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Singapore

Study Master in Singapore 2024

Study in Singapore

The Republic of Singapore consists of the main island of Singapore, off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula between the South China Sea and the Indian Ocean, and 58 nearby islands.

Singapore is the world's fourth-leading financial center, and its port is one of the five busiest ports in the world. The economy depends heavily on exports and refining imported goods, especially in manufacturing, which constituted 26% of Singapore's GDP in 2005. In terms of purchasing power parity, Singapore has the third-highest per capita income in the world.

An island city-state located off the south end of the Malay Peninsula, Singapore is often mistaken for simply being a city rather than an actual country that is comprised of 63 islands and six million people. Over the past 20 years, Singapore has developed into a highly urbanized, thriving economy fueled by thousands of immigrants taking up residence in Singapore in order to gain employment. Rainforests used to cover most of Singapore but little biodiversity remains due to rapid and aggressive development throughout the country. As one of the world's leading financial centers, Singapore has one of the top five busiest ports that actively manage the import and export of manufactured goods as well as natural resources. Aware that Singapore boasts the third highest per capita income, thousands of foreigners flock to this island city-state to take advantage of its low unemployment rate and market-based economy.

Politically, Singapore is a parliamentary republic heavily influenced by the People's Action Party, which has won all elections held in the country since 1959. Singapore's constitution affirms representative democracy as its primary political entity supported by a Westminster system of government. In addition, Singapore has been consistently rated as having the most transparent and least corrupted governments in the world. Executive power is held by a Cabinet ruled by the President and the Prime Minister. Although the president is elected by the majority of the public's vote, the Prime Minister is elected by members of the Cabinet.

Singapore's citizens represent a highly diverse population. Nearly 75 percent of this population are Chinese, with Indians and Malays comprising the remaining 25 percent. Tamil, English, Malay and Mandarin Chinese are acknowledged as the four official languages but because of the influx of an estimated 11 milllion transient people each year, it is possible to encounter dozens of different languages while studying in Singapore.

Essential Facts About Singapore

  • Singapore is considered to have one of the most competitive, free and innovative, business-friendly economies in the world. Over 7000 multinational organizations currently exist in Singapore that originate from Japan, Europe and the U.S.
  • Almost half of Singapore's workforce are non-Singaporeans.
  • The economy is heavily promoted by the tourism industry, with an estimated 11 million tourists visiting Singapore each year.
  • Since 2009, 25 percent of students enrolled in a Singaporean higher education institution were international students mainly from India, China and various Asian countries.
  • The Singaporean military, comprised of the Air Force, Army and Navy, may be the most advanced technologically in SE Asia. However, this country's view of defense is one of deterrence and diplomacy and views its military as a guarantee of Singapore's independence.
  • Because land is scarce in Singapore, the government has established a Housing Development Board to provide housing for nearly four-fifths of the city-state's population in the form of subsidized public housing. Alternately, home ownership stands at 85 percent and about one in every ten Singaporeans owns a vehicle.

Singapore's Climate
Similar to most of SE Asia's tropical climate, Singapore's weather stays hot and humid all year long. Students attending school in Singapore can expect temperatures to consistently remain above 70 degrees (21 Celsius) with humidity hovering around 75 percent or higher. Residents see heavy rain during November and December, which increases the humidity levels. Fortunately, most of Singapore's buildings are air-conditioned and the government has taken steps to ensure the comfort level for tourists and visitors remains acceptable.

Singapore's Currency
The Singapore dollar is the city-state's currency, which is interchangeable with the Brunei dollar. Comprised of 100 cents, or "units", the SGD is designated with a"$" or"S$". Silver and gold coins are issued in denominations of five, ten, 20, and 50 cents, with a one-dollar coin also available. Many places in Singapore accept foreign currency but students may exchange their money for SGDs at banks or currency exchange booths which can be found at most shopping malls.

Singapore's Religions
Thirty-five percent of Singapore's population practice Buddhism, followed by Christianity, Taoism, Hinduism, or Islam. Nearly 20 percent are not affiliated with any religion. Singapore provides Dharma centers and monasteries representing the three Buddhist traditions - Vajrayana, Theravada, and Mahayana. The majority of Singaporeans are Chinese Buddhists who practice the Mahayana tradition.

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Basic monthly living cost

  • Rent in a shared flat

    1867
  • Share of utilities

    51
  • Internet subscription

    31
  • Local transportation

    88

Sample lifestyle cost

  • Fast food combo

    7
  • Cinema ticket

    10
  • Pint of local beer

    7

About Singapore

Higher Education in Singapore

Characterized as world-leading and selected for commendation by Britain's education minister, Singapore's higher education system has developed into a leading force that assists in promoting its reputation as one of the world's leading centers for financial growth and technological advancements. Six national universities in Singapore are ranked among the top 50 in the world: the Nanyang Technological University, the Singapore University of Technology and Design, the National University of Singapore, the Singapore Institute of Technology, the Singapore Management University, and the SIM University. These universities offer undergraduate and postgraduate degree programs in Accountancy, Information Systems Management, Business Management, Economics, Social Sciences, Law, and Computer Science.

