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Study in Singapore

Education in Singapore is managed by the Ministry of Education (MOE), which controls the development and administration of state schools receiving government funding, but also has an advisory and supervisory role in respect of private schools. For both private and state schools, there are variations in the extent of autonomy in their curriculum, scope of government aid and funding, tuition burden on the students, and admission policy.

The education system in Singapore evolves around the premise that every student has unique aptitudes and interests. You can study at National Schools, Polytechnics & Universities or you can choose one of the private Sector that prepare people to take diplomas & degrees from prestigious foreign Universities.

Polytechnics in Singapore provide 3-year diploma courses and, they accept students based on their GCE "O" level, GCE "A" level or Institute of Technical Education (ITE) results.

Singapore currently has two full-fledged public universities and two full-fledged private universities and more than ten other private tertiary institutions offering undergraduate and postgraduate degrees.

The government has planned the fourth public university to meet the rising demand for university education.

Lifestyle

Singapore has been repeatedly rated as the best East Asian country in terms of high quality life. Fortune Magazine`s list of best cities rated Singapore as the second best city in the world in terms of quality living. Singapore boasts about its popular shopping malls, beautiful steel tempered buildings and roads, lavish restaurants, pubs and other food joints, lovely residential areas, domestic companies and last but not the least exotic sightseeing options.

Singapore provides a safe environment, wide choice of housing, first-class medical services and excellent education, all of which ensure a high standard of life. The cost of living here is relatively low, and basic items like food and clothing are very reasonably priced. An international student in Singapore spends on average about S$750 to S$2,000 a month on living expenses. This amount of course, varies depending on your individual lifestyle and course of study.

Public transport in Singapore is comparable to the best in the world with buses and the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) servicing almost every corner of the island. Although Singapore is a multicultural society, English is the main working language.

Its` strategic position in Southeast Asia and a large international community makes Singapore truly cosmopolitan, a stew of the best of east and west makes for an ideal place to live in.

Singapore has one of the highest living standards in the world. All manner of good`s, necessities and luxuries alike, are readily available.


Weather

Singapore is the quintessential tropical island, with a warm and humid climate all year round. Save the woollies for back home - light and summer clothing rule! Daily temperatures range from 23-33 degree Celsius. There is no distinct wet/dry season. Most rain falls during the northeast monsoon (November to January) and showers are usually sudden and heavy.

The hottest period is from May to August. Average humidity is 84% but for those who do not enjoy the tropical climate, Singapore is sheltered from the worst effects of the sun with AC in almost all its shops, hotels, office buildings & restaurants.

 

Population

Singapore's demographics describe a population of 4.48 million, as estimated by the last census in 2005 and is the second most densely populated independent country in the world. Total population including non-residents is 4.99 million. Its population is cosmopolitan and diverse, including Chinese, Malays, Indians, Eurasians, Caucasians and Asians of different origins. Singapore has one of the highest proportions of foreigners in the world. 36% of the population are foreigners, who make up 50% of the service sector.

Currency

The dollar (currency code SGD) is the currency of Singapore. It is normally abbreviated with the dollar sign $, or alternatively S$ to distinguish it from other dollar-denominated currencies. It is divided into 100 cents.

 

Geography

Singapore, officially the Republic of Singapore, is an island city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, 137 kilometres north of the equator, south of the Malaysian state of Johor and north of Indonesia's Riau Islands. Singapore consists of 63 islands, including mainland Singapore. Singapore has a total land area of 699 km² and 193 km of coastline.

 

Visa Procedures

All the applicants must submit certified true copies of relevant document along with the application form. Once your application is successful, you will need to complete the Acceptance form, the student pass application form & return it to the University. The student pass application must be submitted at least 1 month and not more than 6 months from the course commencement date. The receipt of your Acceptance form and the student pass application form, the university will apply for student pass from the Singapore Immigration & check points Authority. The University / Institute will send you a letter from ICA regarding the approval of your student pass. Upon receipt of the letters you will need to arrange to make the payment for the tuition fee. The University / institutes will issue you a letters of acceptance of the single Journey Visa to you once payment is received upon arrival in Singapore you will have to go though a medical check up & Submit the report with all the original copies of documents that were previously submitted to ICA. After which within 10 days you will have to collect your student pass from ICA.

