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Cost of Studying in Singapore

Singapore is a sophisticated and thriving island country.

It has a rich and multicultural legacy and a modern and fast-paced way of life.

When combined with the bounty of world-class universities in the city-state, Singapore is the ideal place for overseas students seeking a distinctive and modern higher education encounter.

So, if you’re curious about what it costs for fees, lodging, lifestyle, and financial aid alternatives for studying in Singapore, go no further.

To ensure that you are well prepared, the article breaks down the prices of each aspect of university life.

Cost of studying

Overseas students from all over the globe travel to Singapore to further their studies.

The Singapore government and universities provide scholarships to overseas students in order for them to get admission and follow their desired field of study.

Singapore is the most desired destination for students because of its high-quality education, various intakes, shorter course durations, and low tuition rates.

The cost of studying in Singapore varies according to the level and course choice.

Overseas students from all over the globe travel to Singapore to further their studies.

The Singapore government and universities provide scholarships to overseas students in order for them to get admission and follow their desired field of study.

Singapore is the most desired destination for students because of its high-quality education, various intakes, shorter course durations, and low tuition rates.

The cost of studying in Singapore varies according to the level and course choice.

A bachelor’s program typically costs between S$10,000 and S$20,000 in tuition fees.

In the case of PG courses, the cost may reach S$50,000.

Students select Singapore for education because the two largest and oldest institutions, the National University of Singapore and Nanyang Technological University, are among the world’s top institutions.

Tuition fees, university fees, and living expenditures are the quintessential costs that will contribute to the cost of studying.

Tuition Fees

The tuition price for the studied program must be paid yearly by the student enrolled at the University of Singapore.

Tuition rates vary depending on the course level and kind.

The leading universities in Singapore will charge more than the lesser-known ones.

University Fees

Tuition Fees

The tuition fees for some of Singapore’s leading universities are listed here.

National University of Singapore

Undergraduate S$ 29,850-1,59,600

Postgraduate S$38750-95,560

Nanyang Technological University

UG Lab-Based S$32950

UG Non-Lab Based S$31970

PG Lab-Based S$19250

PG Non-Lab Based S$19250

Other expenses at the University

Apart from tuition, students must also pay for additional expenditures. The monthly tuition for universities is estimated to be between S$ 400 and S$ 800. This figure may be higher for large universities and lower for smaller ones.

The following costs are included in the University fees:

  • Application Fees
  • Student Development Fees
  • Service Fees
  • Student Transport Pass
  • Other charges

Cost of Living

Singapore is an expensive place to live in terms of the cost of living.

Prices have risen steadily as a result of the high degree of urbanization and the highly capitalized economy.

Despite reductions for student amenities and transportation, it is still a consistent price. The following are the charges included in the living expenses:

Monthly Expense

Rent (University Halls of Residence) S$ 210-320

Food (at university hostel) S$ 150-800

Bus Transport (Concessional) S$ 120

Public Trains (Concessional Pass) S$ 120

Total S$ 600-1,360

Accommodation

Hostels at universities:

Hostels are available at the majority of Singapore’s institutions for overseas students.

To use the hostel, students must identify their needs in the application form.

However, whether or not the students would be able to find lodging is dependent on the availability of university hostels.

University hostels typically cost between S$200 and S$700 a night, depending on the style of accommodation selected by the student.

Typically, lodging accommodations do not include food.

Rent:

International students who are unable to get into a hostel might browse for rental apartments.

Typically, rental accommodations are accessible for students in the communities around the institution.

Rooms might rent between S$800 and S$2,000 per night.

Unfortunately, the locations of these flats may not always be feasible for overseas students who would ordinarily prefer housing close to the institution.

The monthly rent for HBDs is between S$250 and S$1000.

Homestays:

International students can also choose homestays in Singapore.

Many local families provide homestay services to students in exchange for a monthly stipend.

The cost of a homestay is from S$900 to S$2000, which includes dinner and lodging. Students might pick an apartment near the University to save money on transportation.

Off-campus hostels or PGs:

There are various off-campus hostels accessible in Singapore for overseas students.

