Why study in Singapore?
Singapore is a small, English-speaking city-state with a handful of public universities, such as NUS, NTU and SUTD, alongside private campuses that teach degrees from Australian and UK universities.
Teaching is in English. Many coursework master's degrees take one year full time. Public universities set your tuition when you join, and it stays the same until you finish.
International students study on a Student's Pass from ICA. At approved institutions you can work part time during term. After graduating, you can apply for a Long-Term Visit Pass to stay and look for a job.
- All teaching is in English
- Many master's degrees at NTU and Curtin Singapore run for one year or less
- NUS and NTU fix your tuition for the whole degree when you join
- ICA says Student's Pass applications are usually processed within one to two weeks
- Students at approved institutions can work up to 16 hours a week in term, with no hourly limit in vacations
- After graduating you can apply for a Long-Term Visit Pass to stay and look for work
Popular universities in Singapore
National University of Singapore (NUS)
Singapore · Cohort-based fees, fixed for your whole degree
Nanyang Technological University (NTU)
Singapore · Annual fee fixed at your entry-year rate
Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD)
Singapore · Eight-term engineering, design and AI degrees
Curtin Singapore
Singapore · Singapore campus of Australia's Curtin University
University of London at SIM
Singapore · UK degrees taught at SIM, with LSE or Goldsmiths input
Popular programmes
- Computer Science
- Artificial Intelligence
- Business Analytics
- Data Science
- Finance and Financial Engineering
- Business and Accountancy
- Engineering
- MBA
Courses from our Course Finder
Bachelor of Computing in Computer Science (with Honours)
National University of Singapore (NUS) · Singapore · Bachelor’s
Master of Computing (General Track)
National University of Singapore (NUS) · Singapore · Master’s · 1.5–2 years
Master of Computing in Artificial Intelligence
National University of Singapore (NUS) · Singapore · Master’s · 1.5 years
Bachelor of Computing (Hons) in Computer Science
Nanyang Technological University (NTU) · Singapore · Bachelor’s · 4 years
Bachelor of Business
Nanyang Technological University (NTU) · Singapore · Bachelor’s · 4 years
Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence
Nanyang Technological University (NTU) · Singapore · Master’s · 1 year
Cost of studying: financial breakdown
| Expense | Amount |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate tuition, with MOE Tuition Grant | S$21,400–31,600 / yrNUS, NTU and SUTD rates for 2026 entry (most courses). Comes with a 3-year work bond in Singapore. |
| Undergraduate tuition, without Tuition Grant | S$33,400–62,076 / yrNUS, NTU and SUTD rates for 2026 entry. Medicine, dentistry and music cost more. |
| Postgraduate tuition (coursework master's) | S$57,232–89,380 totalNTU and NUS, 2026 and 2027 entry. Private campuses can cost less, e.g. Curtin Singapore S$23,544–47,088. |
| Living costs | About S$5,064 per termSUTD estimate for on-campus students (hostel, meals, books, transport), AY2025. ICA sets no fixed proof-of-funds figure; you declare your financial support in the application. |
| Student's Pass fees | S$45 + S$60 + S$30S$45 processing fee, S$60 issuance fee, and S$30 multiple-journey visa fee for visa-required nationals such as Indians |
| Long-Term Visit Pass after graduating | S$45 + S$60S$45 application fee and S$60 issuance fee |
Typical tuition in rupees: ≈ ₹16–47 lakh per year (European Central Bank and Bank of Russia reference rates, 9 October 2026).
Application checklist
- 1Offer from an approved full-time course, and your school's Registration Acknowledgement Letter
- 2Valid passport, with a scan of the biodata page
- 3Class 10 and 12 marksheets, and degree transcripts for master's applicants
- 4English test score if your course asks for one (e.g. IELTS 6.0–6.5 for many master's)
- 5GRE or GMAT where required (e.g. NUS Master of Computing asks for one)
- 6Details of how you will fund your studies and living costs
- 7Recent passport-sized digital colour photo, taken within the last 3 months
- 8Official English translations of any documents in other languages
- 9Student's Pass application, 2–3 months before your course starts
- 10Decide whether to take the MOE Tuition Grant and its 3-year work bond (undergraduates)
Student visa: Student's Pass
Every full-time international student needs a Student's Pass from ICA. Apply online 2–3 months before your course begins, once your institution has registered you. If approved, you complete formalities in Singapore and the pass is issued.
What you’ll need
- Accepted as a full-time student on an approved course (part-time, evening and weekend courses do not qualify)
- Registration Acknowledgement Letter from your institution
- Passport biodata page
- Personal, education, employment and financial support details
- Details of parents (and spouse or siblings, if applicable)
- Recent digital colour photo taken within 3 months
- S$45 non-refundable processing fee
Processing time: ICA says applications are usually processed within one week, or two weeks if you need a visa (Indian nationals do). Some take longer.
Work and employment options
- While you study
- Up to 16 hrs/week during term, with no hourly limit during official vacations. This applies only to full-time students at institutions on MOM's approved list, so check yours. Exchange students cannot work.
- After you graduate
- Graduates of institutes of higher learning can apply to ICA for a Long-Term Visit Pass to stay and look for work. MOE describes this as a 1-year pass. You cannot work on it: once you have a job offer, your employer must get you a work pass, such as an Employment Pass.
- To work after graduating, you usually need an Employment Pass, which your employer applies for
- Employment Pass minimum salary: currently S$5,600 a month at age 23 or below (S$6,200 in financial services), rising with age
- Employment Pass candidates must also pass the COMPASS points test (40 points)
- Internships that count towards your degree are allowed during term
- Tuition Grant holders must work in Singapore for 3 years after graduating
Good to know: The Employment Pass minimum salary rises from 1 January 2027 for new applications: to S$6,000 a month at age 23 or below (S$6,600 in financial services).
Scholarships to explore
- MOE Tuition Grant: lowers undergraduate fees at public universities, with a 3-year work bond in Singapore
- NTU Research Scholarship and Nanyang President's Graduate Scholarship (research degrees at NTU)
- NTU's postgraduate scholarships page also lists the A*STAR Graduate Scholarship and others; check who can apply for each
- Curtin Singapore: 50% scholarship on the Master of Predictive Analytics for the November 2026 intake (terms apply)
Official sources · checked 10 October 2026
- ICA: Student's Pass for Institutes of Higher Learning (opens in a new tab)
- ICA: Long-Term Visit Pass for graduates seeking work (opens in a new tab)
- MOM: work pass exemption for foreign students (opens in a new tab)
- MOM: Employment Pass eligibility (opens in a new tab)
- MOE: Tuition Grant Scheme (opens in a new tab)
- MOE: Tuition Grant pass matters (1-year LTVP) (opens in a new tab)
Figures are indicative planning ranges and change often. Always confirm fees, funds and visa rules on the university and official government websites before you apply.