Meridean Overseas
Updated On 05 July 2024 & Read Time 12 minutes
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Do you want to pursue your bachelor’s degree from a foreign country but can’t decide which? This blog can help sort out your confusion by explaining all the aspects to study in Singapore after 12th grade, including top courses, universities, and costs.
Do you know that about 3,000 Indian students pursue higher education at different colleges or institutions abroad each year. The number of Indian students studying in Singapore is growing by up to 25% annually, making this nation a popular choice for Indian students seeking an education.
So, let’s delve into the blog and explain the details of studying in Singapore after the 12th.
Table of Contents
In this section, we have discussed the reasons to study in Singapore after 12th to help you make an informed decision:
Asia's and the world's premier educational system, Singapore, is highly regarded for its academic brilliance. Singapore's National University of Singapore (NUS) is ranked first in Asia and eighth globally in the most recent QS World University Rankings (WUR) 2025 rankings. NUS is the only Asian institution that ranks in the top 10 as per the QS World Ranking.
Singapore ranked seventh on the Global Residence Index's 2024 Safety Index. This island nation's low crime rate can be attributed to its tight law enforcement, which undoubtedly draws Indian students to study there.
According to Times Higher Education's Global University Employability Ranking 2023–34, Nanyang Technological University is rated 35, while the National University of Singapore (NUS) is ranked 9. Furthermore, Singapore is home to the regional headquarters of several multinational corporations (MNCs), including Facebook, Twitter, and Tencent.
Also, read: Singapore Visa for Indians
Singapore's official languages are English, Mandarin Chinese, Tamil, and Malay. Language is acceptable for students pursuing popular courses in Singapore because English is the teaching medium.
Recognised for its excellent standard of living, Mercer named Singapore the top city in Asia. Furthermore, Singapore's quality of life is ranked 3 in the Expat Insider Report 2023-24. Consequently, overseas students in Singapore need an intensive learning environment that adds value to their academic careers overall.
Education Level |
Duration |
Description |
Primary |
6 years |
Free and compulsory education starting at age seven |
Secondary |
4 to 5 years |
Students are placed in different tracks based on PSLE results: -Express -Normal (Academic) -Normal (Technical) |
Post Secondary |
2 to 3 years |
-Junior Colleges -Singapore Sports School / School of the Arts -Singapore (SOTA) -Polytechnics |
Universities |
1 to 4 years (Depending on the program and degree pursued) |
After pre-university, students go to universities for degrees. |
Have you set your mind to study in Singapore? Let's turn your study abroad dreams into reality today!
Register Now!The Ministry of Education (MoE) oversees the administration of Singapore's higher education system. Following a twelve-year schooling, pupils can enrol in a college program. Following is a list of different fields and the top courses in Singapore-
Students in Singapore will have plenty of possibilities if they choose to select courses in the medical field. This is a list of post-12 medical courses that are available in Singapore:
MBBS
Medicine and Surgery
Pharmacy
Nursing
Dentistry
Psychology
Students who have completed their 12th grade in science might choose to pursue a bachelor's degree in non-medical fields. Following their 12th year, individuals can pursue the following non-medical studies in Singapore:
BSc in Physics
BSc in Biotechnology
Bachelor of Engineering (BEng)
Bachelor of Technology (BTech)
Electrical Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Civil Engineering
Bioengineering
Information Technology
The art field is highly preferred by overseas students in Singapore. Here are the post-12 arts study choices available in Singapore:
Filmmaking
Acting
Sociology
Law
Interior Design
Theatre Studies
Visual and Fine Arts
Digital Animation
Music
Fashion Design
Industrial Design, and many more
Also, read: Average Salary in Singapore
Higher education in Singapore is less expensive than in other nations. However, a degree in engineering or medicine can cost a little more than other programs. After completing high school, studying in Singapore would likely cost you between SGD 30,000 and SGD 40,000.
