Singapore is one of the largest and busiest ports in the world. It is also a global leader in telecommunications and information technology. It is also an educational powerhouse, boasting a well-developed education system and several top-tier universities.
With an exceptional standard of higher education, abundant career opportunities, an openness to multiculturalism and an excellent location in the heart of Southeast Asia, Singapore is the dream study destination for many international students for obvious reasons.
Unconvinced? Check out our article about why you should study in Singapore for a lowdown on the benefits of attending university in the island state.
If you want to study abroad in Singapore, you must thoroughly understand the unique higher education system of the country before you start working on your application. Let our breakdown of how it works help get you on your way.
An overview of the Singaporean higher education system
The Ministry of Education (MOE) oversees and manages the higher education system of Singapore. Typically, at the age of 17, students can opt to pursue pre-university studies or post-secondary education after completing 12 years of secondary studies.
Pre-university education
Pre-university education in Singapore provides a few different pathways to universities. Students can attend Junior Colleges (JCs) or Centralised Institutes (CIs), which offer two-to-three-year pre-university study programmes that lead to the GCE A-level exams, the official university entry exam in Singapore.
JCs and CIs aim to equip students with the interpersonal skills and knowledge needed for admission to higher education institutions in Singapore.
Post-secondary studies
Alternatively, students can enrol in polytechnics or the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) after finishing their secondary education. Polytechnics offer diploma courses enabling graduates to proceed to universities, while the ITE provides students with a pathway to polytechnics and subsequently universities.
Applying to universities in Singapore as an international student
For international students applying to universities in Singapore, the admission requirements can vary depending on the university and the level of study.
Regarding undergraduate admissions, many universities in Singapore accept international qualifications equivalent to the GCE A-levels, such as International Baccalaureate (IB) diplomas. Some universities may require students to provide proof of their English language proficiency, such as their IELTS or TOEFL scores.
If you are applying for a postgraduate programme, international students typically need a relevant Bachelor's degree or an equivalent qualification. You may also need to submit your English proficiency test results.
Check out our article on how to apply to study in Singapore for more information about getting admission to Singaporean universities as an international student.
Types of Singaporean higher education institutions
As mentioned earlier, Singapore boasts several different types of higher education institutions, offering various training and courses. Let's take a closer look at each of them:
Institute of Technical Education (ITE)
The only one of its kind, the Institute of Technical Education offers technical programmes and is the national authority for setting skills standards for certification of skills in Singapore.
Study areas include applied sciences, business, design and media, electronics and information communications technology, engineering and hospitality. Students can choose between full or part-time educational or traineeship courses.
Polytechnics
Polytechnics such as the Nanyang Polytechnic provide training for specific skills directly geared towards the workplace. Programmes offered are practice-oriented and are available at diploma and degree levels.
Polytechnics are prominent providers of continuing education and post-employment professional development services in Singapore.
Specialised art schools
Specialised art schools are unique, independent educational institutions that offer specialist art courses in Singapore.
For example, the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA) and LASALLE College of the Arts provide publicly-funded diploma programmes in various art subjects, including design, visual arts and performance arts.
While ITE, polytechnics and specialised art schools offer post-secondary education, they are distinctive from universities in terms of the level of education provided and the focus of their courses.
Universities
Universities in Singapore offer undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes and often have a broader range of academic disciplines compared to specialised art schools, polytechnics and ITE.
Singapore has six publicly funded universities. They are the National University of Singapore, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore Management University, Singapore University of Technology and Design, Singapore Institute of Technology and Singapore University of Social Science.
The island nation is also home to branch campuses of some of the most prestigious higher education institutions globally, including INSEAD, James Cook University Singapore and the German Institute of Science and Technology – TUM Asia.
Undergraduate programmes
A typical full-time Bachelor's degree programme in Singapore lasts about three to five years. Students can opt for generic degrees, for example, a Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of Science (BSc), or courses with a more specific focus, such as a Bachelor of Science in Business Analytics.
Students pursuing study programmes in general fields will choose a specific area of focus within that field. This area of focus is known as a 'major,' and students must complete a certain number of subjects within the area to earn the title.
Some programmes offer students the opportunity to complete a secondary field of study, known as a 'minor,' with a lower required subject quota. We recommend contacting individual institutions to explore different majoring, minoring and credit options.
Postgraduate programmes
You can study for postgraduate programmes at both Master's and Doctorate levels in Singapore. A typical full-time Master's degree lasts one to two years, while a PhD may take two to five years to finish.
Each institution has different specific requirements, courses and credit options for postgraduate courses. To ensure you have all the information you need, it's a good idea to do some research and contact both the host and home departments directly.
Unlike undergraduate studies, postgraduate courses expect you to dive deep into your chosen field and focus on more specialised topics. We encourage you to be extra thoughtful and decisive when selecting your subjects.
Academic culture
The academic culture of Singapore aims to provide students with a holistic education. The Singaporean teaching style is systematic, pragmatic and instructional, deriving from teaching traditions from both East and West.
Exams are a crucial form of educational assessment. Ensuring students are well-prepared for exams is the priority of many lecturers and professors.
The curricula of Singaporean higher education institutions place a strong emphasis on ensuring that students have a thorough understanding and mastery of specific learning procedures and work examples. This is done to familiarise students with the concepts covered in the broadest way possible.
When studying in Singapore, you will be encouraged to not only understand what you are learning but also why you are learning it. This approach will equip you with the necessary skills to apply what you have learned in real-world situations.
While some classes encourage discussion, higher education in Singapore is generally teacher-led and expects students to pay attention to and follow the course content. Hard work and good grades are highly valued due to the cultural emphasis on meritocracy.
Although there are efforts to reduce the focus on grades, the university culture remains competitive. Students often do extra research to maintain high academic standards, alongside regular coursework.
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