Singapore is often referred to as the hub of Asia, and Singapore has universities among the top 20 in the world. Singapore is a great study destination in Asia that deserves attention from international students. Popularly known as the “Lion City”.
If you want to learn to become responsible and many other skills and earn a high-level degree under your belt, then study in Singapore is the way to go.
Geographically, Singapore consists of one large island surrounded by 63 small, mostly uninhabited islands. It is one of the three countries in the world that has only one city, over the years Singapore has become one of the most prominent countries in Asia as well as the world. It is a global center in Asia, its financial and commercial capabilities made it a destination for investment, due to its ease of starting business, its being the third largest economy in the region, its oil refining process, and many global trading centers.
The country’s port is one of the country’s busiest, while the airport and Singapore Airlines Changi have garnered many awards over the years. Moreover, Singapore is ranked as one of the world’s highest countries in its Human Development Index, which provides a good quality of life for citizens. Singapore is not just a successful economy, but more than that there are great universities with world-class education, all to propel the country towards greater successes and to become the main hub in Asia for all purposes, along with Hong Kong.
Singapore’s strict laws, such as the country’s chewing gum ban, have made Singapore a clean and safe place to stay. The majority of Singaporeans use public transportation which is available throughout the city, punctual and extremely convenient, reducing road traffic before and after business hours.
Singapore consists of a multicultural community of Singaporeans as well as expats. The official languages of Singapore are multiple due to the fact that the society is composed of several ethnicities, and the languages are: English, Mandarin, Tamil and Malay. Therefore, there are several annual celebrations held in Singapore, as each group of Singaporean society performs its cultural celebrations uniquely and distinct from other races.
Singapore’s currency is called the Singapore dollar, and it consists of 100 cents, and is usually denoted by the symbol $ or $S to distinguish it from other dollar-based currencies, and the Singapore dollar is known as the Sing in Singapore, and after the financial crisis the Singapore dollar became one of the best currencies
Singapore is a multi-religious country because of the ethnic mixture in it, and the state in Singapore recognizes freedom of belief and the separation of religion from the state.
Annually around 80,000 international students study in Singapore as it has a large number of good universities, with 6 of its public universities being among the top 20 in the world, and it also has the lowest unemployment rates in the world, with approximately 44% of its workforce made up of non-Singaporeans. ,which means that, after completing their education, students can join the workforce as per state policies.
Here is a look at the main advantages of studying in Singapore:
A global center for the telecommunications and technology industry
Singapore is home to many international companies, and therefore studying in Singapore will give you a great opportunity to get to know the giants of the technology industry around the world such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and others, and thus this matter will put you within walking distance of the most important players in the field of technology globally .
One of the best countries in the world to live in
Studying and living in Singapore will give you an opportunity to live in one of the most advanced countries in the world, and this is clearly visible in the level of infrastructure and beautiful architectural organization, in addition to the advanced means of transportation, which affects the quality of life in general.
When looking at the cost in Singapore, it is much lower compared to those in America, the United Kingdom, Canada or Australia. The cost of living in Singapore is much lower than these countries.
Tuition costs:
The annual tuition fee for diploma studies ranges between 4500-1300 dollars, for undergraduate studies between 22000-44,000 dollars, and for doctoral studies between 22000-36000 dollars for non-medical branches and between 36000-65000 dollars for medical branches.
Tuition fees may also be specified per semester but it is interesting that some universities have three semesters per year ( four-month semester!), so the student should keep this in mind when calculating the fees.
The cost of living in Singapore is usually more expensive compared to other study destinations in Asia, and for international students ranges between 1000 and 2500 Singapore dollars per month, which varies depending on the lifestyle, course, financial capabilities and expenses of each student.
On average, transportation, accommodation and food costs for international students are expected to cost around $8000 per year. Affordable accommodation can be found and varies depending on the region, type of accommodation and number of people you share accommodation with. Rentals cost between S$500-1000 per month. The best and most affordable solution is to obtain university housing, as university housing is generally available, but it is in great demand. University accommodations are usually reserved for full-time graduates and students of research programs are often given priority, or there is a predetermined time period of one year, which may not cover the entire duration of the course.
Fortunately, public transportation is available in Singapore at an affordable price. You can buy a car if you want, but the costs of buying and maintaining cars are expensive in Singapore. For more information on getting around by car in Singapore, visit this link.
The Ministry of Education in Singapore estimates that a foreign student spends from 750 to 2000 SGD per year, in addition to the university course fees. If there is an entity that covers your accommodation expenses, you will likely need S$200-300 per month, according to the Ministry of Higher Education.
Universities in Singapore are usually of the highest standards and therefore tuition rates are comparable. The country provides a very productive and competitive education in the field of management and information technology. International students who visit Singapore, will find some of the world’s leading institutions in Singapore such as the National University of Singapore, Nanyang Technological University and Singapore Management University.
Furthermore, Singapore has some of the most impressive academic collaborations on a global level such as the Singapore University of Technology and Design, and its partnership with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Zhejiang Chinese University. And also, Yale News College and its partnership with the National University of Singapore and Yale University of America. Although only two universities from Singapore are among the top 15 international universities in the QS rankings, the rest of the country’s universities are very strong in the field of higher education.
Among the most important Singaporean universities:
To study in Singapore, International students need a student card, and some students need a visa to enter the country in addition to the student card. Once you are accepted into the university of your choice, the university itself will submit a student visa application.
However, a student must apply for a Student Permit to the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) through the Online Application and Registration System (SOLAR), one to two months prior to the start of the course. A student can access SOLAR using the details provided by his/her university after obtaining an acceptance from it and submitting:
It should be borne in mind that if a student needs a visa to enter Singapore, he must complete a student permit application from his country. On the other hand, a student who does not need a visa to enter Singapore can apply for a Student Permit once they have already entered the country.
Note: Only some nationalities need a visa to enter Singapore, so everyone who is about to apply to study in Singapore must check the conditions and considerations of their country.
Usually, each educational institution has its own conditions and requirements according to which students are evaluated and selected. However, there are many basic requirements that often exist in most of them:
Singapore is one of the most sought after destinations for students from countries alike far and near. There are a number of scholarships available in Singapore, and these scholarships are available for different programs and education levels. Some are specific to a specific region or country as they are only offered to citizens of specific regions or countries.
Singapore Government Scholarship: It is one of the full scholarships offered by the government in Singapore to students wishing to study at the most famous universities in Singapore.
Singapore Government Scholarship for Undergraduate and Masters Students: The scholarship is open to international students in Biomedical Sciences, Physical Sciences and all branches of Engineering, 3rd or 4th year undergraduates, or Masters students.
Government of Singapore PhD Scholarship: This scholarship is a collaboration between the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Nanyang Technological University (NTU), National University of Singapore (NUS), and Singapore University of Technology and Design (SOTED). Research areas under a PhD generally fall into two categories: biomedical sciences, and physical sciences and engineering.
The scholarship covers the full tuition fee for 4 years of PhD study plus a monthly stipend of between S$2000-2500, one-time flight costs of S$1,500, and a one-time settlement in an allowance of S$1,000.
National University of Singapore Scholarship: A fully-funded scholarship for students by the Singapore government is available to international students as well as Singaporeans with excellent academic level, and who wish to study a 2-year master’s and 4-year doctorate.
Courses covered by the scholarship: All medical, agriculture, science, social sciences, engineering, mathematics, language courses, chemistry, law, nursing, business, MBA, food science, public health courses and related sub-fields are offered in the scholarship NUS for Master’s degree and Ph.D.