Being a melting pot of a varied range of cultures, Singapore has always been one of the top study abroad destinations to attract students across the globe. With a 1/3rd of foreign population, Singapore has a highly developed economy, thus making it a leading place for pursuing higher education, particularly post graduation. The article discusses about the educational scenario in Singapore and guides you about education in Singapore.
Why Study in Singapore
With a high standard of living, very low crime rate and remarkable educational standards, Singapore has become the top favorite not only among the travelers, but also among higher education aspirants. Located in the heart of South East Asia, Singapore flaunts a perfect influence of cultures from both the eastern and the western worlds, thus exposing the students to a multicultural environment.
A number of students from across the globe have started rushing towards Singapore for higher education, particularly for management and science courses. Establishment of top quality public and private institutions has led Singapore to rapidly emerge as a premium educational hub. Catering the academic requirements of students from different educational background, no wonder, Singapore will leave behind the USA and European countries when it comes to costs associated and the quality of education offered. Bedsides, the Singapore Government has taken the charge to safeguard the interests of the international students by heavily regulating the private education.
Good news for the higher education aspirants is that the National universities of Singapore, such as National University of Singapore (NUS), Singapore Management University (SMU) and Nanyang Technological University (NTU) are named among the top ranking universities globally.
Talking about the higher education, there is no reason that could stop you from studying in Singapore. The leading universities in Singapore offer a broad range of Master’s Degree. A big number of students travel all the way to pursue specific courses like MS in Singapore. The programs, which have garnered the attention of the students from across the globe, are courses in Art and Architecture, Biological and Life Sciences, Business and MBA, Computers and Technology, Engineering, Healthcare and Public Health, Law, Nursing and Medicine, Physical and Earth Sciences, among many others.
Entry Requirements
The educational pattern in Singapore universities is based on the British Education system, and thus the minimum requirements for admissions in the postgraduate courses are a 2:1 degree or above. 2:1 degree stands for second-class honors, upper division. However, you are advised to check for the entry specifications of the individual universities before you apply.
Usually the candidates may need to apply for the university directly, typically by post or online. Certainly, there are different deadlines for different courses across different universities. The courses commence by September, hence you would need to submit your applications by June. There again a similar procedure is followed in January, but the students intake is lower. Being an international student, you will have to submit a proof that you will be able to bear the expenses associated with the course.
Generally, a postgraduate degree does not require any kind of references, but if you are looking forward to earn a research degree, make sure you have two academic references.
Cost of Education in Singapore
The cost of studying in Singapore may not be as affordable as other Asian countries, but it is still lower if we compare it with education in the UK, USA and Australia. On an average, the annual tuition fees are around US$10,000, but that totally depends on the type of course you have chosen and the institution where you will be seeking admission. Science courses are certainly costlier than Arts courses.
Living Costs
Be prepared to pay a hefty sum for your lifestyle in Singapore, again the costs are lower compared with that in European countries. As an international student, you will have to spend an average of about 750-2,000 Singapore dollars monthly for living, which makes over USD 500-1500, costly, isn’t it!
Student’s Visa
The process of application is usually linked with your university application, where the students who are accepted to study at the university receives their student visa along with the In-Principle Approval (IPA) letter.
An additional document required to study in Singapore is a Student Pass. Make sure that you apply for this pass two months before your course commences. For this, you would need to sign up with the special Student’s Pass Online Application & Registration System (SOLAR). This pass will be helpful in many ways, like this gives you the freedom to work while you study.
The international students are allowed to work during the holidays, however, the working hours may not exceed 16 hours weekly in term time. Check university regulations to ensure if you fall under this category!
Author Bio: Rashmi Karan has been writing professionally since 2010, most recently publishing for various websites on topics like employment and education. She helps students to come forefront and learn more about how they can study abroad in countries like Singapore.
