver Policy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Most universities look for 85%+ | Strong grades in A-Levels / IB / GPA 3.5+ give an edge | IELTS 6.5–7.0 (competitive 7.5+), TOEFL 90–100+ | Possible if previous education was fully English-medium |
Course-Fit Boosters📈
| Subject | Test | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Teaching | NIE / MOE | Aligns with MOE standards and PGDE requirements |
| Engineering/Physics | EAB (IES) / PEB | Accredited under Washington Accord; required for PE registration |
| Social work | SWAAB | Ensures recognized qualifications for social workers |
| Architecture | BOA | Required for registration as professional architects |
| Health | SMC / AHPC / SPC / OOB / SDC | Mandatory for licensure in medical, dental & allied health fields |
From Campus to Career💼
| Stage | Permissions | Conditions | Key Considerations |
|---|---|---|---|
| During your degree | Up to 16 hrs/week (term) & full-time in vacations | On-campus or school-approved internships only | No freelancing, self-employment, or nightlife jobs |
| After completing degree | LTVP up to 1 year or WHP up to 6 months | For graduates from approved Singapore IHLs | For job search; non-renewable, varies by country |
| After Graduate Route | Employment Pass / S Pass | Valid job offer meeting salary threshold | Employer sponsorship required; renewable |
Passport To Possibility
Start
Undergraduate
Applications open: Oct2025 –Mar 2026
Postgraduate
Rolling admissions (best window Oct 2025 –Feb 2026)
Visa
- Student Pass (ICA SOLAR+)
- Apply after offer acceptance
- Upload eForm16 + documents
- ICA appointment (photo + fingerprints)
- 2–6 weeks → collect pass on arrival
Funds
- Tuition - UG SGD 10k–25k / PG SGD 18k–40k per year
- Living Expenses: SGD 10k–15k per year
Financial Rules:
- Accepted: Bank statements (3–6 month), loan letters, sponsor affidavits, scholarship letters
- Not accepted: property papers or unverified funds
Arrival
Pre-Departure Checklist:
- Passport, IPA letter, admission letter, flight & accommodation proof, financials, medical reports (if needed), cash (SGD 500–1,000).
At the Singapore Border:
- Show passport, IPA & proof of funds.
Short-term visit pass issued → Student Pass activated later at ICA.
