Study in Singapore — universities, campus life and student cities

Singapore flag Sukhada's Study Destination Guide

Study In Singapore

Everything you need to know about tuition, cost of living, post-study work rights and top universities in Singapore — backed by Sukhada's counselling team.

Singapore at a Glance

Partner Universities 6+
Region Asia
Cost Tier Premium
Post-Study Work 1 year (LTVP)
› Study Destinations › Singapore

Why Study in Singapore?

Singapore is Asia's leading education hub, with two universities regularly in the global top 20. It is only a short flight from India and has a large Indian community.

  • Globally top-ranked NUS and NTU
  • Short flight and strong Indian community
  • Safe, clean and English-speaking

Quick Facts

Asia Premium cost tier High PSW 1 year (LTVP)
Talk to a Counsellor

Key Numbers

6+ Partner Universities
Premium Cost Tier
Asia Region
1 year (LTVP) Post-Study Work
26 Programmes
5 Universities with Scholarships

What Are the Most Popular Courses in Singapore?

Our partner universities in Singapore offer 26 programmes. The largest subject areas are Business & Management, Computer Science & IT, Engineering.

A programme can appear in more than one subject area.

Singapore at a Glance

Official Name Republic of Singapore
Capital Singapore
Population 6M
Currency Singapore Dollar (SGD)
Official Language(s) English, Mandarin, Malay, Tamil
Also Spoken Mandarin, Malay, Tamil
Calling Code +65
Region Asia
Economy Developed
English Proficiency Very High

How Does the Education System Work in Singapore?

A bachelor's degree in Singapore usually takes 3–4 years and a master's takes 1–2 years. The main intakes are August (main), January.

Bachelor's 3–4 years
Master's 1–2 years
MBA 1–1.5 years
PhD 4–5 years
Academic Year Starts August
Intakes August (main), January

Grading system

CAP/GPA on a 5.0 scale

Accepted tests

IELTS, TOEFL

What Is the Application Timeline for Singapore?

Most students start 10–12 months before their intake. Exact deadlines vary by university and programme.

  1. ResearchShortlist universities in Singapore that match your budget, course and career goals.
  2. ShortlistNarrow down to 4–6 programmes and note each deadline for your intake.
  3. TestsBook the tests your universities ask for: IELTS, TOEFL.
  4. ApplySubmit applications with transcripts, SOP, LORs and test scores.
  5. OfferAccept your offer and receive the In-Principle Approval (IPA) via SOLAR.
  6. VisaApply for the Student's Pass as soon as your documents are ready.
  7. AccommodationBook on-campus or private housing before you travel.
  8. TravelArrange flights, forex and insurance, and carry original documents.
  9. EnrolComplete orientation, local registration and course enrolment.

How Much Does It Cost to Study in Singapore?

Typical bachelor's tuition in Singapore: SGD 25,000–45,000/yr (lower with Tuition Grant). Master's tuition: SGD 30,000–60,000/yr. Living costs, covering rent, food and transport: SGD 1,200–2,000/month.

Bachelor's Tuition SGD 25,000–45,000/yr (lower with Tuition Grant)
Master's Tuition SGD 30,000–60,000/yr
Living Cost SGD 1,200–2,000/month
Proof of Funds Proof of tuition and living funds as required by the institution

Monthly budget breakdown (Singapore)

Rent (shared) SGD 900/month
Food & groceries SGD 400/month
Local transport SGD 100/month
Utilities & phone SGD 100/month
Personal & leisure SGD 150/month
Estimated Total SGD 1,650/month (approx.)

Accommodation options

On-campus housing SGD 700/month
Shared apartment SGD 900/month
Private studio SGD 2,000/month
Homestay SGD 1,200/month

Figures are indicative ranges for international students and change every year. Your counsellor will confirm exact fees for your shortlisted courses.

How to Get a Singapore Student Visa

Indian students apply for the Student's Pass after receiving the In-Principle Approval (IPA) via SOLAR. Visa fee: SGD 30 processing + SGD 60 issuance. Typical processing time: 2–4 weeks.

Visa Type Student's Pass
Visa Fee SGD 30 processing + SGD 60 issuance
Processing Time 2–4 weeks
Interview No

Step-by-step visa process

  1. Secure your admission Apply to your chosen university and accept the offer. You will receive your In-Principle Approval (IPA) via SOLAR, which your visa application depends on.
  2. Arrange proof of funds Proof of tuition and living funds as required by the institution. Keep recent bank statements, loan sanction letters or sponsor documents ready.
  3. Prepare your documents Collect your passport, academic records, English test scores, SOLAR application number, Medical examination report (if requested).
  4. Submit the visa application Apply for the Student's Pass and pay the fee: SGD 30 processing + SGD 60 issuance.
  5. Biometrics and interview Give biometrics if requested. Visa interview: No.
  6. Get your decision and travel Typical processing time: 2–4 weeks. Once approved, book your travel and complete any local registration after arrival.

