Singapore

Singapore, an island city-state off southern Malaysia, is a global financial center with a tropical climate and multicultural population. Its colonial core centers on the Padang, a cricket field since the 1830s and now flanked by grand buildings such as City Hall, with its 18 Corinthian columns. In Singapore's circa-1820 Chinatown stands the red-and-gold Buddha Tooth Relic Temple, said to house one of Buddha's teeth.

  • Dialing code:+65
  • Currency: Singapore dollar
  • Official scripts: Roman (Latin); Simplified Chinese; Tamil

WHY SINGAPORE?

Singapore is extremely popular amongst students who wish to study courses in animation, design, game development, music, etc. Courses in law and combined postgraduate courses in management and engineering are extremely popular choices for students from South Asia. With numerous technological companies having offices in Singapore and some institutions offering scholarships for students with a 'work in Singapore clause', Singapore has become a popular study destination for Indians.

Students who opt for higher education courses in engineering also have a good chance of securing jobs in Singapore after their internships.

Some reasons why students choose Singapore as a study destination are as follows:

  • • English-taught courses are on offer at most institutes.
  • • Tuition fees and living expenses are less compared with other countries abroad.
  • • A lot of scholarship options are available.
  • • With many Indians and Sri Lankans living there, Singapore has a strong South-east Asian community. Student life is pretty exciting in Singapore!
  • • The country’s strict law enforcement policy and stable political environment offers students a lot of safety.
  • • Zero tolerance to racism and drugs.
  • • Some institutions offer courses in partnership with leading American and Australian institutions.
  • • Well-connected to the rest of Asia as Singapore has one of the best airports in the region.
  • • With good academic performance, chances of securing a job in Singapore are higher.

EDUCATION SYSTEM IN SINGAPORE

Universities: Universities in Singapore are either private or public campuses or branch campuses (satellite campuses) of other popular higher education institutions. There are six autonomous universities in Singapore: National University of Singapore, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore Management University, Singapore University of Technology & Design, Singapore Institute of Technology and Singapore University of Social Sciences.

Polytechnics: Polytechnics provide more industry-oriented programs which prepare work-ready graduates. Both diploma and degree programs are offered at polytechnic institutions. There are five polytechnics in Singapore: Nanyang Polytechnic, Republic Polytechnic, Ngee Ann Polytechnic, Temasek Polytechnic and Singapore Polytechnic.

Institute of Technical Education (ITE): ITEs provide technical-oriented studies in areas like business, electronics, media and applied sciences. Students studying at ITEs develop technical skills and knowledge to work at several industries.

ADMISSIONS

Academic intakes vary from institution to institution in Singapore. Institutes like the NUS and NTU have two intake periods, i.e., in August and January for postgraduate and undergraduate programmes. Private institutions like PSB and SIM have intakes every quarter. The admission cycle changes depending on the admission cycles of various other universities which have campuses in Singapore.

Some of the popular courses in Singapore amongst foreign students include, hotel management, MBA, engineering, applied & pure sciences, business, architecture and travel & tourism.

Language Requirements:

IELTS / TOEFL is required.

The above is exempted if students has completed school and college in English medium and have also scored above 70% in the main exams.

Eligibility

  • For Polytechnic Courses – Xth/XIIth Pass from Indian School
  • For undergraduate programmes at local universities - XIIth Pass from Indian School
  • For Singapore's public institutes – Check with respective schools directly
  • For Private Education Organisations (PEOs) - Check with PEO directly or seek advice from Certified Singapore Education Specialists
  • * Entry requirements differs as per each programme in different educational organization

COST & SCHOLARSHIPS

The cost of studying in Singapore for international students could vary between SGD 2000 and 12,000. The tuition cost is relatively inexpensive, and most universities offer financial aid for international students.

Living expenses could be SGD10,000, including stay, transport and food. Housing expenses (rent) could be SGD 150–1000, depending on the type of accommodation the student selects.

Scholarships for international students

Singapore is a country known for its academic excellence, and it has courses on offer that are affordable. The Ministry of Education (MOE) provides financial aid to international students studying in Singapore. Some universities comply with the need-blind or merit-based admissions norms. Every deserving student who has a good academic record and a lot of potential is granted admissions, regardless of his/her financial difficulties, under need-blind admissions criteria.

You can apply for scholarships at the following institutes in Singapore –

  • 1. National University of Singapore
  • 2. Nanyang Technological University
  • 3. Singapore University of Technology and Design
  • 4. University of Chicago Booth School of Business – Asia Campus

VISAS

One can apply for a visa, if an educational institution has accepted them to pursue full time or part time studies in Singapore.

