Your ultimate guide to study in Singapore

Your Ultimate

Guide to Study in

Singapore

INTRODUCTION

‘Singapore’ - a name that instantly brings to our mind the iconic image of the

white Merlion statue; an ultra modern fast-paced city with well-designed

buildings, luxurious shopping malls, and strict police officers going about their

duties. Singapore is not just a popular tourist destination but is also emerging as a

popular destination for students seeking affordable higher education.

This guide has been prepared to help you find answers to your questions on the

various higher education options available in Singapore.

We, at Hotcourses India, constantly innovate to offer you an excellent variety of

services that help you find the perfect institution and course. Be it assisted

applications, detailed course-listings, prospectus links, institution information,

scholarships or the student community-centric Q&A forum; Hotcourses India

guides you at every step.

This ebook has been designed with inputs from experts from the education-

support services community and answers various important questions asked by

students aspiring to study in Singapore.

Right from the admissions process to scholarships and visa approval we have

attempted to offer you detailed answers to all your queries about studying in

Singapore. Do read this guide and let us know if you would like to us to add

anything specific about higher education in Singapore.

All the best!!!!

CONTENT

Why should a student consider Singapore as a study destination? - 5

What would be the average cost of education in Singapore? - 7

When does the academic semester start? Which is the best semester to apply? - 9

What are the main eligibility tests required to study in Singapore? - 13

How to apply to Universities in Singapore? What is the process? - 15

Document list - What you need to submit with your application? - 18

Financial support for studying in Singapore - 20

Securing a student visa - 24

CHAPTER 1

Why should a student

consider Singapore as a

study destination?

• Studying in Singapore offers world-class education at an economical

price.

• A vibrant city lifestyle.

• One of the safest cities in the world with its amazingly low crime rates.

• Excellent Infrastructure and Accessibility.

• The cost of living is comparatively lower than that of other countries

like US and UK.

• Singapore has a promisingly stable economy which doesn’t show

much fluctuation in job markets and does not have many variations in

work permit regulations.

• Most educational institutions in Singapore offer foreign students the

needed support so that they feel right at home.

• Many of the world’s leading foreign universities have also established

their satellite study centres in Singapore. These universities have either

set up a physical campus or have joint collaborations/programmes

with local universities.

Singapore has become one of the most happening cities for higher education

globally. The Garden City-State has ranked 12th globally as per QS Best Student

Cities ranking. This island is quite a promising option for any international student

and this ranking is proof of that.

Get free advice on study abroad Call us @ 1-800-103-9634(toll free)

5Your ultimate guide to study in singapore

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CHAPTER 2

What would be the

average cost of

education in Singapore?

Undergraduate Studies

Universities : 13,000.00 – 18,000.00 SNG$ per year

Colleges : 10,000.00 – 15,000.00 SNG$ per year

Postgraduate Studies

Universities : 15,000 .00 – 22, 000.00 SNG$ per year

Colleges : 12, 000.00 – 18,000.00 SNG$ per year

One of the benefits that most foreign students enjoy while educating in

Singapore is that tuition fees in the Asian continent are affordable. Besides, the

country’s cost of living is lower in comparison to other developed countries like

UK and USA. After studying for the entire day, when you need a break from your

mundane routine, several educational institutions offer foreign students

entertainment options like sports and take you to myriad fascinating sights.

Tuition Fees

When it comes to average living expenses in Singapore, the amount could vary

largely from individual to individual and depends on your chosen standard of

living. The average amount could be:



An international student in Singapore spends on average about SGD 750 to SGD

2,000 a month on living expenses.

Item Average per month in Singapore Dollars

Accommodation

SGD 200 - SGD 1,500 (rentals vary with

geographical area, type of accommodation,

demand, facilities provided and the number of

people sharing)

Utilities SGD 50 – SGD 80

Food SGD 200 – SGD 450

Public transportSGD 40 – SGD 100 (varies with types of student

concession pass)

TelecommunicationsSGD 30 – SGD 50(varies with usage and

package)

Books & Stationery SGD 30 – SGD 100(varies with courses)

Medical Hospitalisation

InsuranceSGD 5 – SGD 8

Personal expenses SGD 100 – SGD 200(varies with individuals)

Estimated SGD 750 – SGD 2,000

Source: http://www.siecindia.com/singapore%20studyabroad%20faq.php#05

Cost of Living



http://www.siecindia.com/singapore studyabroad faq.php

Normally the duration of an undergraduate course is 3 years and for professional

courses is 4 years and for postgraduate courses the duration will be 1 year to 15

months.. Fast track programs which make it possible for college and university

students to finish their degrees sooner may also be available (usually UG in two

years) and it depends upon the university which the student has opted to study.

Course durations may vary, so it’s important to investigate these on a school-by-

school basis. Again, every college or university is different, so it’s important to

perform research based on particular schools.

“Course duration ranges from 3 to 4 years for undergraduate courses and 1 year or more for postgraduate courses”

Course Duration



CHAPTER 3

When does the academic

semester start every year?

Which is the best semester

to apply?

Popular universities like National University of Singapore and Nanyang

Technological University have their intakes in the month of September. Other

institutes like Management Development Institute of Singapore, Polytechnic

Institute and Singapore Institute of Management have multiple intakes in a year.

As they have intakes every quarter, students will not miss out on applying for

courses in these universities.

Generally the September intake offers a wider choice of programmes, the

admission success rate will also be high. The chances of getting scholarships are

also high during this intake.

Application start-date will be 3 months for private institutions and 1 year for

government universities prior to the start date of the program. For government

universities, students should always check the deadline on the university

website. Normally for September intake, December will be the first deadline and

the second deadline will be in the month of March.



