Singapore

Your overseas Consultant

About Singapore

Since its takeoff, the world has recognized Singapore as one of the smartest and safest in the world with the best investment potential.

Known as the premier educational hub in Asia, Singapore has earned its reputation of being a ‘global schoolhouse’. It offers a diverse and distinctive mix of educational services, well-respected universities along with affordable tuition fees and cost of living. Making it a great destination for international students seeking a unique and contemporary experience in higher education. Singapore is an island country, modern and vibrant. It has a multi-cultural history and offers a fast-paced, cosmopolitan lifestyle. All in all, Singapore is a global business hub and a great option for higher studies, given its developed infrastructure, political stability and open business policy.

Accomodation

Here’s Vidyabroad’s rough guide to managing stay in Singapore. There are 2 types of accommodation to pick from:

On-campus student residences: With prices ranging anything from over SG$2,000 to SG$4,000 per semester, this might be the more expensive option. But it does come with its perks, like proximity to classes, meals, laundry, etc. Keep in mind that many student accommodations and/or hostel fees may be reviewed and adjusted periodically.

Off-campus: HDB flats (Housing Development Board) or subsidised public housing for Singaporeans are a viable option. They’re economically friendly and might cost you around SG$550 to $800 per month, depending on the area. But given Singapore’s efficient rail systems, staying off-campus proves to be an excellent idea. Vidyabroad can help you check out rent portals for a rough idea of rental costs, and get you the best bargain.

Contact your Vidyabroad counsellor to help you get started on student accommodation for Singapore.

Cost of Education

How affordable is Singapore, really? Let’s take a look.

Tuition fees will make up the maximum chunk of your expenses, and largely depend on the university or programme, but they’re approximately SG$34,000 per academic year. Most commonly, courses in humanities, arts and education are more affordable than subjects like medicine or law. The second largest chunk of your expenses will be stay, the cost of which will depend on whether it is on-campus or off-campus.

Apart from that, you will have to take into account the rest of your living expenses, health support and transport costs. Singapore’s MRT and LRT subway rail systems are an extremely efficient and affordable option. You only need an EZ-Link card that costs SG$10-12 to pay for it.

You can also find restaurants and cafes that offer discounts or student meals. With so many things to consider, making a financial plan can be hard. Thankfully, Vidyabroad makes managing money as easy as the 2 times table.

Safety & Indian Community

Cost and quality of education aside, Singapore is a famous choice amongst Indian students because of its proximity to home.

It’s closer for families and friends to visit, and it provides a far more familiar environment than the west. Ramen, we’re looking at you. You’ll find plenty of your kind around, students and adults alike. While sometimes it might seem that Singapore is uptight with its strict laws, they end up making Singapore the third safest city in the world according to The Economist’s 2020 Safe Cities Index. You’ll need to familiarise yourself with the laws and the fines.

But other than that, take the usual precautions. Study your roads and rail routes well. Always travel on well-lit streets. Keep all your documents safe. And stay connected with your friends and family.

For police emergencies, call the toll free number 999. For fire and ambulance, you can dial 995.

Visa

In Singapore, a student visa is referred to as a student pass, and universities here are known as Institutes of Higher Learning (IHL).

As an international student studying here, you need a student pass. Your visa or pass application is submitted to the Student’s Pass Online Application and Registration (SOLAR) system, the country’s official registration system. Student pass applications are processed directly by the Singapore Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) for students up to 19 years wishing to attend a private institution. Students above the age of 20 may be asked to appear for an interview.

You can apply for your student pass once you receive a formal, written invitation to join an IHL. You may get your student pass within 15 days to a month. But you must apply at least 2 months in advance before your program’s start date.

To get your student visa, you’ll also have to provide evidence of proficiency in the English language. This means passing a secure English language test to be able to prove your communication and correspondence skills – usually The International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Australian educational institutions require a minimum IELTS score of 5.5 band in each of the 4 modules.

Essential documents required

When applying for your student pass, you will need the following documents. What you won’t need is a de-stresser, considering Vidyabroad is helping you through it.

Your current passport, valid for a minimum of three months
All completed student visa application forms - Form 16 (the main application for student pass) and Form V36 (for additional information on the applicant)
The original receipt showing that you have paid the visa application fee
The invitation letter issued by the IHL in Singapore
Your bank statements showing that you can fund your education in Singapore (both tuition fees and living expenses while studying)
Bank loan sanction letter (if applying for a student loan), along with proof of investments, if requested by the ICA
Transcripts of your degrees, diplomas or any certificates received from schools attended in India
Test scores required by your college, which could be GMAT, TOEFL, GRE, PTE, etc.
Document showcasing how you intend to bear all the costs associated with living in Singapore

These are basic requirements, please speak with your Vidyabroad counsellor for a detailed list of documents required for your visa processing.