Student’s Pass should be applied for at the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) within 2 weeks on receiving the Letter of Acceptance from the University.

Submit the Student Pass to the ICA least 2 months before the commencement date of the course

WORKING OPTIONS for INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

Part Time Working as a Student:

Unlike other countries, Singapore does not allow you to take up any work. The Universities in Singapore have internships which are related to the course you are planning to study. A student can only opt for these related internships. Also, most of the universities have partnerships with industrial houses which would provide the students to work part time.

So, if you are planning to study in Singapore, make sure to check with the University if the program comes with an industrial experience or not to determine if you would be able to work in the country.

Working after Graduation:

Most of the education institutes in Singapore offer internship programs to their students as a part of the curriculum of the courses. These internships are open for international students. The institutes work alongside reputed corporations and companies to train the students in their chosen field of study and career. This enables the students to gain hands-on experience that is essential for the development of their career skills. In the majority of cases, the same companies where the student interned will hire them.

International students who are given this opportunity can work full time after they have graduated. However, they need to apply for the appropriate pass in order to continue living in the country. Students can apply for an Employment Pass, Service Pass or a Work Permit.

Employment Pass Eligibility Certificate

This particular program enables international students to remain in Singapore and search for jobs. The pass is valid for only a year. The students have to apply for this program and if they are successful, they can seek a Visit Pass from the immigration authorities. As soon as they get a job, students have to apply for an Employment Pass. The international students have to possess certain university qualifications to be eligible for the certificate program.

The employment market in Singapore is booming for international students. More and more native companies are hiring foreign employees. This means international students have a range of job opportunities available in Singapore.

MOST DEMANDED JOBS IN SINGAPORE

  • 1. Software Developers (5+ years) Salary range: $4,000 - $12,000 per month
  • What the job entails: Understanding every aspect of computer programs, from running systems to latest software applications

  • 2. IT Security Consultant (6 - 10 years) Salary range: $7,000 - $10,000 per month
  • What the job entails: Vulnerability scanning, configuring assessment tools, identifying relevant threats, gain commitment from stakeholders and project teams to implement security controls and conducting critical platform management

  • 3. Quality Lead Manager (5 - 10 years) Salary range: $6,000 - $10,000 per month
  • What the job entails: Investigate, determine and manage quality non-conformances, maintain and ensure documentation and procedures meet ISO standards, as well as improve testing procedures of laboratory and management functions.

  • 4. Regulatory Affairs Specialist / Manager (3 - 10 years) Salary range: $ 4,000 - $12,000 per month
  • What the job entails: Overseeing quality management system set up, implementation, and maintenance based on regulatory requirements so healthcare products are safe and effective.

  • 5. Credit Control Manager (5+ years) Salary range: $6,500 - $8,000 per month
  • What the job entails: You oversee your firm’s incoming finance and make sure all incoming and outgoing payments are received promptly.

  • 6. Finance Manager (5 - 8 years) Monthly salary range: $6,000 - $10,000 per month
  • What the job entails: Strategically direct your company’s financial assets and predicting future expenditure plans.

  • 7. Digital Marketing Manager (4 - 10 years) Salary range: $6,000 - $10,000 per month
  • What the job entails: Driving online traffic to your company’s website, manage digital marketing campaigns to raise brand awareness and help the company stay relevant with digital marketing developments.

  • 8. FinTech Developer (5 - 10 years) Salary range: $7,500 - $12,000 per month
  • What the job entails: You'll need an eye for detail for this position as you'll be designing and developing financial application tools that facilitate and streamline digital transaction processes. You'll have a real say in how millennials and generations after handle their money!

  • 9. Finance Compliance Manager (4 - 7 years) Salary range: $5,000 - $10,000 per month
  • What the job entails: Making sure what your company is doing is up to date with Singapore's changing laws and not accidentally becoming criminals because "nobody noticed when Parliament passed that new law".

  • 10. Settlements Manager (4 - 7 years) Salary range: $5,000 - $8,300 per month
  • What the job entails: Authorising payments, risk management and implementing procedures to limit risks.

  • 11. Business Analyst (4 - 8 years) Salary range: $4,000 - $10,835 per month
  • What the job entails: Assessing and improving the company’s business model, implement cost-effective solutions, analysing requirements and even driving or overseeing projects

  • 12. Cloud Support Engineer (6 - 10 years) Salary range: $7,200 - $9,500 per month
  • What the job entails: Develop software with Java, C++ or Ruby, design and integrate other data providers, and work with Linux/UNIX systems.