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US Vs Singapore for International Students
Edited By Sareena Kaur Sethi | Updated on Sep 05, 2024 06:02 PM IST
“Which is better Singapore or USA for international students?” as both countries offer various desirable aspects that make them a popular choice for pursuing higher education. While Singapore is known to provide world-class courses at affordable tuition fees, the USA has a long history of offering top universities and ample post-study work opportunities to international students.
This Story also Contains
- US Vs Singapore for Indian Students: Highlights
- USA or Singapore Which is Better for International Students?
- Education System US vs Singapore
- Popular Courses USA vs Singapore for Students
- Admission Requirements in US vs Singapore for Indian Students
- Living Cost in Singapore vs USA for International Students
- Top Universities in Singapore vs USA for International Students
- Scholarships in Singapore vs USA for Indian Students
- Post Study Work Opportunities US vs Singapore
Some of the major-ranking colleges in Singapore include the National University of Singapore, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore Management University, etc. However, if we compare the USA, there are some top QS-ranking universities such as Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Stanford University, Harvard University, California Institute of Technology, University of Pennsylvania, and much more.
Moreover, it is often debated whether Singapore is better than America because the country is known to be less competitive in terms of admissions and work opportunities. It is because of the growing industries and major MNCs that have established their headquarters in Singapore that many prospective students are considering it to be a better option than the USA. The intake seasons for US vs Singapore for Indian students also differ as the former offers admissions in Fall, Spring, and Summer. Whereas, the latter provides August and February as the prime intake sessions for international students.
However, USA has been a world leader since the beginning of time especially on the grounds of education, globalisation, and high-standard living. Traditionally, many students still choose USA over any other country as it offers the largest number of top-tier or Ivy League universities, popular courses, and high-paying jobs. Therefore, the “American Dream” keeps attracting a large number of international students every year to become a part of the diverse and globally acceptable culture. The article will focus on these components and compare the differences between Singapore vs USA for international students in detail.
Read more:
Study in USA for Indian Students
US Vs Singapore for Indian Students: Highlights
Particulars | Singapore | USA |
US vs Singapore Dollar Value | 1 SGD (Rs. 64.37) | 1 USD (Rs. 83.86) |
Cost of Living | SGD 800 - SGD 1,600/ Monthly | USD 1,000 - USD 1,500/Monthly |
Top Universities |
|
|
Language Preference | Malay, Tamil, English, Mandarin | English |
Average Tuition Fees | SGD 20,000 to SGD 40,000 | USD 15,000 to USD 70,000 |
Best Cities for Indian Students | Orchard, Bukit Timah, Tiong Bahru, Dover, Sentosa, Clementi, etc. | New York, San Francisco, Seattle, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, etc. |
USA or Singapore Which is Better for International Students?
The decision of USA or Singapore which is better lies completely on the individual and factors they take into consideration before choosing to study and live there. However, to make it easier we have made a comparative analysis of USA vs Singapore for international students based on their overall education system, popular courses, admission requirements, and much more.
Education System US vs Singapore
One has to go through the education system of the country they are planning to study in very thoroughly to understand the basic eligibility criteria they will have to fulfill in the future. Hence, we have provided a brief over below of the same that an international student can refer to before choosing USA vs Singapore.
Singapore or USA for International Students
Particulars | USA | Singapore |
Grading System | Decentralised and Flexible | Centralised and Rigid |
Course Duration |
|
|
Admission Intakes | Fall, Spring, Summer | August and February |
Popular Courses USA vs Singapore for Students
Another aspect that should be considered while comparing Singapore or USA for international students is the availability of popular courses. The main reason why a majority of students apply to a particular country is due to the accessibility to top courses and degree programmes that will ensure a better employment opportunity.
Courses in Singapore vs USA for International Students
USA | Singapore |
Computer Science | Architecture |
MBA | MBA |
Business Analytics | Information Technology |
Information Technology | Law |
Finance | Accounting |
Engineering | Hospitality and Tourism |
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Admission Requirements in US vs Singapore for Indian Students
There are various requirements for admission in USA or Singapore that one needs to fulfill to be eligible for application. Therefore, we have mentioned the essential study in Ireland requirements for Indian students below for your reference.
