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2-04-2022

Scholarships in Singapore for International Students

Singapore's appeal among foreign students is due to the exponential rise of many MNCs, start-ups, and international institutions. Those wishing to study in Singapore should budget somewhere between 17,000 and 82,000 SGD per year (depending on the course you choose). In addition, the annual cost of living in Singapore is roughly 10,000 SGD.

For an international student on a tight budget, all of these costs might be intimidating. Scholarships, grants, and fellowships can help with this. International students frequently seek out scholarships, fellowships, grants, and loans in Singapore in order to support themselves. There are three sorts of scholarships available to overseas students wishing to study in Singapore:

  • Scholarships from the government
  • University bursaries
  • Scholarships awarded by non-governmental organisations

Government Scholarships for International Students in Singapore.

The Singapore Government's Ministry of Education offers a variety of merit-based, need-based, and country-specific scholarships. Here is some information about the most relevant Singapore scholarships.

Grants for Tuition

The Tuition Grant Scheme was established by Singapore's Ministry of Education to assist students in achieving academic success. In Singapore, the award is available to diploma students, undergraduate students, and master's students.

Eligibility: Applicants must be enrolled in a full-time undergraduate, graduate, or diploma programme.

Application Deadline: There isn't specified.

Number of Scholarships: Scholarships are available in a variety of amounts.

Duration: For the duration of the course, a loan is available.

Amount of Awards: Total tuition grant will be offered in the form of a loan; however, overseas students must sign a Tuition Grant Agreement expressing a promise to work in Singapore for three years after graduation as a condition of receiving the loan.

University Scholarships for International Students in Singapore.

In Singapore, there are 34 universities. Six of these institutions are nationwide in scope. The majority of these colleges provide financial aid to deserving students applying for admission to Singapore universities. The following are some helpful scholarship opportunities in Singapore:

Scholarship at Nanyang University

This award is given by Nanyang Technological University to excellent undergraduate students who excel not just in academics but also in leadership and extracurricular activities.

Eligibility: The candidate must be accepted into a full-time undergraduate programme at Nanyang Technological University and have exceptional Singapore-Cambridge GCE 'A' level grades, a certificate from a recognised Singapore institute, or class 12 equivalent results from other countries.

Application Deadline: There isn't specified

Number of Scholarships: Scholarships are available in a variety of amounts.

Duration: The whole study time, with the student maintaining a minimum CGPA of 3.5 in each semester.

Award Amount: 100% tuition coverage, a yearly living cost of SGD 6,500, a yearly lodging cost of SGD 2,000, a yearly travel grant of SGD 5,000, and a one-time travel grant of SGD 1,750. 

Scholars' Program of Lee Kong Chian

The Lee Foundation provides this scholarship grant to outstanding Singapore Management University students. In Singapore, students of any nationality are eligible to apply for these scholarships.

Eligibility: The applicant must be a full-time first-year undergraduate student; for double degree programmes, business should be included as a degree; for single degree programmes, students must choose a second major offered by an SMU School; the applicant must have good communication skills and leadership ability; the student should have a significant extracurricular activity or social service involvement; and the applicant must have good communication skills and leadership ability.

Application Deadline: There isn't specified

Scholarships: Up to 60 scholarships are available each year.

Duration: The duration of the course is the entire period of the course.

Award Amount: SGD 16000 in education-related grant (no bond), SGD 5000 in yearly living expenses, and a one-time payment of SGD 1800 in computer allowance.

Scholarship for Global Excellence at SUTD

From 2020 onwards, the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD) will implement this programme to recognise and award scholarships to talented international students in Singapore. The programme covers the cost of living, as well as travel and study expenses. The trust focuses on the students' growth, not only in terms of academic degrees but also in terms of extracurricular activities.

Eligibility: To be eligible for this scholarship to Singapore, the student must be applying for SUTD's undergraduate programme, have an excellent Singapore-Cambridge GCE 'A' level, be capable of demonstrating leadership potential, have a good class 12 or equivalent degree, have a good co-curricular activity record, or be involved in community improvement.

