Study In Singapore

Reasons to Study in Singapore

Also known as the Garden City, Singapore is one of the most sought-after destinations for Indian students who wish to study abroad. Despite being a small country, Singapore boasts of a stable economy, excellent infrastructure, high rate of employability, and well-developed education system. What attracts Indian students to Singapore is the cost of education which is low as compared to that of the US, UK and Australia. There are at least 34 universities in Singapore which attract students to experience its multicultural society, diverse student community, high quality of life, excellent education and technological advancements. Many international universities of repute have collaborated with the universities of Singapore to offer their globally recognised programmes at a relatively lower cost to South-East Asian students. 

Highlighted below are a few reasons why an international student may choose to study in Singapore.

Academic opportunities: Rapidly becoming a reputed centre of learning, Singapore has made advancements in leaps and bounds in the field of the education system during the last few years. The Singaporean government’s interest in making the country a leading destination for higher education in the world has helped establish some of the finest institutions of Asia. The educational institutions here emphasise on research and innovation and encourage students to acquire knowledge and skills that are imperative to work in a professional setting. 

Highlighted below is the list of some top universities of Singapore where international students may pursue their higher education.

List of top universities to study in Singapore

At Singapore universities, students are encouraged to pursue courses of their choice and opt for cross-disciplinary subjects, unlike Indian universities. They can study a number of subjects offered at different levels of studies such as Certificate, Diploma, Advanced Diploma, Bachelor’s degrees, Postgraduate Diplomas/Certificates, Master’s degree and Doctorate or PhD. Given below is the list of top courses offered in the universities of Singapore.

List of top 5 courses to study in Singapore

Career opportunities: The strong economy of Singapore has turned this tiny country into a global business hub where top-notch multinational companies have set up their businesses. The high quality of education laced with research and innovation is imparted to students studying in Singapore universities, and companies turn to these universities to acquire skilled talents in the form of interns or employees. This industry interaction with educational institutions helps students learn the necessary skills and gain work experience. In Singapore, students can pursue career after graduating from one of the accredited Singapore Institute of Higher Learning. They can apply for a one-year (non-renewable) long-term social visit pass at the ICA’s Social Visit Pass Unit and search for relevant employment. 

Given below is an overview of important features of Long-Term Visit Pass (LTVP).

• International students applying for LTVP must have studied at an Institute of Higher Learning (IHL) in Singapore. Click here for the list of all Singapore Institutes of Higher Learning.
• Graduates need to apply online for LTVP through the e-services of Immigration & Checkpoints Authority of Singapore at least 10 days before the expiration of Visit Pass. 
• A non-refundable processing fee of SGD 30 needs to be paid by the candidates applying for LTVP which is processed within 6 weeks. Additional payments are asked to be paid upon approval of application for Long-Term Visit Pass. These payments include SGD 60 for LTVP, SGD 30 for a Multiple Journey Visa (if applicable) and SGD 40 for extension (if applicable).
• ICA asks candidates to submit the following documents during the application process:
  • Academic certificate(s) showing the applicant’s highest level of qualification
  • Biodata page of applicant’s passport
  • Disembarkation/Embarkation (D/E) card
  • Recent passport-size, digital, colour photograph of the applicant taken within the last 3 months
• After getting LTVP, candidates can look for a job during the 12 months period. On getting a job offer, the employer puts forward the request for the work permit on behalf of the candidate.
• The kind of work permit depends on the salary of the applicants. Fresh graduates are generally eligible for ‘S Pass’ which allows them to work in Singapore for up to 2 years. Graduates who secure a job offer that pays over SGD 3,600 become eligible for Employment Pass.

Cost of living in Singapore: Being a commercial hub of the multinational companies, Singapore is a costly island country. So, aspiring students need to plan their budget for living in Singapore to keep a tight lid on their expenses. The living cost for a student includes accommodation, food, clothing, transportation, medical expenses, books & stationery, and other miscellaneous expenses. 

Given below is the average estimate of expenses incurred by international students in Singapore on a monthly basis.

Average Monthly Expenses in Singapore for Students

Study and work opportunity in Singapore: Most of the students who study abroad prefer to work on a part-time basis to cover some of their miscellaneous expenses incurred while living in a foreign country. Working while studying is not only beneficial financially, it also gives a boost to student’s confidence while handling new customers. Their communication and interpersonal skills get enhanced. While studying in Singapore, international students holding valid Student Visa are eligible to work on a part-time basis for up to 16 hours a week during the academic session and full-time during vacation. To be eligible to work, students must be registered as full-time students in one of the approved institutions of Singapore.

College application deadlines: One of the emerging destinations for quality higher education, Singapore attracts thousands of students every year who wish to study in one of its reputed institutions. This surge of students often leaves many students without any seats in any of the Singapore universities. To avoid this rush, international students need to know all the important dates pertaining to the admission cycle. They must submit their applications on time to avoid rejection due to late submission. Highlighted below are the important dates of top Singapore institutions where international students can pursue undergraduate or postgraduate courses. 

• Singapore Management University: Application for the coming academic year opens in the month of October and closes in the month of March.
• National University of Singapore: Application opens in the month of October and the submission deadline falls in the month of February/March.
• Nanyang Technological University: NTU allows two intakes – one for August semester and the other for January semester. For August intake, the application opens in the month of October and closes in the month of January. As for January intake, application opens in the month of June and closes in the month of July.

Note: The application timeline may vary as per the discretion of the admission department of the above-mentioned universities. 

How to apply for colleges in Singapore: Students wishing to study in Singapore must plan for their admission in a systematic way so as to avoid any last-minute rush. Given below are a few steps to help you prepare for your admission in a Singapore university/college.

Step 1: Students first need to choose the region and institution they wish to study in Singapore. They should also decide upon the courses they wish to pursue. 

Step 2: Next, the students should sort out their funding for education abroad. There are various loan options, scholarship facilities and grants available to help meritorious students pursue education in Singapore.

Step 3: Now, students need to be aware of the admission requirements in Singapore universities and see if they fulfil the eligibility criteria and have all the necessary documents that are needed for filling the online application form. If students need to take tests like TOEFL, IELTS, ACT or PTE, they should do so to receive the scores on time.

Step 4: After taking care of the above steps, students need to keep in mind that timely submission of admission form is beneficial. In case of any confusion regarding the application or admission process, reach out to the admission cells of the universities. They provide all the help a student needs to submit his/her application.

Step 5: Also, students should keep their passports updated to avoid any delay when the time for visa application arrives. Students should also gather information about student visa requirements beforehand. This keeps the whole process smooth and timely.

Step 6: The final step is to prepare to leave for Singapore. For this, students need to take care of their accommodation, travel plans and insurance. Planning every detail helps to avoid any hassle during the process of admission.

Top scholarships to study in Singapore: There are a number of scholarship opportunities available for international students who wish to study in Singapore.

Highlighted below are some popular scholarships availed by international students to study in Singapore.

List of scholarships to study in Singapore