🇸🇬 Singapore · Study Abroad
How to study in Singapore as an international student — application steps, student visas, and living costs.
Quick answer
To study in Singapore you apply to one of the autonomous universities or another approved institution; on admission you receive an offer and, before enrolment, apply for a Student’s Pass through the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) using its SOLAR system. Teaching is in English. Explore options on the university sites and apply by the deadline.
Singapore's autonomous universities (NUS, NTU, SMU, SUTD, SIT, SUSS) admit international students directly through their own application systems; polytechnics and approved private institutions also enrol international students. Once accepted, your school applies for your Student's Pass through the ICA's SOLAR system. An optional MOE Tuition Grant lowers fees in exchange for a post-study work bond.
- Apply directly to each autonomous university (NUS, NTU, SMU, SUTD, SIT, SUSS); polytechnics and approved private institutions also accept international students.
- After acceptance, your school applies for your Student's Pass via the ICA SOLAR system; processing typically takes several weeks and you must apply before the course starts.
- The MOE Tuition Grant reduces tuition substantially but requires signing a bond to work for a Singapore-based employer for three years after graduation.
- Postgraduate research funding includes the Singapore International Graduate Award (SINGA) and university scholarships.
Step-by-step
- 1
Choose your course and institution
Choose your program and apply to an autonomous university or approved institution; teaching is in English. Explore the university sites.
- 2
Meet academic and language requirements
Meet the academic entry requirements and prove language ability (e.g. an English or local-language test) at the level the course demands.
- 3
Apply for admission
Apply for admission through the relevant application route by the deadline, with transcripts, test scores and supporting documents.
- 4
Receive offer and enrollment document
On acceptance, obtain your official enrollment/acceptance document, which you will need for the visa application.
- 5
Apply for your student visa
Before enrolment, apply for a Student’s Pass through ICA's SOLAR system, then complete formalities and get the pass issued after arrival.
- 6
Arrive, enroll and know the rules
Arrive before the term, complete enrollment and any residence registration, and note the rules on part-time work and post-study stay.
Checklist
- Course, level and institution chosen
- Academic + language requirements met
- Admission application submitted by deadline
- Offer + enrollment/acceptance document received
- Proof of funds + health cover prepared
- Student visa applied for + granted
- Arrival, enrollment + registration done
- Work-hours and post-study stay rules understood
Official authorities
- ICA — Student's Pass (apply)
Official Immigration & Checkpoints Authority guide to the Student's Pass.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Student’s Pass?
The immigration pass international students need to study full-time in Singapore, applied for through ICA's SOLAR system.
What is SOLAR?
ICA's Student’s Pass Online Application & Registration system, used to apply for and manage the Student’s Pass.
Are courses taught in English in Singapore?
Yes — English is the main language of instruction at Singapore’s universities, which makes them accessible internationally.
Official-information aggregation, not legal advice. Always verify on the authority's own site.
Government portals
- Singapore Government — Singapore's integrated government services portal — unified Singpass identity login
- Immigration & Checkpoints Authority — Employment Pass, S Pass, Work Permit, PR and citizenship applications in Singapore
- Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore — Personal and corporate income tax, GST filing, and tax incentive lookup