One of the most densely populated countries in the world, Singapore is a city state in Southeast Asia, made up of one main island and over 60 smaller islands and islets. It’s vibrant and fast-paced but not without its serene, green spaces that give it its nickname of “The Garden City”. The sheer number of people living in a limited space has made it world-renowned for innovative urban planning and breathtaking, futuristic architecture.
While the island’s history as a port and trading post goes back centuries, the former British colony of today is hi-tech and forward-looking, making it a fantastic location for young people looking to gain the skills and knowledge for the future labour market.
The city has four official languages: Mandarin, Malay, Tamil and English, which is widely spoken; Singapore can therefore be a great choice for UK students looking to experience a different culture while studying for a globally-recognised degree.
Singapore’s universities
Singapore’s two main universities - the National University of Singapore and Nanyang Technological University - both have an international student population of around one quarter and an even male to female split. Their close links with overseas institutions have helped them to develop reputable, internationally-recognised degrees. There are also four specialist universities and several international university campuses located on the main island. Most courses are taught in English (a high level of proficiency is expected).
Don’t expect a relaxed attitude to learning, a Singaporean university education can be more disciplined than some overseas university learning cultures, demanding a high level of commitment from its students.
The National University of Singapore
With its origins going back to 1905, the National University of Singapore (NUS) was initially established as a medical school and the first higher education institution in Singapore. By 1949, the University had expanded its offer to the arts and sciences and has been known as the National University of Singapore since 1980.
NUS has an interdisciplinary approach to many of its undergraduate programmes which tend to last four years for a bachelor’s degree with honours. The College of Humanities and Sciences, for example, offers courses for ‘versatilists’ (one major subject and optional minor modules), ‘integrators’ (two major subjects plus a small number of optional minor modules) and ‘deep specialists’ (one single subject major). A compulsory common curriculum component must also be taken, aimed at developing skills in areas such as artificial intelligence, digital literacy, design thinking and science communication. Other faculty areas include business, design and engineering, computing, dentistry, medicine, law, nursing, pharmacy and music.
Six research centres of excellence using state-of-the-art facilities make NUS a good choice for degrees with practical elements; research clusters include biomedical science and translational medicine, finance and risk management, integrative sustainability solutions, materials science, and smart nation.
With its strong focus on entrepreneurship, NUS ranks amongst the Times Higher Education (THE) top 20 universities in the world (2024) and takes third place in the QS Asia University rankings 2024; THE also ranks the university 9th in the world for engineering.
Students wishing to apply to NUS are assessed on their interests, aptitudes, and prior preparation as well as academic grades. Graduates will be amongst distinguished alumni including two Singapore Prime Ministers and four Presidents, two Malaysian Prime Ministers and countless other politicians, judges, lawyers and thought leaders.
Read what a student at NUS says about a typical day at the university
Nanyang Technological University
Nanyang Technological University (NTU) is a younger university (established in 1991) and currently tops the Times Higher Education global Young University Rankings. Its beautiful main campus includes Yunnan Garden with its waterfall and pavilions, the Thomas Heatherwick-designed learning hub known as ‘The Hive’, and legacy buildings from the 2010 Youth Olympic Games village.
Prospective students are challenged to choose a course based on the type of person they want to be in the future: tech disruptor; eco champion; innovation entrepreneur; well-being and healthcare advocate; or culture and society specialist. This is a nice way of demonstrating the interdisciplinary learning ethos of the University as well as encouraging students to think about how they can make an impact in the future world of work.
Ranking 4th in the QS Asia University Rankings 2024, undergraduate degrees can be taken as a combined degree of two majors from different disciplines, in fact this is encouraged. We found some interesting double major degree combinations including:
- Bioengineering with food science and technology;
- Aerospace engineering with data analytics;
- Psychology with media analytics;
- English literature with art history.
Bachelor’s degree courses at NTU can vary in length so make sure you check carefully before you add it to your list of possible options.
There’s no excuse to be bored at NTU - former students say the extra-curricular clubs and societies are top notch and wide ranging.
Specialised universities
You won’t be out of place as a student in Singapore - the number of full-time university students is growing year-on-year and currently stands at around 79,000[1]. If you’re interested in exploring study in Singapore further, you might want to consider one of its four specialised universities.
A relatively new university, the Singapore University of Technology and Design was originally set up in collaboration with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and 90% of its MIT-developed curriculum still remains. Multidisciplinary degree programmes offer a variable and flexible curriculum and are design-focused and human-centred. You could study architecture and sustainable design, for example, or design and artificial intelligence.
The Singapore Management University runs undergraduate programmes in areas including accountancy, business, economics, computing, law, and social sciences. Students are expected to complete additional modules linking to its core curriculum which supports students to develop future-ready skills.
If you’re looking for a practical learning experience, the Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT) runs interdisciplinary, applied courses allowing students to develop deep specialist skills in their chosen field. An SIT degree includes a compulsory work study programme, where students undertake eight to 12 months of relevant work as part of their course.
Technology-related courses including allied health, design and media, digital supply chain and transport engineering. Several Transnational Education (TNE) degree qualifications are also offered in conjunction with overseas universities, for example, aerospace engineering is offered as a joint qualification from SIT and the University of Glasgow.
