Study in Singapore
Location and Geography
Located at the tip of the Malaysian peninsula, Singapore (officially the Republic of Singapore) consists of the island of Singapore and some 63 islets within its territorial waters. The main island is about 42 kilometres from west to east and 23 kilometres from north to south. It’s a mostly undulating country with low hills.
Five Quick Points About Singapore
Fascinating blend of Eastern and Western cultures
Great ethnic diversity
World-class education system
Amazing dining, shopping, and nightclub scene
Highly impressive economic and urban planning infrastructure
Climate
Like most of Southeast Asia, Singapore is generally hot and humid. The temperature almost never drops below 20°C, even at night, and usually climbs to 30°C during the day. Humidity is usually over 75%.
Economy
Singapore boasts the world’s second busiest port after Rotterdam, minimal unemployment, and a super-efficient infrastructure. Indications of how advanced and prosperous Singapore is come from the World Bank’s Doing Business 2010 Report: Singapore is ranked the easiest economy to do business in as well as the most open and liberal economy in the world. It is ranked the most competitive country in Asia, with the lowest levels of corruption in the economy. Singapore is incredibly international, which it has had to be given limited natural resources; the government welcomes foreign investment and the economic policy is export-oriented. The official currency is the Singapore Dollar.
Living Conditions and Cost of Living
Singapore’s safety, low crime rate, and high standards of living are world renowned, offering international students an ideal environment for study. Leisure activities include sports, entertainment, and a range of fascinating sights and sounds to experience. The cost of living is relatively low, and basic items like food and clothing are very reasonably priced. An international student in Singapore spends on average about S$750 to S$2,000 a month on living expenses. This [KT5]amount, of course, varies depending on individual lifestyle and course of study.
Education System
Originally based on the British model, the Singaporean education system has evolved to meet the needs of the globalised economy. It has moved from a fairly rigid orientation to incorporate emphases like personalisation of learning, advanced technology, innovation, and creativity.
Its structure is quite complex, with students being “streamed” into different programmes/levels of study as soon as secondary school (four to five years), and then again streamed into different pre-universities[KT6] (two to three years) depending on their exam results and other qualifications. Students who don’t want to pursue university studies but do want professional qualifications go to polytechnics (three-year diploma programmes) or the Institute of Technical Education.
The universities in Singapore often feature in lists of the top universities in the world. There are currently three local universities in Singapore. A new fourth local university will open its first intake in 2012. There are also foreign universities in Singapore which have either set up a physical campus (institutes of higher learning) or have joint collaborations/programmes with local universities (local tie-ups).
The Ministry of Education’s Higher Education Division (HED) oversees tertiary and technical education in Singapore as well as registration of private schools.
Information Specific to International Students
International students applying for admission to schools in Singapore have to provide documentary proof of having completed the age-based education level. In addition, institutions will normally conduct entrance examinations for international students in the subjects of English, math, science, and their first language.
However, admission procedures depend very much on the particular school an international student wants to study at. Students (and student counsellors) will want to check with the education institution of choice for full details. As a start, the following web link is helpful:http://www.singaporeedu.gov.sg/htm/mis/faq01.htm
International students must apply for a student pass which can vary depending upon what is studied and where. The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority website (listed below) contains the correct information about student pass types and requirements, and how to apply.
More Information
Statistics Singapore
Brief history of Singapore
Singapore Government online directory of Departments
Official Singapore Government website
Immigration and Checkpoints Authority
Singapore Ministry of Education
Singapore Ministry of Education International Student Admissions
Singapore Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Education system overview
Start Your Journey in
Singapore Today!
Unlock endless opportunities with a world-class education in Singapore. Embrace a vibrant culture, cutting-edge infrastructure, and a dynamic lifestyle. Apply now and take the first step towards a brighter future!
