Colleges in Singapore: Bachelors, Masters, Admission Requirements, Cost, Scholarships, Placements an

Singapore is one of the most popular study abroad destinations for Indian students due to its close proximity. Universities in Singapore provide a wide range of courses in Business, Engineering, Medicine, and more along with career opportunities. Higher education institutions in Singapore are divided into 6 public universities, 5 polytechnic institutions, 2 art institutions, and around 15 private universities.

In 2023, Singapore gained the #13 spots in one of the most desirable student destinations in Asia and the world by QS ranking. Even though the cost of living in Singapore is more expensive than in India, it is lower than various European and American countries. Singapore offers a similar standard of living as these popular study destinations but at a lower cost.

Government Universities in Singapore have two intakes, August and Feb intake while polytechnic universities have April and September intakes. Private educational institutions have several intakes throughout the year.
Explore: Singapore Universities Deadlines

Top Colleges in Singapore

Some of the internationally recognized and popular Finance colleges or universities in Singapore and their respective rankings in 2023 are provided below:

Name of University Times Higher Education Ranking QS Top Universities Ranking US News & World Report Ranking
National University of Singapore #19 #11 #26
Nanyang Technological University #36 #19 #30
Singapore Management University - #561 #725
Singapore University of Technology and Design - - #432
Duke-NUS Medical School - - -

Why Study in Singapore?

Higher educational institutions in Singapore offer a broad selection of educational programs to all students with exceptional career and internship opportunities. There are several international and government scholarships available for international students to ease the financial burden. Also, there are various study abroad collaboration programs.

  • High-quality education: A wide range of educational programs are available in Singapore.
  • Exposure: Students get exposure to different cultures and academic life which proves beneficial for leading an ambitious life.
  • Scholarships: Even though the tuition fee is high in Singapore, there are many scholarships available for international students to subdue their financial burden.
  • Employability: There are many options available for international students for their future career prospects such as work while studying, full-time and part-time work, internships, collaborative career programs, etc.
  • No Second Language Barrier: English is widely spoken in Singapore so language is not a problem for Indian students pursuing Finance in Singapore.

Colleges in Singapore for Undergraduate Programs

In Singapore, most bachelor's programs are 3 years long while bachelor honors are around 4 years. There are some fast-track degree programs spanning from 2 to 2.5 years. It is highly recommended that international students opt for 3 or 4 years of degree programs.

These degrees are most desired by recruiters and this point may prove beneficial for the future. For a bachelor's degree in Engineering, international students prefer NUS and NTU due to their reputation and high research exposure. Below is the average cost of studying for a bachelor's degree in Singapore at popular universities:

University Amount (SGD) Amount (INR)
National University of Singapore 30,000 - 37,500 15 – 19 lakhs
Nanyang Technological University 30,000 - 35,000 15 – 18 lakhs
Singapore Management University 41,000 - 47,000 20 – 24 lakhs

Colleges in Singapore for Postgraduate Programs

Generally, master's programs in the universities in Singapore take 1 to 2 years or 15 months to 18 months to complete. A wide range of postgraduate programs are available in Singapore universities, Indian students prefer Engineering, telecommunication, MBA, and business-related programs are preferred by Indian students. Some of the top colleges to offer master's programs are below.

Top Colleges:

  • National University of Singapore
  • Nanyang Technological University
  • INSEAD
  • Singapore Management University
  • Singapore Institute of Management
  • The National University of Singapore Business School
  • James Cook University, Singapore

Below is the average tuition fee to study a popular master's degree in Singapore in Singapore universities:

Institution Program Annual Tuition Fee (SGD) Equivalent Tuition Fee (INR)
James Cook University Master of Education 22,407 13.85 lakhs
Institute of Systems Science, National University of Singapore Master of Technology in Knowledge Engineering (MTech KE) 44,925 27.76 lakhs
Singapore Management University (SMU) Master of Professional Accounting (MPA) 38,520 23.81 lakhs
Singapore Institute of Management (SIM) Master of Social Work 29,000 17.92 lakhs
James Cook University Master of Information Technology – Business Informatics 32,100 19.84 lakhs
Institute of Systems Science, National University of Singapore Master of Technology in Software Engineering (MTech SE) 44,925 27.76 lakhs

Colleges in Singapore for MBA Programs

There is a very high demand for business-related courses in Singapore. Preferred courses picked by Indian students to study in Singapore are Bachelor of Commerce in Marketing, Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication, Diploma of Commerce, and MBA.

