Higher education in Singapore for Russians. How much does education cost in singapore

An applicant who has completed grades 9, 10 or 11 can enter a university in Singapore high school.

If you didn't give up international test in English IELTS or TOEFL, then upon arrival in Singapore you will have to take the Placement Test, which distributes all applicants by level of English proficiency and determines them to the appropriate level of study. If your test result falls short of minimum requirements according to the program of study you have chosen, you will have to take a course of study in English, and only after successfully completing this course, you will be able to start studying the chosen academic program.

If you have a certificate of passing the TOEFL or IELTS exam, according to which the result is not lower than the level specified in the requirements for the program of your choice, then you will be enrolled in the university without additional completion of the English language course.

So, what are the training programs in Singapore:

O-Level program (on the basis of grade 9)

Study period: 10 – 16 months

Applicants can enter this program after the 9th grade of the school. At the end of the course, you will move on to the first year of the Bachelor's degree.

English language requirement: IELTS 4.5

Certificate (based on grade 10)

Study period: 4-6 months

Applicants can enter this program after the 10th grade of the school. This program is similar to the 11th grade of the school. At the end of the course, you will move on to the first year of the Bachelor's degree.

English language requirement: IELTS 4.5 – 6.0

Foundation preparatory program

Study period: 8 months

This program is optional in many universities in Singapore. But in branches of Australian universities, such as Curtin (Curtin University Singapore) and JCU (James Cook University), it is required. At the end of the training, a Curtin College Certificate or a James Cook University Certificate is issued. Foundation Program prepares students for higher education. Accounting, economics, IT, mathematics, communications and management or marketing are studied here. After completing this preparatory program, you will be ready to enter the first year of the Bachelor's program (Diploma degree).

English language requirement: IELTS 5.5

Undergraduate

If you are applying to a Singapore university (except Curtin and JCU) on the basis of 9th, 10th or 11th grade, then you initially need to complete the O-Level Program or Certificate, after successful completion you will be enrolled in the 1st year of the Bachelor's degree. If you are applying to Curtin or JCU, then in order to enroll in the 1st year of the Bachelor's program, you must first complete the Foundation preparatory program.

Course 1. Associate's Degree - Diploma

This is the first year of the Bachelor's degree or vocational education. If you successfully pass the training, then go to the second year.

2 course. Senior Specialist Degree - Advanced Diploma

This is the second year of the Bachelor's degree. This course not all programs have.

3 course. Bachelors degree

This is the third year of the Bachelor's degree or completed higher education. This program enrolls students who have successfully completed the first two years of the Bachelor's degree. It happens that the program consists of only the 1st and 3rd course, i.e. without advanced level Diploma, in this case, the training period is still not reduced.

Term of study at the Bachelor: 2-3 years

English language requirement: IELTS 6.0

In some universities in Singapore, you can choose up to two specializations.

Master's degree

Study period: 1-2 years

To enter the Master's program, you must have a Bachelor's degree. Sometimes a minimum work experience of two to three years.

English language requirement: IELTS 6.5

What is "Honours"

Many undergraduate programs in Singapore have so-called honors classifications. Such a diploma "with honors" in Singapore is valued higher than the "Ordinary" (Ordinary or Pass Degree).

However, even if you enter the Bachelor's degree with Distinction, if you do not score the required number of points at the end of your studies, you will not receive the classification "with Distinction", you will be issued a regular Bachelor's degree.

There are 5 classifications of the Bachelor "with Distinction", depending on the average score scored:

  1. Most high class– First (First Class Honors), issued for GPA from 70% and above.
  2. The second upper class (Upper Second Class Honors) is issued for an average score of 60-69%.
  3. The second class of the lower link (Lower Second Class Honors) is issued for an average score of 50-59%.
  4. The third class (Third Class Honors) is issued for an average score of 40-49%.
  5. An average GPA of less than 40% is recognized as "No Result", but some universities award such students a regular Bachelor's degree without classification or Pass Degree.

