Education always played one of the key roles in the establishment of the modern Singapore society whose only resource was always represented by its people. As education in the country was taken very seriously, today Singapore is known as the country with one of the top education systems in the world. It takes the fourth position in the list of the countries with the Best Education Systems. It is worth to mention that Singaporean textbooks are adopted and adapted by many countries in the world.
If you are planning to study in Singapore, the country has a lot to offer. You will be able to choose from a variety of educational options that come at reasonable prices.
Public Schools
The school year is Singapore is divided into 4 terms, each 10 weeks long. The school year in the country begins on the 2nd of January. After the first and the third terms students in Singapore have week-long vacations. Also, there is a four-week vacation after the second term and six-week vacation after the fourth term.
Each school in Singapore maintains high standards of teaching and learning. The education system in the country follows bilingual policy. It means, that Singaporean students, besides studying their mother tongues such as Malay, Mandarin or Tamil, also learn English that is also considered to be an official language in the country. The diversity of languages entrenches the students in their cultural heritage, as well as provides international students with an easier way to assimilate in the country. Also, it is the reason why Singapore takes a cosmopolitan position in the heart of Asia.
Over the years, the system of education in Singapore grew to offer its students a diversity of educational options. So today it is possible to choose a unique educational pathway represented by numerous schools that meet individual needs and talents. Such schools are the Singapore Sports School, School of the Arts and the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music.
Any international student who wants to study in one of mainstream schools in Singapore will have to go through admission exercise held by the Ministry of Education from September to October annually. The process of admission also depends on some other criteria, including the availability of school vacancies. Furthermore, unless you hold a Dependant’s Pass or an Immigration Exemption Order, it is important to apply for a Student’s Pass.
Private schools
There are over 300 private schools in Singapore, so if you decide on the private educational institution, you will have a plenty of choices. Private schools in Singapore are regulated by the Council for Private Education (CPE) under the Private Education Act. The CPE is also capable for the uplift of standards in the local private education industry.
Private schools in Singapore offer a great variety of different courses, including language and professional programs. So if you want to specify the area of your study, choosing a private school sector is a great option.
Foreign-System Schools
While private school sector in Singapore offers a plenty of choices, foreign-system schools are considered to be a great option as well. There are about 30 foreign-system schools in Singapore. Each international school in Singapore has its own admission criteria.
International schools become a great solution for people who are looking for a curriculum similar to their home country’s one. Also, it is a great option for those students who have been educated in a language other than English.
Also, there are three home-grown international schools in Singapore that offer secondary and post-secondary education. They are ACS International, Hwa Chong International, and SJI International. All these schools are leading to the International Baccalaureate qualification which is recognized in Ivy League universities.
Institutions of Higher Education
There are 5 universities in Singapore: the National University of Singapore (NUS), Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore Management University (SMU), Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD) and Singapore Institute of Technology. All these universities welcome international students and provide internationally recognized diplomas.
There are also some specialized institutions in Singapore. All those who want to study public policy in Asia can apply to the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy. To become a specialist in the sphere of business, a student can apply to the INSEAD business school. All those who are interested in arts have a chance to study at the LASALLE College of the Arts and Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA). To get a world-class technology education, a student can apply to the Institute of Technical Education that was created as a post-secondary technical institution of excellence.
Cost of Education in Singapore For Foreigners or International Students
To calculate the cost of the study, it is important to understand the difference between two classes of foreigners. International students in Singapore are divided into two groups: ASEAN and non-ASEAN students. The ASEAN students are those who came to study in Singapore from South East Asia region. The non-Asian students are all those who came from countries that are situated anywhere apart from South East Asia.
In comparison to ASEAN students, non-ASEAN students will have to pay more for their education. For example, if an ASEAN student will have to pay $370 + misc. fees per year for primary education, a non-ASEAN one will have to pay $550 + misc. fees per year. To learn about the cost of education both for ASEAN and non-ASEAN, it would be wise to visit the MOE’s official website: https://www.moe.gov.sg/admissions/international-students/general-info
Also, when it comes to studying in Singapore, it would be wise to set aside a fair amount of money to ensure that you will always have more than enough to pay for your education or education of your child.
