Student life in Singapore

Singapore has emerged as a favourite destination for international students because it offers world-class education combined with affordable tuition fees for courses. There are reputed colleges in top universities offering various courses, added to this the student life in Singapore is exciting. All these factors make it attractive for international students to study in Singapore. We will explore aspects of student life in Singapore in this article.

Advantages of studying in Singapore

Singapore universities offer the best facilities to students and provide high quality education. English is the medium of instruction and universities have a diverse profile of students which makes studying here a multicultural experience.

The universities offer a safe and comfortable environment to students. The country has a good healthcare system and also offers excellent transportation facilities within the university campuses.

The country has strict laws that ensure a crime-free environment making it safe for international students even if they venture outside the university campus.

Course options

Singapore has both public or national universities and private universities, some of which feature among the top universities in the world. The courses taught by the universities include:

• Diplomas and advanced diplomas- They cover a wide range of subjects and are completed in two to three years.

• Bachelor’s programs- These include honours courses and have a duration of three or four years.

• Master’s programs- These courses have a duration of one or two years.

• Doctoral programs- Doctoral programs have a duration of two to five years.

Cost of living in Singapore

Public institutions typically charge between SGD 8,000 and SGD 9,000 per year as tuition fees. However, this is a subsidised price. For non-subsidized non-Singaporean students, it costs about SGD 10,000 or more. Government funding is also provided for several programs in Singapore schools, regardless of the student's nationality.

Average living costs in Singapore (in SEG and USD)

List of scholarships to study abroad by country:

Accommodation options

International students can find either on-campus or off-campus accommodation. On-campus accommodation includes student halls or apartments for married couples. Off-campus accommodation includes hostels, some with tie-ups with universities, studios, and apartments. Student accommodation is available for six months besides utility deposits, and private apartments. Other options include condos and studio apartments.

Campus life

The university campus is a self-contained institution with facilities for a variety of interests, from music to drama, sports to cultural activities.

There are plenty of entertainment options including nightclubs and bars. All cultural and community service opportunities are available on campus. Foodies have cafes and restaurants for every taste.

Off campus, there are shopping malls and community centres in all major neighbourhoods. The community centre has a gymnasium and exercise facilities that students can use.

The tropical climate offers adventure activities such as windsurfing, dragon boat racing and wakeboarding.

Best countries to study abroad:

Work options for students

Working while studying in Singapore: International students studying in Singapore can work 16 hours per week part-time during the semester and full-time during the holidays if:

• They are enrolled as full-time students at an accredited college/university.
• Have a valid student ID issued by the ICA.

Work after study in Singapore : After completing their studies, students who wish to work in Singapore need a work visa. There are two types of working visas in Singapore: skilled visa, semi-skilled visa and professional visa.

A wide range of career and networking opportunities are unique to Singapore. The city-state is one of Asia's leading technology and financial centres and is the gateway to the region for many multinational companies. This provides an excellent foundation for students to expand their networks and build connections for future career opportunities.

Also read:

Top universities in Singapore

Singapore student visa