The cost, however, varies depending on the university and the selected course. The average cost to study in Singapore can be demarcated as:
Courses |
Average Tuition Fees |
Medicine |
SGD 65,000 – SGD 75,000 |
Media Studies |
SGD 29,000 – SGD 35,000 |
Art and Social Studies |
SGD 21,500 – SGD 38,950 |
Architecture and Design |
SGD 28,000 – SGD 30,000 |
Law |
SGD 27,000 – SGD 53,000 |
Engineering/ Computer Science |
SGD 26,750 – SGD 53,500 |
Moreover, there are specific scholarships available for students wanting to pursue their studies in Singapore after 12th, which are as follows-
Universities and the government offer need and merit-based scholarships. Indian students with good academic records and scores on standardised examinations can apply for a scholarship by completing the application and sending all required documentation by the deadline. This is a list of available scholarships.
ASEAN Undergraduate Scholarship
David L. Boren Scholarship
Ministry of Education (MOE) Tuition Grant Scheme
SIA Youth Scholarship
Commonwealth Scholarship for Integrated Science
National University of Singapore Undergraduate Scholarships
Embark and excel in your study abroad journey with our expert team!
Here is a list of the top universities in singapore, along with their average tuition fees annually-
University Name |
QS Ranking 2025 |
Average Tuition Fees Annually |
Nanyang Technological University |
15 |
SGD 25,000 – SGD 29,000 |
National University of Singapore |
8 |
SGD 25,000 – SGD 30,000 |
Singapore Management University |
585 |
SGD 35,000 |
Singapore University of Technology and Design |
440 |
SGD 40,500 |
Singapore University of Social Sciences |
- |
SGD 30,000 – SGD 34,000 |
Singapore Institute of Technology |
- |
SGD 22,500 – SGD 43,500 |
Here is a list of the top courses in Singapore with their respective fees and colleges-
Did you know that NUS, one of the top institutions in Singapore, had 30,615 full-time students enrolled as of September 2023?
Popular Courses |
Tuition Fee per year (INR) |
Best Colleges |
Design and Engineering |
INR 15L to INR 20L |
-National University of Singapore -Nanyang Technological University |
Humanities and Sciences |
INR 15L to INR 20L |
-National University of Singapore -Singapore Management University |
Business & Management |
INR 10L to INR 40L |
-INSEAD -Singapore Management University |
Medicine(Nursing) |
INR 15 to INR 20L |
-Singapore Management University -National University of Singapore |
Dentistry |
INR 55L to INR 65L |
-James Cook University Singapore -National University of Singapore |
Singapore's B-Schools are well-known for providing top-notch MBA programs. You could anticipate a significant pay boost after earning an MBA from a prestigious university like NUS—often up to 170% more than you made before the program.
Popular Courses |
Average Tuition Fee per year (INR) |
Best Colleges |
Law |
INR 30L to INR 40L |
-NUS Law -Singapore Management University |
Design & Media |
INR 30L to INR 50L |
-Singapore University of Technology and Design -Nanyang Technological University |
MBA |
INR 80L to INR 1Cr |
-INSEAD Singapore -SP Jain School of Global Management |
Business Management |
INR 40L to INR 50L |
-Singapore University of Technology & -Design -Singapore Management University |
International Business |
INR 20L to INR 30L |
-Curtin Singapore -Singapore Institute of Management |
Want to know more about the universities of Singapore? Talk to Our Counsellor to get assistance to study at the university of your dreams!
Register Now!Now that you are aware of the top courses and universities to study in Singapore after the 12th, let’s have a look at the eligibility criterias and the necessary documents a student will need to get admission:
Depending on the course selected and the university applied to, there may be differences in the qualifying requirements. Nonetheless, the following fundamental qualifying standards must be fulfilled:
Indian applicants must be at least eighteen years old.
In Singapore, students should complete 12 years of schooling before pursuing a degree.
A certificate of completion from Class 12 is required for undergraduate programs.
A least of 65% overall in the top five subjects, including English, while prestigious colleges may demand an overall grade of 90–95%
SAT and ACT scores as per the institution’s requirements
Score in English language proficiency on any test: PTE: 56 (total), TOEFL: 80–95, or IELTS: 6.5-7.
Class X and XII attested marksheets; SAT, IELTS, and TOEFL scores
Resume, letters of recommendation (LOR), and statement of purpose (SOP) (only if requested by the colleges)
Passport-sized photos
Papers of visas
Financial records, such as loan documentation and bank statements
The cost of living in Singapore varies for students based on lifestyle choices and individual needs. Therefore, the chart below might be an essential reference for budgeting your estimated living expenses if you want to study there.
