Things To Know Before Choosing Singapore As A Study Destination

The Republic of Singapore is a dynamic and diverse nation in Southeast Asia. This country has long been recognised as ‘A Land Of Dreams’, with countless business opportunities and activities, impressive technologies and developments, and a high standard of living. These desirable living conditions, along with the presence of some world-class institutions that occupy top spots in international rankings, have made Singapore a leading international study destination.

People looking to gain eastern values in education while still seeking quality international education with state-of-the-art resources, high-tech facilities, expert guidance, boundless exposure, and opportunities have been flocking to Singapore to pursue myriad courses in every field and level of education and training.

Why Study In Singapore

• In 2019, the QS Best Student Cities list recognised the appeal of Singapore and ranked it as the 15th best city globally. This has validated the standing of Singapore-based universities, and further reassured the world of the benefits of Singapore-based education.
• Accepted globally, the certifications offered by the universities here are extremely specific, highly comprehensive, and expertise-focused. This ensures that a certain quality of education is maintained in the country which offers more than just a degree or diploma.
• Furthermore, the proximity of Singapore to India when compared to other popular destinations like the USA, Canada, UK, and Australia, makes it a desirable option for Indian nationals.
• The booming economy of the country also brings with it a sense of financial and professional security for students planning on pursuing post-study work in Singapore.
• Singapore hosts an international community with strong Asian roots and follows a friendly and socially accepting community norm. The inviting nature of the country’s residents helps international students make the most of their stay and education.

Types Of Universities

Let us understand the types of universities that Singapore is home to.

Public Universities | Public universities in Singapore employ a holistic approach toward academic excellence. For admissions, universities evaluate the applicants based on a variety of factors, such as their secondary school qualifications, language test scores, extracurricular engagements, interpersonal skills, leadership positions, and other calibres that the admissions committee believes to be of an asset in a candidate. Thus, excellent academic scores are not the only prerequisite for public universities.

The cost of studying in public universities ranges from Rs 15 lakh to Rs 17 lakh, along with which students can apply for governmental grants, based on their degree programs and areas of interest. Degree programs across these universities are fairly formalised and standardised, which improves the employability of graduates in the global market. There are six public universities in Singapore namely:-

• National University of Singapore (NUS)
• Nanyang Technological University (NTU)
• Singapore Management University (SMU)
• Singapore University of Technology and Design
• Singapore Institute of Technology, and
• Singapore University of Social Sciences

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Over the past two decades, NTU, NUS, and SMU (to a fair degree) have established themselves as Ivy League-level institutes (NUS even had a liberal arts education partnership with Yale), and have become attractive destinations for students from across the world who seek an outstanding and global career.

Singapore's multiethnic culture makes it easy for international students to assimilate.

Private Universities | Private universities in Singapore are somewhat relatively rigid about academic scores along with add-on prerequisites for admission like English proficiency tests. Private universities in Singapore almost always offer degree and master's programs in association with a foreign university. These institutions act on either a partner or satellite model and offer several short courses, diploma programs, and add-on programs.

In the past few years, leading global universities including INSEAD, ESSEC Business School, Technical University Munich, and St Gallen Insitute of Management have opened secondary campuses in Singapore. These campuses offer some or all of the programs offered by subsidiary campuses and are inspired by the ‘NYU Abu Dhabi’ model. Some of the reputed private universities of Singapore include Singapore Institute of Management, International Management and Sports College, and East Asia Institute of Management.

Stay Back Policies

• Unlike the West, Singapore does not offer post-study work permits to undergraduate and graduate-level students beyond 1-3 months. This makes it important for students to secure employment opportunities in Singapore or beyond whilst they are pursuing their degree, to prevent an involuntary gap in their education and professional records.
• However, the government in Singapore has devised some modalities including a long-term Social Visit Pass that allows individuals to stay and work in the country for 1 year; the Employment Pass and S- Pass for workers with different levels of skills and experience; and the EntrePass for individuals who seek to incubate their businesses in Singapore.

So, whilst Singapore might not be a perfect destination for students seeking immediate employment in the country and a Permanent Residency (PR), it is ideal for those who seek world-class education that can set them up for a global-facing career.

As the current pandemic brought forth questions of student safety and assurance, the example of Singapore’s quick response and successful operations presents an ideal that other countries should look up to. Moreover, the close relations maintained and favourable terms enforced by the embassies of India and Singapore make it one of the safest and most desirable destinations to choose, especially in times of international turbulence.

Jitin Chawla is an eminent Career Counsellor, working actively in the Indian and abroad education domain. He is Director, Centre For Career Development, whose operations span across Delhi- NCR, and most parts of North India for more than two decades. He can be reached at www.jitinchawla.com.