If you both want to have a solid career launch pad and optimize your time, then definitely choosing to study abroad in Singapore at university is for you.
So in 2026, is it good to study university in Singapore? Is it more valuable than studying abroad in Europe? And how to successfully apply for prestigious scholarship packages?
All will be answered in detail by TuanSing in this article! Don't miss it if you're looking forward to setting foot in the Lion Island!
Table of Contents
Should I study at university in Singapore?
It is no coincidence that studying abroad at university in Singapore has become a new trend. There are many advantages of this strategy compared to studying abroad in the UK or Australia such as:
Shorten study time
Universities in Singapore (especially private and international sectors) organize up to 3 semesters/year instead of 2 semesters like study programs in Vietnam or Europe-America. This allows students to earn a Bachelor's degree in just 2 to 2.5 years (1 - 1.5 years sooner than usual).
Getting a degree early means saving 1 to 2 years of expensive accommodation and living expenses in Pearl Island, being able to quickly enter the labor market, accumulate experience and money, to quickly achieve financial independence.
International standard degree
In addition to the prestigious public school system such as NUS, NTU, SMU, Singapore concentrates many international university branches of major prestigious schools from Australia (such as James Cook, Curtin) or affiliated private schools that grant degrees directly from the UK and Australia (SIM, Kaplan, PSB...).
Students will have the opportunity to receive a globally valid degree that is 100% the same as when studying at the original institution but at a more optimal cost.
Reasonable cost
The total cost of studying at a university in Singapore is usually 30% to 50% lower than studying abroad in the US, UK or Australia. On the other hand, the geographical distance close to Vietnam, without too much time zone difference, makes traveling easy and economical.
Professional environment
Studying at university in Singapore requires daily use of English, as this is the official language of education and administration of the Lion Island nation. Thanks to that, students will practice thinking and reflexes better. In particular, Singapore is famous for being a country with the lowest crime rate in the world and stable politics. You can completely rest assured.
Open job opportunities
Singapore is the financial and technology center of Asia, home to many multinational corporations. Graduates not only have access to many internship opportunities but also work with attractive salaries.
Conditions for studying abroad at Singapore university
For Public Universities (NUS, NTU, SMU)
Because schools like NUS, NTU, and SMU are all among the top in the world, the conditions for studying abroad at Singapore universities are quite strict. Students must meet:
Academic performance (GPA): Grade 12 average score usually must be from 8.5 to 9.0 or higher. Many schools require students to pass a national entrance exam or the school's own competency assessment exam.
English proficiency: minimum IELTS 6.5 - 7.0 (no skill below 6.0) or equivalent TOEFL iBT.
International standardized certificate: Usually required or preferred with SAT (from 1350+) or ACT (from 29+).
Extra round: Most require writing a personal essay (Personal Statement), letters of recommendation and participating in a direct interview with a school representative.
However, once admitted, public school students receive up to 80% tuition support from the government. You only need to meet one condition: commit to staying and working for companies in Singapore for 3 years.
In addition to the above conditions, some other basic conditions that need to be met include:
17 years old or older.
Do not suffer from dangerous infectious diseases, especially HIV and tuberculosis.
No need to prove, but must have enough budget to pay tuition and living expenses.
For Private Universities & International Campuses (SIM, Kaplan, JCU, Curtin)
Conditions for studying abroad at Singapore Private and International Universities are much more open than at public universities. Students only need:
Academic performance (GPA): Graduated from high school in Vietnam with a GPA of 6.5 or higher (enough to enter the major directly). Even people who have just completed grade 9, 10 or 11 can still study in Singapore at university by taking a short-term Foundation course of 4-8 months before entering the main program.
English proficiency: Requires IELTS from 5.5 to 6.0 to enter the major directly. If you do not have an IELTS/TOEFL certificate, you can still enroll. But the school will take an entrance test (Placement Test) and arrange preparatory English courses at the school before entering the main course.
Personal conditions: 17 years old or older, Not suffering from dangerous infectious diseases; Have enough budget to pay tuition and living expenses.
Cost of studying abroad at Singapore university
“How much does it cost to study abroad in Singapore a year?” is always a classic question for many families, because it affects the preparation for their children to study abroad.
