Languages in Singapore: What Do People Speak the Most?
Talk to Expert
Singapore is a popular study destination with four official languages: English, Malay, Mandarin, and Tamil. While English is the primary language for education, understanding local languages, including Singlish, can help Indian students adapt to academic and social environments.
Singapore is not only the most expensive country in the world but also a popular study destination in Asia. Every year, Indian students apply to study in Singapore. The biggest challenge for these students to learn languages spoken in Singapore to communicate in day to day life in this multilingual country.
Among the various languages in Singapore, Malay is the national language. Other than this, English, Mandarin, and Tamil are the three official languages of Singapore. British English is the commonly used language in government and business-related affairs. However, common people in Singapore use Singaporean English. This article will be helpful for those students and professionals who have plans to visit Singapore.
Predict your IELTS, TOEFL, and PTE in just 4 steps!
- Official and National Languages in Singapore
- Most Spoken Languages in Singapore
- British English and Singaporean English
- Tips for Indian Students Want to Study in Singapore
- What Languages Do People Actually Speak in Singapore?
Official and National Languages in Singapore
As mentioned earlier, the government of Singapore recognizes four official languages: English, Malay, Mandarin, and Tamil. Apart from this, Mandarin is widely spoken among the Chinese population, while Tamil caters to the Indian community, and Malay is used primarily by the Malay community.
Pick your stage and get free guidance from counsellors who've helped thousands get into top universities.
Starting research
Shortlisting colleges
Exam preparation
SOP/LOR writing
Scholarship & finance
Visa applicationInternational students who want to study here will find no difficulty during class learning, as teachers teach in English. It is one of the most widely spoken languages in Singapore. English is the main language for education, business, and daily communication.
Related Blog:
Malay is an official language, but it is not widely spoken compared to other languages spoken in Singapore, such as English, Mandarin, and Tamil. Understanding these languages will help Indian students feel more confident navigating life in Singapore. It will also be helpful for them if they want to explore jobs in Singapore after completing their higher studies.
Most Spoken Languages in Singapore
According to official government data from Singapore's Census of Population 2020, here is the percentage of people who speak each language in Singapore:
| Languages Spoken in Singapore |
Percentage-Wise Speakers |
|---|---|
| English |
48.3% |
| Mandarin |
29.9% |
| Chinese Dialects |
8.7% |
| Malay |
9.2% |
| Tamil |
2.5% |
| Others |
1.4% |
British English and Singaporean English
We are pretty familiar with British English. Here in India, we speak British English. It follows formal grammar rules, vocabulary, and often uses specific spellings. So, how is it different from Singaporean English or "Singlish"? And why is it a common language spoken in Singapore?
Singaporean English is a slightly different type of English spoken in Singapore. Singlish incorporates words and phrases that may not be easily understood by speakers of standard English. While it is based on British English, it also reflects the multicultural influence of the languages in Singapore, including Malay, Mandarin, and Chinese. Needless to say, understanding and responding in Singlish will be helpful for Indian students to connect better with the local culture, make friends, and feel more comfortable.
Related Read: Part-Time Work Options in Singapore
Tips for Indian Students Want to Study in Singapore
Now, you have a clear understanding of multilingual culture in Singapore. English is the dominant language in Singapore for both education and work. Indian students, who are already familiar with British English, will find it easier to adapt to the academic environment. Below, we have mentioned some tips for Indian students who plan to study in the universities of Singapore:
- Master English Fluency: English is the primary language of instruction in Singapore. This will help you understand diverse speaking styles and communicate effectively in both academic and social settings. Check out tips to learn new languages to study abroad.
- Adapt with Singlish: While Singlish is not used in formal academics, it is common in everyday conversations.
- Take Advantage of University Language Support: Most universities in Singapore offer language enhancement programs. These resources can help you build confidence in your spoken and written English, making it easier to excel in your studies.
English, Malay, Mandarin, and Tamil are the four official languages in Singapore. While classes are conducted in English, it’s important to adapt to both academic and social settings. This will help you connect with people and succeed in your studies and future career.
What Languages Do People Actually Speak in Singapore?
Singapore Management University offers a range of undergraduate, graduate, research, and professional degree courses for international students. Some of the popular programs at the university are given as follows:
Others Denote Information Technology, Accounting, International Business etc.
Applications to all the courses offered by NUS are done via online application portals of the university. Check out the steps below to see how to fill undergraduate and postgraduate applications on dedicated portals:
Undergraduate Applicants:
International applicants need to follow these steps to apply to an undergraduate programme at NUS:
Step 1: Visit myaces.nus.edu.sg/uasonline2/catD/catDapplform.do and sign up to apply.
Step 2: Enter personal details and contact information.
Step 3: Enter details of academic qualifications.
Step 4: Enter information on university/tertiary education.
Step 5: Enter the information on all outstanding achievements.
Step 6: Insert the programme details and paste the application material in the boxes provided.
Step 7: In this step, input the following:
- Next-of-kin information
- Personal identification number
- Application fee
- Financial aid
- Other information
- Tuition grant
Step 8: Read the declaration carefully.
