Why Study in Singapore?

Singapore is an attractive destination for foreign students looking to pursue their higher education, with the island-state having earned an international reputation for the high quality of its educational institutions. In this report, we will give you a bird’s eye view of how the country can help you gain an internationally recognised qualification without having to spend a fortune.

Singapore is actively promoting itself as a premier education hub, with numerous government agencies such as the Economic Development Board (EDB), Singapore Tourism Board (STB), Ministry of Education (MOE) and immigration authorities joining forces with educational institutions to make it attractive and easy for you to study in Singapore. The EDB also encourages businesses to assist local or foreign graduates from Singapore universities find jobs and settle down in the island – a major attraction for overseas students planning to study in Singapore.

Singapore - A Popular Study Destination

Singapore has already established itself as an attractive overseas education destination especially for Asian students. There are more than 80,000 overseas students from 120 countries in the Singapore education system, spread out across public schools, three local universities, top international universities with campuses in Singapore, and polytechnics. The quality of education offered has also lured leading lecturers and professors from around the world. The country enjoys a thriving economy, safe and clean living and studying environment, a cosmopolitan society and an array of food choices. Living and dining is relatively cheap and Singapore boasts some of the best entertainment and leisure outlets in Asia.

Quality Education

While there are many secondary reasons to choose Singapore as the place to study, the main factor is the quality of education. In this respect, Singapore leads the way.

World-Class Local Universities

Singapore has three local universities, National University of Singapore (NUS), Nanyang Technological University (NTU) and Singapore Management University (SMU), all offering internationally recognised degrees.

National University of Singapore (NUS) – the world famous NUS has a student population of about 28,000, almost 6,000 of whom are from overseas. In the QS World University Rankings for 2007, NUS was ranked 33 and is regularly among the top 50.

Nanyang Technological University (NTU) – this institution was ranked 69 in the global rankings last year and is among the top 20 technological universities in the world. Of its nearly 20,000 students, more than 5,000 are foreign students studying at NTU.

Singapore Management University (SMU) – this is a fairly new institution, having opened in 2000 and was inspired by the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. SMU’s objective is to produce outstanding business leaders who are equipped to thrive in the cut-throat world of commerce and enterprise. SMU is rapidly becoming a popular choice for foreign students that want to study in the business and management fields.

International Universities

You don’t have to go to the United States to study at an American university. You can do that in Singapore and save money. Stanford, Duke University, John Hopkins, King’s College London, University of Melbourne, University of St Gallen in Switzerland, Georgia Institute of Technology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Cornell University, Waseda and the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay are among the esteemed international institutions that have either set up campuses in Singapore or have tie-ups with local bodies, particularly NUS and NTU offering . One of the EDB’s tasks is to seek out prestigious international brand-name universities and encourage them to set up Singapore affiliations.

Polytechnics

Over 10% of the students studying at Singapore polytechnics are foreign students. The Singapore polytechnics provide over 40 various types of diploma and post-diploma courses in the fields of business, engineering, maritime, service industry, information technology, and others. Several foreign institutes have formed joint ventures with local polytechnics to give students a chance to pursue degrees after they have completed their polytechnic diplomas.

Affordable Cost

Studying in Singapore is significantly cheaper than countries like the United States, Australia, or England. Even a lesser university in the US may cost more than US$20,000 a year, at its cheapest, while Britain also charges high fees for international students. As a foreign student studying in Singapore, you pay about 50 per cent more fees at NUS than citizens but that still amounts to only around US$6,000 a year. SMU charges about the same while fees for NTU, offering largely lab-based courses, are slightly higher.

You may be eligible for government subsidies that take care of up to 70 per cent of NTU fees. The cost of living in Singapore is also relatively less expensive. Most universities have hostels, which charge around US$200 to US$350 a month, while many students choose to share apartments and condominiums. Food in Singapore is affordable and you can enjoy a tasty and nutritious meal at one of the many hawker stalls for as little as US$4. You also have the choice of cooking. As a student studying in Singapore, you can survive with US$750 a month for living expenses.

