Why Study In Singapore?

As one of the leaders in higher education both in Asia and worldwide, Singapore maintains extremely high standards of teaching and learning. They have a strong research focus in their universities. Students will gain practical knowledge alongside their degree due to universities having strong industrial links. Numerous opportunities for international students have been provided because of the country’s developed educational system.

Life in the country
With such a strident economy, ease of doing business, Singapore allures many immigrants with its fast development and prosperity. The population density of the country is among the world’s highest. It is also one of the four “Asian Tiger” economies, a group is known for its rapid economic growth in the second half of the 20th Century.

Its mixed Chinese, Malay, and Indian population make Singapore a true melting pot of cultures that creates a hybrid identity unique to the city. A big influence on the country’s culture comes from the British and this has led the region to be dubbed as a place with “East meets West”.

People are amiable and courteous to one another with the government laying down five basic ‘Shared Vales’ which are: nation before community and society above self; family as the basic unit of society; community support and respect for the individual; consensus not conflict; racial and religious harmony.

Attitude and etiquette of the local people
Common practices in Singaporean society and culture are:

The elderly are treated with respect only ignoring age hierarchy when someone powerful is present.
Formal and informal settings are sharply distinguished in etiquette.
Public Spitting and littering are both illegal and frowned upon.
Punctuality is common and expected. Being late shows a lack of respect for the person who is kept waiting.
PDA between couples is considered appropriate.

Language

Several languages are used in Singapore, out of which the commonly used ones are English, Malay, Chinese, and Tamil. Malay is the national language of Singapore.

Routes to Permanent Settlement

Singapore is the best destination to live and work in, it is considered to be the most liveable city in all of Asia. The Singapore Permanent Residency (PR) is a visa that allows foreigners to live and work in Singapore permanently. Foreign students studying in the country can obtain a Singapore PR. They have to apply to the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority or ICA. To be eligible they must have resided in Singapore for 2 years at the time of application. Also, they must have passed a minimum of one national examination.

Top universities in Singapore with varied course options

Singapore is a premier education hub offering world-class education to international students at affordable costs. Singapore ranked 15th in the QS Best Student Cities 2018 reflecting its excellent social, cultural, and educational blend. Singapore Universities offer various courses covering several disciplines for students to choose from. There are 34 universities in Singapore out of which 6 are national. Two of the country’s leading universities feature in the world’s top 15.

The top universities in Singapore are:

National University of Singapore
Nanyang Technological University
Singapore Management University
Singapore University of Technology and Design
INSEAD Singapore
Singapore Institute of Management
Singapore Institute of Technology
James Cook University
Singapore University of Social Sciences
LASALLE College of the Arts
Part-Time and Post Study Work Opportunities:

Singapore is home to some of the top universities in the world, however, the cost of living is quite high. Students, who earn through several part-time work options, always welcome extra money. International students are eligible to work part-time in Singapore for about 16 hours a week during term and for unlimited hours during vacation.

International students who wish to work in Singapore after graduation must apply for a work visa. They are usually granted a Short-Term Visit Pass after the expiration of their student pass, which allows them to stay for up to 90 days. This extra time can be used to live and look for a job in Singapore. Students graduating from a university that is on the list of Institute of Higher Learning and seeking employment in Singapore can apply for a one-year (non-renewable) Long-term Social Visit Pass (LTVP). International students can use this period to work and stay in Singapore.

Top Institutes

The education system of Singapore places a great emphasis on education. Students develop the skills and knowledge required to survive in a globally competitive environment. Educational institutions provide high standards of teaching and learning. Singapore houses several internationally prestigious world-class institutions.

There are no foundation programs in some of the best universities, which makes students apply to universities only after college. Some do have diploma programs that allow graduates to directly enter universities. However, other universities that have foundation programs would only allow students to continue education at the same university.

Pre-university: These courses help students brush up on the English language skills and other specialized subjects skills, and can be found in certain colleges and universities.

The curriculum includes:

Profile subjects (depending on the chosen program and specialty)
Classes in writing and verbal communication
Language classes.
There are also short module courses that can be taken individually or together.
Undergraduate: Students must complete 12 years of schooling to apply for a Bachelors's degree program. Some universities accept students with 11 years of education but are subjected to SAT examinations and must have an excellent secondary education certificate.

