Cost of Living in Singapore for Indian Students

Cost of living in Singapore is higher than in India. Singapore remains one of the premier study-abroad destinations in Asia for Indian students. However, living costs in the city-state are high. Students planning for the upcoming 2027 to 2028 academic intakes must budget carefully for housing deposits, daily meals, and local transit.

The average monthly cost of living in Singapore for an Indian student is SGD 1,550 (INR 1.15 lakh). Additionally, keep SGD 2,500 to SGD 3,200 (INR 1.85 Lakh to 2.37 Lakh) for house rent. This ammount in according to university Numbeo (a dedicated site for cost of living). Here we are keeping SGD 1 = INR 74.00.

Accommodation forms the single largest expense, consuming 50% to 60% of the monthly budget. This is natural, as Singapore is one of the top 10 most expensive cities in the world.

• Average Monthly Expenses: SGD 1,500 to SGD 2,550 (Depends on your spending habits and lifestyle).
• On-Campus / HDB Shared Rent: SGD 600 to SGD 1,200 per month.
• Food & Hawker Meals: SGD 450 to SGD 650 per month (hawker meals cost SGD 5 to SGD 8 per meal).
• Initial Setup & First-Month Buffer: SGD 2,500 to SGD 3,500 (covering rental deposit, registration fees, and dorm setup). This is an additional expense.
• Annual Tuition Fees: SGD 20,000 to SGD 50,000+ (significantly subsidised if awarded the MOE Tuition Grant).

If you have plans to study in Singapore, have an idea about expenses. In this blog, we are going to discuss all kinds of living expenses that you'll need to cover during your studies in Singapore.

Cost of Living in Singapore for Indian Students (Updated)

Note that rentals may vary by university, and the amount below is an average. House rent can vary widely. Also, the amounts shared are for students living at university hostels. A private room/ hostel would be costlier, and the costs keep increasing. Independent accommodation in private housing would cost you upwards of SGD 1000. If you can speak the languages of Singapore, then it will help you to bargain.

First Month Costs of Living for Students Planning to Study

During your first month, initial setup costs will be higher than standard recurring expenses due to advance rental deposits and administrative fees:

Starting with the basic expenses that worry every student before planning their study abroad trip, we present a simple tabulated average expense of necessities like accommodation, transport, and food.

Monthly Cost of Living for Students in Singapore

The monthly cost of living in Singapore depends on your accommodation, food choices, transport needs, and lifestyle. The following table provides an estimated budget for an international student living moderately in Singapore.

Note: INR conversions use an indicative exchange rate of SGD 1 = INR 74. These figures are planning estimates, not fixed prices. The total is calculated by adding the minimum and maximum of each expense category. Tuition fees, visa fees, air tickets, and other one-time expenses are excluded.

For a more realistic budget, check your university's official living-cost estimates and confirm accommodation prices before applying.

Food Expenses in Singapore

Food is an important part of your monthly budget when studying in Singapore. You can save money by eating at hawker centres, university canteens, and local food courts. The table below shows estimated prices for common meals and grocery items.

Source: Numbeo

Miscellaneous Expenses in Singapore

In addition to accommodation, food, and transport, you should budget for other expenses while studying in Singapore. These may include internet, mobile calls, books, personal care, healthcare, gym membership and entertainment.

Pre-Departure Essentials for Singapore:

Indian students moving to Singapore need an initial pre-departure budget of SGD 450 to SGD 1,100 (33,300 to 81,400) to cover visa fees, mandatory health insurance, and flight tickets before factoring in housing deposits.

• Student's Pass (STP) Fees: Total cost is SGD 135, which includes the processing fee, card issuance fee, and multiple-entry visa fee.
• Digital Pass Format: Singapore Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) issues an official Digital Student's Pass; physical plastic cards are no longer distributed.
• Health Insurance: Universities automatically bill compulsory group medical insurance (SGD 180 to SGD 350 per year) directly in your semester invoice.
• Airfare: Direct one-way flights from India cost between SGD 180 and SGD 350 (13,320 to 25,900) on carriers like Scoot, IndiGo, or Air India.
• Work Rights: Full-time students at approved public universities in Singapore (NUS, NTU, SMU, SUTD, SIT, SUSS) can work up to 16 hours per week during terms. Private college students cannot work unless enrolled in an approved industrial attachment.

Part-Time Work Rules for International Students

Holding a Student's Pass does not give you an automatic right to work. You should have a clear understanding of rules related to part time jobs in Singapore. The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) enforces distinct work rights based on your educational institution's category:

• Public Universities & Polytechnics (NUS, NTU, SMU, SUTD, SIT, SUSS): Registered full-time students can work up to 16 hours per week during semester terms and unlimited hours during scheduled term breaks without applying for a work pass.
• Private Education Institutions (PEIs): Students at private colleges (e.g., Kaplan, PSB Academy, MDIS) are strictly barred from working part-time or full-time, unless the course includes an official, MOM-approved industrial attachment program.
• Exchange Students: Inbound semester exchange students are not eligible for work pass exemptions.

Note: Never rely on projected part-time earnings to pay for your baseline tuition or rent. Immigration officers require proof of self-funding before granting study clearance.

Singapore Student’s Pass: Timeline and Cost Breakdown

All international students must apply for a Student's Pass (Singapore student visa) through the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) via the online SOLAR system.

1. SOLAR Enrolment (2 to 3 Months Prior): Your university registers your file on the SOLAR portal and provides your Application Reference Number.
2. Submit eForm 16 (1 to 2 Months Prior): Log in to the ICA portal, fill in your details, and pay the non-refundable processing fee of SGD 45.
3. In-Principle Approval (IPA) Letter: ICA issues your IPA letter within 10 to 14 business days. This official document functions as a single-entry visa to land at Changi Airport.
4. Arrival & Formalities (Within 30 Days): Complete your medical check-up (HIV and chest X-ray screening) at an approved clinic in Singapore, pay the issuance fees, and log into the ICA portal or the Singpass app to retrieve your official Digital Student’s Pass.

Pre-Departure Action Checklist

• Verify that your university has billed your mandatory Group Medical Insurance.
• Book your flight ticket early and register for airline student baggage schemes (often up to 40 kg).
• Check your university’s MOM status to confirm whether part-time work is legally allowed.
• Submit your ICA eForm 16 at least two months before classes start.
• Download and print two physical copies of your valid In-Principle Approval (IPA) letter for immigration clearance at the airport.
• Keep at least SGD 1,500 to SGD 2,000 in liquid funds via an international forex card to manage your initial days before opening a local Singapore bank account.

Cost of Studying in Singapore

Different universities set up different tuition fees for their courses in Singapore just like in any other country. How much a student would have to pay will depend upon the university location and chosen programme. It is recommended that students frequently visit the official website of the university for the latest info. Here is the table for the cost of studying in Singapore: