Study in Singapore
Content
Facts About Singapore
About Singapore
Courses in Singapore
Education System in Singapore
Living in Singapore
Living Cost & Tuition Fees
Working While Studying
Things to know about Singapore
Important Facts about Singapore
Singapore is an island country made up of 63 islands. The highly developed market based economy makes Singapore world’s 4th leading financial sector. A vibrant mix of culture and traditions along with modernism and urbanization, Singapore is a perfect tourist attraction as well as a study destination for the international students for higher education.
Capital - Singapore City
Language - Chinese (Mandarin), Malay, Tamil, English
Official
Currency - Singapore Dollar (SGD)
Climate - Singapore is hot & humid all year round. Daily temperatures range from 23-31 degrees Celsius. The hottest period is from May to August.
About Singapore
The nation might be small but the scene gets really big when it comes to education opportunities in Singapore. Recognized as a "Global Schoolhouse," this island nation is famous for its universities and student friendly climate. With its name featuring pretty regularly in global surveys on research and innovation, Singapore lays a great emphasis on maintaining the highest standards of teaching, and scientific research. It may be a small country, but scope for higher education in Singapore is significant.
For those interested in statistics, Singapore ranked 7th in INSEAD Global Innovation Index 2015 and 2nd in the World Economic Forum's Global Competitiveness Report for 2015-2016. The 2016 Top Cities for Students rankings by QS which considers factors such as universities, cost of living, standard of living, job opportunities & student mix places Singapore in the 6th position.
No wonder that it has emerged as a popular destination for higher education among students across the world!
Courses in Singapore
Study in Singapore, choosing from a wide spectrum of courses as mentioned here. Students have scope to pursue education in diverse fields of specialization such as:
Architecture and Building
Agriculture and Environment
Creative Arts
Communication and Design
MBA, Business and Management
Arts
Social Science and Humanities
IT and Computing
Engineering & Sciences
Tourism, Hotel and Food Management
Law
Health, Veterinary Studies and Medicine
Education System in Singapore
Singapore boasts of premium institutions and globally-renowned universities, recognized for state-of-the-art academics, distinguished faculty members, and cutting-edge infrastructure that provide scope for higher education. In context of innovation and competitiveness, Singapore's education system is strengthening its position in the global market, gaining recognition from across the world.
Renowned universities in Singapore, like Nanyang Technological University (NTU) and National University Singapore (NUS), Singapore Management University (SMU), collaborate with leading varsities across the world to improve the quality of education and the overall experience. Furthermore, they have strong links with various industries, leading to a good placement record.
Living in Singapore
Singapore is a cosmopolitan city and a multi-cultural nation. It's also one of the safest places to live in and one of the most student friendly countries. Students can experience a vibrant lifestyle, with modern facilities such as healthcare, leisure and entertainment, transportation, and civic amenities.
Another great thing about being a student in Singapore is you can travel to other Asian countries (Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Cambodia, Vietnam) on a frugal budget. There are also regular flights to Singapore, which ensures a hassle-free experience for students.
Living Cost and Tuition Fees
Singapore's fast-growing economy and modern lifestyle has contributed to a high cost of living. Cost of education is also among the highest in Asia. However, it is still an inexpensive option when compared to UK or Australia. Currently, annual tuition fees average around approximately SGD 15,000.
The tuition fee for a full-time MBA program (as of year 2016) from NUS Business School (National University of Singapore) is SGD 62,000
Accommodation expenses in Singapore varies depending on whether you rent a room (SGD 350 - 1,000 per month) or an entire apartment (SGD 2,000 - 3,000 per month). These prices are for public facilities; private rooms and apartments cost almost double this amount. More about student accommodation in Singapore.
Transport costs within Singapore vary between SGD $100 - $150 if you stick to just buses and train.The rail and bus network is quite extensive so you can balance your cost of living in Singapore by using these modes of traveling.
However, the good news international students in Singapore are eligible for financial aid from top Singapore banks.
(SGD = Singapore Dollar)
Working while Studying
There are few things that are to be kept in mind before planning to work in Singapore.
1. Age Limit to Work
2. Available Employment Opportunities
3. Legislation to be followed
4. Places to look for the openings
5. Industries who usually hire students
6. Remuneration offered
Students who are 13 years and above are permitted to work in Singapore but under certain rules and regulations as this age group (13 – 16 years) falls under the children category, however above 16 years, a person can take up any profession.
Students Can Apply For
Full-time Jobs (during vacation time)
Part-time jobs (usually during term time or vacation time) and
Internships (usually a 6 week – one year period, as part of the course curriculum)
During the internship process, a company usually assesses a student whether to hire him as a permanent employee and the student also undergoes a training program which prepares him for the actual job scenario. This kind of a training program is a source of getting some Singapore work experience and the students will be paid during the training period
Foreign Students Studying in Singapore
Foreign students are not allowed to work in Singapore during term time or vacation time unless they are granted an exemption. Exemption is granted to foreign students holding a valid student pass and studying at certain educational institutes that are approved by the Ministry of Manpower, along with certain other qualifying conditions.
Foreign students wanting to undergo an internship in Singapore must ensure that they hold a valid Training Employment Pass or Training Work Permit before they can commence their industrial attachment program.
The Training Employment Pass is applicable to undergraduate students who are required to undergo training as part of their degree program. To qualify for the Training Employment Pass,
you should:
Earn a fixed monthly salary of more than SGD 2500, and/or
Hold acceptable tertiary or professional qualifications
If you do not meet any of the above criteria, you need to apply for a Training Work Permit instead. Most students usually tend to qualify for the Training Work Permit, as they normally earn less than SGD 2,500 a month. The Training Work Permit allows you to be attached to a company in Singapore for up-to six months.
Generally, the company sponsors the Training Employment Pass and Training Work Permit and makes applications to the Ministry of Manpower on behalf of students. It is advisable to check with the employing company and your educational institute about the procedure involved.
Please note that if you are found to be working in Singapore without either of the above mentioned passes, you can be prosecuted by law.
Popular jobs to take up while Studying in Singapore
1. If you have good knowledge on any foreign language, you can easily work as a translator or interpreter to help companies with translation work and the payment is pretty much decent.
2. You can also look for part-time jobs in universities and colleges like working in library.
3. If you are good at cooking, you can try to work as a part time chef or apprentice under head chef at restaurants. Singapore hires International students.
4. You can also work as waiters and cashiers at restaurants.
5. A data entry job can also help you earn pocket money.