What needs to be done: everything is in order

  1. First you need to choose a university and a program of study. The site www.postupionline.com will help you with this. There you will find all the entry requirements, start dates, and tuition fees for each program. Or you can read this article(Universities of Singapore) and choose the university you like, learn more about it on its official website.
  1. One and a half months before the start of classes, you must submit an online application for admission to the university. For this you will need the following documents:

Application (find on the official website of the university of your choice);
- A notarized translation into English of a school certificate / report card / school leaving certificate / diploma of secondary specialized or higher education with an appendix;
-IELTS or TOEFL certificate if you have taken this test;
- Passport size photo in JPG format with high resolution on a white background;
-Copy of the main page of the international passport.

These documents must be sent to the selected university, or scanned copies by e-mail, or paper copies by regular mail to the address of the university.

Consideration of the application and documents takes up to five business days.

  1. After you have received confirmation that your documents have been reviewed, you will have to pay the entrance fee to the account of the university. The entrance fee includes payment for the consideration of documents, the conclusion of a contract for study, obtaining forms for student visa and an official Letter of Offer from the university. The university itself applies for a student visa for you. If you are refused a student visa, then the payment of the entrance fee, unfortunately, is not refundable. More about student visa read the article in the section "How to get a Singapore student visa?".
  1. When entering Singapore, do not forget to take with you the documents that are necessary for passing through immigration control, obtaining a visa card and registering at the university:
  • Letter of acceptance from the university - Letter of Offer;
  • International passport;
  • Entry visa In-Principal Visa Approval letter;
  • Originals and notarized translations of education documents, copies of which you sent to the university upon admission;
  • Completed form .

After passing through passport control, you will be given an immigration card stub, which you need to keep, as you will need it to obtain a student visa card.

  1. As soon as you arrive in Singapore, on the next business day, you need to register at the university. They will tell you there general rules university and get acquainted with the study schedule. To register at the university, you will need the following documents:
  • Valid international passport;
  • Printed entry visa - In-Principal Visa Approval letter;
  • Printed letter of admission to the school - Letter of Offer;
  • Originals of educational documents and their notarized translations;
  • Receipt of payment of tuition fees and entrance fee.
  1. After registering at the university, you will have to undergo a medical examination to identify dangerous diseases such as AIDS, viral hepatitis, tuberculosis, etc., as well as to identify the fact of pregnancy and drug use. After that, you will need to submit your biometric data to the Singapore Immigration Service and register with the state authorities. Only after that you will receive a student visa card. Keep in mind that this entire procedure takes up to two weeks. Also, if required, they will appoint an English language test.
  1. Many universities provide rooms on campuses (like our hostels). You can check in to the university campus a week before the start of classes.

The term for renting a room in a hostel is from 3 to 12 months, it is possible to extend the lease agreement, but subject to the availability of free rooms. Utilities are usually included in the rental price.

The cost of renting a room on a university campus: S$ 450 - 900 per month.

  1. If the hostel does not suit you, then you can rent a room in an apartment or a full apartment. Read more about housing in Singapore

It is clear that if you rent a room in an apartment, then other people will live with you in the same apartment, these can be the same students, or maybe family members who have a free room to rent it out. As a rule, payment for utilities is paid according to meter readings, separately from the main rent.

The cost of renting a room in an apartment: S$ 400-1500 per month.

Renting an entire apartment is a good option if you are coming to Singapore to study with friends or family.

When renting an apartment, you will be required to pay one month's rent in advance and a security deposit equal to 2 months' rent, which will be returned to you when the rental period ends. A security deposit is taken as a guarantee that if you damage something in the apartment, the landlord will have something to compensate for this damage. Utilities are paid additionally, according to meter readings.

To book a room or apartment, you can use the Airbnb service or wimdu.ru

The cost of renting an apartment is from S$ 1800 per month. If the lease term is less than 2 years, then the cost will be higher.

Not very cheap. Both the cost of living and tuition fees for international students are quite high. However, don't give up on your dream. Remember that there are scholarship programs and grants. All this helps to find funding for the course and enjoy your stay in Singapore.

First expenses

Regardless of the level of study, all students must apply to the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) within two weeks of their enrollment at the university. It costs US$71.50.

