Statement of Purpose (SOP) for Singapore
Talk to ExpertUncertain about Singapore SOP requirements? Fear not. This blog unveils what top universities like NUS, NTU, SMU, and SUTD expect in your personal statement or essay. Discover word limits, prompts, and valuable tips to craft a standout SOP that highlights your achievements and fuels your Singaporean study dreams.
SOP for Singapore: University Requirements
Universities in Singapore require a personal statement, an essay, or a statement of purpose (SOP) outlining specific aspects as per university requirements. Here we will discuss a few Statement of Purpose requirements for top Singapore universities:
- National University of Singapore (NUS): NUS Personal Statement should be a document of 2000 characters (about 300 words). Applicants are required to outline their achievements in the NUS Personal Statement. You must prepare the draft as an MS Word document and paste it on the online form while filling out the application.
- Nanyang Technological University (NTU): The university requires a personal statement and a writing sample. The word limit for NTU Personal Statement can differ as per the program. Usually, the word limit is 200 words. The NTU Personal Statement should answer these prompts:
- What is unique and interesting about you?
- Which is your preferred major?
- Explain why you chose your preferred major.
- What do you hope to achieve by completing this major?
- Singapore Management University (SMU): For SMU, a personal statement of 300 words is required that demonstrates the most outstanding achievements or contributions of your life. Achievements/ contributions that the applicants can include are:
- Excellence and/or leadership in sports and/or arts
- Effective leadership and/or participation in community service and volunteer programs
- Significant awards and achievements in area/s relevant to the course applied for
- Important involvement in work (or internship) relevant to the course applied for
- Noteworthy involvement in entrepreneurial activity
- Ability to overcome significant difficulties and life challenges
- Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD): SUTD specifies a set of questions in the application form. Applicants are required to choose and provide responses to two out of four questions that best present new and additional information that will be helpful for the applicant’s profile. Additionally, the applicants need to list a record of their achievements, past leadership experiences, and community service.
- Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT): An SIT personal statement or an essay that describes an exceptional achievement is required. This document should highlight your academic and/or employment experience gained. It should also answer the following prompts:
- How would these support your choice of program(s)?
- How will it help you attain your goal(s) in life?
- What are your plans upon graduation?
- Applicants may also choose to submit an optional essay to explain any unusual circumstances or situations that can have an impact on their application.
- James Cook University-Singapore (JCU): A personal statement or SOP is required. Course-specific requirements may differ.
- Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS): SUSS requires a 500-word reflection essay on the following topic: From your personal experience, select one quality that you have acquired. Describe how you acquired it and why this quality is important to you. Apart from this, applicants are also required to submit a portfolio showcasing non-academic achievements such as:
- Co-curricular activities
- Community service or volunteer work
- Leadership roles
- Work experience (internships, traineeships, job shadowing)
- Entrepreneurship (start-ups or competitions)
SOP for Singapore: Structure
A Statement of Purpose follows a particular structure. There might be variations based on different program requirements, academic levels, and university requirements. However, the broad structure is more or less similar. The following points give an overview of the structure of Singapore SOP:
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- Introduction: Start your introduction with an interesting anecdote from the recent past that shows your motivation to pursue the particular program. The introduction succinctly and clearly defines the goal of your application.
- Academic Background: Then, you must go on to discuss your academic background and pertinent coursework, highlighting your relevant project work, research, or internships in the chosen area. Describe your accomplishments and experiences that are pertinent to the program for which you are applying.
- Professional Experiences: In case you are a professional, you may discuss your work experiences as well as your professional background. Provide any information or skills that would be useful in the program.
- Particular Interests: You can discuss specific areas of research or topics that you want to study during the program in this section. You may also list any instructors, organizations, or centres that you are considering collaborating with.
- Career Aspirations: This is the most important section of the SOP. Here, you must outline your desired profession once the program is through. Discuss your career ambitions and the skills you intend to acquire while enrolled in the program.
- Conclusion: Your SOP should conclude with a compelling sentence. Reiterate your interest in the course and express gratitude to the Admissions Committee for considering your application.
Related Reads:
| SOP for UG | SOP for MBA |
| Sample SOP | SOP for MS |
NUS Personal Statement
The National University of Singapore (NUS) also requires a personal statement. An NUS personal statement is an essay with a brief description of who you are as a pupil and an overview of the things that matter to you. Like NUS, Nanyang Technological University (NTU) also requires a personal statement.
Singapore University of Social Sciences - SUSS Reflection Essay
Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS) requires the applicants to write a 500-word reflection essay on the following topic: “From your personal experience, select one quality that you have acquired. Describe how you acquired it and why this quality is important to you.” Thus, the SUSS reflection essay is to gauge the student’s ability to reflect on himself and introspect.
SOP for Singapore: Important Points to Remember
These are some essential points to remember while writing your SOP for Singapore:
- Font Size and Style: The font should be Times New Roman and 12pt font size. Some universities may also accept Arial font, with a font size of 10-12 points. However, Times New Roman is the preferred font for academic documents.
- Language: In terms of language, you must use active verbs; good vocabulary is encouraged; avoid using superfluous language and too much technical jargon.
- Word Limit: Try to keep the essay or SOP under 1000 words, or as specified by a particular university/program. The page length should not be more than two pages unless specified otherwise.
- Plagiarism: You should not copy any content from the internet. Your SOP should be error-free and plagiarism-free. Always do a grammar check and proofread the document several times before submitting your application.
Once the applicants have clarity about how to write an SOP for Singapore, they are advised to take their application process and SOP drafting seriously. For help with university applications, students seeking to study abroad can contact our Shiksha Study Abroad Counsellors. The comments section below allows candidates to contact us as well.
SOP for Singapore FAQs
Q. Is an SOP important?
A. For university admissions, a statement of purpose (SOP) is seen as being quite crucial. It offers a chance to highlight one's background, interests, and potential as a graduate student and aids colleges in determining their priorities and objectives. In conclusion, the statement of purpose is a significant document that must be regarded seriously since it enables an individual or organisation to stand out and leave a lasting impression on the admissions committee. In addition, a strong SOP may increase your chances of receiving a scholarship.
Q. What is the relevance of an SOP for Singapore universities?
A. Statement of Purpose (SOP) for Singapore universities mostly refers to the admission essays or personal statements that institutions require students to submit when enrolling for a course or programme. These essays describe the applicant's background, educational accomplishments, professional aspirations, and reasons why they are a suitable fit for the chosen course or programme. If you want to write a statement of purpose for a Singaporean university, it is crucial to thoroughly investigate the course and the school and to modify your essay accordingly. Be sure to emphasise your pertinent accomplishments and experiences as well as your enthusiasm for the subject matter. It is also advised to adhere to the formatting standards set forth by the university.
Q. How can I improve my SOP for Singapore universities?
A. Here are some pointers to help you strengthen your statement of purpose:
- Be reflective and specific when describing your motivation for pursuing your subject of study.
- Your goals should be clearly stated, along with how they relate to your previous experiences and future ambitions.
- Highlight your accomplishments and skills while providing a summary of your educational background and pertinent experiences.
- Avoid clichés and use strong language to make your statement of purpose stand out.
- To make your statement more coherent and clear, seek out outside input from mentors or lecturers.
- Be sure to follow the rules and specifications of the programme you are applying to, and make sure your statement reflects their particular interests and principles.
Q. How should I introduce and conclude my SOP for Singapore?
A. It is a good idea to begin your introduction with an attention-getting statement that will pique the reader's interest in your essay. Then, give a quick introduction to yourself and briefly discuss your educational and professional background. In addition, it is a good idea to incorporate a thesis statement that sums up your essay's major point. Your SOP's conclusion is equally as crucial as its commencement. It's best to avoid just repeating what was said in the introduction. Use the conclusion to restate your essay's main points and demonstrate your enthusiasm and love for the programme you are applying to. You might also talk through how the programme will aid in the accomplishment of your long-term objectives.
Q. Which are the top universities in Singapore?
A. Singapore is home to some well-regarded foreign universities. The National University of Singapore (NUS) and Nanyang Technological University will be Singapore's top universities in 2023, per the search results (NTU). Many publications often list NUS and NTU as among the best universities in Asia and the entire world. In addition to these universities, Singapore is home to a number of other establishments that provide possibilities for high-quality education and research. They include the Management Development Institute of Singapore, Singapore Management University, and INSEAD Singapore.
What are the requirements of NUS Personal Statement?
NUS Personal Statement requires the applicant to write a compelling essay on academic interests, achievements, experiences, and goals. This document should not exceed 2000 characters.
How can one approach SUSS Reflection Essay: ‘From your personal experience, select one quality that you have acquired. Describe how you acquired it and why this quality is important to you?’
In this essay, the applicant must demonstrate his self-awareness, critical thinking, and their ability to connect personal experiences with academic and professional goals. In this, you should introduce the topic/ experience first, provide a detailed description of the experience/ situation, what happened, why, and how did it impact you, what did you gain from it and how did it lead to your growth, relate it to your academic and career goals, and then discuss how it influenced your decision to apply to SUSS.
How can I fit my entire profile in a 200 or 300-word personal statement that many universities in Singapore require?
In case the word-limit is specified, you need to adhere to it and structure your draft accordingly. When you are given a narrow window to talk about yourself, you must be careful to include only the most important aspects that have been asked and that will make an impact on the admissions committee. Keep the sentences short and to-the-point. Answer the prompt directly and do not digress from the main theme.
Can the same SOP/ Personal Statement be submitted to all the universities in Singapore?
Different programs and universities in Singapore will have their unique requirements and prompts. Therefore, the applicant should write their SOP/ Personal Statement on the basis of the program and university that they are applying for. A generic document will not work.
Q: Is Singapore Management University hard to get into?
Q: How can I apply for NUS Singapore from India?
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.
Q: Is NTU Singapore expensive?
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.
Q: What is the population of MBA students and faculty at INSEAD Singapore?
There are around 20,000+ students and 5,500+ faculty at INSEAD Singapore.
However, it is difficult to be sure about the same because of new admissions taking place.
The INSEAD website states that there are over 145 full-time faculty from more than 30 countries.
The exact numbers may vary depending on the year and the source.
Q: Does INSEAD - Singapore accept Indian students?
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.
Q: How can an Indian student get admission to INSEAD - Singapore?
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
Q: What is the JCU Singapore cost of living for international students?
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
Q: Which are the popular courses at Singapore Management University?
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.
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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.