Study Guide to Singapore for International Students

There are multiple top ranked universities in Singapore to offer admission to international students including Indians. Quality education and multiple job opportunities with high salary are the reasons why Indian students want to study in Singapore. 

Singapore is a popular destination for indian students in Asian continent. The universities here are top-ranked and offer a diverse range of courses related to different streams. The major key reasons for studying in Singapore are its proximity to India, a safe and stable environment, a multilingual society, and high standards of living with an advanced healthcare and education system. Other than this, English is one of the most spoken languages in Singapore. In short no language barrier during studying here.

The National University of Singapore (NUS) is one of the top 10 universities in the world, while Nanyang Technological University (NTU) is 12th in the list of QS World University Rankings 2026. The education system in Singapore encourages a well-rounded education with exposure to various fields. It is important to check study in Singapore requirements before you actually apply for admission.

Our inclusive Singapore study guide offers a pool of information about studying in Singapore, admission timeline, eligibility requirements, scholarships available, visa process, and other related details.

Singapore Education System

The Singaporean education system is well known for its strong focus on academic excellence. The education system of Singapore follows a three-level structure: Diploma, Undergraduate, and Postgraduate studies. English is one of the popular languages in Singapore, which is widely used for studies. Also, the curriculum is designed to promote innovation, research, and industry readiness. Singapore’s universities combine global teaching standards with strong links to industry, making students highly employable.

Here is an overview of the education system of Singapore:

Levels of Education in Singapore

Reasons to Study in Singapore

Below are some of the reasons which may convince you to pursue higher education in Singapore:

1. No Language Barrier: Singapore is an English-speaking country. It is easy for Indian students to adapt.
2. Internationally Accepted Degree: Globally recognised degrees with affordable tuition fees compared to Western countries.
3. Proximity to India: Close to India with frequent flights and cultural familiarity
4. Top Universities: High-quality education at world-class universities with a focus on practical skills and employability.

Top Universities and Popular Study Destinations

The top universities in Singapore are:

Apart from this, International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma, Information Technology, Management, Finance/Accounting, and Engineering are a few popular courses which Indian students pursue in Singapore.

Safety in Singapore

Singapore has a well-deserved reputation for being safe and relatively crime-free. The country's crime rate is low, and it has a reputation for being one of the most well-run and stable in Southeast Asia. This stability has enabled Singapore to grow its economy, which is now among the wealthiest in the world. Major crimes like murder and rape, are dealt with severely and swiftly. The government has also made it known that extremism originating from religion or race has no place in Singapore, and it will not hesitate to take action against any extremists or terrorist groups or individuals.

Weather in Singapore

 Singapore is a tropical country with a monsoon climate. The temperature is warm and humid, ranging from an average of 31°C during the day and 24°C at night. This can be attributed to the fact that Singapore is situated near the equator, which makes it one of the hottest countries in Asia. It rains throughout the year, with heavier rain during the monsoon season, which lasts from November to January.

Lifestyle in Singapore

Singapore is a multi-cultural society where Malay, Chinese and Indian traditions coexist along with the Western cosmopolitan outlook. According to the Asian cultural norms, older people are treated with respect. However, nowadays wealth and status are considered more important than age distinctions. A social superior or an authority is treated with formality and respect. Singaporeans claim they are an egalitarian society like Western countries, yet they have strong hierarchical relationships like those between parents and children, teachers and students, and employers and employees.

Accommodation in Singapore

Firstly, you need to decide whether you want to live in university-managed accommodation or with a private landlord. Choosing a university-managed accommodation can also give you a catered or self-catered option. A catered accommodation offers the benefits of your meals being cooked for you and a degree of certainty with meal costs.

If you have an idea about what you prefer, the accommodation office at your university will be able to tell you what accommodation they have available, so that’s the place to start. If you are thinking of renting from a private landlord or if your chosen university can’t offer you anything in its residential facility, the accommodation office should be able to provide you with a list of private properties and landlords in the area.

Wherever you choose to live, you should make sure that you know your contractual rights and responsibilities. In most cases, you will be asked to enter into a tenancy agreement, which you should read thoroughly before you sign.

Study in Singapore Requirements

It is important to fulfill the eligibility requirements for admission to universities of Singapore. It can vary based on the course and university. However, few basic eligibility are a good score in ELPs, no criminal records in India and more. Check out point wise study in Singapore requirements for Indian students

The following documents also need to be submitted:

• Attested copies of mark sheets of Standard X, XII, and the Bachelor’s degree (if applicable)
• At least, two Academic reference letters from professors who have taught you most recently.
• If you have work experience then two letters of recommendation (LOR) from the employer/manager who knows you well and can comment on your professional abilities
• Statement of Purpose (SOP)
• Resume
• Photocopied score reports of GMAT / IELTS / TOEFL
• Portfolio (in the case of students applying for art and design courses and architecture programmes)
• Others (Certificates/achievements at the state and national level and extracurricular activities)
• Proof of funds

Singapore University Admission Timeline

Most of the colleges in Singapore accept online applications. You will have to visit each college's website to apply. In most cases, you will have to make an account on the college website to provide your basic information, submit the scanned version of your documents, and pay application fees. You will be informed about the application process and stages through this account. Please refer to the website of the colleges of your choice to know the application process of applying.