Undergraduate

International students in Singapore pay more than local students. The cost of education, unfortunately, is quite high. Moreover, it varies depending on the educational institution and the chosen specialty. There are also a number of additional costs that international students have to deal with. For example, student fees, health insurance, and administrative fees.

For example, the following rates are set for undergraduate studies for international students in the academic year 2015/2016:

*below is the full tuition fee, excluding the MOE grant, which cuts the cost in half

Arts and Social sciencies- US$21,300

Business - US$23,400

Engineering - US$27,700

Right - US$27,850

Medicine (not including nursing) - US$104,000

Foreign students can apply to the Ministry of Education for a tuition grant or tuition subsidy. You may be offered a non-refundable option. But in this case, you have to work for some time by profession in Singapore and thus return the funds invested in you. Keep in mind that the period of such work for international students lasts longer than for citizens of Singapore.

Postgraduate education

The cost of tuition at the master's and other levels of postgraduate education is not much less than the cost of undergraduate courses. For example, students are often asked to pay a registration fee of US$119. You will also likely have to pay a one-time fee of US$40 and an examination fee of US$159-397. In addition, fees of US$8-15.90 are charged throughout the year for computer maintenance and health insurance. Finally, the annual tuition fee will vary, depending on the university, from US$15,855 to US$42,810.

All at the same National University of Singapore, the following rates are set for master's studies for foreign students in the academic year 2015/2016:

*below is the full cost of training, excluding grants that reduce the cost by half

Arts and Social Sciences - US$21,400

Business - US$21,400

· Deontology and Medicine - US$37,300

· Engineering and Science - US$22,200

Right - US$21,700

As in the case of undergraduate studies, at the postgraduate stage, students can apply for a scholarship or grant. You need to send a request to the Ministry of Education. But after completing the training, you will have to work for three years in one of the Singaporean companies.

Subsidies can range from US$3,964-31,711. The amount depends on curriculum. For example, there are scholarships at the base that include monthly payments and health insurance.

If you have found what you are interested in training course on our website, follow the links below. So you can find out not only the cost of the course, but also calculate all upcoming expenses.

Getting an education in Singapore has long been considered prestigious among numerous foreign students, including Russians. Successful studies in numerous educational institutions will make it easy to find a prestigious job in the most famous companies.

This young state gained independence in the middle of the twentieth century. In a short period of time, the country has reached high level development. Modern Singapore is not only futuristic landscapes and the severity of local laws. This is one of the most attractive training centers for young people from all over the world.

Education programs in Singapore and prices

Country: Australia Austria Belgium Brazil United Kingdom Hungary Germany Holland Greece Denmark India Ireland Spain Italy Canada Cyprus China Costa Rica Cuba Malta Morocco Monaco New Zealand Norway UAE Poland Portugal Singapore USA Thailand Turkey Philippines Finland France Czech Republic Chile Switzerland Sweden South Africa Japan

City: All Singapore (1)

Teaching language: All English

Accommodation: All Residence - Residence Hotel - Bungalow - Villa Family

Sort: cheaper expensive

Early childhood education in Singapore

A feature of preschool education is the absence of public kindergartens. A small part of the organizations is run by religious and business institutions. Preschools accept children from three years of age. The program includes counting, reading, modeling, music. Preschoolers are taught English and state languages.

Secondary school education in Singapore

The secondary education system includes schools, colleges and technical schools. The child moves to the middle level at the age of six years. Students go through elementary, intermediate and pre-university levels.


Free Primary School a must for all Singaporeans. From grades 1 to 4, the main level lasts. Then the orientation stage lasts for 2 years. In a programme initial stage: civics, English, science, music, math, drawing, and state languages. Additionally, children can attend aesthetic classes and a gym. At the end elementary school a PSLE ​​certificate is issued.

High school education begins at the age of 12. Based on the results of the primary level exams, study groups, each of which has its own course:

  • academic;
  • technical;
  • express;
  • special;
  • integrated program.

Graduates of special and express courses are eligible to enter junior colleges. Receive technical education can be in technical schools and polytechnics. The choice of direction is possible if there is a certain certificate of A-, O- or N-level, which is issued after the end of the middle stage. The next step is preparing for the university.

