Cost of Studying in Singapore: Tuition Fees & Monthly Expenses

Is it costly to study in Singapore for Indians? Singapore is more expensive than India, but affordable to other popular study destinations such as USA, UK, and Canada. Cost of studying in Singapore depends on factors like the level of study, university type, and course choice.

For Indian students planning their 2026 intake, the cost of studying in Singapore is a major factor. Tuition fees are higher for Indian students than for locals. Singapore offers high-quality education and excellent post-study work opportunities.

On average, the total cost of studying in Singapore (including tuition and living expenses) ranges from SGD 30,000 to SGD 60,000 per year. 

• Public Universities in Singapore (UG): Expect to pay between SGD 20,000 and SGD 50,000+ (approx. INR 12.5L to INR 31.5L) per year. For PG programs, SGD 20,000 to SGD 50,000 (approx. INR 12.5L to INR 31.5L) for the full course.
• Private Institutions: Specialized degrees can cost up to SGD 46,000 (approx. INR 29L) annually.
• Living Expenses in Singapore: Budget roughly SGD 10,000 to SGD 15,000 (approx. INR 6.3L to INR 9.5L) per year for housing, food, and transport.

To manage the cost of studying in Singapore, students can apply for the Service Obligation Scheme to receive subsidized tuition in exchange for working in Singapore for three years post-graduation. Additionally, many universities offer 100% scholarships, and Indian banks provide education loans covering up to 100% of the total fees.

Total Cost of Studying in Singapore

Like all countries, there is a large fluctuation in tuition fees across the different categories of institutions. Effectively speaking, the tuition fee for top universities would be much higher than the of lesser-known universities. Also, the polytechnics in Singapore, which offer certificate diplomas, are cheaper still. For instance, the average yearly tuition fee for a bachelor’s degree in engineering at top universities like NTU and NUS is around SGD 40,000. A student, however, opting to go to a private university like PSB Academy would have to pay around SGD 21,000 in tuition fees for one year.

The same grade of difference is available for master’s program as well. The more famous Universities’ MBA program averages just about SGD 75,000. Let’s have a quick look at some of them and the tuition fee (in INR) for their MBA programs:

As is visible, while the top three MBA programs of the country have high tuition fees, the same program from relatively lesser-known institutes like Nanyang Institute of Management is almost one-third of the same.

Tuition Fees of Top Singapore Institutes

Given below is the tuition fee for the top Singaporean higher academic institutes for their popular programmes.

National University of Singapore: We have listed below the annual tuition fee required to pursue bachelor's as well as master's courses at NUS, for the academic year 2026-27:

1) Undergraduate Courses:

2) Graduate Courses:

Conversion Rate: 1 SGD = INR 65.09

Nanyang Technological University: We have listed below the annual tuition fee required to pursue full-time courses at Nanyang Tech, for the academic year 2025-26:

Singapore University of Technology and Design: We have listed below the annual tuition fee required to pursue full-time courses at the Singapore University of Technology & Design, for the academic year 2025-26:

University Costs

There are many and varied constituents of University costs. Broadly they include

• Application Fees
• Student Development Fees
• Service Fees
• Student Transport Pass
• Other charges

The larger universities, like NUS and NTU, which have boarding facilities, might also have those costs added, but we would ignore them here as they strictly refer to the cost of living. To give an estimate, the university costs are about SGD 400 - SGD 800 (INR 25K - 50 K) per month. This might be higher for bigger universities and lower for smaller universities.

Why Study in Singapore in 2026?

Singapore is a leading global hub for education, offering Indian students a unique blend of academic excellence and career growth. For the 2026 intake, it remains a top choice due to its proximity to India and high return on investment.

Key Highlights for 2026 Students

• Global Recognition: Degrees from Singaporean institutions are prestigious and recognized by employers worldwide.

• Innovation Hub: Students gain access to advanced research facilities and a strong startup ecosystem.

• Post-Study Work: Competitive visa policies allow graduates to stay and work in a thriving economy.

• Multicultural Environment: A large Indian diaspora ensures a "home away from home" feel with familiar food and culture.

Top Universities in Singapore

We have listed below some of the top universities in Singapore for international students:

Cost of Living in Singapore

The cost of living in Singapore is expensive than in India but less expensive than in some of the developed countries. The high level of urbanisation and the highly capitalised economy have ensured a steady increase in prices. Though student facilities and transportation have concessions, it is still a steady expense. Refer to the table to understand the cost of living in Singapore:

To summarise, the cost of studying in Singapore is not necessarily cheaper than the other famous countries. Where it does save costs is that most of the master’s program, especially MBAs are one-year programs. This, in sense, relatively makes the costs of studying in Singapore less than the other famous study abroad destinations like USA and UK. What a student needs to understand that in case s/he does not get a place at a student hall of residence, which is a great possibility, he/she would have to rely on accommodation outside the campus, which is rather expensive in Singapore.

For more details related to studying abroad and foreign admissions, reach out to Shiksha Study Abroad Counsellors for free: