Study in Singapore

Studying in Singapore provides Indian students with globally accredited degrees. Undoubtedly, getting a chance to study in Singapore is a boon for Indian students. The country also ranks 11th in the QS Best Student Cities, 2027.

• Top-Ranked Universities: National University of Singapore (NUS) and Nanyang Technological University (NTU) rank among the top 15 universities globally.
• Average Annual Tuition: Ranges from SGD 18,000 to SGD 42,000 (INR 13.4 Lakh to 31.3 Lakh) for subsidized programs; non-subsidized professional degrees (e.g., MBA, Medicine) range from SGD 45,000 to SGD 75,000+.
• Living Expenses: Averages between SGD 1,400 and SGD 2,450 per month (INR 1.04 Lakh to 1.82 Lakh), inclusive of accommodation in shared HDB apartments or campus halls.
• Work While Studying: Full-time students at approved public institutions can work up to 16 hours per week during terms and unlimited hours during scheduled vacations. Students at private education institutions (PEIs) are generally prohibited from working off-campus.
• Student Visa (Student's Pass): Issued by the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) via the SOLAR system; requires a processing fee of SGD 45 and an issuance fee of SGD 60.

Although there are four official languages in Singapore, namely Malay, Mandarin, Tamil, and English, the last one (English) is the medium of instruction. This makes it easy and convenient for Indian students to communicate with others and study without any language barrier. Each year, over 85,000 students from abroad, representing more than 100 nationalities, opt to study in the island country of Singapore.  

Why Study in Singapore

Students find Singapore comfortable due to its citizen-friendly norms and good quality of life. The country’s safe and secure environment makes it favourable for them to explore different places and participate in a variety of rejuvenating activities. Other major reasons that are good enough to attract overseas students to study in Singapore have been listed below:

• World-Class Universities: The National University of Singapore (NUS) and Nanyang Technological University (NTU) rank among the top universities in the world.
• No Language Barrier: English is the primary medium of instruction across all degree programs and serves as Singapore's main corporate and administrative language.
• Tuition Grant Scheme (TGS): The Ministry of Education (MOE) covers up to 50% to 70% of tuition costs for eligible full-time international students in exchange for signing a bond to work for a Singapore-registered entity for three years after graduation.
• High Global Safety: Singapore is one of the safest countries in the world. Singapore ranks 6th globally on the Global Peace Index, offering an exceptionally secure environment both on and off campus.
• Regional Corporate Hub: As the Asia-Pacific headquarters for more than 25,000 multinational corporations, Singapore provides strong post-graduation hiring demand in technology, finance, and engineering.
• Streamlined Student Pass Process: International students apply for a Student Pass online through the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) SOLAR system with institutional endorsement.
• High-Demand Curriculum: Programs emphasize key growth sectors including artificial intelligence, data analytics, fintech, biomedical sciences, semiconductor engineering, and international law.
• Reputed Education Standards: Degrees follow rigorous, industry-accredited academic frameworks with a focus on practical skills and technology-led problem-solving.
• Cost of Living: Estimated monthly living expenses range from SGD 1,400 to SGD 2,450 (~INR 1.05 Lakh to 1.84 Lakh), depending on accommodation choices such as campus halls or shared HDB flats.

Study in Singapore 2027: Highlights

Singapore Permanent Residence Permit

Foreigners who wish to become permanent residents of Singapore can do so by getting an Entry Permit. One may qualify to apply for a Permanent Residence Permit if one is:

• Aged parent of a citizen of Singapore
• Spouse of a citizen of Singapore/Permanent Resident (PR)
• Unmarried kids, aged 21 and below, of a citizen of Singapore or PR
• Studying in Singapore as a student
• Investors from an overseas land
• Possessing employment or S Pass.

Those who wish to apply for the same will have to submit the application online at e-Service. Applicants can also download the same and complete it offline. They can thereafter submit it online. Check out how you can apply for PR in Singapore. 