Scholarships: Scholarships are awarded on a case-by-case basis.

Duration: The full course might last up to four years.

Award Amount: Waiving of tuition fees up to SGD 15,000 (equivalent to INR 8,34,000) to cover postgraduate tuition fees within three years of graduating from the Singapore University of Technology and Design, programme fees and travel grant for the Global Leadership Program, allowance of SGD 5,000 (equivalent to 2,78,000) for every two terms

Scholarship for Research at NUS

The National University of Singapore offers this fellowship to deserving candidates enrolled in NUS's Ph.D. programmes.

Eligibility: International graduate students with strong academic records and intellectual capacity should apply to the National University of Singapore's graduate school. 

Number of Scholarships: Scholarships are available in a variety of amounts.

Award Amount: Full tuition expenses Duration: Entire Course Span

Non-Government Scholarships for International Students in Singapore 

Many non-government organisations in Singapore provide substantial scholarships to overseas students. These monies are intended to support the candidate's academic progress as well as their professional career preparation. The trusts are concerned with the students' consistent performance during their study period, and the grant's continuance is sometimes contingent on the student's performance. Candidates for study in Singapore are shortlisted based on their exam scores. The information about some of the greatest scholarships to Singapore is provided here.

International Graduate Award in Singapore (SINGA)

The NTU, NUS, the Agency for Science, Technology, and Research, and the Singapore Management University have collaborated to provide scholarships to Singaporeans. The programme is one of Singapore's greatest Ph.D. scholarships for overseas students, and it aims to increase the country's engagement in research and study.

Eligibility: All foreign graduates are eligible to apply for the programme; candidates must have exceptional academic qualifications and a strong willingness to do research; solid English skills are preferred; however, the trust may add additional eligibility requirements at any moment without notice.

Number of Scholarships:  The number of scholarships available is unknown.

Duration: Support will be provided for a period of four years.

Award Amount: Total tuition costs are the amount of the award.

Study Awards from Natsteel

Undergraduate students at Singapore's best universities, such as the National University of Singapore, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore Management University, and Singapore University of Technology and Design, are eligible for the Natsteel Study Awards. This is one of the most prestigious scholarships for overseas students to study in Singapore.

Eligibility: Excellent GCE 'A' level results, international baccalaureate, polytechnic graduates can also apply if they have distinction in diploma of their relevant subjects, leadership potential, and outstanding co-curricular activities should be prominent, and the student must have a passion for work and pursuits outside of school.

Number of Scholarships: Unknown

Duration: The duration of the course is indefinite.

Award Amount: Full tuition expenses and a yearly allowance of SGD 11,000 in exchange for a one-year bond for each year of study

Undergraduate Scholarship for Overseas Students

This scholarship is offered by Singapore's Civil Aviation Authority to young hopefuls in the civil aviation business. Candidates must have great leadership potential in addition to excellent academic performance.

Eligibility: Outstanding GCE 'A' level scores or equivalent, outstanding co-curricular activities, and leadership characteristics are required.

Number of Scholarships: The number of scholarships available is unknown.

Duration: Total duration of the course

Award Amount: Tuition and other obligatory expenses, housing allowances, additional money for summer programmes and student exchanges, mandatory internships, return flights for interns, complete postgraduate sponsorship following programme completion, all in lieu of 6 years of bond.

Note: The aforementioned scholarships are only a handful of the numerous available scholarships for overseas students to study in Singapore.

Scholarships to study in Singapore are more difficult to come by than admission to a Singapore institution. Before applying for any scholarships to Singapore for a degree of their choosing, candidates must first apply for a Singapore student visa. In order to be considered for scholarship programmes, students must maintain high grades in past academic courses.

Frequently asked questions

How can I get scholarship to study in Singapore ?
  1. Singapore International Graduate Award
  2. GIIS Singapore Global Citizen Scholarship
  3. Lee Kong Chian Graduate Scholarships
  4. ASEAN Foundation Scholarships
  5. Singapore Millennium Foundation Scholarships
  6. SIA Youth Scholarship
  7. ADB - Japan Scholarship for Developing Countries
  8. Commonwealth Scholarship for Integrated Science
Can I study in Singapore for free ?
Singapore has various universities where undergraduate students can study for free to obtain their bachelor's degree. Nanyang Technological University is one of the country's best institutions, ranked 13th in the world according to the QS Global World University rankings.
Which Singapore scholarship is best ?