Some of the top colleges to study MBA in Singapore are tabulated below along with their tuition fee.

College or university Tuition Fee (SGD) Equivalent Tuition Fee (INR)
INSEAD 71,000 43.82 lakhs
National University of Singapore (NUS) 62,000 38.27 lakhs
Nanyang Technological University (NTU) 55,000 34 lakhs
Singapore Management University (SMU) 62,000 38.27 lakhs
SP Jain School of Global Management 41,600 25.68 lakhs
James Cook University (JCU) Singapore 44,000 27.16 lakhs

Admission Requirements in Singapore

Every university has some specific admission requirement set for the international but apart from this, basic academic requirements are the same for all universities. Completion of secondary education is compulsory for applying to a bachelor’s degree and an undergraduate degree of 3 years is a must for master's programs. English language proficiency is one of the most important documents required for applying to Singapore universities.

Some of the common admission requirements that are required to be completed are given below:

  • English language proficiency:
    • TOEFL iBT: 80 overall for UG | 90 for PG
    • IELTS: 6.5 band for UG | 7.5 band for PG
  • High school diploma or overseas equivalent for undergraduate programs
  • A 3-year bachelor’s degree or equivalent for postgraduate programs
  • Secondary school certificate or pre-requisites for diploma programs
  • A master’s degree or equivalent for doctoral programs
  • Work experience in master's and doctoral programs
  • Letter of Recommendation
  • CV/resume
  • Statement of Purpose
  • GMAT/GRE score (if required)

Cost of Studying in Singapore

Singapore is an expensive city. Even though there are grants available for international students but some students may find studying in Singapore a bit more expensive than in other countries. Below is given an estimated cost of tuition fees, accommodation or other facilities required to stay in Singapore.

Particulars Amount Per Year (SGD) Equivalent Amount (INR)
Tuition Fee
Tuition Fee for medicine, business, law 37,000-154,000 22.83 to 95.04 lakhs
Tuition Fees for one-year on Average 20,000 12.35 lakhs
Undergraduate programs 15,000 – 20,000 92.58 - 12.35 lakhs
Postgraduate and doctoral programs 25,000 - 35,000 15.43 - 21.60 lakhs
2 years Diploma course 5,000 - 20,000 (6 months) 3.08 - 12.35 lakhs
Accommodation
University’s Halls of Residence 155 – 800 per month 9,570 – 49,400
Boarding School 6,000 – 15,000 per annum 3.70 - 9.25 lakhs
Single room in Public Housing 300 – 600 per month 18,500 – 37,000
Single bedroom in Private Housing 1000 per month 61,700
Others
Utilities 150-200 per month 9,260 – 12,350
Food 500 per month 30,800
Health insurance fee 50,000 per annum 30.85 lakhs

Explore: Cost of Living in Singapore

Scholarships for International Students in Singapore

To ease the financial burden on international students, there are many scholarships and financial assistance made available by the government. Some of them are given below.

Scholarship Name Awarding Body Eligibility Criteria Details & Awarded Amount
Singapore International Graduate Award (SINGA) It is a collaboration of 4 universities namely NTU (Nanyang Technological University), NUS (National University of Singapore), SUTD (Singapore University of Technology and Design), and A*STAR (Agency for Science) research students, PhD in biomedical sciences and physical science and engineering SGD 2,000 - SGD 2,500 per month, one-time airfare grant, one-time settling-in allowance
Commonwealth Scholarship for Integrated Science funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) Masters and PhD international students, a bachelor's degree or master’s degree, commonwealth country citizen, minimum 60% in Social Science and 65% in Science subjects, age below 40 years of age This scholarship is available for international students belonging to commonwealth countries. It is. This scholarship is available for Indian students Amount - travel expenses, tuition fees and other allowances
ASEAN Foundation Scholarships ASEAN Foundation age below 40 years of age, a Bachelor's degree in the Sciences, Medical Sciences or Pharmacy, Available to Southeast Asian master’s students It is a post-graduate Scholarship Program in Science and Technology. Funding - Tuition fee, airfare, academic fees, monthly allowance, study material allowance, and health insurance

Placements in Singapore

Singapore has been ranked in employability many times. Singapore is in the top 20 in terms of employer activity. Engineering and Business degrees from Singapore are mostly preferred by recruiters.

