TASA ASIA | Singapore

About

Though Singapore is very small in size, the country has a booming and extremely stable economy. Singapore gets a lot of foreign investment because it has a skilled workforce, corruption-free society, low tax rates, and well-developed infrastructure. The unemployment rate in the country is very low. Students choose Singapore as their study abroad destination because it has endless career opportunities. Apart from international business investments, many reputed international universities have invested in Singapore.

Singapore is one of the popular destinations for international students in the English-speaking world. Singapore is weather-friendly, the quality of education is high, its an English speaking nation, clean and safe country, affordable and closer home for Indian students. Also, it is a cost-effective study abroad destination.

Quality Education

The quality of education in Singapore is of a high standard. The rapid development and internationalization of education in Singapore has got the third rank in the QS Best Student City Rankings 2013. Students can choose internationally recognized local universities in Singapore. The education system of Singapore adopts the western ideologies as well as methodologies to encourage independent learning among students. It is one of the best study abroad destinations to pursue a business degree.

Consistent Weather

Singapore has amazing sea weather. One can experience unexpected showers in Singapore at any time. With lots of sunshine and random showers throughout the year, the weather in Singapore is quite consistent. There are no extreme weather conditions which makes it very weather friendly destinations.

Diversity & Variety

Singapore is a blend of East and West. This makes it a country of religious and cultural diversity. Students get to mix with other students from all over the world. This helps students broaden their horizons and also helps in global networking opportunities.
There is a wide variety of courses and degrees offered by the universities as per the students’ interest. Students also have the option of choosing between universities, vocational courses, and English language courses as well. If their grades permit, they can also switch between qualification level and also between different institutions.

Cost of Living

Studying in Singapore is less expensive when compared to the US and the UK. The normal cost of living in Singapore is also very much lower than countries like Australia, Canada, the US, and the UK. It is one of the most economical options for students who want to pursue international education. Students can also apply for scholarships if they qualify for the same. Indian students have an added advantage of distance. Singapore is much closer home compared to other destinations which make traveling home cost-effective.

Safety

Singapore is one of the safest cities in the world. This is due to strict law and order. The crime rate is low. The universities and colleges have very strict laws on drug abuse. There is a lot of convenience in public transportations and these are very safe. Apart from safety, Singapore is known as the Garden City for its glorious greenery. The streets are lined up with trees. The greenery is also evident in many green parks designed all over the city. The city is known for its cleanliness and have strict punishments for offenders in this regard.

Part-time work

According to the Ministry of Manpower, Singapore, international students on Student Pass in Singapore are eligible to work part-time for about 16 hours a week during term and for unlimited hours during vacation, provided they are a registered full-time student in one of the approved institutions.

Education in Singapore is managed by the Ministry of Education (MOE), which controls the development and administration of state schools receiving taxpayers' funding, but also has an advisory and supervisory role in respect of private schools. The system consists of preschool, primary and secondary. Then the students get into university studies and post that they can opt for post-graduation. Many universities and colleges are offering the mainstream undergraduate and postgraduate courses for international students in Singapore.
The top universities in Singapore are Singapore University of Technology, The National University of Singapore, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore Management University.

The qualifying exams vary between study programs and levels. For each course, international students will need to meet a minimum English language requirement. Besides, there will be a minimum academic performance record as stipulated by the universities to qualify for admission.

General Exams

GMAT - The Graduate Management Admission Test is given by those who want to pursue an MBA or business or management-related courses. The aspirants are measured on English, mathematical and reasoning skills.
GRE - The Graduate Record Examination is taken by students applying to graduate schools to pursue an MA or MS. Also, many business schools accept GRE scores for granting admission for pursuing MBA or business or management courses.
LSAT - The Law School Admission Test is a standardized test and is taken by students who want to take admission in law schools. The students are evaluated based on reading and verbal reasoning skills.
SAT - The Scholastic Assessment Test evaluates the aspirants based on literacy and writing skills that are needed for academic success in higher education. This test measures the problem-solving skills learned in school which they will be using further in college. The SAT exam is generally taken by students who have completed their schooling or students in high school looking for admissions in UG courses.

Students need to check on the qualifying exams as stipulated by the universities and accordingly apply for the same.

