Studying in Singapore: How to Apply and How Much Does it Cost?

Higher education in Singapore combines Asian dynamics and Western academic standards. Programs are taught in English, and the universities themselves are consistently ranked among the world’s top institutions in engineering, IT, and business.

Studying in Singapore is particularly attractive for international students because the country serves as a gateway to the business and technology market in Southeast Asia. Many major international companies have regional offices in Singapore, making internships and subsequent employment opportunities a realistic prospect.

This program is suitable for those who are considering a bachelor’s or master’s degree in business, engineering, computer science, or finance, as well as those who want to combine a strong academic background with an international career in Asia.

Admission is based on the same logic, regardless of the university:

• choose a field and a specific program;
• study the requirements of this particular program, which are individual for each faculty;
• prepare academic documents (certificate, transcript, and, if necessary, notarization and translation);
• take a language test if the program is not taught in English at the applicant’s school;
• prepare a motivation letter and, if required, a portfolio or resume;
• submit an application through the university’s portal and pay the registration fee, which is S$10-20 at NUS;
• wait for the admissions committee’s decision: they evaluate the profile comprehensively, considering
• grades, language scores, interviews, or tests for specific programs;
• obtain a Student’s Pass after enrollment.

Requirements for undergraduate programs

You need a high school diploma (or its equivalent, such as A-Level or IB Diploma), academic performance in relevant subjects, and proof of your English proficiency. The approximate threshold is IELTS from 6.5 or TOEFL iBT about 92, although students with English medium of instruction may be exempt from the test. For some programs, an additional motivation letter is required, and for certain fields, an interview or a profile test.

Requirements for a master’s degree

For a master’s degree, a bachelor’s degree, a transcript of grades, a CV, usually two letters of recommendation, and a motivation letter are required. For creative fields, a portfolio is often requested, and for research programs, a preliminary agreement with a supervisor and a brief description of the research topic are required.

Full-time international students need a Student’s Pass, which is issued by the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) of Singapore. The university submits the application through the SOLAR system after the student’s enrollment, and the student is required to provide proof of enrollment, financial stability, and a medical examination.

The application fee is S$30 for the application and S$60 for the issuance of the Student’s Pass. The processing time is typically around a month. It is important to check the detailed visa procedure at the stage of receiving an offer of admission, as the process differs for public and private universities.

At SelfStartGlobal, we help you choose a program and university in Singapore based on a student’s profile, real chances, and goals.

Specialists build an admission strategy, prepare documents and a motivation letter, show which financial support formats — MOE Tuition Grant, merit scholarships or SINGA – can be applied for, and accompany them to the result.

If you are considering studying in Singapore, come for a free consultation. Let’s analyze your profile and show you which universities and programs are right for you.