For university studies in Singapore, costs can be divided into two categories as follows:
University Tuition
School systemAverage tuition / YearTotal tuition for the entire course (Estimated)CharacteristicsPrivate & International Universities (SIM, Kaplan, PSB, JCU, Curtin…)20,000 – 35,000 SGD (~370 – 650 million VND)50,000 – 85,000 SGD (~920 million – 1.5 billion VND)Short study period (2 - 2.5 years). Received degrees from British and Australian universities.Public University (NUS, NTU, SMU…) – Subsidy available15,000 – 25,000 SGD (~270 – 460 million VND)60,000 – 100,000 SGD (~1.1 – 1.8 billion VND)Received Tuition Grant support from the Government. Must commit to working 3 years in Singapore after graduation.Public University (NUS, NTU, SMU...) - 100% self-funded35,000 – 55,000 SGD (~650 – 1 billion VND)140,000 – 220,000 SGD (~2.6 – 4 billion VND)Tuition is paid in full, with no binding commitments after graduation.Living expenses
The standard of living in Singapore is always among the most expensive in the world. Therefore, spending moderately will help you control the situation better.
Estimated living expenses range from 1,500 - 2,500 SGD/month (~27 - 46 million VND/month).
In particular, the specific allocated costs are as follows:
Private dormitory / HDB (Government Apartment – room for 2 people): ~800 – 1,000 SGD.
Single room (HDB) or shared room in a luxury apartment): ~1,100 - 1,500 SGD.
If you eat at popular food courts (Hawker Center, Food Court), each meal costs about 5–8 SGD.
The subway (MRT) and bus system in Singapore is very cheap and convenient if you swipe your EZ-Link/SimplyGo card.
Other expenses (Phone network, necessities, entertainment): 150 - 250 SGD/month (~2.8 - 4.6 million VND).
Scholarship to study at university in Singapore
Scholarships from public universities in Singapore
Public universities in Singapore often offer many full scholarships of extremely high value. Therefore, the level of competition can be said to be the fiercest, only for the top 1% of excellent students.
For example:
ASEAN Undergraduate Scholarship (AUS): A prestigious scholarship sponsored by the Singapore Government. 100% tuition exemption, living allowance of about 5,800 SGD/year, dormitory and part of computer costs.
Nanyang Global Scholarship (NTU): 100% tuition exemption, living allowance 6,500 SGD/year, accommodation allowance 2,000 SGD/year, computer support 2,000 SGD and travel/overseas exchange sponsorship up to 8,000 SGD. There are no working conditions after graduation.
NUS International Undergraduate Scholarship (NUS School): Full tuition exemption, living allowance of 5,800 SGD/year and dormitory room fee.
Lee Kong Chian Scholars' Program (SMU): Full tuition, computer allowance, and special sponsorship of global activities (exchanges, foreign internships) worth up to 16,000 SGD.
Scholarships from private universities in Singapore
Private schools often have incentives: Entrance scholarships (for new students) and Transfer scholarships (rewarding students with the best achievements in the course). When studying in Singapore at a private university, you should not miss the following scholarships:
SIM Global Education Scholarship: From SIM school, sponsoring 50% to 100% of tuition for the entire course
Kaplan Merit Scholarship: From Kaplan, rewards students with the highest academic scores in class/course, worth 5,000 - 10,000 SGD (~92 - 185 million VND), deducted directly from the next semester's tuition.
PSB Merit Scholarship: From PSB, support from 2,000 SGD to 100% of tuition depending on the school year, for STEM or Diploma majors, with the condition of proving the ability to contribute to the community.
Scholarships from universities in Singapore with international campuses
The scholarship policy of international schools based in Singapore is very open and fair, mainly based on academic ability, without forcing students to work anywhere.
Don't miss applying for the following scholarships to study abroad in Singapore:
James Cook University Singapore (JCU) Scholarship: There are many levels, 100% tuition, 50% tuition or 25% tuition for the first year of study.
Curtin University Singapore Scholarship: 25% to 50% tuition reduction for the first year of study.
The secret to successfully applying for scholarships to study in Singapore at university
Submit your application early
Many private and international schools apply the "First come, first served" principle. So no matter how good your performance is, if you submit it late (when the semester's scholarship fund runs out), the school will still reject your application.