If a student diploma is not accepted, international applicants have a few other entry options, as mentioned below:

To complete an A-Level or IB program;
To enter a Polytechnic or ITE;
Applying to universities that offer Foundation programs.
Depending on the specialization, training lasts up to 3-4 years except for medical specialties.
Post Graduate: These last for 1-2 years and MBA programs 1-1.5 years. However, the duration varies upon the university. They can also be full-time or part-time and includes lectures, seminars, and group/individual work on the final dissertation that takes a whole duration of study or last semester. Some master’s programs do not even require a dissertation or final project.
Doctoral/Ph.D.: Students can pursue doctoral studies after completing their postgraduate education. A research doctorate consists of an independent study, based on which students pass followed by an interview to verbally defend their thesis, which will be done with the help of their academic supervisors.

Many scholarships are available for international students studying in Singapore. These scholarships may be categorized depending on the qualifications, study program, and region to which the student belongs.

Some of the scholarships available are:

240 Singapore International Graduate Awards in Singapore
Full-Term Scholarships for Undergraduate Studies in Singapore
Singapore Scholarships for International Students
British High Commission Singapore Commonwealth Scholarships and Fellowships, UK
NUS Law Doctoral Research Scholarships in Singapore
Fully-Funded Commonwealth Ph.D. Scholarships at NTU in Singapore
The government of Singapore MSF Undergraduate Scholarships
SINGAPORE STUDENTS CHEVENING SCHOLARSHIPS
Undergraduate Engineering Scholarship for Singapore Citizens
INSEAD Ian Potter 93D and Family Endowed Asia Scholarship in Singapore
Ministry of Foreign Affairs Undergraduate Scholarships for Singaporean Students
Nanyang Business School (NBS) International Ph.D./Postdoctoral Scholarship in Singapore
Defense Science and Technology Agency DSTA Scholarships for Singapore
Undergraduate Scholarships for International Students by JTC Singapore
The Asia Research Institute Postdoctoral Research Fellowship in Singapore
Singapore-Stanford Biodesign Fellowship

Singapore is a popular tourist destination and also a top option for foreign students who wish to obtain a world-class education.

Student Pass:

A Student Visa is called a Student Pass in Singapore. Foreign students whose study program exceeds 30 days need to apply for a Student Pass. Applications are submitted to the Student’s Pass Online Application and Registration (SOLAR) system. A prerequisite for application is admission notice from any university in Singapore and should be made at least a month before the start of the semester.

Required Documents:

Valid passport along with a copy of the particulars and must be valid for at least three months or beyond.
The Disembarkation/Embarkation card of the student, granted on entry into Singapore.
One recent white background color passport-sized photograph
The eForm 16 printouts submitted through SOLAR
A copy of the IPA letter
A medical report in the format available on ICA's website.
Completed Student Visa Application Forms
Birth Certificate
In-principle approval letter
Application fee payment receipt
Bank Statements
Fixed Deposit Receipts and Bank loan sanction letter (if necessary)
Student Pass with Dependants:

International students can apply for a Dependant’s Pass in Singapore whereby, spouses and unmarried children under 21 years old can accompany them during their course of study. A Dependant Pass holder can live in Singapore and can also study and work in the country with prior approval. A Dependant Pass can be renewed 6 months in advance of expiring.

There are two accommodation options available for international students in Singapore:

On-Campus accommodation
Off-Campus accommodation
Below are the common types of accommodation available:

Residential Halls/Hostels
Boarding Schools
Home Stays
Public and Private Apartments/House
Hostels
Serviced Apartments
Off-campus student accommodation options in Singapore usually come in three different types:

Shared Rooms - Two or more people sleep in separate beds in the same room. Living rooms, kitchens, and bathrooms are all shared with other tenants from other rooms.
Private Rooms - Similar to the shared rooms but with a private bedroom and, depending on the property, possibly a private bathroom.
Entire Place – You will not have to share any living spaces. You’ll get a fully self-contained studio with a private bedroom, bathroom, and typically a kitchenette for cooking meals.