Step 9: Press the ‘Continue’ button to complete the application.
Graduate Applicants
International applicants need to follow these steps to apply to a graduate programme at NUS:
Step 1: Sign up on the university’s application portal at inetapps.nus.edu.sg/gda2/Applicant.aspx/Account/SignUp.
Step 2: Click on ‘Create New Application’ and choose the following:
- Programme type
- Faculty
- Programme
- Department
- Specialisation (area of study)
- Source of finance
- Specify in case of ‘other source of finance’
- Academic load
Step 3: Read the instructions from the faculty/department/school carefully.
Step 4: Fill up the information as stepping through the application process.
Step 5: The system will perform an application completeness check for the selected programme.
Step 6: Once the above steps are completed, fill up the declaration section.
Step 7: Click on the 'Submit' button in the declaration page to complete the submission.
Step 8: To make an online payment for the application/acceptance fee and view details of your application (e.g. application status and admission status), click ‘View Application/Make Payment/Submit Reply on Offer of Admission’ at the menu on the left.
Step 9: To make changes to basic programme information for an application, click ‘Edit’.
Step 10: To apply to multiple programmes within the same application cycle and to change the order of preference, please click on the ‘Up’ and ‘Down’ links as required.
The NTU tuition fees is S$36,336.45 for international students. Apart from this, students also need to pay University-level miscellaneous fees The tuition fee for undergraduate courses for Nanyang Technological University is similar to NUS. First of all, students need to pay a non-refundable application fee of S$21.40. After accepting the offer, international students need to pay S$5,000 as non-refundable fee. This deposit fee can be used to offset the first tuition fee payment.
Certainly yes, INSEAD - Singapore accepts admission applications from all across the globe including India as well. Indian students applying at INSEAD - Singapore are required to meet the eligibility criteria for the respective choice of course along with a qualifying score in the English language proficiency test like IELTS.
As an Indian student, complete the following steps to be admitted to INSEAD in Singapore:
- Academic Qualifications: Ascertain that you have a solid academic background and a bachelor's degree or its equivalent from a reputable institution.
- Work Experience: INSEAD favors individuals with relevant professional backgrounds.
- GMAT/GRE: Get ready for and take the GMAT or GRE because admissions officers frequently want these scores.
- English proficiency: You'll probably need to provide test results as confirmation of your English competence if English isn't your first language
James Cook University Singapore does not offer on-campus accommodation for their students. However, students can find various types of housing options nearby for accommodation purposes. Listed below is the JCU Singapore cost of living for international students:
Facilities | Cost of Living (per month) | Cost in INR |
|---|---|---|
Accommodation | SGD 550 - 2,000 | INR 33K - 1.2L |
Meals | SGD 450 - 600 | INR 27K - 37K |
Public transportation | SGD 100 - 150 | INR 6K - 9K |
Telecom | SGD 30 - 50 | INR 1.8K - 3K |
Personal Expenses | SGD 100 - 400 | INR 6K - 24K |
Train fare (Daily Average) | SGD 0.92 - 2.17 (per trip) | INR 50 - 150 |
Taxi fare (Daily Average) | SGD 3.20 to 3.90 (per trip) | INR 200 - 250 |
Bus fare (Daily Average) | SGD 0.92 - 2.17 per trip | INR 50 - 150 |
TOTAL | SGD 1230 - 3200 | INR 73.8K - 3.86L |
Conversion Used: 1 SGD (Singapore Dollar) = INR 61.69
A Singapore Student visa or Student Pass is an important document needed for international students to pursue higher studies in Singapore for more than 30 days. Any university or college of Singapore can withdraw the admission offer of a student, if their student visa application does not get approval from the visa authorities.
Singapore is a well known study destination for Indians for its multiple reasons. The government officially recognises four languages: English, Malay, Mandarin, and Tamil. Among all these, English is the widely spoken languages in Singapore. It is the primary medium for education, business, and government affairs.
As you know, Malay holds the status of the national language. Also, it is featured in the national anthem. On the other hand, Chinese community mostly uses Mandarin for daily conversation, and Tamil is used among Indian Singaporeans.
It is true that many citizens of Singapore are multilingual. They are fluent in multiple languages spoken in Singapore. For Indian students planning to study in Singapore, understanding this multilingual environment can significantly help them to communicate with locals easy.
If you have any questions related to this, we will be happy to answer them. Drop your question in the comments below or connect with our Shiksha Study Abroad Counsellors.
Raj Vimal has experience of 7+ years in SEO Content Writing, which includes 5+ years in the Ed-Tech industry. He has written articles about studying abroad, especially in the USA, UK, and other English-speaking coun... Read Full Bio
Statement of Purpose
Letter of Recommendation
Student Visa Application
Admission Essay Writing
Student Curriculum Vitae
According to various sources, Singapore Management University has an acceptance rate of around 45% which makes it moderately selective for international student admissions. Some of the general admission requirements at the university are given as follows:
After the student receives an offer letter, they are required to give the admission interview to be enrolled.