CHAPTER 4

What are the main

eligibility tests required to

study in Singapore?

To be eligible for undergraduate admission in Singapore, students will generally

need to produce 10th and 12th scores , and must have IELTS and TOEFL scores of

6.5-7 or 90-100 to prove their English proficiency. Students, who would like to apply

to the NUS, must acquire good SAT scores for state board students,

recommendation letters, and an SOP.

To be eligible for postgraduate admission, students generally need to produce 10th

and 12th and bachelor’s mark sheets. For students who’ve completed master’s

degrees, masters mark sheets must also be submitted. Postgraduate applicants

must write an SOP that is more specific and career and goal oriented, compared

to the SOP that would be required for undergraduate applicant, and two

recommendation letters, and a CV (mandatory for MS and MBA students)

detailing what they’ve been doing and a snap shot of who they are as individuals.

IELTS, TOEFL, and GRE scores (NTU and NSU) may be required depending on the

program chosen. For management universities such as SMU, the GMAT is also

required for their MBA program.

Minimum scores:

IELTS : 6.5 – each section not less than 5.5

TOEFL : 90 and above

GMAT : 700 +

GRE : 300 +

*The minimum exam score may vary from institution to institution, it is better to

check the exact score directly with the institution you are interested to apply.



CHAPTER 5

How to apply to

Universities in Singapore?

What is the process?

Complete research of

Universities and Course

Test Preparation

Online Application Form

Upload & Send Documents

Track ApplicationAdmission Interview

Though admission procedures vary from one university to the next, most decide

admission based on certain criteria, counting a student's high school course of

study, high school Grade Point Average (GPA), contribution in extracurricular

activities, IELTS/TOEFL scores, a written essay followed by a personal interview.

Each university will set their own application deadlines and fees, as well as

admissions requirements. Fortunately, most application forms follow a similar

format that allows you to reuse or adapt some of your application materials.

Admission process



CHAPTER 7

Document List - What you

need to submit with your

application?

Once you have all the right documents, re-check it as many times as you

want. Have attested copies of all the documents in a folder and arrange it

according to the check list. This will help you organize your application

better.

You will have to submit the following documents along

with your application form:

Application form

Academic transcripts

Statement of Purpose (SOP)

Letter of Recommendation (LOR)

Copy of passport and any other documents

requested by the University.

Work Experience letter ( if applicable)



CHAPTER 8

Financial support for

studying in Singapore

Scholarships from Universities:

Many Indian trusts have collaborated with Singapore educational institutions to

provide scholarships to Indian students. Check out the scholarship database to

find out more about specific scholarships and their eligibility criteria.

Scholarships from Singapore Government:

The Singapore Government also offers scholarships for international students to

encourage higher studies in Singapore under the department of Ministry of

Education.

e.g.: A*STAR India Youth Scholarship especially for Indian students.

Private Funds:

Private funds are also available for international students eg: Singapore

Millennium Foundation offers up to SGD 6000 as financial aid. These scholarships

are provided to international students depending on their academic

background and financial background. Students aiming for scholarships must

plan in advance and apply well in time and ensure that they meet the

scholarship eligibility requirements.



http://www.uniguru.co.in/studyabroad/international-scholarships/singapore/qn/cn/168/qid/catid/scholarship1.html?campaign=8083&utm_source=Landing+Page&utm_medium=ebook&utm_campaign=Singapore+study+guide+ebook+download

http://www.moe.gov.sg/education/scholarships/astar/

http://www.smf-scholar.org/Apps/sms.nsf/ApIE?OpenFrameSet

CHAPTER 9

Securing a student visa

* Processing takes 4 to 6 working weeks

Once you accept the offer letter and pay the tuition fee, the University will update your information in SOLAR and they

will provide you the SOLAR registration number

Submit a new application for a Student Pass through the

Student’s Pass On-Line Application & Registration

(SOLAR) system

Print a copy of the eForm for submission to the Student’s Pass Unit, ICA, to complete

formalities for the issuance of a Student’s Pass (if the

application is successful).

Successful applicants will be issued with an in-principle

approval (IPA) letter by ICA.

www.ica.gov.sg – Immigration Checkpoint authority

SGD 30 Processing Fee & SGD 60 Issuance Fee are

applicable throughout the visa process

To apply for a Student’s Pass, an international student must first be accepted

and offered a place as a full-time matriculated or registered student in

University.



https://www.psi.gov.sg/NASApp/tmf/TMFServlet?app=SIR-SOLAR-Welcome&isNew=true&Reload=true

http://www.ica.gov.sg/

The documents needed for a student visa are:-

The student’s valid passport. A copy of the passport particulars page

must be submitted;

The Disembarkation/Embarkation card of the student, granted on entry

into Singapore. If the student is currently residing in Singapore on other

long term passes, he/she is required to bring along that pass;

One recent colour passport-sized photograph (taken on white

background);

The printout of eForm 16 submitted through SOLAR (duly signed by the

applicant);

A copy of the in-principle approval letter; and

A medical report in the prescribed format (available on ICA’s website)

Documents Required for Singapore Student Visa

Once the student receives the offer letter he/she has to pay the tuition fee and

prepare the documents for study permit.



After completion of studies, students having a university qualification are granted

an Employment Pass Eligibility Certificate (EPEC). This makes them eligible to stay in

Singapore for 1 year to search a job. Once a student gets a job the student will get

a work permit.

Work permit



Your ultimate guide to study in Singapore

Education

Transcript of Your ultimate guide to study in Singapore