Language Exam

TOEFL – It is the most popular English proficiency exam accepted by a majority of the universities. The TOEFL tests the students’ usage and understanding of the English language as it is used in communicating in college and university settings. Students can appear for this exam any number of times. This test is administered by the Educational Testing Service (ETS), which conducts the test and set the test paper.
IELTS – International English Language Testing System is a standardized language test that needs to be cleared for getting admission in different universities in Singapore.
PTE – Pearson Test of English is also a standardized language test that needs to be cleared to secure admission in different universities.

Students are advised to thoroughly check the entry requirements of the university/college they are applying to and then take up the exams accordingly. Many educational institutes accept some specific exams whereas some institutes allow students to give the exams of their choice. Therefore, before preparing for the exams, students should check the university requirements.

Application Requirements

Apart from the above-mentioned tests, there are other requirements for applying to educational institutes in Singapore.
Letter of recommendation – (LOR) is a reference letter written by a third-party describing the qualities, characteristics, and capabilities of the prospective student for recommendation to the college in terms of that individual’s ability to perform a particular task or function. The third-party could be a professor, direct manager, etc.
Statement of Purpose – A Statement of Purpose (SOP) is the introduction of the student to the college and admission officers. It is always written in the first person and describes the reason for applying to a particular college. It needs to highlight why the college should accept you. The style of writing could differ from formal to casual, but it is important to remember that it should reflect the student’s personality as well.
Essay: Essays are also required to be submitted by a prospective student. Essays are an important part of the university admissions process. Students may be required to write one or two essays, along with a few optional essays too. Common topics include career aspirations, strengths and weaknesses, skills, experiences, and reasons for considering a particular school.
There are some relevant documents required to apply for diploma and vocational courses. Students need to check the same and submit it along with the other required documents.
Apart from the above-mentioned requirements, students applying to undergraduate courses should have completed 10+2. Also, those who are applying to graduate courses must have completed 16 years of education. In addition to all these students also need to show proof of the finances to the universities to secure admission.

Cut-off for Exams

All the major universities and colleges also set cut-off for various exams which students need to obtain to secure admission. Before applying to their preferred universities, aspirants should check the cut-off marks for GMAT, GRE, TOEFL and then start preparing for the exams accordingly.

International students in Singapore have varied tuition fee according to the university, courses and the city they have chosen. Postgraduate courses cost more than the undergraduate courses. Living expenses like accommodation, food, travel, etc are as per the choice of the student. Costs will vary depending on the lifestyle, place of residence and socializing of the students.
Business Management, Computer Science, Medicine, Finance and Accounting, Economics, Communications/Media are popular courses that Indian students pursue in Singapore.

Scholarships and Education Loan

International students have a benefit of scholarships based on their merit and there are also fee waivers, which are awarded on need-based cases. Students with strong academics and excellence in extracurricular activities would be eligible for scholarship awards and financial assistance. To avail the benefits of these scholarships and financial assistance, the students should firstly check on the details as these are university-specific and have to submit all the relevant documents before the specified deadlines. Most importantly, the applicants are judged on how well the students present their projects. All students are not eligible for these scholarships. Hence the eligibility criteria need to be checked before applying for the same. Loans are provided by the banks for higher education. Certain parameters are to be met by the applicant. The candidates should be an Indian national with a strong academic record. The applicant should be over 18 years of age. In case the applicants are below the prescribed age, parents can apply for the loan. The applicant should be seeking admission to a professional, technical or other courses as prescribed by the bank. The application is considered only if the admission is confirmed. All relevant documents need to be submitted along with the application. The approval of loans is at the discretion of the bank.

Student visas are issued to applicants whose primary purpose of visit to a country is to pursue education. Although getting admission in the university is extremely important, these legal documents for obtaining visas are of utmost importance. Every country has its own immigration rules. The documents can range from education-related ones to different proof of funds acceptable and so on to enable the students to study in that country. These are specified on the official website. Students can check on the same and accordingly apply for their visa. There are some common factors in all student visa applications.
The students need to know the entire process of applying and obtaining the student visas to study abroad. Studying abroad requires meticulous planning. Students are advised to plan their admission/ application process as per the university deadlines and should accordingly work backward. Students are required to appear for English eligibility tests as per the university policies and also have required documents in place for the smooth processing of their application. Hence, students are always advised to apply 3-4 months in advance to avoid any last-minute delays. Candidates seeking financial aid, scholarships and education loans should start a couple of months earlier than the regular applicants for the process of application and approval of the same.

Singapore