Invest in your personal essay
In fact, scores are only a necessary condition when considering a scholarship to study in Singapore at university. The new essay is how schools classify students. Therefore, to create a competitive advantage, you must demonstrate different thinking, leadership qualities and the spirit of serving the community.
For example, instead of recounting your achievements, tell a realistic, inspirational story about your journey of overcoming difficulties, your passion for your field of study, etc.
Academics and extracurricular activities
To successfully apply for a scholarship to study abroad in Singapore in the first year, you need to prepare a competitive educational profile from high school. Specifically:
GPA: Minimum grade 12 GPA 9.0+ for public schools, GPA from 8.0 - 8.5+ for private schools
English: 6.5 or 7.0 IELTS (at least exceeding school requirements).
Additional: SAT scores of 1400+ or ACT scores of 30+ will help increase persuasion.
Besides, the more achievements you have in participating in extracurricular activities, the more weight your application will have. However, don't just superficially participate in dozens of programs to get a certificate, a good student will demonstrate leadership qualities.
Just 1–2 core activities in which you play the role of Organizing Committee Leader, Coordinator or Founder are enough to make a strong impression compared to your competitors.
Practice interview skills
Universities in Singapore love students who are confident, professional, fluent in English communication with good critical thinking skills and to the point. Be prepared for questions about your career goals and why you chose to study abroad in Singapore instead of other countries.
Besides, for your answer to emphasize suitability, carefully research the school's culture, as well as the major structure.
Procedure for applying for a visa to study in Singapore for university studies
Step 1: Receive admission letter & SOLAR system number
After you submit your application to study at a university in Singapore and are approved by universities in Singapore. Next, the school will send you a Letter of Offer and a Student Contract. You need to sign a confirmation.
The school will register your personal information on the SOLAR (Student's Pass Online Application & Registration) system.
Then, universities in Singapore will send you a document containing your Student's Pass (Application Number). Please remember this code.
Step 2: Fill out eForm 16 and pay the review fee
Once you have the application number from the school, you need to access the SOLAR system yourself to complete the declaration:
Implementation time: At least 2 months and no more than 3 months before enrollment date.
Action: Log in to the SOLAR portal with the issued application number, fill out all information in eForm 16 (including passport information, study history, parent/sibling information,...).
Cost: Non-refundable Processing Fee is about 45 SGD (~830,000 VND) paid online via Visa/Mastercard.
Step 3: Receive IPA approval letter
After you complete eForm 16, ICA will review your application.
Waiting time: Usually takes 1 to 2 weeks (in peak season June–August it can last from 4 to 6 weeks).
Result: If approved, you will receive a visa approval letter.
This letter acts as a temporary visa. You are required to print it out to present at Vietnam airports and Singapore immigration gates. Without this letter, you will not be allowed to fly.
Step 4: Receive Digital Student's Pass
After arriving in Singapore, you have not officially entered universities in Singapore, but need to do the following tasks within 1 month from entry:
Declare SG Arrival Card: Declare online 3 days before departure.
Medical examination in Singapore: Download the ICA medical examination form on the system. The school will direct you to designated clinics in Singapore for chest X-rays (TB screening) and blood tests (HIV screening). Results are usually available after 2–3 days.
Upload documents to the system: Access the ICA portal again to upload health examination results and sign to confirm the prescribed terms.
Pay card issuance fee: Pay the Student's Pass issuance fee of 60 SGD (~1,100,000 VND).
Receive Digital Student's Pass: Once ICA approves the final step, a digital Student's Pass will be sent straight to your email or updated on the Singpass app. You can store it on your phone to present when needed.
Conclusion
In general, studying at a university in Singapore is an optimal solution for those who want to shorten their study time (only 2 - 2.5 years to get a Bachelor's degree), the visa procedure is extremely simple and does not require strict financial proof.
However, with the expensive cost of studying abroad at a university in Singapore, students face a lot of pressure. Even if you want to apply for a scholarship, you must have an outstanding academic record, extracurricular activities, as well as an impressive personal essay and interview skills.
Contact TuanSing immediately for advice if you have any questions or need detailed itinerary advice!