Can You Work in Singapore During and After Studies?

Part-time Work Up to 16 hrs/week during term (approved institutions only)
Work During Breaks Full-time during vacations
Post-Study Work Long-Term Visit Pass of up to 1 year to look for work
After a Bachelor's Up to 1 year (LTVP)
After a Master's Up to 1 year (LTVP)
PR Pathway Employment Pass, then apply for permanent residence
Typical PR Timeline Usually 2+ years on an Employment Pass before applying

Immigration rules change often — always confirm on the official government website before you apply.

Documents You'll Typically Need

Exact document requirements vary by university and visa category. This is a general checklist — we'll confirm the precise list for your course.

Checklist

Academic transcripts & certificates
Valid passport
English proficiency score (IELTS / TOEFL / PTE / DET)
Statement of Purpose (SOP)
Letters of Recommendation (LORs)
Proof of funds / financial statements
Resume / CV (for PG programs)
Offer letter (once admitted)
SOLAR application number
Medical examination report (if requested)

What Is the Weather Like in Singapore?

Hot and humid all year. Summers: Hot and humid all year, 25–32°C. Winters: No winter; monsoon rains Nov–Jan.

Average temperatures in Singapore

January 23°C to 30°C
April 24°C to 32°C
July 25°C to 31°C
October 24°C to 31°C

How Do Students Open a Bank Account in Singapore?

Banks let Student's Pass holders open an account quickly, often on campus during orientation.

Popular banks for students

DBS/POSB OCBC UOB

Documents usually needed

Passport
Student's Pass
Proof of address
University letter

Is Singapore Safe for International Students?

Safety: Very high. Healthcare: Excellent.

Health Insurance Yes (university scheme)
Typical Insurance Cost SGD 100–300/yr via university

Common insurance options

University group medical insurance AIA Great Eastern

Safety tips

  • Fines for littering and jaywalking are strict
  • Carry an umbrella for sudden rain
  • Save local emergency numbers on your phone
  • Keep digital copies of your passport, visa and admission letter

What Is the Job Market Like in Singapore?

Graduate job demand in Singapore is high. Entry-level salaries are roughly SGD 45,000–60,000/yr, rising to about SGD 75,000–110,000/yr with experience.

Top hiring sectors

Finance Very High demand
Technology High demand
Logistics High demand
Biomedical Medium demand

Skills in demand

Fintech Software engineering Data analytics Supply chain Biomedical research

Salary figures are indicative gross annual ranges and vary by city, role and employer.

What Is Student Life Like in Singapore?

Efficient, multicultural and rule-abiding, with a huge food culture.

Student life

  • Hawker food culture
  • Deepavali in Little India
  • Campus residential colleges
  • Short trips around Southeast Asia

Major religions

Buddhism Christianity Islam Taoism Hinduism

Indian community

Community Size About 700,000 people of Indian origin
Indian Food & Groceries Very easy — Little India and Indian food across the city

Which Scholarships Can Indian Students Get for Singapore?

Well-known options for Singapore include Singapore International Graduate Award (SINGA), MOE Tuition Grant, University merit scholarships. Eligibility and deadlines change every year, so check the official page before applying.

Singapore International Graduate Award (SINGA) full PhD funding
MOE Tuition Grant subsidised fees with a work bond
University merit scholarships Amounts vary; check the official page for current details

Scholarships for Singapore

Our team tracks live scholarship listings across 150+ university and government portals. Here are the common categories students in Singapore typically qualify for — talk to a counsellor for current deadlines and amounts.

All Levels Merit-Based

Merit Scholarships

Awarded by universities based on academic performance
Singapore
UG / PG Need-Based

Need-Based Financial Aid

Partial tuition waivers based on demonstrated financial need
Singapore
PG / PhD Government

Government & Institutional Grants

Country and institution-run funding programs for international students
Singapore
All Levels Sukhada

Sukhada Partner Discounts

Fee-waivers and priority processing through our university partnerships
Singapore

Partner Universities in Singapore

We work directly with 6 verified universities across Singapore — browse the full list and filter by course, budget and intake.

