Affordable Universities in Singapore
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Affordable Universities in Singapore

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Raj Vimal
Assistant Manager Editorial
Updated on Oct 16, 2025 11:46 IST

Is there any cheap university in Singapore for international students? Yes, there are multiple universities in Singapore where you can pursue your desired course without breaking the bank. Also, degrees offered by these universities are valid in many countries including India.

Affordable Universities in Singapore

The government of Singapore invests a good amount in improving the education system of the country. Multiple affordable universities in Singapore offer education at low tuition fees. Most of these universities receive government subsidies to reduce the overall tuition fees. For example: the National University of Singapore (NUS) is a public university that ranks in the list of top 10 universities in the world.

Tuition fees cover a big part of the overall study abroad budget. Getting a university where you can pursue higher education at a budget-friendly tuition fee can help you manage your finances. Check out this blog to know about affordable universities in Singapore.

Table of content
  • Affordable and Cheap Universities in Singapore
  • National University of Singapore (NUS)
  • Nanyang Technological University
  • Singapore Management University
  • Singapore University of Technology & Design
  • Republic Polytechnic
  • Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA)
  • Temasek Polytechnic
  • Tuition Fees for Top Courses in Singapore
  • Affordable and Cheap Universities in Singapore FAQs
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Affordable and Cheap Universities in Singapore

List of some of the cheap and affordable universities in Singapore:

  • National University of Singapore (NUS)
  • Nanyang Technological University
  • Singapore Management University
  • Singapore University of Technology & Design
  • Republic Polytechnic
  • Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts
  • Temasek Polytechnic

National University of Singapore (NUS)

Nanyang Technological University (NTU) is one of best universities in Singapore. NTU Ranking is 31 mentioned in THE WUR 2026. It is second best university in country. Total 30,000 local and international students are studying here. Tuition fee starts here from SGD 17,800 per year. Fee for medical course is higher than regular courses.

Nanyang Technological University

Nanyang Technological University (NTU) is one of the best higher education institutes in Singapore. In addition, it is the second-best university in Singapore after NUS. It is home to almost 30,000 local and international students. It has been ranked at the 15th position in the QS World University Rankings 2025. The tuition fee starts from S$17,800 and can go up to S$77,600 for a few medical courses.

Singapore Management University

Relatively Young Singapore Management University (SMU) is a private university established in 2000. It follows the American curriculum, so, candidates can have knowledge of the global level in Asia only. As SMU has collaborated with the Wharton School of Business, its business programs are modelled after it. It has been ranked at 440th position on the QS World University Rankings 2025. Annual fees for international students start from $24,850 and go up to $27,400.

Singapore University of Technology & Design

Ten years old Singapore University of Technology and Design is a private institution that has collaborated with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. As the curriculum of the institute was developed in collaboration with MIT, students can finish their 4-year degree in three and a half years. Also, foundation programs are mandatory at SUTD, so, students have a strong base for their course studies. Annual fees for international students here are S$29,900.

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Republic Polytechnic

Established in 2002, Republic Polytechnic (RP) is home to more than 13,000 students. The institute is known for offering problem-based learning techniques for all its courses. It offers diploma courses in different areas ranging from hospitality to engineering, media, communication, and healthcare. The fees for international students are S$11,400 annually.

Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA)

Founded in 1938, Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts is an open institution. It is a private institution that offers publicly-funded diploma courses in Arts. It offers a music degree program in partnership with the Royal College of Music, London (RCM). The fee for Diploma courses is around S$8,200 annually.







Temasek Polytechnic

Temasek Polytechnic is an open institution and is the third institute of technology in Singapore. Temasek Polytechnic is known for offering courses in design and law which are difficult to find in other similar institutes. It is the only technological academy in Singapore to have a Centre for Trans-cultural Studies. Temasek offers diploma, full-time, and specialization programmes. Annual fees for international students are around S$11,900 for full-time diploma courses.