How to enter the university

specificity educational system small state is a meritocracy. This is a social structure in which a place in society depends on personal achievements and abilities, and not on solvency or origin.

Gifted young people have the right to enter the university without passing entrance exams. Graduates of technical schools and incomplete colleges are required to provide the selection committee with information about their academic performance. In most cases, additional courses are required. A high school graduate must provide an A-level diploma. The applicant takes additional exams at the request of the admission committee.

Higher education in Singapore


The higher education system in Singapore not only provides the student with the necessary knowledge, but also encourages him to further development. The country has:

  1. Independent Universities. After completing specialized courses, the graduate receives a diploma or an academic degree.
  2. National Universities. People come here to get bachelor's or master's degrees.
  3. Polytechnic institutes. In these educational establishments come for practical knowledge. Students learn only the skills necessary for a successful start to work.
  4. Technical university(Nanyang Technological University, the only one in the state).

Notable Universities in Singapore

  1. National University of Singapore(NUS, National University of Singapore). The largest university in Singapore. Ranked 1st in national ranking and 12th in the world rankings. Known as the largest research center.
  2. Nanyang Technological University(Nanyan University of Technology). Offers the study of engineering, design, etc. Internships are provided. You can get knowledge in full-time and part-time form.
  3. Singapore Management University(Singapore Management University). The university includes schools of law, economics, business, etc.
  4. SIM University(also known by the abbreviated name UniSIM). Founded in 2005. Included in the top ten universities in the national ranking.
  5. University of Nevada Las Vegas Singapore. It is among the 40 best universities in the state. The main building is located in Singapore, the capital of the country.
  6. Singapore University of Technology and Design(SUTD, Singapore University of Technology and Design). The state higher educational institution was founded in 2009. A year of study costs about $17,000.
  7. Temple University Singapore. Takes 39th place in the national ranking. The main building is located in the capital of the state.
  8. Curtin University Singapore. It is one of the 40 best higher educational institutions in the country.
  9. University of New South Wales Asia. Is in number 50 top universities Singapore.
  10. James Cook University Singapore(Singapore James Cook University). Founded in 2003.

Bachelor's, Master's, PhD

Studying at a university in Singapore includes 3 stages:

  1. Undergraduate. The applicant takes an English exam, SAT 1 and SAT 2 tests. The first part of the test involves passing mathematics, spelling and reading. The second part of the test depends on the chosen institution.
  2. Master's degree. If the bachelor decided to get additional knowledge in the chosen specialty, he enters the master's program. Exams vary by university. The organization has the right to annually revise the list of entrance examinations.
  3. Doctorate. There are no uniform requirements for admission to doctoral studies. Each institution has its own rules.

Education in Singapore for Russians

Documents must be submitted 2-3 months before the start school year. The application is submitted on the organization's website along with scans of all the necessary documentation translated into English. Upon admission, a Russian applicant passes all the same tests as an applicant of any other state.

After submitting the application, the prospective student receives a registration number in the SOLAR system. Then the applicant must fill out an application for a student visa (Student`s Pass Unit). The application is considered for about two weeks. The cost of the service is SGD 90.

Foreigners are rarely denied a visa. However, the student will be forced to adhere to strict rules, non-compliance with which entails deportation:

  1. You can skip no more than 10% of the lectures.
  2. The educational process should last at least fifteen hours a week.
  3. A student visa does not allow you to officially work.

Tuition fees in Singapore

The higher the prestige of the organization, the higher the price. visit kindergarten will cost up to 1 thousand dollars annually. The price of the middle stage is 1-3 thousand dollars per month. The cost of pre-university education is from $700 to $17,000 annually. Undergraduate programs cost between $10,000 and $32,000 per year. For a master's degree, you will have to pay from 15 to 42 thousand dollars annually. English courses cost 2 thousand dollars for 4 weeks.

Additionally, you need to pay (up to 3 thousand dollars) accommodation, medical insurance, food, utilities, travel to public transport, stationery and books.

