Singapore: Postgraduate study

How does the higher education system work?

Singapore has a strong education system, recognised around the world. There is an ethos of continuous learning and high quality adult education is available.

Singapore’s university education system consists of autonomous universities, private universities, specialised private universities and polytechnics.

What courses are available?

There is a wide range of postgraduate courses available and you should check with the individual institution for more details. Postgraduate taught and research Masters usually take between one and three years to obtain. PhD programmes should be completed within two to five years. MBA courses are also on offer and are usually taken full time over one or two years.

Courses are usually conducted in English, with the exception of language classes.

Where can I study?

Autonomous universities

• Nanyang Technological University  
• National University of Singapore (NUS)  
• Singapore Management University (SMU)  

Private universities (comprehensive)

• Singapore Institute of Management (SIM)  - provides university education to working professionals and adult learners. 

Private universities/institutions (specialised)

• INSEAD Asia Campus  
• Johns Hopkins University in Singapore  - the university’s South East Asia base for its medical operations. 
• SP Jain Center of Management  
• University of Chicago Booth School of Business (Singapore Campus)  
• UNLV Singapore  

Polytechnics

• Nanyang Polytechnic  
• Ngee Ann Polytechnic  
• Republic Polytechnic  
• Singapore Polytechnic  
• Temasek Polytechnic  

Further details are available on the Singapore Education  website.

Institute of Technical Education (ITE)

The Institute of Technical Education (Singapore)  provides technical knowledge and skills to ensure that its graduates are prepared for work in industry. 

Applying for postgraduate study

Institutions generally require that applicants have a 2:1 degree or above. Check with individual institutions for full details.

Application deadlines vary for each university but are usually at the beginning of November for the semester 1 intake and at the beginning of May for the semester 2 intake.

Applications are made directly to the university, usually by post or online. Some universities will ask international candidates to provide proof that they can financially support themselves during the course of study, for example, a recent bank statement that displays sufficient funds. If you apply for a research degree you will have to provide two academic references.

Fees and scholarships

The Ministry of Education Singapore  provides tuition grants to students who are admitted to the local universities and polytechnics. UK/EU students are eligible for the same grant, subject to the signing of an agreement with the Singaporean government undertaking to work in Singapore for three years upon completion of the programme.

With the bonus of the tuition grant, fees are substantially reduced. University course fees do not include exam fees, student union fees or sports fees.

There are some scholarships available to international candidates with outstanding academic records. See individual university websites for details.

Are there any exchange programmes?

Both the National University of Singapore (NUS)  and Singapore Management University (SMU) offer exchange programmes with partner universities, including several universities in the UK.

Will my qualification be recognised in the UK?

Qualifications are comparable with UK ones. Degrees from Singapore are internationally recognised.