Expense Category |
Monthly Cost |
Accommodation |
INR 40k to INR 1L |
Food (3 meals) |
INR 30k to INR 70k |
Public Transport |
INR 15k to INR 25k |
Books and Stationery |
INR 15k to INR 30k |
Personal Expenses (Includes toiletry, clothing etc) |
INR 15k to INR 30k |
Also, read: MBBS in Singapore
The blog includes everything you need to know about studying in Singapore, which you can consider before choosing a suitable study-abroad destination. It is evident that with its distinct fusion of culture and art, many employment options, and top-notch academic programs, Singapore has quickly established itself as a significant Asian centre for education.
We hope you gained sufficient information regarding studying in Singapore. However, if you have any more doubts or want to study in Singapore, you can contact our expert counsellors at Meridean Overseas Education Consultants (MOEC). You can also take free online counselling through our website. Our expert counsellors will provide you with the best support and guidance you need for admission and visa. In addition, they will help you shortlist the universities according to your profile. For more information or any queries, contact application02@meridean.org or 1800-1230-00011.
Question- Is it expensive to study in Singapore after 12th?
Answer- Singapore is a reasonably priced study abroad destination for Indian students compared to other Western nations such as the US or the UK. Over time, its comparatively low tuition, affordable living expenses, and prestigious universities such as Singapore NUS and NTU have made it a desirable study destination for Indian students.
Question- What are the popular universities of Singapore?
Answer- The National University of Singapore, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore Institute of Technology, Singapore University of Technology & Design, and Singapore Management University are a few of the most well-known universities in Singapore.
Question- How can I apply to universities in Singapore?
Answer- Students who wish to apply for admission to universities in Singapore can monitor the university website to find out when the colleges release their application forms. After narrowing down their selection of preferred colleges, individuals must read the application guidelines and submit their applications by the deadline.
Question- What is the cost to study in Singapore after 12th?
Answer- The specific price of continuing education in Singapore beyond high school depends on the student's lifestyle, course, and university. The annual tuition might cost between SGD 25,000 and SGD 35,000 on average.
Question- What is a bachelor’s course duration while studying in Singapore after 12th?
Answer- In Singapore, an honours degree requires four years to complete, whereas a bachelor's program lasts three years. Since these three- or four-year degrees adhere to industry norms, they are considered more valuable. Nonetheless, a few elite private and international colleges provide fast-track degree programs that last two to three years.
Question- Which courses are preferred by the Indian students to study in Singapore after 12th?
Answer- Among the most popular courses among Indian students are those in banking and finance, supply chain and logistics, information technology, electronics and communications, and construction. Furthermore, students frequently choose bachelor's degrees in business-related areas.
Question- What is the process to obtain scholarships to study in Singapore after 12th?
Answer- Indian students can fund their education in Singapore with scholarships. You must look into the scholarships offered in-depth to be eligible for one. The next step is to prepare your application and the required paperwork and apply as soon as possible to improve your chances of acceptance.
Some of the scholarships for Indian Students to study in Singapore are-
George Lyndon Hicks Fellowship 2024
National Library Digital Fellowship 2024
PSB Academy Merit Scholarship for Undergraduate Students 2024
Question- How many intakes do the Singapore Universities have?
Answer- Singapore's prominent universities offer two intakes for indian students. August is the primary intake month, while January is the secondary intake month. While the January intake starts in July, the August intake applications open in December.
Question- Can Indian students work part-time while studying in Singapore?
Answer- Yes! Indian students may work 16 hours a week of part-time employment while they are enrolled in classes and full-time work during their breaks, according to the Ministry of Manpower. However, if you are an exchange student doing study modules in Singapore, you are not permitted to work.
Question- Is an IELTS test score required to study in Singapore?
Answer- While not always necessary, IELTS and TOEFL scores are advised for studies in Singapore. Depending on the school and subject, courses may require SAT, GMAT, or GRE scores.
IELTS: A minimum of seven points overall
TOEFL: The score must equal or exceed 600 for a paper-based exam.
For computer-based assessments- 250 100 for assessments taken online
Please note that different IELTS and TOEFL scores may be needed depending on the course and university.
Contact MOEC Experts for Study Abroad Guidance!
Contact MOEC Experts for Study Abroad Guidance!