Costs
Tuition
Without Tuition Grant: SGD 29,000–65,000/year. With MOE Tuition Grant: SGD 8,000–20,000/year. Medicine and dentistry higher.
Living Costs
SGD 1,200–2,000/month. Accommodation is the biggest cost. On-campus housing: SGD 300–600/month. Private rental: SGD 800–1,500/month for a room.
Total Annual Cost
€25,000–55,000/year without grant. €12,000–25,000/year with MOE Tuition Grant.
Part-Time Work
16 hours/week during term (with school approval). Unlimited during breaks. MOE TGS bond holders work full-time after graduation.
Post-Study & Immigration
Post-Study Work Visa
LTVP (Long-Term Visit Pass) for job search. MOE TGS holders have guaranteed 3-year work requirement. Employment Pass for qualifying jobs (salary threshold applies).
Path to Permanent Residency
Good prospects. Apply for PR after working in Singapore (typically after 1–2 years). 3-year TGS bond effectively guarantees your stay and builds toward PR eligibility.
Language Requirements
English (medium of instruction at all universities). No English test required for many programmes if previous education was in English. IELTS/TOEFL for others.
Visa Processing
Student Pass: 2 weeks after IPA (In-Principle Approval) from ICA. University applies on your behalf. Straightforward process.
Top Universities
| University | QS 2025 | Tuition (Int'l) | Known For |
|---|---|---|---|
| National University of Singapore (NUS) | #8 | SGD 29,000–65,000 (8,700–19,500 with TGS) | All fields — Asia's top university |
| Nanyang Technological University (NTU) | #15 | SGD 29,000–55,000 (8,700–16,500 with TGS) | Engineering, Business, Communication |
| Singapore Management University (SMU) | #Top 50 business | SGD 35,000–45,000 | Business, Law, Economics, Computing |
| SUTD | Design-focused | SGD 30,000–50,000 | Architecture, Engineering, Design |
| SIT | Industry-focused | SGD 25,000–35,000 | Applied programmes, Engineering, Health |
Scholarships
MOE Tuition Grant
Award: 70% tuition reduction (3-year bond)
Eligibility: All nationalities · Deadline: Rolling
Automatic consideration. Must work in Singapore 3 years post-graduation.
Eligibility: All nationalities · Deadline: Rolling
Automatic consideration. Must work in Singapore 3 years post-graduation.
ASEAN Scholarship
Award: Full tuition + living allowance
Eligibility: ASEAN nationals · Deadline: Varies
Singapore government scholarship for ASEAN students.
Eligibility: ASEAN nationals · Deadline: Varies
Singapore government scholarship for ASEAN students.
NUS Graduate Research Scholarship
Award: Full tuition + SGD 2,000/month
Eligibility: All nationalities · Deadline: Rolling
For research master's and PhD at NUS.
Eligibility: All nationalities · Deadline: Rolling
For research master's and PhD at NUS.
NTU Research Scholarship
Award: Full tuition + stipend
Eligibility: All nationalities · Deadline: Rolling
For research programmes at NTU.
Eligibility: All nationalities · Deadline: Rolling
For research programmes at NTU.
University-specific merit awards
Award: SGD 3,000–15,000
Eligibility: All nationalities · Deadline: Per intake
Based on academic merit and extracurriculars.
Eligibility: All nationalities · Deadline: Per intake
Based on academic merit and extracurriculars.
2026 Policy Updates
What changed: MOE Tuition Grant remains the best deal in global education — 70% tuition reduction for a work commitment you'd probably want anyway. Employment Pass salary thresholds increasing. COMPASS framework for work passes adds more criteria beyond salary.
Best For
Students wanting top-10 global education in Asia. Those who plan to work in Asia/Singapore long-term (the 3-year bond is a feature, not a bug). Business and finance students targeting Asia-Pacific careers. STEM students wanting industry connections. Students who value safety and efficiency.
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