Off-campus hostels are slightly more expensive than campus hostels, and the cost varies based on the facilities provided by the hostel. On average, the monthly cost exceeds S$400.

Flats owned by the Housing Development Board (HDB):

HDB flats are one of the unique housing options in Singapore for overseas students. The apartments are less expensive alternatives to private rooms.

Food

Food might cost roughly S$300 per month for overseas students in Singapore. It is preferable for students to stay in accommodations that include meals, as dining out every day might be costly.

Compared to other costs, supermarket and grocery shopping are quite inexpensive.

Prices, however, may differ between supermarket chains.

To summarize, Singapore’s cost of living is nearly the same as any other foreign location.

Students in Singapore can work up to 16 hours per week while attending studies.

And can make a reasonable wage that will allow them to live comfortably.

Specimen Grocery Prices in Singapore

Food Item SGD

One dozen eggs 3.00

One carton of milk 3.00

500g (one lb) of chicken 4.50

500g (one lb) of apples 2.00

One bottle of beer 12.00

One bottle of wine 30.00

Eating at home is typically less expensive than dining out in the city, yet the cost of eating in a restaurant can vary substantially depending on the establishment.

You may eat at five-star restaurants one day and then fill your stomach with local low-priced foods the next.

Transport

Singapore’s public transportation system is pretty inexpensive.

Public buses, in the example, cost around 1 SGD (0.72 USD) each journey. The MRT is also reasonably priced, costing roughly 2 SGD (1.40 USD) every travel.

When you employ private transportation, your costs might increase.

Taking a cab or renting a car in Singapore might easily cost hundreds of Singapore dollars.

Monthly transportation costs students between S$100 and S$250.

Students will save money on transportation because they will be staying close to campus.

Entertainment

Studying abroad has its own novelty and distinct features that a home study choice can never really match.

However, a student is a student, and he or she has some entertainment requirements.

As a result, we give a basic breakdown of various forms of entertainment, which may include lunch out with friends, a coffee, or even a movie. Take a look at the prices to get a good idea of how much extra money you’d want to have.

Specifics                                                                    Avg. Cost In SD

  • Street Food                                                             4
  • Meal at McDonald’s                                               7
  • Meal for two at an average restaurant                   50
  • Movie Ticket                                                         10
  • Starbucks Coffee                                                     7
  • Pepsi/Coke                                                               2
  • Beer                                                                          4
  • Grand Total                                                            84

As a result, it is reasonable to say that to enjoy an occasional lunch, a movie in a month, or even just a cup of coffee, you will need to have roughly S$300 – S$500 per month as your entertainment expenses/pocket money.

Books and Stationery

While many colleges supply study materials and have libraries, students are nevertheless forced to refer to books and stationery outside of the campus, as is the case with any institution throughout the world. Such costs can be covered for less than S$200.

Miscellaneous Expenses

Aside from the aforementioned, as a student, you may also need to consider phone and internet bills, a hairdo, and maybe an occasional trip to a clinic.

Specifics                                 Avg. Cost In SD

  • Internet (monthly tariff)                   40
  • Call rates/minute (prepaid)               0.2
  • Hairdo                                               35
  • A single visit to Polyclinic                15

Scholarships

Scholarships are available at several universities in Singapore for overseas students. The award gives financial assistance to students and waives a portion of their tuition payments. The students must enroll in the scholarship.

Before applying for the scholarship, candidates must satisfy the qualifying requirements.

Check out some of the scholarships available at Singapore’s institutions below-

Lee Kong Chian Scholars’ Programme

This scholarship fund is provided by the Lee Foundation to outstanding Singapore Management University students.

These scholarships are open to students of any nationality in Singapore.

Eligibility:

  • The candidate must be a full-time undergraduate first-year student; for the double degree programs, the business should be included as a degree;
  • and for single degree programs, students must choose a second major offered by an SMU School;
  • the applicant must have good communication and leadership skills, and the student must have a significant extracurricular activity or social service involvement.