Particulars | USA | Singapore |
Academic Scores | Minimum GPA of 2.0 to 3.0 | Minimum GPA of 2.5 to 3.0 |
English Language Proficiency |
| |
Application Deadlines |
|
|
Entrance Exams | GRE and GMAT | GRE and GMAT |
Living Cost in Singapore vs USA for International Students
The living cost in Singapore vs USA for Indian students depends majorly upon the type of accommodation one chooses to live in as an international student. It also consists of other expenses such as transportation, food, tuition fees, clothing, etc. Therefore, we have mentioned some of the most essential categories that one must consider before moving to a foreign country.
Living Expenses in US vs Singapore 2024 (Monthly)
Particulars | Singapore | USA |
Food | SGD 300 - SGD 500 | USD 400 - USD 600 |
Accommodation | SGD 1,000 - SGD 5,000 | USD 750 - USD 2,000 |
Transportation | SGD 160 - SGD 200 | USD 70 - USD 150 |
Utilities | SGD 280 | USD 350 |
Personal Expenses | SGD 150 - SGD 300 | USD 500 - USD 2,000 |
Also Check:
Top Universities in Singapore vs USA for International Students
The cost of studying in Singapore vs USA for Indian students varies depending upon factors such as universities, programmes, lifestyles, and other miscellaneous expenses. As both countries are home to some of the top universities in the world due to its affordable tuition fees, top-ranking institutions, lower cost of living, and a wider range of opportunities one can find the average tuition fees below.
Best Colleges in USA for Indian Students
University | QS Rankings 2025 | Average Tuition Fees |
Massachusetts Institute of Technology | 1 | Rs. 35 lakhs to 1.2 Crore |
Harvard University | 4 | Rs. 16 lakhs to Rs. 72 lakhs |
6 | Rs. 10 lakhs to Rs. 1 Crore | |
10 | Rs. 43 lakhs to Rs. 53 lakhs | |
University of Pennsylvania | 11 | Rs. 18 lakhs to Rs. 66 lakhs |
12 | Rs. 22 lakhs to Rs. 68 lakhs |
Popular Colleges in Singapore for Indian Students
University | QS Rankings 2025 | Average Tuition Fees |
National University of Singapore | 8 | Rs. 20 lakhs to Rs. 28 lakhs |
15 | Rs. 19 lakhs to Rs. 24 lakhs | |
Singapore University of Technology | =440 | Rs. 18 lakhs to Rs. 21 lakhs |
Singapore Management University | =585 | Rs. 15 lakhs to Rs. 88 lakhs |
Scholarships in Singapore vs USA for Indian Students
Moving to a foreign country can automatically result in excessive need for funds and financial expenses. Therefore, one needs to be prepared to deal with not only the educational finances but also the living cost in Singapore vs USA for international students hence, opting for a funding source can be beneficial. Hence, we have given below some of the popular scholarships for Indian students in US vs Singapore.
Scholarships in Singapore Vs USA
Scholarships in Singapore | Scholarships in USA |
INSEAD Singapore Scholarships | Inlaks Scholarships |
Singapore International Graduate Award | Tata Scholarships |
Nanyang Scholarship | Fulbright Nehru Fellowships |
ASEAN Scholarship | AAUW International Fellowship |
NUS Merit Scholarship | Felix Scholarship |
Lee Kong Chian Graduate Scholarships at the National University of Singapore | Aga Khan Foundation Scholarship |
Also Read:
Scholarships in USA for Indian and International Students
Scholarships to Study in Singapore for Indian Students
Post Study Work Opportunities US vs Singapore
Most of the international students applying to USA or Singapore often opt for valuable full-time courses that are of at least of duration that can fulfill their requirement to opt for a post-study work permit in the country.
In Singapore, there is a short-term visit pass that international students opt for after completing their graduation and it helps them extend their stay to up to 3 months. They use this time to look for a job that will help them to apply for a long-term visit pass that renews their stay for an entire year. After landing an appropriate job one can apply for an Employment Pass in Singapore that is valid up to 2 years and is renewable.
USA on the other hand, issues an F1 student visa to stay in the country while studying and working part-time. However, after graduation one needs to opt for an Optional Practical Training (OPT) permit that allows them to stay back in USA for a year and find work. This should be obtained before the expiry of one’s USA student visa and is granted to people who have completed a full-time degree in the country.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is it better to study in Singapore or the USA?
Both countries offer their best courses; hence, it all depends on individual preferences. However, if the aspirant is looking for a wider range of options in terms of courses, or universities, then the USA might be the best. On the other hand, Singapore has a limited number of top-ranking universities but offers courses at relatively affordable tuition fees.