Tuition Fees for Top Courses in Singapore

Here, we have mentioned course-wise tuition fees in different universities of Singapore:

Institute Tuition Fees
National University of Singapore

UG Business: S$20,850 (INR 12,68,204.17) Per Annum

UG Computing: S$17,800 (INR 10,82,687.49) Per Annum

UG Law: S$27,400 (INR 16,66,608.84) Per Annum

UG Medicine (Nursing): S$19,350 (INR 11,76,966.46) Per Annum

UG Medicine (Except Nursing): S$68,950 (INR 41,93,893.40) Per Annum

UG Science (Pharmacy): S$19,650 (INR 11,95,214.00) Per Annum

PG Dentistry/Medicine: S$34,950 (INR 21,25,838.64) Per Annum

PG Nursing: S$21,150 (INR 12,86,451.71) Per Annum

Nanyang Technological University

UG Accountancy/Business/Accountancy & Business/Business & Computing/Business & Computer Engineering: S$20,400 (INR 12,40,832.86) Per Annum

UG Medicine: S$77,600 (INR 47,20,030.86) Per Annum

UG Renaissance Engineering Programme: S$38,759 (INR 23,57,521.60) Per Annum

All other UG courses: S$17,800 (INR 10,82,687.49) Per Annum

Singapore Management University

UG Accountancy/Business Management/Science (Economics)/ Science (Computing & Law)/Computer Science/Social Sciences: S$24,850 (INR 15,11,504.73) Per Annum

UG Law: S$27,400 (INR 16,66,608.84) Per Annum

Singapore University of Technology & Design

Per academic year: S$29,900 (INR 18,18,671.69)

Per term: S$14,950 (INR 9,09,335.84) 

Temasek Polytechnic

Diploma: S$11,900 (INR 7,23,819.17)

Can I Study for Free in Singapore?

Few Singapore universities offer free education, however, that is limited to students of Singapore origin. International students need to pay tuition fees; however, they can get a scholarship or any kind of subsidy. 

Affordable and Cheap Universities in Singapore FAQs

Q. Is Singapore cheaper than the US?

A. Yes. Cost of pursuing academics in Singapore is less than that in the US. However, a lot depends on the course as well. Broadly speaking, Singapore is more affordable than the US.

Q. Is Singapore good for studies?

A. Absolutely yes! Singaporean universities are some of the top ranked universities in the world. Moreover, the quality of academics offered at the universities in Singapore is not less than that in the US or UK. If you happen to get admitted in National University of Singapore or Nanyang Technological University, you should opt for them.

Q. How can I reduce the cost of pursuing academics in Singapore?

A. Studying abroad can be a costly affair. Moreover, there are inflationary pressures as well. In order to reduce the cost of studying in Singapore, you can apply for scholarships. Different universities offer different scholarships. Make sure that you apply for them and meet their application deadlines.

Q. Is MBA in Singapore good?

A. Singapore has a very strong economic base and is hub of some of the top financial firms of the world. Pursuing MBA from Singapore can land you up in a big bank and corporate. Moreover, the scope of pursuing CFA after MBA in Singapore is brilliant.

Q. Is Singapore good for research?

A. Yes. Singapore is home to some of the top universities in the world that have huge research opportunities. For instance, Nanyang Technological University has Research TechnoPlaza, Academic Building North ABN, 4 interdisciplinary research corridors and over 10 research centres.
Q:   What is NTU famous for?
A:

NTU is a national research university established in 1991, in Singapore. The university is known for its state-of-the-art research facility and high-quality education to its students.

  • Competitive Courses: The NTU is known to privide competitive education which enables students to handle the challenges of the future. 
  • Diversity: The international students at the university represents more than 167 countries. 
  • Placement: The students after graduating from SDA Bocconi are recruited in top firm around the world within 3 months of graduation. The average salary after placement is INR 1.34 Cr.
  • Top ranked University: The University is one of the top 15 ranked university around the world as per QS Ranking.
Q:   What course is NTU famous for?
A:

NTU is known as the best school in Asia for communication and media as per the QS and Academic Ranking of World Universities. Computer Science, Economics and Business, Education and Educational Research, Electrical and Electronic Engineering are some of the popular courses offered by NTU. Also, NTU is home to Singapore’s first professional art school offering degree courses in art, design and interactive digital media.

Q:   What is the history of National University of Singapore?
A:

The university started as a medical school named King Edward VII Medical School in 1913.

In 1960, it was renamed to the University of Singapore & eventually a merger with Nanyang led to the start of NUS.

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Written by
Raj Vimal
Assistant Manager Editorial
Hi, I am Raj. I help Indian students figure out study abroad without the confusion. For 8+ years, mostly in Ed-Tech, I have written about the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore. I cover what peo Read Full Bio
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