Singapore's Best Scholarships

  • Nanyang Undergraduate Scholarship
  • Singapore University of Technology & Design Global Merit Scholarship
  • National University of Singapore (NUS) Research Scholarship
  • ADB-Japan Scholarship Program (ADB-JSP)
  • Singapore International Graduate Award (SINGA)
Can I get scholarships as an international student ?
Almost every university has a scholarship programme, and the majority of them are available to overseas students - though you may need to take the SAT or ACT examinations. According to the Fulbright Commission, more than 600 American colleges grant overseas students scholarships of $20,000 or more.
Is Singapore cheap for international students ?
For international students, here are the 5 cheapest universities in Singapore. In comparison to other popular study abroad destinations such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and others, the cost of studying in Singapore is comparatively cheap, making it affordable to most families.
Is Singapore expensive for international students ?
The average tuition charge in Singapore for all levels of study is around SGD 20,000 (INR 1,082,220) per year, which implies that as an international student, you need budget around SGD 800 (INR 43,288) each month to cover your living expenses.
Does NUS provide scholarship ?
In appreciation of excellent academic accomplishments, leadership characteristics, and distinctive abilities, the National University of Singapore (NUS) provides a number of undergraduate scholarships and prizes.
Is studying in Singapore worth it ?
Singapore stands out as the leading option for international students seeking a high-quality education if you want to experience the best of both East and West. It's also a wonderful place for daring students who want to see major Southeast Asian places quickly.
How much money do you need to live in Singapore as a student ?
Living expenditures in Singapore (excluding rent) are from 1,100 to 1,400 SGD per month for a single individual, and 700 to 730 SGD per month for university students.
How much money a student can earn in Singapore ?
How much money does a student make in Singapore? In the Singapore, Singapore Area, the average monthly wage for Student is SGD 10. In the Singapore, Singapore Area, the average additional monetary compensation for a student is SGD 900, with a range of SGD 600 to SGD 1,200.
How is Singapore for international students ?
It boasts a diverse and rich history, as well as a cosmopolitan and fast-paced culture. When you combine this with the large number of world-class universities, Singapore is the ideal place for foreign students seeking a distinctive and modern higher education experience.
What grades do you need to get a scholarship ?
Academic scholarships, on the whole, demand a higher GPA than other forms of scholarships. A high GPA might greatly boost your chances of getting a generous scholarship. Students with a GPA of 3.5 to 4.0 often stand out the most to academic scholarship giving institutions.
Does NUS give full scholarships to international students ?
International students who satisfy the requirements can apply for the NUS-Singa scholarship, which provides four years of tuition assistance, monthly stipends, setting allowances, and travel allowances. Scholarship recipients at the National University of Singapore will get a bonus if they complete their Ph.D.
What is SIA Youth scholarship ?
The SIA Youth Scholarship is a Singapore Ministry of Education programme that provides financial assistance to students from Asian countries, China, and India who seek to continue pre-university education in Singapore's junior colleges.
Is SAF scholarship good ?
It gives exceptional prospects for personal and professional development, as well as preparation for command and managerial positions at the highest levels. The SAF Scholarship allows students to participate in operations that directly contribute to Singapore's peace and security.
Is it difficult to get SAF scholarship ?
Officer cadet training is limited to around 1,000 of the 5,000 male cadets who take the GCE 'A' Level each year. Only roughly 100 of these will be chosen for the SMS selection. On average, only approximately 0.3 percent of the 5,000 applicants will make it through the rigorous evaluation process and be awarded a scholarship.
What is MOE scholarship ?
Top-performing Pre-University 1 students are eligible for scholarships worth up to $2,400 per year. Find out more about it. This grant is available to top Pre-University 1 students who have excelled in academics as well as co-curricular and extracurricular activities.