Top Universities in Singapore: Updated Ranking

When choosing where to study in Singapore, Indian students have options for prestigious institutes. This includes the National University of Singapore (NUS) and Nanyang Technological University, and Singapore (NTU). These universities rank among the world’s top 15 universities in the QS World University Rankings 2027. These two are also the top two higher education institutions in Singapore, with the former being in the first position in the entire Asia.

Top Courses in Singapore

Although there are multiple options available for those who wish to study in Singapore, a few courses are significantly more in demand than others. For those students who are interested in advancing their careers, explore our comprehensive guide to pursuing an MBA in Singapore, a hub for world-class business education and global networking opportunities.

Singapore serves as the Asia-Pacific headquarters for thousands of global multinational corporations, creating high industry demand across four primary disciplines:

Admission Requirements to Study in Singapore

Singapore is a great place for Indian students to study. It has top colleges and is close to India. Here are the rules to get into a degree course in 2026.

• High Grades: You need 90% to 95% marks in Class 10 and Class 12.
• Predicted Scores: If you are still in Class 12, you can apply using your expected marks.
• Special Tests: Top schools like NUS and SIM might ask for Advanced Placement (AP) test scores.
• SAT Exams: You need a high SAT score. This is a must for students from state boards.
• English Skills: You do not need IELTS or TOEFL if you got 75% in English at an English-medium school. These are popular exams for studying in Singapore.

Scholarships for Indian Students

Living and studying abroad can be expensive. Scholarships help pay for your fees and daily costs. Here is the list of scholarships to study in Singapore for Indians for 2026:

• Singapore International Graduate Award (SINGA): This is for PhD students. It pays for your tuition, flights, and gives you monthly pocket money for 4 years.
• Lee Kong Chian Graduate Scholarships: This is for NUS students. It gives SGD 3,300 every month. It also gives money for a laptop and books.
• INSEAD-Syngenta MBA Scholarships: This is for MBA students. It gives SGD 33,365 per year to help leaders from countries like India.

Education Loan for Studying in Singapore

Students planning to borrow education loan to study in Singapore should be familiar with the guidelines for the same and qualify for them in order to apply to their choice of money lending institution/bank. The Education Loan eligibility criteria vary for different banks.

The loan application guidelines listed below are applicable to the majority of the nationalized banks:

• Indian students who have obtained a place in selected educational institutions for higher education in Singapore can apply for an education loan.
• Students can apply for a minimum loan amount of SGD 20,000, and the maximum is up to 100% of the student’s (borrower) tuition fees.
• The Moratorium Period is 6 months before students have to begin repaying the loan amount. They under no circumstances have to repay the amount during the course’s tenure.
• Students have a minimum of 1 year and a maximum of five years to repay the loan once the Moratorium Period ends. But the loan term should not exceed 10 years under any circumstances.
• For every bank, the student/education loan interest rate is different.

Note: The aforementioned guidelines are only relevant to SBI.

Part-Time Work Options for Students in Singapore

Unlike other countries, your right to work part time work in Singapore depends on your university.

• Public Universities: Students are allowed to work 16 hours per week during term time. No limit on working hours during vacations.

• Private Universities: Most students studying at private institutions are NOT permitted to work part-time in Singapore. Always check if your institution is on the Ministry of Manpower's 'Approved List' before applying for jobs. Also, working illegally can lead to deportation.

The average salary in Singapore for a full-time worker is approximately SGD 70,000 (INR 43.15 Lakh) per year.

Cost of Living in Singapore for Indian Students

Singapore remains one of the world’s most expensive cities for students. While costs are high, choosing shared housing and eating at local hawker centres can significantly lower your monthly spending. 

Budgeting accurately is critical, as rent constitutes the largest recurring expense. Below is the estimated monthly cost for an Indian student (Calculated at indicative rates: 1 SGD = 74.60 INR):