Study Abroad in Singapore: Top Universities and How to Apply.

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Studying in Singapore is fast gaining interest amongst international students. Singapore is a sovereign city-state and island country in Southeast Asia. Interestingly, 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.

Students applying to any of the institutions of higher institutions in Singapore need not worry about language barrier. English is a language of instruction – Postgraduate courses in Singapore are taught in English which, as the mother tongue of many

Singaporeans, is widely used.

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, the Social Sciences, Law and Computer Science.

Singapore has four national universities. Then there are polytechnics which offer tertiary

education through diploma courses, which are practical courses with plenty of group work. Diplomas are offered in Tourism, Biotechnology, Digital Media, Engineering, Business Studies, Mass Communications, Accountancy, and Hospitality Management. The five polytechnics of Singapore are Nanyang Polytechnic, Republic Polytechnic, Temasek Polytechnic, Singapore Polytechnic, and Ngee Ann Polytechnic.

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.

For international students, Indian Standard 12 marksheet acts as the qualifier for entry into undergraduate courses, whether it is CBSE, ISCE or State boards. Admissions are based on academic merit as well as competition among all eligible applicants. In addition to fulfilling admission requirements for the international student category, Indian students are also required to fulfil the subject prerequisites for the courses which they are applying for. For example, if you are looking for admission in Business Administration, then you need to have passed Mathematics in your 12 standard or at some other higher level. Or if you are considering civil engineering, then you need to have passed Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry atleast on the school level.*

*Please note: These requirements differ from every institute. Some polytechnics may not have these requirements while universities might have them. Please check with the institute of your choice before applying.

Popular student destinations:

The top universities in Singapore are Nanyang Technological University (NTU), National University of Singapore (NUS), Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD) and Singapore Management University (SMU), in no particular order.

2018 Singapore University Ranking

1. National University of Singapore
2. Nanyang Technological University
3. Singapore Management University
4. Singapore University of Technology and Design
5. Singapore University of Social Sciences

Why Study in Singapore

How safe is the country? This is one of the reasons international students consider a study trip to Singapore. Singapore is a safe place to study at. Singapore has a well-deserved reputation for being safe and relatively crime-free.

Weather condition

Singapore’s weather is warm and humid, ranging from an average of 31°C during the day and 24°C at night. It rains throughout the year with heavier rain during the monsoon season, which lasts from November to January.

Availability of Part time Work

International students are allowed to work 16 hours each week while enrolled

How to Apply for Admission in Singapore

These vary between study programmes and levels. 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).

The following documents also need to be submitted:

• Attested copies of mark sheets of Standard X, XII, and the Bachelor’s degree (if applicable)
• At least, two Academic reference letters from professors who have taught you most recently.
• If you have work experience then two letters of recommendation (LOR) from the employer/manager who knows you well and can comment on your professional abilities
• Statement of Purpose (SOP)
• Resume
• Photocopied score reports of GMAT / IELTS / TOEFL
• Portfolio (in case of students applying for art and design courses and architecture programmes)
• Others (Certificates / achievements at the state and national level and extracurricular activities)
• Proof of funds

Visa Process

Visa processing may take one to two months, depending on the validity of a student’s paperwork and amount of documentation.

Application fee

All colleges require that you pay an application fee while applying. The fee amount will differ depending upon the college and course being applied to, so check with individual colleges about their application fee.