Admission, conditions, prospects in Singapore

Studying in Singapore is prestigious, interesting and economical. Teaching at Singapore universities is of high quality, and tuition here is inexpensive compared to America and Europe.

In this article, you will learn about the intricacies of higher education in a modern and vibrant Asian metropolis - the city-state of Singapore.

Education system

Recognizedly, Singapore has one of the best and most streamlined education systems in the world. After leaving school, Singaporean youth usually continues their studies at a college, polytechnic or institute of technical education. Those who wish can later also enter one of the state or private universities of the country and receive a scholarship.

Universities, attracting a huge number of foreign students, began to appear in Singapore only in the 20th century, most of them are considered very "young" by world standards. Nevertheless, today a high-quality education is given here, and graduates receive diplomas of international standard.

Undergraduate programs in most Singaporean universities last 3-4 years, master's programs 1-3 years, doctoral studies 2-5 years.

Top Universities

There are state and private universities in Singapore, many of which work closely with educational institutions in England, the USA and Australia. According to official student ratings and reviews, a list of the five most popular universities in Singapore is as follows:

1) National University of Singapore

2) Nanyang Technological University

3) Singapore Management University

4) Kaplan Higher Education Academy

5) Management Development Institute of Singapore

Among the famous polytechnics of Singapore can be identified:

1) Singapore Polytechnic

2) Ngee Ann Polytechnic

3) Republic Polytechnic

Cost of study and accommodation

Studying and living in Singapore is cheaper than in most countries attractive to students. The cost of higher education here largely depends on the chosen university, its status and specialty. On average, an annual study in Singapore for a foreign student costs from 150,000 - 500,000 rubles.

Depending on the area of ​​residence, students in Singapore pay from 10-50,000 rubles per month for renting a one-room apartment. You can save on housing by staying in a dormitory or student campus, which many local universities offer accommodation.

How to enter university

The secondary education system in Singapore is different from the system adopted in Russia and the CIS countries. Because of this, those wishing to enter the University of Singapore are required to undergo preliminary training in the country. A student can study for 1-2 years at a local high school, take an annual university program (Foundation) or study at a college or polytechnic in a chosen specialty.

After completing preliminary studies in Singapore, a foreign student can choose a suitable university and submit documents to it. However, in most cases, you will need to pass additional exams, an interview or testing for knowledge of the English language.

How to get a visa

After choosing a preparatory education program and enrolling in a course, a foreign student should start applying for a student visa to Singapore.

To do this, you must provide the consular department of the Embassy of Singapore: a valid passport, confirmation of an existing education, birth certificate, color photographs of 3x4 cm format, a language test certificate, a bank account statement and other documents, the full list of which can be found on the website Embassies of Singapore.

Pros and Cons of Studying in Singapore

Pros:

relatively low tuition

quality teaching in English

borrowing the best educational programs from universities in Europe and the USA

international recognition of diplomas

tolerance and individual approach to each student

 

Minuses:

young educational institutions not distinguished by outstanding history and traditions

the need for preliminary education for a period of 1 to 4 years before entering a university

strict, in comparison with Europe and America, orders that apply both to lifestyle and to the learning process

unusual Asian culture, which left its mark on education