Singapore University of Social Sciences has a strong focus on lifelong learning and community engagement and offers multiple pathways to suit students’ needs. With more of a focus on part-time courses, full-time undergraduate degrees are few, but include Chinese studies, business analytics, and marketing. International students are welcome but be aware the university has a high number of local, adult learners.
International universities located in Singapore
Universities have long embraced internationalisation and in more recent years many have enjoyed the prestige of opening a campus based in a location many miles away – usually on a different continent.
When done successfully – and there are currently over 230 international branch campuses – it can help to foster positive and lasting relationships between two cities, add depth to the curriculum, and provide exciting student exchange opportunities.
Overseas students can also take advantage of gaining a degree from a university in one country, while experiencing the culture of a completely different one.
Several international universities have campuses in Singapore, including:
- James Cook University, Australia. Opened in 2003, courses include business, environmental science, tourism and hospitality management, cybersecurity, and games design.
- Curtin University, Australia. Curtin offers two-year bachelor’s degrees in the fields of business, finance and commerce.
- Assass International Part of France’s Paris-Panthéon-Assas University (a legacy institution of the Sorbonne), Assass offers postgraduate courses and undergraduate summer schools in law and social sciences.
- Ecole hôtelière de Lausanne’s EHL Hospitality Business School EHL offers the slightly bizarre mix of a Swiss-quality education in international hospitality management alongside the backdrop of a tropical, Singaporean lifestyle.
Fees, funding, visas and applications
Tuition fees vary widely by course, but Singapore’s reputation for high-quality education goes hand in hand with high-quality living so it’s important to research carefully and check what the fees cover. Loans are available to international students but don’t typically cover all tuition fees. Students who are receiving subsidised tuition fees can apply for a very small number of bursaries which must be applied for each academic year; if taking advantage of reduced fees you’re usually also agreeing to remain and work in Singapore for at least three years after your course ends.
All full-time international students who require a visa are required to hold a valid Student's Pass issued by the Singapore Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA); to obtain the pass, students require a medical report following a medical examination which includes tests for TB and HIV.
Application requirements and deadlines for international students are detailed on individual university websites. A level of proficiency in English is expected.
Life in Singapore
Climate
Depending on the climate you’re used to, Singapore might be a new experience! Once upon a time, the island was a tropical rainforest and although little of this is left now, the climate is humid with steady average temperatures 23 to 35 °C (73 to 95 °F). There are frequent downpours and thunderstorms – the reason why Singaporeans always carry an umbrella!
The city
Of course, university life isn’t just about study, and multicultural Singapore has a lot to offer – from exploring its history and vibrant culture to shopping in one of its smart malls or relaxing on a beautiful beach. You’ve probably gathered that it’s a hi-tech city and it’s a sought-after location for tech start-ups; it’s also a leader in trialling robots in public spaces and even hospitals.
An excellent time to immerse yourself in the local culture is during Chinese New Year, a major event in Singapore that mixes modern and age-old traditions. The festival period lasts over two weeks – it’s a time of vibrant and visual displays, delicious food, and precious time spent with friends and family.
Food and drink
Singapore is a food-lovers paradise! Its iconic hawker centres are a mecca for those wanting cheap street food or you could relax in a tropical-inspired café, sip a Singapore Sling in one of the many rooftop bars, or even enjoy fine-dining in a Michelin-starred restaurant (if you have deeper pockets).
There’s a wide variety of international cuisines to choose from including Chinese, Indian and Malay which is spicy and aromatic; coffee and tea lovers are well catered for, and bubble tea is hugely popular.
Social etiquette
Any visitor to another country would be wise to read up on dos and don’ts before they travel and there are just a few things to note about Singapore etiquette. Like the British, Singaporeans love a queue, but tipping isn’t the norm. They are a polite and punctual nation, public affection between couples is a no-no, and there are certain expectations in terms of dress code - so do check before you go.
Transport and infrastructure
It’s perhaps no surprise that Singapore's public transportation system, including its MRT (Mass Rapid Transit) metro system and bus network, is fast, convenient and efficient. If you prefer two wheels, it's projected that the cycle path network will cover 1,300km by 2030.
Singapore is one of the best countries in the world for technological infrastructure so you can guarantee that you’ll be well-connected.
Cost of living
According to recent rankings, Singapore is the joint most expensive city in the world for internationals to live in (for comparison, the same study ranks London 11th). You can estimate how much daily life may cost (depending on the lifestyle you are accustomed to of course) with this Cost of Living Calculator.
Is university study in Singapore for you?
To summarise, a degree from a Singapore university tends to offer a more interdisciplinary and flexible style of learning compared to UK universities, with majors and minors frequently offered. The duration of a bachelor's degree can vary, as can fees, so always check carefully before taking that next step.
Universities tend to be very closely involved with industry, as well as the local community, and they typically require students to take compulsory modules in addition to their chosen subject. These are often focused on encouraging students to develop employability skills and knowledge in preparation for a career in a complex and challenging global labour market.
Students say you can expect to work hard but there’s time for other activities; the experience of a different culture alongside a rigorous degree could set you up for a happy and worthwhile career.
Helen Janota
Helen is an experienced information and careers professional working as a freelance writer and trainer. She writes about careers and the labour market for a wide range of audiences and organisations and aims to produce easily accessible, informative content that reflects the current jobs and careers landscape.
[1] www.statista.com/statistics/624429/enrollment-in-universities-in-singapore/
