The education system, rich culture, and growing economy have all played a significant part in making Singapore a popular destination for international students. The city-state features some of the best universities in Asia, and this has enabled it to attract students from all corners of the globe to advance their education. However, studying overseas is expensive and comes with several challenges especially for the majority of the students. The good news is that there are a number of scholarships available for international students in Singapore to reduce cost.
At this point, you might be wondering how do I find it? How do I apply for international student scholarship in Singapore? In this blog, we aim to answer some of these pertinent concerns by explaining all the relevant information concerning international students scholarships in Singapore. For international students wishing to study in Singapore, this guide will definitely help them in deciding which activity is best suited to their need
Delete: The High Cost Related to the Decision of Studying Abroad
Studying abroad is a dream come true for many, but the expense involved could be costly. Based on the information given on the website of Singapore Ministry of Education (MOE), those who wish to undertake their education courses in Singapore International school, they need to pay an average annual fee of between SGD 6, 000 to SGD 60, 000 depending on the studies pursued as well as the program pursued. Students also need to consider other costs such as accommodation, transportation, medical and other miscellaneous costs.
To most students, these expenses appear insurmountable. Without the proper funding, the possibility of pursuing studies in Singapore would only be just opportunity. Scholarships are well and truly the answer to these challenges.
Agitation: How to Afford Studying in Singapore
Although the expenses one incurs while studying in Singapore may range at the higher end, it is very much possible to avail of a number of international scholarships. These scholarships can range from tuition only to a subsidy towards expenses incurred as well as rent , and these scholarships can be offered by the Singapore authorities, the universities or other private institutions.
It can be, however, difficult to find the right scholarship. The variety of options available makes it likely for a student to feel lost or confused about where to begin. In some unfortunate cases, they may even forgo applying for scholarships entirely because they are unaware of the available scholarships or the application processes for the awards.
The good news is—this blog post will explain to you which scholarships are available, how they can be located, and other important information that will enhance the chances of winning a scholarship.
Solution: Types of Scholarships for International Students in Singapore
There is a lot of good news for international students in Singapore – there’s money to fall back upon. Scholarships, which come in many different types, exist for students. Although every scholarship has different application criteria and advantages, the possibilities are varied. So here’s a list of scholarships that international students could apply for:
1. Singapore Government Scholarships
A variety of scholarships are provided by the Singapore government for international students willing to come study in the country. These scholarships are very few and the competition is quite tough, but they are worthwhile as they offer very good funding.
A*STAR Graduate Scholarship
The A*STAR agency also offers scholarships to international students who would like to pursue postgraduate studies in the field of science, engineering and technology at A*STAR’s Institute of High Performance Computing (IHPC). These scholarships take care of the tuition fees, living expenses as well as expenses on research activities. There are no restrictions, and applications from international students are welcome.
Singapore International Graduate Award (SINGA)
The SINGA scholarship is more suited towards students who wish to undertake PhD studies in science and engineering at any of the partnering universities in Singapore, including NUS (National University of Singapore), NTU (Nanyang Technological University) as well as Duke-NUS Medical School. The maximum support for the junior researchers who will hold this award for a period of 4 years is up to 100% and this includes tuition fees, monthly allowance and financial assistance for travel and research costs.
The Singapore Commonwealth Scholarship
The Singapore Commonwealth Scholarship is targeted at Commonwealth students who are willing to enroll in full-time Master’s degree or a PhD program in one of Singapore’s top universities. This solarship covers not only the tuition fees but also living costs and travel allowances.
MOE Tuition Grant Scheme
While not quite an award, the Tuition Grant Scheme from the Ministry of Education (MOE) is Avail to international students and helps to lessen or reduce the cost of public universities’ fees. The beneficiaries of the tuition subsidy need to practice for a couple of years after graduating from Singapore. This isn’t really a scholarship, but yes it is a great form of lower tuition fees benefit which helps those students who have plans of continuing in Singapore after education.
2. University-Specific Scholarships
More options for scholarships and financial aid can also be found in other universities of Singapore. Below let’s examine some of the main universities of the country and the orientations they have for potential, foreign students.
national University of Singapore (NUS)
International students’ finance is facilitated by a variety of scholarships at NUS University including NUS Global Merit Scholarship as well as the NUS Graduate School for Integrative Sciences and Engineering (NGS) Scholarship. Such awards are limited with only deserving talent taking it out on the basis of research, leadership qualities and academic excellence. Moreover, NUS gives out scholarships to its undergraduate international students in a bid to increase their saving for tuition fees and costs of living, the NUS Undergraduate Scholarships.