Singapore also has polytechnic colleges that are designed to train students for jobs that support the economic and technological development of the nation. Currently, Singapore offers five polytechnics for students who wish to earn a non-academic degree that allows them to enter the workforce immediately upon completing the program. A degree earned at a polytechnic is similar to an associate's degree or vocational certificate and takes less than two years to complete.

International students are allowed to work 16 hours each week while enrolled full-time at a Singapore university. Students applying for a study visa need to prove they are fluent in English by providing the results of a Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL); a General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE); or an International English Language Testing System (IELTS). They must also have received an acceptance letter from a university or polytechnic as well as passport photos and documentation proving their eligibility to enter a university degree program (high school diploma, for example).

In addition, international students will need to obtain a local sponsor who is a Singaporean citizen before they can apply for a student visa. Some universities and polytechnics may not require sponsoring, so students should

check with their intended school of choice to determine whether sponsorship is required. Visa processing may take one to two months, depending on the validity of a student's paperwork and the amount of documentation. All applications are to be submitted online to the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority of Singapore (SOLAR), which provides all information necessary to facilitate a student's entry into Singapore's higher education system.

Why Study in Singapore?

Students graduating from Singapore's universities are consistently ranked exceptionally high on assessments regarding science and mathematic knowledge. In fact, Singaporean students were ranked number one according to statistical research performed by the International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement organization. Moreover, the Nanyang Technological University and the National University of Singapore are considered among the top 50 educational institutions in the world. In addition, students will also enjoy Singapore's excellent healthcare system which the World Health Organization ranks as the sixth best in the world.

Visa Requirements

What type of Visa do you need?

Visa name

Student Pass

Price and currency

SGD 90

A processing fee of S$30 is required for every application submitted to the Singapore Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA). The fee is non-refundable regardless of the outcome of the application or if the application is withdrawn after submission.

A fee of S$60 is payable when the successful applicant completes the formality at the issuance of the Student's Pass at ICA.

The fees are country-dependent and may be subject to change.

Who can apply for the visa?

All international students must have a Student Pass to pursue higher studies in Singapore. To get your Singapore Student Pass, you must first be offered admission for a full-time program in the Institute of Higher Learning (IHL) in Singapore.

You are eligible for a Student Pass only if you have been accepted into a full-time program. If you want to take up part-time courses or evening classes, you will not be eligible for the Student Pass.

Where can you make the application?

Student’s Pass On-Line Application & Registration (SOLAR) system

To apply for the Student Pass, you must submit your application on the official registration system -- Student’s Pass On-Line Application & Registration (SOLAR) system.

Website:

How to make the application?

Before submitting an application for Student Pass through SOLAR, the institute where you have been offered admission must register you through the registration system. Once the institute has registered you with SOLAR, you have to submit eForm 16. You must have the following details before logging into your SOLAR account:

  • A registration notification from SOLAR with your login username and password provided by IHL
  • Travel documents and passport details, including passport number and its validity
  • Your personal email address
  • One recent passport-sized color photograph

Once you submit the eForm 16, you then have to take a printout copy of the form to submit to the Student Pass unit - Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA). It is one of the important formalities to be completed for issuance of the Singapore Student Pass.

You must assure the immigration department that you will remain in Singapore with a valid Student Pass at all times.

Documents required for Singapore student visa:

  • Your valid passport. You have to submit a copy of particular pages of the passport
  • You must carry the departure/arrival card granted on entry into Singapore. If you have been residing in Singapore on other long-term passes, you have to bring along that pass as well;
  • One recent color passport-sized photograph (taken on white background);
  • The printout of eForm 16 submitted through SOLAR (duly signed by the applicant);
  • If your documents are in the native language, you must get an official English translation of the documents.
  • A copy of the in-principle approval letter; and
  • A medical report in the prescribed format (available on ICA’s website).

When you submit the application, make sure the laboratory reports are not more than three months from the issue date. In case you fail to fulfill the medical requirement, you will not be granted the Student Pass.

When should you apply?

Generally, the Singapore student visa takes about four weeks to process. However, some applications may take longer if the immigration department requires some additional documents or information from you. In such situations, you will be notified through the SOLAR system.

You must submit new applications for Student Pass at least one month before your course starts and not for more than two months.

The processing time is generally between 2 to 4 months for cases in which interviews are required.

Processing time

4 Weeks

Work opportunities

Foreign students who do not work for more than 16 hours per week during their studies are exempted to apply for a work permit. However, it is recommended to check the work opportunities granted by your institution.

International students do not have to apply for a work permit if they want to work in Singapore during their vacations.

Permission to work may also depend on the institution where you are studying.

You can find a list of approved institutions here: https://www.mom.gov.sg/passes-and-permits/work-pass-exemption-for-foreign-students

Hours per week

0

Why do you need this type of visa?

Your visa application may be rejected if you do not follow a full-time course at a recognized educational institution, if you do not have adequate educational credentials, if your forms are not properly filled out or if the supporting documents are not correct.