 

FAQ's

Q. What are the entry requirements to study at educational institutions in Singapore?

A. Entry requirements vary from institution to institution. As English is the common language of instruction, most institutions require students to meet a minimum standard of English. Generally, certification of competence in English is in the form of: General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE), Test of English As a Foreign Language (TOEFL), International English Language Testing System (IELTS).

Besides English, different institutions and courses have different minimum requirements. These requirements are usually stated in the course prospectus, brochures or websites of the institutions.

Q. How do I apply to study in Singapore?

A. Application procedures are depends on the type of institutions the students are applying to.

Q. What is the difference between private and public Institutions?

A. Public Schools are government schools. They are registered and managed by the Ministry of Education, Singapore.

There are various types of private schools in Singapore. Private schools are generally run by private companies or non-profit organizations. There are also some private institutions that receive public funds.

Q. Do I need a Visa and Student's Pass to study in Singapore?

A. Any international student wishing to study full-time in Singapore is required to apply for a Student’s Pass and visa (if applicable) from the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA). For applicants who require a visa to enter Singapore, please ensure that your application for the Student Pass is submitted to the ICA at least 2 months before the commencement date of the course.

Q. How much are the school or tution fees?

A. Fees vary according to type of course and type of school (private or public). For course fees of private schools, please check directly with the institutions.

JUNIOR COLLEGE: $240 per month(excluding other charges e.g. miscellaneous fees)

POLYTECHNIC: $2,150 per academic year(excluding other charges e.g. exam fees, miscellaneous fees, sports fee, student union fee, etc)

UNIVERSITY: From $6,220 per academic year for non-lab based courses to $17,820 per academic year for medical / dental courses (excluding other charges e.g. exam fees, miscellaneous fees, sports fees, student union fees, etc)

Q. How do I submit the Student's Pass application via the SOLAR system?

A. The applicant will have to log on to the SOLAR system from the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority website with your assigned SOLAR application number obtainable from your respective Institute of Higher Learning and your personal particulars. Once you have logged on to the system, you may proceed to complete the Student's Pass application form and submit the application online to ICA for processing.

Q. Are there any special support services for international students?

A. Educational institutions generally provide special support services for international students. Some even have an International Students Office to cater to your specific needs. Assistance rendered range from helping you look for accommodation to advice on financial, social and other matters. Please approach your school's Student Services or International Students Office for more information.

Q. What is the processing time for applications submitted through SOLAR?

A. Student's Pass applications submitted via SOLAR are processed in 3 working days for foreigners who do not required visa to enter Singapore. For foreigners who require a visa to enter Singapore, the processing time is 10 working days. Some applications may take a longer time to process.

Q. Must my medical examination be done in Singapore?

A. If you are a new applicant and not in Singapore, the medical examination can either be done in your home country or in Singapore by a qualified doctor. However, the medical examination required for subsequent renewal of the Student's Pass must be done in Singapore. The doctor must record and certify the results of the medical examination in the designated medical report form. The medical report should not be issued more than 3 months from the submission date of your application or renewal. If a medical report was submitted to ICA or MOM not more than 2 years from your submission date, there is no need to re-submit a fresh medical report. (The above requirement is not applicable to applicants who are below 15 years old.)

Q. How do I collect my Student's Pass?

A. Upon the approval of your Student's Pass application, you will receive an In-Principle Approval letter through your respective Institute of Higher Learning. After you have arrived in Singapore, you may then arrange to collect your Student's Pass in person or through your respective Institute of Higher Learning at the Visitor Services Centre, Immigration & Checkpoints Authority. To collect the Student's Pass, you need to produce the In-Principle Approval letter, your original travel document showing you have valid stay in Singapore, the white Embarkation/Disembarkation card (which you will complete on arrival in Singapore), results of your medical examination certified in the designated medical report together with the laboratory report, Student's Pass and visa fee as well as a hard copy of your electronic Student's Pass application Form 16 duly signed by you. Your Student's Pass will be issued if the conditions as stipulated in the In-Principal Approval letter are fulfilled.

For further queries regarding studying in Singapore, feel free to contact us.

 

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