Free education options

You can get higher education both on a paid and free basis. Students from low-income families do not pay for their studies in Singapore. Thanks to special government programs, excellent students get the opportunity to study at the budget department. Students who qualify for the FAS program are also exempt.

Some employers are interested in getting a specialist trained taking into account the specifics of the company. In this case, the future employer pays for the university course to the most promising students. Receive financial assistance any talented student, regardless of their nationality, can apply for a Singaporean company. The organization providing funding will require the specialist to sign the contract. The graduate will be required to work for several years at the company that sponsored him.

To partially cover the costs, you must apply to an institution offering scholarship programs. The country has a system of subsidizing undergraduate and graduate students. In some universities, only citizens of Asian countries can enter the budget department.

Language classes

Teaching for foreigners in most cases is carried out in English. If the applicant studied the language at home, it is necessary to provide a certificate confirming his language competence. It is advisable to take a course in a certain direction: English for marketers, businessmen, engineers, etc. You can sign up for courses at the university or at one of the language schools.

Study for Russians after 11th grade

It is impossible for Russians to start their studies in Singapore right after the 11th grade. Before admission, the applicant undergoes a preparatory program at the university, lasting up to 10 months. When applying for a master's degree, you are required to motivation letter, recommendations from employers (if you have work experience) and teachers, results or a translation of a diploma certified by a notary.

Studying in little Singapore has many advantages. However, a foreigner must also take into account the shortcomings of the educational system, which create certain difficulties for a citizen of another state.

On a par with South Korea, Taiwan, Japan, Shanghai, Hong Kong and Finland are at the top international ratings which measure children's ability in reading, math and science.

It is not surprising that many countries are trying to adopt this model of education and transfer it to their own soil in the hope of achieving the same heights in a few years.

But let's see, what is the secret? Do students' results depend on the qualifications of teachers or on specific cultural factors?

One program for all schools

Schools in Singapore adhere to a unified curriculum and teaching methods in all subjects. The main principles of education: it must be consistent, children must clearly see the goal for which they are trying, and be able to apply the knowledge gained in practice.

The task of teachers is to convey factual and practical knowledge to children, prepare them for end-of-semester exams and final tests with high requirements.

The ultimate goal of the school is to prepare students to continue their education at the university.

Children learn bilingual

Teaching in local schools is conducted in two languages: Singaporean and English. Here it is clearly understood what the graduate should know foreign language just as good as native.

Teachers do not deviate from the curriculum

Teachers in their work rely on textbooks, workbooks, as well as examples and assignments approved by local educational committees. They also include in the lessons a lot practical work, because without practice it is simply impossible to understand some topics.

It is interesting that the teacher mainly speaks in the lessons, and discussions in groups are not as common as in the same Western model of education.

A mix of traditional and Western teaching methods

Singaporean teachers make little use of new teaching methods and have little confidence in the latest research on 'learning how to teach'. (In contrast to the West, where they often rely on the latest developments in the field of teaching psychology).

However, it is worth noting that despite all the conservatism, Singapore has absorbed the best that is in Western models of education.

For example, the use of the teamwork method in some lessons, when children are numbered, divided into groups of 4-5 people, each group receives a task that it must complete in a certain time. In this case, the teacher acts as a moderator, helping children acquire knowledge on their own.

Dividing students into groups according to ability

In Singapore schools, starting from the middle level, a system of streams is formed, when all classes are divided into groups according to abilities and interests.

The result is more important than the process

Teachers care about the correct answer, not how much the child understood the subject. And if a student simply memorized something without understanding the essence and simply retelling what he had learned, then this suits the teachers.

Gradually, the Singaporean model is trying to move away from a focus on results (although it is still very important).

Now experts are trying to create a system for a deeper understanding of each subject, and not just coaching for an exam.

The teacher has undeniable authority

A teacher for local schoolchildren is an indisputable authority. He has much more rights than children. For example, it is widely known that teachers in many Singaporean schools may use corporal punishment on children.

