Study Overseas - An Australian Government Initiative

Study Overseas - An Australian Government Initiative

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Singapore

Singapore is a safe and modern country that practices an open economic policy and embraces talents that come from all over the world. Singapore has consistently been voted as one of the best countries in which to live.

For comprehensive information on working, living and/or studying in Singapore visit Contact Singapore.

Planning your studies in Singapore

The official Singapore Education website provides information pertaining to studying in Singapore.

Singapore Education website

Links to Singapore Government websites

Singapore embassy and consulates in Australia

Singapore embassy and consulates in Australia

Other contacts and links

English language newspapers:

Public transport information:

Tertiary studies in Singapore

Singapore has a highly regarded tertiary education sector. Education is highly placed on the government’s social development agenda and invests heavily in its education infrastructure. The country’s higher education institutions - universities and polytechnics - are equipped with the latest in teaching technologies.

Fees and funding

Full-time international students in Singapore’s universities are entitled to receive up to 80 per cent tuition fee subsidy from the Singapore government. This is subject to the international student signing a deed with the government undertaking to work in a Singapore-registered company for three years, upon completion of your program.

Singapore universities conduct student exchange programs (study abroad) with foreign counterparts whom they have signed agreements. Check with your international office for information on your institution’s exchange partners in Singapore.

For details on tuition fees see Singapore Education.

Scholarships

The Singapore government offers several financial assistance options to both local and foreign students but these are usually made available to full-time students only.

For further information on financial assistance visit Singapore Education.

Studying in English

Except for language specific courses, all programs delivered by Singapore’s tertiary institutions are conducted in English.

List of and links to universities in Singapore

List of and links to VET or technical colleges in Singapore

The five public polytechnics in Singapore are post secondary institutions that offer diploma and advanced diploma courses.

The Institute of Technical Education (ITE) is a public funded VET institution that offers the equivalent of Australia’s Certificate II and Certificate IV trade qualifications. Like the universities and polytechnics, the ITE receives generous funding support from the government and are equipped with the most modern teaching technologies.

Living in Singapore

Costs and Budgeting

An international student spends an average of S$750 to S$2,000 a month on living expenses.

For a budget table, please refer to the Singapore Education official website.

Visa and entry

It is compulsory for international students to apply for a Student’s Pass to pursue a course of study in Singapore. This requirement is waived for those holding a Dependent Pass (DP) or an Immigration Exemption Order (IEO).

A Student Pass application can be lodged at the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA). The requirements and procedures for applying for a Student Pass differ depending on the type of institution the applicant is to be enrolled.

The following are links to the relevant ICA website containing information on the application process for a Student Pass:

Managing and accessing money

The three major local banks in Singapore are the Development Bank of Singapore (DBS), Post Office Savings Bank (POSB), United Overseas Bank Ltd (UOB) and Overseas Chinese Banking Corporation (OCBC).

For comprehensive information on banking in Singapore visit their official

Education website: http://www.singaporeedu.gov.sg/htm/liv/liv02.htm

Accommodation

An international student can expect to pay between S$400 and S$1,500 a month in rent. Those who choose to stay in upscale private condominiums would have to pay between S$2,000 and S$6,000 rental per month.

Singapore Education Student Accommodation Handbook.

Health care and insurance

The cost of medical treatment in Singapore can be prohibitive. So it is advisable for students to have some form of medical insurance while studying in Singapore. Depending on the type of medical insurance purchased, an international student may have to pay anything between $5 and $300 for a doctor’s visit.

It is not a requirement for international students to purchase any medical insurance for the purpose of applying for a Student Pass. However, Singapore’s major education providers, including the public funded universities and polytechnics, have made it mandatory for international students to purchase an affordable group insurance policy.

The Ministry of Health, Healthcare Services website has information specifically for international patients, visit:

Conditions regarding Working in Singapore

Generally, international students in Singapore are not permitted to work during term time or vacation time unless they are granted Work Pass exemption under the Employment of Foreign Manpower (Work Pass Exemptions) Notification.

Only full-time international students studying at the local universities and polytechnics are allowed to work part-time (up to 16 hours per week) during school term and full-time during the school vacation.

Undergraduate students from foreign institutions can apply for the Training Employment Pass if the training attachment in Singapore constitutes part of the student’s degree program from an acceptable educational institution.

Australian undergraduates and university graduates between the ages of 17 and 30 years old are eligible to apply for the Work Holiday Programme (WHP). Successful applicants of the WHP can stay and work in Singapore up to 6 months.

The Ministry of Manpower website offers information regarding: Employment for Foreign Students: Training Employment Pass: and the Work Holiday Programme

Site and legal information