Singapore is a popular country for international students for research and development, dual degrees, exchange programs, practical exposure, and more. It is considered the top study-abroad destination in Asia and the fourth-best in the world. According to the Program for International Student Assessment (PISA), the country offers the finest education in the field of technology, engineering and science. Indian students consider it a suitable choice due to its proximity and affordable education. Singapore is an attractive option for many reasons. Now the question is, out of all countries, why study in Singapore? Or more specifically, is Singapore a good place to study? Keep reading the blog to get all your answers.
Important Things You Need to Know Before Studying in Singapore
Are you planning to study in Singapore? You must keep the following factors in mind before applying to any of the universities or colleges:
Economic Outlook
Singapore's economy is a free market and one of the stable economies all over the world. It has the 3rd least corrupt economy in the world and has low tax rates. According to reports, the country has the world's second-highest per capita GDP, a lot higher than the US. The current GDP is around 390.00 billion USD. Singapore is also a major business hub with many internship opportunities for students.
Relations with India
Singapore and India share a friendly cultural and commercial relationship. India and Singapore signed the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) and a strategic relationship agreement to increase trade, investments and economic cooperation. They also joined hands to expand the bilateral cooperation on maritime security, training forces, developing military technology and combating terrorism. This strong relationship makes Singapore an attractive option for Indian students seeking higher studies.
Career Prospects
If you are planning to study abroad in Singapore, you must be aware of the career prospects in the country. The country is known to being open to outsiders and provide a safe environment. According to the HSBC Expat Explorer Survey 2018, Singapore ranked as the top 1 location for work for international students. Popular career prospects in Singapore are healthcare, engineering, marketing, sales, information technology (IT), accounting, banking and finance. The multicultural society and use of English also provides a language advantage for Indian students.
Education Prospects
Singapore is one of the best destinations for international students for various reasons apart from its high quality of life and high quality education. The universities in Singapore offer a home-like environment.
The total tuition fees per annum for international students for a Bachelor's degree at a University ranges from SGD 51,840 (INR 28.6 Lacs) to SGD 115,350 (INR 63.8 Lacs), depending on the subject.
The famous course options are engineering, IT, banking & finance, law and medicine. Computer science, commerce, fashion, hospitality and tourism are also popular courses. There are five types of universities in Singapore:
- Public Universities
- Private Universities
- Institute of Technical Education
- Local Polytechnics
- Specialised Arts Institutions
There is a total of 34 Singapore colleges, six of which are national, offering a wide range of undergraduate programs and postgraduate programs and PHD study. There are four Singaporean universities featured in Asia's top ranked institutions as per the QS Rankings 2021: National University of Singapore (NUS), Nanyang Technological University (NTU), University of Hong Kong (HKU) and The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST).
According to International Trade Administration, there were more than 70,000 enrolments of international students, out of which 5000 are Indians, and the number is growing. The most common languages used in Singapore are English, Malay, Tamil, and Mandarin Chinese. English proficiency requirements are manageable for most Indian students.
Academic Requirements: A Copy of Passport| High School Transcripts| Sufficient TOEFL/IELTS Scores| SAT scores required for few courses | LORs | Health Insurance| Essay/Personal Statement.
Fun Facts
- In July, foodies are in for a treat with the Singapore Food Festival, where they get to savour uniquely Singaporean dishes and modern Singaporean cuisine, which gives a modern twist to traditional flavours.
- Singaporeans use exclamations such as 'lah' and 'leh' in their sentences and use Singlish in their everyday conversation.
Local Cuisine
Singaporean cuisine is as diverse as its people; it has a mix of Malay, Chinese, Indonesian, Indian and Western influences. The most famous local cuisines are Hainanese chicken rice, Chilli crab, Laksa, Char kuayteow, Hokkien prawn mee and the list goes on.
Famous Travel Destinations
The famous travel destinations in the country are Marina Bay Sands, Gardens by the Bay, Botanic Gardens, Singapore Zoo, Orchard Road, Singapore Flyer and many more. Student life in Singapore provides ample opportunities to explore these attractions.
Final Words
International students who wish to stay in Singapore and look for work after graduation can apply for a work visa. After their student pass gets expired, students can get a Short-Term Visit Pass, which will allow them to stay in Singapore for 90 days and look for a job.
They can also get a one-year (non-renewable) Long-term Social Visit Pass if they graduate from an institution on the list of Institutes of Higher Learning. The popular work visa permits are:
- Employment Pass:This is one of the most common work visas for international students working in management, executive or other specialised positions.
- S Pass:This work visa is for international mid-skilled workers like technicians.
- EntrePass: This is an option for international graduates who want to establish a private limited company registered with the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA) of Singapore.
If you have a current work permit like Employment Pass, EntrePass or S Pass and have worked for six months in Singapore, you are eligible to apply for Permanent Residence Permit.
To conclude, the high living standard, friendly lifestyle, affordable education, rapidly growing economy and top-notch education make Singapore a perfect study destination for international students. So, if you are an Indian student wanting to study in Singapore, you are in for a treat! Contact UniVisory today to know more about universities in Singapore for international students, higher studies in Singapore, cost of education in Singapore, courses in Singapore for various programs, and what are the requirements to study here. Start your journey today!