Student Support Infrastructure

As a country that welcomes overseas students, the Singapore government will do its best to assist you once you have arrived for your higher studies here. Being a foreign student, you receive counselling services, orientation programmes as well as having the right to provide feedback through Student Services, which manages the Singapore Education Services Centre (SESC), located at STB headquarters at Orchard Spring Lane on Tourism Court. The SESC houses the office of the Overseas Students’ Association, which gives students an avenue to develop cultural, social and athletic skills.

Opportunities to Settle in Singapore

If you want to make Singapore your home, studying is a viable path to settling down in the country. Institutions in Singapore work closely with businesses through internships and other programmes. Companies are also eager to hire graduates of local universities. After completion of your studies in Singapore, if you can secure a job here, you will be given an Employment Pass, which can easily lead to permanent residence status within 1-2 years. Many foreign students have gone this route and are now full-fledged Singapore permanent residents.

High-Quality Lifestyle

Whether you are studying or working in Singapore, the country has a lot to offer for such a small place. Apart from the quality of education, there are several non-academic reasons to want to study in Singapore.

Cosmopolitan City – Singapore’s main ethnic groups are Chinese, Malays, Indians and, to a smaller extent, Eurasians. Having lived harmoniously together for decades, they have forged a distinctly Singaporean uniqueness that you, as a foreigner, will find engaging. This is in addition to the thousands of expatriates from Asia and the West who added their own flavour to the mix.

High Living Standards – In the 2007 Mercer Human Resource Consulting Worldwide Quality of Living Survey, Singapore was number one in Asia (excluding Australian cities) and 33 in the world. Singapore enjoys a booming economy, stable government and is one of the safest cities in the world. It is also among Asia’s most wired cities with advanced broadband internet services, top-class mobile and land-line telephone infrastructure and an excellent and cheap public transport network of Mass Rapid Transport railway, taxis and buses.

Leisure and Entertainment – Singapore is a lively city with night clubs, bars, restaurants, shopping malls, arts centres and theatres providing diverse options for you during your breaks from studying. There is a variety of cuisines on offer and places to visit such as Night Safari and Zoo, Little India, Chinatown, Malay Village, Sentosa Island and other famous leisure and cultural spots. Singapore is also striving to be the events capital of Asia and already hosts some world-class sporting events, such as the US$5 million Singapore Open Golf tournament. The island will make history when, in 2008, it debuts on motor racing’s Formula One calendar with the sport’s first-ever night race, to take place on a street circuit.

Medical Care – Singapore is a world-class hub for medical tourists who travel to the country seeking affordable yet quality treatment. If you are sick, you can easily find clinics at your campus or outside that provide quality care at reasonable prices.

Excellent Location – Singapore is at the heart of Southeast Asia, with easy access by flight to many of Asia’s top destinations, such as India, Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta, Bali, Bangkok, Phuket, Manila, Hong Kong, Ho Chi Minh City and others.

Simple Procedure for Student Pass

The Immigration & Checkpoints Authority of Singapore has made it easy for you to apply for Student Passes. After being accepted by your school, you simply visit the ICA website and complete eForm 16 through the online SOLAR system. This is for students studying at the three local universities, polytechnics and certain international universities that have local campuses. Once your visa is accepted, you will receive an approval letter allowing you to enter Singapore for up to 30 days. After arriving in Singapore, you should submit your letter, travel document, photograph, arrival/departure card, printout of eForm16 and a medical report to the fourth floor of the ICA’s headquarters in Kallang Road. The Student Pass should be ready in three working days.

Thousands of foreign students are studying in Singapore and many more have already have gone through the Singapore higher education system and have been rewarded with the rich experience of Singapore life and a world-class degree. The Singapore education system is an extremely attractive option especially for Asian students due to its world-class reputation, geographic location, affordability, familiar culture, and high-quality of life.