Study in Singapore

ABOUT SINGAPORE

The Republic of Singapore is a sovereign island city state located in Southeast Asia. With 63 satellite islands and islets, it stands to be the world’s third greatest populated country by density. Its multicultural population and recognition for cultural identities could be well seen from its recognition of four official languages which include English, Malay, Mandarin and Tamil. Its tropical climate characteristics makes the country experience abundant rainfall, high and uniform temperatures, and high humidity all year round. While it may be small, it ranks very highly in key social indicators which include education, healthcare, quality of life, personal safety and housing. Its contribution to the international community comes from its active role in organizations like ASEAN, APEC, UN, World Trade Organization and the Commonwealth of Nations.   

 

HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM IN SINGAPORE 

The Higher Education structure in Singapore can be best described as a culmination of three different cycles. They are: 

 

The Bachelor’s or the first cycle: For students graduating fresh out of school, the Higher Education system in the country gives students an undergraduate degree in a variety of fields that they may have interest in. Singapore hosts some of the finest universities that offer bachelor degree courses in applied sciences, arts, business management, IT, education, engineering, environmental sciences, hospitality, humanities, journalism, law, medicine, natural sciences and social sciences. The degree might take upto 3 years to complete depending on the course. 

 

Requirement to study Bachelor’s in Singapore: 

  • Successful completion of class 12 with 60% and above
  • IELTS overall score of 6.5 and above, or a TOEFL overall score of 80 and above 

 

Master’s or the second cycle: After the successful completion of their bachelor’s degree, students may choose a variety of master’s courses that Singapore provides based on their subject of interest and dream career ahead. These include applied sciences, arts, business management, IT, education, engineering, environmental sciences, hospitality, humanities, journalism, law, medicine, natural sciences and social sciences. While the degree may take upto 1-2 years to complete depending on the course, students are often taught through seminars, exercises, practical workshops, field trips and research. These help them to not only prepare for a professional career but also an academic career if they choose to later in life. 

 

Requirement to study Master’s in Singapore: 

  • Successful completion of class 12 with 60% and above
  • Successful completion of bachelor’s with 60% and above
  • IELTS overall score of 7.5 and above, or a TOEFL overall score of 90 and above. 

 

Doctoral degree or the third cycle: After the successful completion of their master’s degree, international students in Singapore can also apply for a doctoral degree which all universities offer in the country. Students are expected to conduct independent research under direct academic supervision which is later subject to approval by a panel of experts appointed by the university. While the degree may take upto 2-5 years to complete, students are also given a financial grant that will help them stay and continue research in the country. 

 

Requirement to study PhD in Singapore: 

  • Successful completion of class 12 with 60% and above
  • Successful completion of bachelor’s with 60% and above
  • Successful completion of master’s with 60% and above
  • Independent research idea 
  • IELTS overall score of 7.5 and above, or a TOEFL overall score of 90 and above 

 

Cost of studying in Singapore

Any program under the subsidized educational degree in a public university may cost students roughly SDG 8000 – 9000 (around INR 400000 – 490000) per year. Non subsidized educational programs may cost students upto SDG 10000 (around INR 550000) per year. In addition, students can find affordable SDG 950 – 2700 (around INR 52000 – 149000) per month which should include all other amenities. 

 

WORK OPPORTUNITIES 

Unlike other countries, Singapore does not allow international students to join part time work opportunities beyond their academic curriculum. Students are only allowed to intern or train in organizations that share the same industry as the student pursuing his education in. In such cases, the student is allowed to work for 16 hours per week. 

However, after they graduate, Singapore’s economic excellence provides a variety of opportunities for students to find employment in. Students who have already been provided an employment opportunity can apply for an employment pass which will assure a long term stay in the country based on their employment contract. Students who would require some time to find the perfect employment opportunity can instead apply for a Long Term Visit Pass which allows them a 1 year period of stay in the country to find their choice of employment. 

 

VISA REQUIREMENTS 

To obtain a student visa for Singapore, an applicant must submit: 

  • A passport that is valid through out their planned stay
  • A letter of acceptance from any Singapore University 
  • Proof of sufficient funds to sustain their stay in the country 
  • Proof of health insurance

 

SCHOLARSHIPS 

While Universities may have their own set of scholarships, the government and nongovernmental organizations have been recently very proactive in providing financial assistance to international students. Most notably, the Singapore International Graduate Award, the ABD-Japan Scholarship for Developing Countries and Commonwealth Scholarship for Integrated Science have been availed by many students to pursue their education in the country.