Despite the fact that Singapore is a city-state, the number of universities here is quite impressive. There are four universities and five institutes in a small area. Three universities in the country are public:

  • Nanyang Technological University (NTU)
  • Singapore Management University (SMU)

In addition to them, higher education can be obtained in private educational institutions and branches of universities in other countries located in Singapore. The specificity of these universities is that they do not research work and do not have a postgraduate degree.

Singapore universities consistently rank among the world's best higher education institutions. So, according to the results of research conducted by the British magazine Times Higher Education in 2014, the University of Singapore (NUS) takes the honorable 25th place in the World university rankings, ahead of several American, Canadian, Australian and English universities. Also in the top 100, taking 61st place, was Nanyang Technological University (NTU).

Diplomas obtained in Singapore are recognized all over the world and provide an opportunity for successful employment in the acquired specialty in any country.

Applying to universities in Singapore

Universities in Singapore, like most countries in the world, do not accept Russians for education on the basis of a certificate alone. The problem lies in the discrepancy between education systems, because in Russia secondary education is obtained in 11 years, and in Singapore - in 12. To level this difference, there are several ways:

  • graduate from school in Singapore or any country with a 12-year education program;
  • study for a year at a domestic university and transfer to a Singaporean university from the second year;
  • undergo training for preparatory course The Foundation Program, which will allow applicants to “get” a year, as well as fill in the missing knowledge of the English language, will help to adapt to the educational system of a new country for a future student.

Many educational institutions of the state practice interviewing via Skype. This eliminates the need for a student to fly to Singapore for an interview, and significantly speeds up the enrollment process. The process of admission to a Singaporean university takes no more than 4 months, unlike universities in most countries of the world, documents to which must be submitted a year before the start of studies.

To stay in the country for more than four weeks, you will need a student visa, which can be done at the Singapore Embassy in your country. Usually there are no problems with obtaining it - it is issued within 4-6 weeks.

The cost of education in Singapore

The cost of higher education in Singapore is much lower than in the US or European countries, and its quality is not inferior the best universities England and Switzerland. On average, the cost of one year of study at a Singaporean higher education institution varies between 4,000 - 12,000 USD, depending on the chosen specialty. The most expensive is considered to be studying at the medical and dental faculties - it can cost up to 40,000 USD.

Unfortunately, only a few educational institutions in Singapore provide international students with the opportunity to live in a hostel. Therefore, most often students independently rent housing in the city. On average, an apartment in a good area with a living room and one bedroom costs 500-600 S$ per month. Living with two or three people will significantly reduce the monthly rent.

Food costs should be calculated on the basis of 120-150 S$ per month per person. The cheapest form of transport in Singapore is the city buses, which run on the same route as the metro trains. A bus ticket will cost only one and a half dollars. You can also spend your leisure time quite inexpensively, for example, going to the cinema will cost 8-10 S$.

Scholarships and grants

The Ministry of Education of Singapore various schemes university funding, thanks to which foreign students have the potential to significantly reduce training costs. Grants from the Singaporean ministry are only a partial cost coverage. However, when we are talking about living in a new country, even partial tuition fees make life much easier for a student. Therefore, if you are serious about getting an education in Singapore with significant financial savings, then regular monitoring of the website of the Ministry of Education can help. It constantly updates the list of scholarships and international programs. Also, almost all universities in Singapore implement their own scholarship programs, which can be found on the website of a particular educational institution.

The application for funding is submitted after successful delivery entrance examinations and admission to the university. If the request is approved, it will require the signing of an agreement under which the student undertakes to work in one of the Singapore companies for several years after graduation. In case of violation of the concluded contract, the cost of training will have to be reimbursed.

Many large companies in Singapore are interested in recruiting young professionals, so they are ready to provide them with financial support for training, provided that the student undertakes to work in this enterprise for several years after graduation. If the graduate receives a better offer from another company and wishes to terminate the existing agreement, then he will also have to pay a penalty in a predetermined amount.

Over the past 30 years, having made an economic breakthrough, Singapore has become one of the leading countries in East Asia, a dynamically developing state and a center of communications, technology and research, providing great prospects for young professionals to realize their potential. Higher education received in Singapore is the key to successful employment in the chosen specialty and career development in a prestigious large company.