2. Which country is better, America or Singapore?
Both countries offer a range of factors that might be appealing to some students but not to everyone. Therefore, one must compare Singapore vs USA for Indian students based on their preferences and choices.
3. Is Singapore a good option for international students?
Yes, Singapore offers quality education, reputed universities, a growing job market, and affordable living options. Hence, it is a good option for international students looking to pursue higher education and work in Singapore.
4. Is USA a good option for Indian students?
Yes, USA has been the top study-abroad destination for Indian students for decades now. The country is known to offer top-ranking universities, academic excellence, ample of job opportunities, and great post-study work options.
Articles
Sep 13, 2024
Questions related to
Hi there
Yes you can try to learn various courses that are for approximately 3 months to 6 months in duration.
Yes you can learn before going to us. Learning skills definitively adds some value to the life of a candidate and also improves in getting good recognition in life..
Below i have mentioned some courses that you can try before visiting us:
- Social media marketing
- Content writer
- Content creation
- Video editing
- Photography skills
- Digital marketing
- Stiching
- Makeup artist course
- Hairstyling course.
So these are some courses you can try.
Hope this answer will help you. Revert incase of any query.
Thank you and good luck:)
Anushri Varshney 12 June,2022
Hello Samarasimha,
YES, you can MS in UA after completing Bsc in Statistics. . All you have to do is score good marks in your PG and prepare for GRE. You should also decide upon the country and the university in which you are going to study.
Furthermore, the requirements to pursue MS in USA are as follows :
- 3 to 4 years bachelors degree in relevant field.
- 3.5 or higher GPA, equivalent to 87% in bachelors.
- GRE score of 330 or above.
- Statement of Purpose.
- Research Internships/ Published Research Papers.
- Project work/Seminars.
- 2-3 Letter of Recommendation.
- Social & Leadership Activities.
Further, requirements for Software jobs in USA are as follows :
- Enroll in a software development program. The first step to becoming a software engineer is to enroll in a software development degree program. ...
- Gain internship experience. ...
- Choose your specialty. ...
- Pursue industry certifications. ...
- Continue your education.
I hope that this will help.
Piyush kesarwani 13 May,2022
Dear aspirant hope you are doing well..
To study at foreign universities/abroad in U. S , the admission process will require the candidate to give one language exam and one standardized exam. However, depending on the country, course, college, or university you are applying for you may be exempted from standardized exams. The language test will showcase your English proficiency skills. These exams are required for pursuing almost all courses abroad. Different countries have different language exams such as
- TOEFL exam for getting admission to the universities in the US and Canada. The score of this exam is valid for two years after the declaration of results
- There are plenty of universities abroad where you can apply to do master-level course, MSc in statistics, MSc in Operation Research, and Applied Mathematics, MSc in Mathematical Modeling, etc are some of the Master level Course in Mathematics that are available abroad. Students who have completed their graduation or bachelor's degree in Mathematics can apply for these courses. Foreign universities like Uppsala University, Dublin City University, Oxford Brookes University, University of York, University of Liverpool, etc offer all the above-mentioned courses in mathematics.
Top university of The USA for master degree courses
- John Carroll University
- Missouri University of Science and Technology
- Michigan State University
- West Virginia University
- Rhode Island College
- University of Arkansas
- Vanderbilt University
- DePaul University
- Delaware State University
- Texas A&M University-Commerce
- University of South Florida
- California State University Northridge
You can get the detailed information about the process how to apply for MS in USA. read the given article. Link is given below
https://studyabroad.careers360.com/articles/how-apply-for-ms-in-usa/amp
Hope it's helpful for you..
Thank you
AVINASH KUMAR 23 February,2022
There are many ways to choose your university such as fees, the ranking of the university, which state it is located and scholarships. My suggestion is to choose your research focus and write academic papers. In the US, PhD in Commerce admission into the university depends on what you want to study (your area of research) and your already completed research papers. You can begin your research by searching online for US universities offering PhD in Business Administration. One example is University of California Los Angeles (https://www.anderson.ucla.edu/degrees/phd-program/admissions#app-req) .
Tabitha 08 January,2022
Hello Student
You are aBHM means Bachelor in Hotel Management so after doing BHM,to gain a bright future inthis trade you have to do MSc in Hotel Management,post graduation in Hospitality Management,Master degree in travel and tourism management,or MBA in hotel management,AFter doing post graduation in Hotel management or travel and tourism management will give you the best return in employment opportunity.
Hope this will help.
Sohamsengupta8 13 February,2022
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