Singapore is one of the major business centers in the world. Singapore makes work while studying easy because of the fact that students can work part-time for 16 hours per week in exchange for discounted tuition.

Below are given job positions and the respective salaries of graduates in Singapore:

Jobs in Singapore

Job Title Average Annual Salary (SGD) Equivalent Salary for Indians (INR)
Software Engineer 27,000 - 98,000 16.66 – 60.46 lakhs
Project Manager 35,500 - 125,600 21.90 - 77.50 lakhs
Senior Software Engineer 48,500 – 126,200 30.00 - 77.87 lakhs
Account Executive 4,570 - 48,000 28.20 - 29.70 lakhs
Marketing Executive 22,500 - 48,000 13.90 - 29.70 lakhs
Operations Manager 28,690 – 125,000 17.70 - 77.13 lakhs

Check Out: Jobs in Singapore for International Students

Top Recruiters in Singapore

Recruiter Average Annual Salary (SGD) Equivalent Salary for Indians (INR)
DBS 30,000 - 144,600 18.51 – 89.22 lakhs
National University of Singapore (NUS) Employee 34,500 - 124,000 21.30 – 76.51 lakhs
Singtel 18,000 - 148,500 11.10 – 91.62 lakhs
Standard Chartered Bank 31,000- 197,000 19.13 - 12.15 lakhs
Citibank 49,300 - 220,000 30.50 - 13.57 lakhs

Know More: Singapore Work Visa

Prospective international students planning to get undergraduate or postgraduate degrees must always keep their eligibility documents ready. Students must apply at the earliest to get first come first serve benefits. Also, the minimum age to apply to higher education institutions in Singapore is 17. Applicants are highly advised to check their preferred program in the official website to avoid any kind of hindrance.

FAQs

Ques. Is studying in Singapore costly?

Ans. Studying in Singapore can be relatively costly compared to some other countries but it may vary depending on several factors such as the type of course, institution, and duration of the study. On average, tuition fees for undergraduate and postgraduate programs ranges from around SGD 10,000 to SGD 60,000 per annum for international students. The cost may be considered high but one must keep both pros and cons in mind while taking the decision of studying in Singapore.


Ques.Is Singapore worth it for Indian students?

Ans.Singapore is a great option for Indian students looking for higher education. Singapore is a multiethnic nation with a booming economy and educational system. Some of the reasons why Singapore is a good option for Indian students include High-Quality Education, English widely spoken, Scholarships, Safety. Job opportunities, Close proximity as well as Less expensive than European countries. Also, the visa process is easy for indian students.


Ques.Can we work in Singapore while studying?

Ans.It is allowed international students to work while studying along with some guidelines and restrictions. As a student, you can work part-time for up to 16 hours per week during the school term. full-time work is only allowed during the school holidays. A work pass is required to start working. International students studying full-time at a government-approved institution can apply for a work pass under the Work Holiday program (WHP).


Ques.How much money a student can earn in Singapore?

Ans.Many factors such as education level and work experience determine how much a student can earn in Singapore. A minimum of 6 SDG hourly wages is recommended for international students who work while studying. There is no limit to the number of hours they can work but work between 12 am to 6 am is not allowed for students.


Ques.How much is the Singapore study visa for Indian students?

Ans.For a student pass, the visa application fee is 30 SGD which is approximately 1900 INR and the visa issuance fee is 60 SGFD or 3700 INR. The cost of a Singapore student visa is 90 SGD which is approx. 5500 INR. This visa information applies to for full –time degree students.


Ques.Which Singapore degree holder gets the highest-paying job?