View All 6+

Top-ranked universities in Singapore

National University of Singapore(NUS) Singapore · Est. 1905 · SGD 33,400–40,450/yr
QS #8
Nanyang Technological University, Singapore Singapore · Est. 1991 · SGD 36,350–40,600/yr
QS #12
Singapore Management University Singapore · Est. 2000 · $ 15,000–45,000/yr
QS #511

Frequently Asked Questions

Typical tuition for international students in Singapore: SGD 25,000–45,000/yr (lower with Tuition Grant) for a bachelor's degree and SGD 30,000–60,000/yr for a master's. Living costs: SGD 1,200–2,000/month, depending on the city.

The visa you need is the Student's Pass, and the application is based on the In-Principle Approval (IPA) via SOLAR. Visa fee: SGD 30 processing + SGD 60 issuance. Typical processing time: 2–4 weeks.

Proof of tuition and living funds as required by the institution. The exact amount is revised from time to time, so confirm it with the official immigration website before applying.

Student work rules in Singapore: Up to 16 hrs/week during term (approved institutions only).

Post-study work in Singapore: Long-Term Visit Pass of up to 1 year to look for work. Long-term settlement route: Employment Pass, then apply for permanent residence.

Safety in Singapore: Very high. Healthcare: Excellent.

Yes (university scheme). Typical cost: SGD 100–300/yr via university.

Graduate job demand in Singapore is high, led by Finance, Technology, Logistics, Biomedical. Entry-level salaries are roughly SGD 45,000–60,000/yr.

About 700,000 people of Indian origin. Indian food: Very easy — Little India and Indian food across the city.

The main intakes in Singapore are August (main), January. A bachelor's degree usually takes 3–4 years and a master's takes 1–2 years.

IELTS, TOEFL. Minimum scores differ by university and course, so check each programme page.

We currently work directly with 6 verified universities in Singapore, spanning a range of budgets and course levels.

Ready to start your journey to Singapore?

Book a free session with a Sukhada counsellor — no obligation, no pressure, just a clear plan for Singapore.

Free Counselling Zero Hidden Charges 94% Visa Success 12,000+ Students Guided
Handpicked For You

Top Universities Worldwide

A closer look at some of the institutions our students are applying to right now.

United States flag United States Cambridge
  • IntakesFall and Spring
  • Visa SuccessNA
  • Post-Study Work12 months OPT (STEM +24 months)
  • Cost of LivingHigh
  • Work While Study20 hrs/week
  • LanguageEnglish

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Cambridge, United States Est. 1861
QS WORLD#1
Annual Tuition US$66,720 avg
Acceptance NA
Placement Ratio 93%
Pillar Scores out of 100 · QS World University Rankings 2026
Academic Reputation
100/100 #4
Employer Reputation
100/100 #2
Faculty / Student
100/100 #16
Citations / Faculty
100/100 #7
Intl. Faculty
100/100 #63
Intl. Students
91.6/100 #153
Intl. Student Diversity
92.3/100 #130
Intl. Research Network
94.1/100 #98
Employment Outcomes
100/100 #7
Sustainability
93.8/100 #33
SG
Sukhada Expert Response: < 2 mins
Premium Support Free
Verified Mentor REF SGE-C4CA
United Kingdom flag United Kingdom London
  • IntakesSeptember
  • Visa SuccessNA
  • Post-Study WorkUp to 2 years (Graduate visa)
  • Cost of LivingHigh
  • Work While Study20hrs/week
  • LanguageEnglish

Imperial College London

London, United Kingdom Est. 1907
QS WORLD#2
Annual Tuition £42,700 – £58,600 avg
Acceptance NA
Placement Ratio 94%
Pillar Scores out of 100 · QS World University Rankings 2026
Academic Reputation
99.6/100 #22
Employer Reputation
100/100 #9
Faculty / Student
99.3/100 #42
Citations / Faculty
95/100 #69
Intl. Faculty
100/100 #74
Intl. Students
100/100 #35
Intl. Student Diversity
100/100 #22
Intl. Research Network
97.5/100 #28
Employment Outcomes
95.9/100 #68
Sustainability
98.3/100 #7
SG
Sukhada Expert Response: < 2 mins
Premium Support Free
Verified Mentor REF SGE-C81E
United States flag United States Stanford
  • IntakesFall and Spring
  • Visa Success82
  • Post-Study Work12 months OPT (STEM +24 months)
  • Cost of LivingHigh
  • Work While Study20hrs/week
  • LanguageEnglish