Application fee: All colleges require that you pay an application fee while applying. The fee amount will differ depending on the college and course being applied to, so check with individual colleges about their application fee.

Steps: The common steps to applying for admission are:

• Search for colleges and courses
• Contact schools and visit websites for information
• Narrow down your list of schools
• Take the entrance exams like GMAT, GRE, TOEFL, and IELTS
• Write SOPs and ask for LORs
• Apply to colleges which fit your interests
• Appear for video interviews at the colleges that shortlisted you
• If accepted, apply for the student visa

Language Exams

International English Language Testing System (IELTS), Test Of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), and Pearson Test of English (PTE) are all standardized language tests, which are required to be taken for the purpose of getting admission to colleges. These follow different formats, structures, and result bands. These tests are all different in various ways but many colleges ask for any one of the results. So it's up to the student to decide which exam to appear for.

Cost of Living in Singapore for International Students

An international student in Singapore spends on an average of about 8.0 lacs per annum on living expenses. The cost of living in Singapore varies depending on individual lifestyle. These estimated costs below give a rough guide to the basic monthly expenditure of an international student in Singapore.

Scholarships for Studying in Singapore

Merit and need-based fee waivers are awarded to international students. Candidates with strong academics, good performance on standardised exams and extracurricular achievements would be eligible for scholarship awards and financial assistance. To benefit from these opportunities, one has to make sure to send all the required documents by particular deadlines. In addition to this, the presentation of the application is also important because one is judged by the image one projects.

Documents required: The documents usually needed for a scholarship application are as follows, although the requirements may differ:

• Academic records and photocopies
• A recent CV
• A letter of intent, which acts as a cover page
• Certificate of language proficiency (TOEFL or IELTS scores)
• Letters of Reference

Singapore Study Loans

Student Eligibility Criteria: The first thing to be aware of is whether you are eligible to apply for an education loan or not. The general eligibility criteria that are followed by all the banks are:

• You should be an Indian national
• You must have a strong academic record
• You must be seeking admission to a professional, technical or other course of studies. Most banks maintain that the selected course should be job oriented
• You must have secured admission to a foreign university institution
• You must be above the age of 18 years or else your parents can avail the loan

Eligibility of Course: You may not get a loan for every course. Here are the kinds of courses that qualify for the education loan.

• For Graduation: Job-oriented professional or technical courses offered by reputed universities
• For Post-graduation: MCA, MBA, MS and also diplomas
• These courses could be from foreign universities or institutes approved by the state and central government

Singapore Post-Studies Visa Process

After the degree program is over, international students can submit an application for a one-year Visit Pass to ICA (Immigration & Checkpoints Authority of Singapore), if they want to look for employment opportunities in Singapore. This can be done online through e-VP.

Work Permit

You can work part-time for up to 16 hours per week. Work permits are not required for those who want to work during holidays, as they can work full-time without any visa restrictions.

Visa for Spouse

The spouse and children of full-time graduate research students can get sponsorship from the university for a Social Visit Pass to stay in Singapore. Graduate students should get their spouses and children to apply for an entry visa at Singapore's embassy.  When the spouse and children arrive in Singapore, they will be given a 4-week Social Visit Pass at the airport.

Related Blog: How to Prepare for Your First Flight

Singapore Pre-Departure List

• Book airline tickets
• Arrange accommodation in Singapore
• Arrange transportation to/from the airport to home in Singapore
• Arrange your banking – consider buying traveller’s cheques
• Check baggage and customs limitations
• Clear all paperwork with your home educational institution

Get your documents in order and make photocopies to store in your baggage and keep at home, including:

1. Passport
2. Airline tickets
3. Travel insurance certificate
4. Letter of Acceptance by the educational institution
5. Key addresses and phone numbers
6. A bank statement showing proof of funds
7. Prescriptions for any medication you are carrying
8. Traveler’s cheques—if applicable
9. Medical and immunization records
10. Academic history and university transcripts

Singapore Work Visa

In Singapore, if you accept a job offer before you complete your studies then the employer needs to apply on your behalf for the employment pass (Singapore Work Visa for Indians). The process of applying for an employment pass can take up to three months and costs around $600. It is important to check the contract and find out when exactly the employer expects you to start work before accepting any offer. If you do not secure a job before the completion of the course, you can apply for an ‘approval in principle work visa’ which allows you to stay for a limited time while looking for a job simultaneously. An employment pass is valid for only a few years (between three to five years). The visa is linked with the job that you are doing, so long as you are gainfully employed by the employer the work visa is in effect.

To explore more study options in Singapore, click the following links.

• MBA in Singapore
• B.E./B.Tech in Singapore
• MS in Singapore

Candidates looking for assistance with university applications can get in touch with our Shiksha Study Abroad Counsellors on our website. Candidates can reach us by writing in the comments below.