Study in Singapore after 12th : Top Courses, Colleges & Cost

Many international students study in Singapore after their 12th, but they are confused about which stream to choose – Arts, Commerce, or Science? Today, we are going to guide aspirants on how to apply to a course of their choice. Given the excellent education system in Singapore, innovative pedagogical practices, and post-study work opportunities, the country has become one of the most sought-after study destinations in Asia. 

 

Education System in Singapore

Singapore’s higher education system is managed by the Ministry of Education (MoE). After completing a school education of 12 years, students can proceed to undertake a college program. Here are the types of colleges and universities in Singapore.

Junior Colleges

Students can pursue two-year academic programs offered by junior colleges in Singapore. They can get admission to a junior college based on their merit in GCE “O” level results. This would guide and prepare them for the Singapore Cambridge GCE Advanced Level (“A”) examination. Their performance in co-curricular activities acts as eligibility for their university application. Therefore, each and every student is required to participate in it. These institutions educate students for a local university degree so that they can take it up in the coming two to three years.

Polytechnic and Arts Institutions

The polytechnic and art institutes shape a student for a local university or tertiary overseas education. After scoring good grades in polytechnic, they can avail the chance of studying in top Singapore universities or go for abroad education in countries like the UK, New Zealand, and Australia. Students who are unable to relocate to foreign countries can undertake the course locally because of an initiative of the polytechnic and arts institutions in which they are in constant communication with universities overseas. 

Universities 

There are a total six universities in Singapore out of which five are autonomous, namely Nanyang Technological University, Singapore Institute of Technology, National University of Singapore, Singapore University of Technology & Design, and Singapore Management University. There is one comprehensive private university in Singapore which is the SIM University.

Cost of Studying in Singapore after 12th

Compared to other countries that offer high-quality education, Singapore is comparatively cheaper in higher education. However, a degree in medical or engineering might be slightly higher than other courses. Studying in Singapore after completing 12th will cost somewhere between SGD 30,000 – SGD 40,000. However, the cost depends on the university and the course chosen. 

Average Tuition Fees for Popular Courses in Singapore

Courses	Average tuition fee
Medicine	SGD 65,000 – SGD 75,000
Media Studies	SGD 29,000 – SGD 35,000
Arts and Social Studies	SGD 21,500 – SGD 38,950
Architecture and Design	SGD 28,000 – SGD 30,000
Law	SGD 27,000 – SGD 53,000
Engineering/Computer Science	SGD 26,750 – SGD 53,500

Study in Singapore after 12th Commerce

There are several colleges and universities in Singapore that offer undergraduate programs for students with a commerce background. Some of the top courses to study in Singapore after 12th commerce include:

• Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA)
• Bachelor of Accounting 
• Bachelor of Commerce in Finance 
• Bachelor in Business Studies
• Bachelor in Supply Chain Management 
• Economics
• Finance

Study in Singapore after 12th Non-Medical

After completing their 12th with science, students have the option of pursuing a UG degree in non-medical subjects. Here are the programs they can study in Singapore after 12th non-medical: 

• BSc in Physics
• BSc in Biotechnology
• Bachelor of Engineering (BEng)
• Bachelor of Technology (BTech)
• Electrical Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering 
• Civil Engineering
• Bioengineering
• Information Technology

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Study in Singapore after 12th Medical

If students want to choose courses from a medical background, they are sure to get many options in Singapore. Here is a list of courses one can study in Singapore after 12th medical: 

• MBBS 
• Medicine and Surgery 
• Pharmacy 
• Nursing
• Dentistry
• Psychology 

Study in Singapore after 12th Arts: 

Many international students in Singapore prefer art subjects. Here are the study options in Singapore after 12th Arts: 

• Filmmaking 
• Acting
• Sociology
• Law
• Interior Design
• Theatre Studies
• Visual and Fine Arts 
• Digital Animation 
• Music
• Fashion Design 
• Industrial Design, and many more

Top Colleges in Singapore after 12th

Name of the university	Average tuition fees per year
Nanyang Technological University	SGD 25,000 – SGD 29,000
National University of Singapore	SGD 25,000 – SGD 30,000
Singapore Management University	SGD 35,000
Singapore University of Technology and Design	SGD 40,500
Singapore University of Social Sciences	SGD 30,000 – SGD 34,000
Singapore Institute of Technology	SGD 22,500 – SGD 43,500

Requirements to Study in Singapore after 12th

The eligibility criteria may differ depending on the course chosen and the university applied to. However, the basic eligibility requirements that need to be met are as follows:

• International students need to attain an age of 18 years during the application process
• Students should have 12 years of education before going for a degree in Singapore
• Class 12 completion certificate is mandatory for undergraduate program
• A minimum aggregate of 65% in top five subjects including English but top universities might require an aggregate of 90-95% marks
• Valid scores for SAT of ACT according to university requirements
• English language proficiency score for any one test – IELTS: 6.5-7, TOEFL: 80-95 or PTE: 56 (overall)

Read More: Study abroad after 12th or graduation

Documents Required to Study in Singapore After 12th

• Attested marksheets of class X and XII
• Scores of SAT, IELTS, and TOEFL
• Statement of Purpose, letters of recommendation, and resume (only if asked by the universities)
• Passport-size photographs
• Visa-related documents
• Financial documents (which include bank statements and loan proofs)

Scholarships to Study in Singapore After 12th

There are need-based and merit-based scholarships offered by the Government and universities. International students having excellent academic records and possessing decent performance in standardized tests can apply for a scholarship by filling up the application form and submitting all the relevant documents before deadlines. Here is a list of scholarships that can be availed.

• Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship
• ASEAN Undergraduate Scholarship
• David L. Boren Scholarship
• Ministry of Education (MOE) Tuition Grant Scheme
• SIA Youth Scholarship
• Commonwealth Scholarship for Integrated Science
• National University of Singapore Undergraduate Scholarships

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Types of Post Study Work Visa in Singapore

After graduating, international students need to apply for a post-study work visa to stay back in the country. Usually, after graduating, they receive a Short-Term Visit Pass which permits them to stay back for 90 days after their student visa expires. This time can be used to look for a job but students are not allowed to take any kind of employment under this visa. 

Post Study Work Visa Options

Type of visa	Features	Duration of the visa
Long-term Visit Pass	Applicable for graduates from an accredited Singapore Institute of Higher Learning.	1 year
Employment Pass	Students who have got a job offer with a fixed monthly salary of SGD 4,500 can apply for this pass. They will be judged on the basis of their qualifications, work experience, and salary.	2-3 years
S Pass	Graduates with degrees from an accredited institution and a minimum monthly salary of SGD 2,500 are applicable for S Pass.	2 years
EntrePass	Candidates registered with Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA) are eligible to apply for this pass to start and operate a business in Singapore.	1-2 years

Read More: Student Visa for Singapore

Studying in Singapore after the 12th can be a great start to a student’s career. They can come across many unique opportunities while studying here. Thus, if they have been considering top countries to pursue their education, opting for Singapore can bring big returns in the future. 

Read More: 

• Study abroad after 12th or graduation
• Your Guide to BCA in Singapore
• MBA in Finance in Singapore
• MBBS in Singapore

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