Stanford University

Stanford, United States Est. 1885
QS WORLD#2
Annual Tuition USD67,731 avg
Acceptance NA
Placement Ratio 90%
Pillar Scores out of 100 · QS World University Rankings 2026
Academic Reputation
100/100 #5
Employer Reputation
100/100 #3
Faculty / Student
100/100 #17
Citations / Faculty
99.7/100 #24
Intl. Faculty
94.2/100 #188
Intl. Students
73.5/100 #261
Intl. Student Diversity
76.1/100 #230
Intl. Research Network
96.5/100 #49
Employment Outcomes
100/100 #2
Sustainability
95.4/100 #19
SG
Sukhada Expert Response: < 2 mins
Premium Support Free
Verified Mentor REF SGE-ECCB
United Kingdom flag United Kingdom Oxford
  • IntakesOctober (Michaelmas term)
  • Visa SuccessNA
  • Post-Study Work2 yrs; 18 months from Jan 2027
  • Cost of LivingGBP 1,405-2,105 / month
  • Work While Study20hrs/week
  • LanguageEnglish

University of Oxford

Oxford, United Kingdom Est. 1096
QS WORLD#4
Annual Tuition GBP 39,620-66,580 avg
Acceptance NA
Placement Ratio 90%
Pillar Scores out of 100 · QS World University Rankings 2026
Academic Reputation
100/100 #
Employer Reputation
100/100 #
Faculty / Student
100/100 #
Citations / Faculty
91/100 #
Intl. Faculty
98.8/100 #
Intl. Students
98.6/100 #
Intl. Research Network
100/100 #
Employment Outcomes
100/100 #
Sustainability
77.9/100 #
SG
Sukhada Expert Response: < 2 mins
Premium Support Free
Verified Mentor REF SGE-A87F
United States flag United States Cambridge
  • IntakesFall
  • Visa SuccessNA
  • Post-Study Work12 months OPT (STEM +24 months)
  • Cost of LivingHigh
  • Work While Study20hrs/week
  • LanguageEnglish

Harvard University

Cambridge, United States Est. 1636
QS WORLD#5
Annual Tuition USD 62,226 avg
Acceptance NA
Placement Ratio 87%
Pillar Scores out of 100 · QS World University Rankings 2026
Academic Reputation
100/100 #1
Employer Reputation
100/100 #1
Faculty / Student
98.3/100 #50
Citations / Faculty
100/100 #1
Intl. Faculty
79.1/100 #300
Intl. Students
81.4/100 #217
Intl. Student Diversity
60.6/100 #335
Intl. Research Network
99.4/100 #8
Employment Outcomes
100/100 #1
Sustainability
77.8/100 #201
SG
Sukhada Expert Response: < 2 mins
Premium Support Free
Verified Mentor REF SGE-E4DA
United Kingdom flag United Kingdom Cambridge
  • IntakesSeptember
  • Visa Success95
  • Post-Study WorkUp to 2 years (Graduate visa)
  • Cost of LivingHigh
  • Work While Study20hrs/week
  • LanguageEnglish

University of Cambridge

Cambridge, United Kingdom Est. 1209
QS WORLD#6
Annual Tuition £29,052 – £70,554 avg
Acceptance NA
Placement Ratio 95%
Pillar Scores out of 100 · QS World University Rankings 2026
Academic Reputation
100/100 #3
Employer Reputation
100/100 #5
Faculty / Student
100/100 #23
Citations / Faculty
88.6/100 #107
Intl. Faculty
100/100 #80
Intl. Students
93.1/100 #144
Intl. Student Diversity
93.6/100 #120
Intl. Research Network
99.2/100 #12
Employment Outcomes
100/100 #5
Sustainability
78.4/100 #194
SG
Sukhada Expert Response: < 2 mins
Premium Support Free
Verified Mentor REF SGE-8F14
This Week's Picks

Scholarships worth applying to right now.

A rotating shortlist our counsellors flag as genuinely worth the paperwork.

Canada flag
McMaster University Canada
Bachelor's CAD 10,000 (one-time)

Engineering International Entrance Award

Deadline: Contact counsellor for deadline
Enquire about this scholarship
Apply Now
Germany flag
Technische Universität Berlin Germany
All Levels All funding: varies

TU Berlin international student funding (check university site)

Deadline: Contact counsellor for deadline
Enquire about this scholarship
Apply Now
Canada flag
Dalhousie University Canada
Bachelor's CAD 32,000

Ivan Joseph Promise Scholarship

Deadline: Contact counsellor for deadline
Enquire about this scholarship
Apply Now
South Korea flag
Hallym University South Korea
All Levels Funding + benefits

Global Korea Scholarship (GKS)

Deadline: Contact counsellor for deadline
Enquire about this scholarship
Apply Now
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