Application Deadline:

There is no defined deadline.

Scholarships:

Up to 60 scholarships are available each year.

Duration:

The duration of the entire course

Amount of the award:

SGD 16000 in education-related grants without a bond, followed by SGD 5000 in yearly living costs and a one-time payment of SGD 1800 as a computer stipend.

Nanyang Scholarship

This award is given by Nanyang Technological University to excellent undergraduate students who excel not just in academics but also leadership potential and extracurricular activities.

Eligibility:

To be admitted to a full-time undergraduate degree at Nanyang Technological University, the student must have exceptional Singapore-Cambridge GCE ‘A’ level scores, a certificate from a recognized Singapore institute, or class 12 equivalent grades from other countries.

Application Deadline:

There is no defined deadline.

Scholarship Number:

Variable

Duration:

The whole study duration, with the student maintaining a minimum CGPA of 3.5 in each semester.

Amount of the award:

100% reimbursement of tuition costs, a living cost of SGD 6,500 each year, a cost of lodging of SGD 2,000, a travel grant of SGD 5,000, and a one-time trip grant of SGD 1,750.

NUS Research Scholarship

The National University of Singapore offers this grant to deserving candidates enrolled in Ph.D. programs at NUS.

Eligibility: International graduate students with outstanding academic records and a strong intellectual capability should apply to the National University of Singapore Graduate School.

Deadline

The deadline has not been declared.

Scholarship Number: Variable

Duration: Throughout the Course

Amount Awarded: Full Tuition Fees

Student visas for Singapore

International students seeking to study in Singapore will require a student visa.

This will be sent together with your letter of approval (also known as your in-principle approval or IPA) once your application has been approved by a recognized university.

Your application is subject to previously recognized credentials, documentation of relevant papers, and proof of appropriate English language abilities.

While this automatic issuance means you won’t have to apply for a student visa, you will have to apply to the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) for a Student Pass within two weeks of being accepted.

This must also take place no sooner than two months and no later than one month before the commencement of your course.

You will need to accomplish this using the Student’s Pass Online Application & Registration System, or SOLAR, which will be registered for you by the institution where you have been admitted.

To apply for your Student Pass online, log in to SOLAR using the registration information supplied by your school and fill out and submit eForm 16 via SOLAR.

This will necessitate the use of a valid passport, the address of your university, your email address, and a current photo.

After arriving in the country, you must schedule an appointment with the ICA and provide your disembarkation/embarkation card issued upon entrance into Singapore, a passport-sized photo, a printout of a signed and completed eForm 16, a copy of your in-principle approval, and a current medical report on the relevant form.

A signed copy of the terms and conditions document must be provided when picking up the Student Pass.

When you submit your application, you will be charged S$30 (US$22) and another S$60 (US$44) when the pass is given.

Most students can work full-time during the school vacations and 16 hours per week during the school year with their Student Pass.

Funding to study in Singapore

After being given a seat on a program, both local and overseas students can apply to the Singaporean Ministry of Education for a tuition subsidy.

It covers a large portion of the cost of university tuition.

In exchange for this award, overseas students must sign a bond pledging to work for a Singapore-registered firm for at least three years after completing their degree, ensuring that the country benefits from the abilities of those it educates.

For medical and dental students, the duration of this link is longer (five or six years).

In Conclusion

To summarize, when it comes to the cost of living, Singapore ranks somewhat in line with comparable study abroad options.

What makes it appealing to international students is its closeness and ease of access to jobs. As a result, students in Singapore are permitted to work up to 16 hours a week over the course of their studies.

You can make a respectable living salary if there are no minimum wage requirements.

Though they will not be sufficient to offset or assist with tuition prices, they will come in useful and will allow you to enjoy your time in Singapore.

Amit Kumar

FreeEducator.com blog is managed by Amit Kumar. He and his team come from the Oxford, Stanford and Harvard. At FreeEducator, we strive to create the best admission platform so that international students can go to the best universities - regardless of financial circumstances. By applying with us, international students get unlimited support and unbiased advice to secure the best college offers overseas.

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