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
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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 | - | - | - |
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.
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 |
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.
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 |
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 |
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:
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
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 |
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:
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
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.
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.
CD Rank | College Info | Tuition Fees & living Cost(Avg.) | Top Courses | Ranking & Reviews | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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#1 | National University of Singapore, SingaporeSingapore, 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 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
#2 | Nanyang Technological University, SingaporeSingapore, 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 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
#3 | Singapore Management University, SingaporeSingapore, 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 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
#4 | INSEAD, SingaporeSingapore, 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 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
#5 | Singapore Institute of Management, SingaporeSingapore, 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 | National University of Singapore Business School, SingaporeSingapore, 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 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
#7 | Amity Global Institue, SingaporeSingapore, 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 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
#8 | James Cook University, SingaporeSingapore, 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 | London School Of Business And Finance, SingaporeSingapore, 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 |