Ans.Singapore degree holders specializing in STEM fields including Science and Technology, Engineering, generally get the highest-paying jobs. Also, the IT sector is on the rise in Singapore so degree holders have more chances to get recruited by companies in Singapore. Apart from these factors, individuals who graduated from the National University of Singapore and the Nanyang Technological University get preference over other graduates.

Colleges By Ranking
Institution Type
College Type
State
City
Entrance / Exam Accepted
Attendance Type
Course Delivery Mode
Language
Found 9 universities
Sort By
CD RankCollege InfoTuition Fees & living Cost(Avg.)Top CoursesRanking & Reviews
#1National University of Singapore logo

National University of Singapore, Singapore

Singapore, Singapore25%Acceptance Rate
Tuition:  ₹21.15L/Yr (S$34,212/Yr)Living₹2.88L/Yr (S$4,662/Yr)Admission M.Sc. Data Science and Machine L...TOEFL85₹25.46L/Yr
S$41,181
Course duration: 2 years
149+ More Programs
5.7/10(8 Users)Ranked 19 by THE in 2024Ranked 8 by QS in 2024
#2Nanyang Technological University logo

Nanyang Technological University, Singapore

Singapore, Singapore36%Acceptance Rate
Tuition:  ₹12.69L/Yr (S$20,530/Yr)Living₹26K/Yr (S$420/Yr)Admission M.B.AGMAT660IELTS6PTE55₹46.37L/Yr
S$75,000
Course duration: 1 year
78+ More Programs
9.0/10(3 Users)Ranked 32 by THE in 2024Ranked 26 by QS in 2024
#3Singapore Management University logo

Singapore Management University, Singapore

Singapore, Singapore49%Acceptance Rate
Tuition:  ₹36.37L/Yr (S$58,825/Yr)Living₹10.98L/Yr (S$17,760/Yr) M.B.AGMAT660IELTS6.0PTE55₹47.18L/Yr
S$76,300
Course duration: 1 year
28+ More Programs
7.8/10(4 Users)Ranked 545 by QS in 2024Ranked 1363 by CWUR in 2022
#4INSEAD logo

INSEAD, Singapore

Singapore, Singapore32%Acceptance Rate
Tuition:  ₹45.69L/Yr (S$73,891/Yr)Living₹10.21L/Yr (S$16,508/Yr)Admission M.B.AGMAT700TOEFL105PTE72₹63.99L/Yr
S$103,500
Course duration: 10 months
6+ More Programs
Ranked 119 by CWUR in 2022
#5Singapore Institute of Management logo

Singapore Institute of Management, Singapore

Singapore, Singapore70%Acceptance Rate
Tuition:  ₹12.21L/Yr (S$19,755/Yr)Admission M.S International BusinessIELTS6.5PTE59₹23.66L/Yr
S$38,259
Course duration: 1 year
55+ More Programs
6.2/10(5 Users)
#6National University of Singapore Business School logo

National University of Singapore Business School, Singapore

Singapore, Singapore7%Acceptance Rate
Tuition:  ₹27.16L/Yr (S$43,928/Yr)Admission M.B.AGMAT670TOEFL100₹53.79L/Yr
S$87,000
Course duration: 17 months
11+ More Programs
--
#7Amity Global Institue logo

Amity Global Institue, Singapore

Singapore, Singapore
Tuition:  ₹5.03L/Yr (S$8,143/Yr) M.B.AIELTS6.5PTE42₹12.98L/Yr
S$21,000
Course duration: 1 year
13+ More Programs
--
#8James Cook University logo

James Cook University, Singapore

Singapore, Singapore40%Acceptance Rate
Tuition:  ₹21.62L/Yr (S$34,967/Yr) M.B.AGMAT590IELTS6.5PTE58₹22.38L/Yr
S$36,200
Course duration: 1 year
5+ More Programs
9.7/10(1 User)
#9London School Of Business And Finance logo

London School Of Business And Finance, Singapore

Singapore, Singapore13%Acceptance Rate
Tuition:  ₹9.3L/Yr (S$15,048/Yr) L.L.M International Corporate Go...IELTS6₹14.5L/Yr
S$23,445
Course duration: 11 months
23+ More Programs
--