Nanyang Technological University (NTU)
Among these international students’ finance is provided by NTU for international students also the NTU International Undergraduate Scholarship and the NTU Graduate Scholarships. This institution also offers postgraduate students an NTU Research Scholarship which settles the tuition fees and also pays a good stipend each month. In addition to the above NTU has many of these scholarships that are pertinent to countries including China, India, Indonesia, and more.
Singapore Management University (SMU)
For scholarship opportunities, students can apply for the following : SMU Global Impact Scholarship, SMU Scholarships – ASEAN Undergraduate. Such scholarships are intended for the brightest students found in all parts of the world who are believed to possess great potential in areas of leadership skills and have the zeal to make a positive impact in the global community.
3. Privately Funded and Sponsored by the Industry Scholarships
In addition to the awarded scholarships, the government scholarships, or the scholarships awarded by the universities, there are also private and industry-specific scholarships available for the international students. It is a given that, these scholarships are given out by various businesses and institutions in support of their interests in specific industries.
Lee Kuan Yew Scholarship
The Lee Kuan Yew Scholarship ranks as one of the highest awarded in this country as it was established in honour of the very first Prime Minister of Singapore, Lee Kuan Yew. This is intended for citizens of Commonwealth countries wishing to undertake a postgraduate course in public policy, economics and other related disciplines. It provides for fees and travelling costs among other provisions, an allowance that is higher than the ordinary standard of living.
The Ngee Ann Kongsi Scholarship
In focusing on a single noble act for Ngee Ann Kongsi, the group awarded the Ngee Ann Kongsi Scholarship. In this case, Ngee Ann Kongsi Scholarship is intended to provide a social welfare bottom-line by offering support to international undergraduate students studying in Singapore. Awarding criteria is both academic achievement and need.
Singapore Airlines (SIA) Scholarship
International students keen on taking up a degree in the fields of Aviation, Business Management, Engineering, and similar fields are awarded SIA scholarships by Singapore Airlines. These scholarships come with a work obligation with the airline for a certain number of years after graduation but are beneficial to students wanting to build a future in the aviation sector as it opens doors to various opportunities and connections.
4. Other Scholarships diversified by Nationality
A few scholarships are awarded to students from certain countries or regions. Such scholarship schemes are aimed at instilling wider educational appeal to the educational institutions in Singapore and also promote international interaction. For instance, ASEAN countries students who want to attend an undergraduate program in Singapore can benefit from the ASEAN Undergraduate Scholarship. The China-Singapore Scholarship funds Chinese citizens interested in enrolling for Master degree programs in Singapore.
Applying for Scholarships in Singapore
Having understood the types of Singaporean scholarships available, the next phase is knowing how to go about applying for them. Every scholarship comes with its application procedures, however, the following are general guidelines on how to go about the scholarship application.
- Look for Specific Scholarships
Begin, applying for scholarships aimed at international students in Singapore first. Find time to go through the individual colleges’ websites, scholarship websites, and various government official web pages concerning scholarships on offer for a given program that fits your nationality, area of specialization, and qualifications.
- Confirm that you are Eligible
When applying for scholarships, please make sure that you are eligible for them in the first place. Some scholarships are reserved for certain nationalities, areas of study, or educational levels, so it is essential that you are aware of culture and competition.
- Gather Documents in Advance
- Among other things, applying for scholarships usually entails attaching documents such as the following:
- Transcripts and certificates of the preceding formal higher education
- A written narrative or personal essay narrating the reasons for wanting to study in Singapore and how beneficial the scholarship is to becoming successful in the academics and profession.
- Teacher’s or lecturer’s letters of referenceTests of a foreign language competence (TOEFL, IELTS, etc.)
- Submit Application
After gathering all your files and documents, complete your application from the scholarship portal or from the university’s application system. You also have to pay special attention to these instructions and verify your application for mistakes.
Follow Up
For scholarship applicants, after filling out the application, timeframes should be observed and attention should be drawn to the scholarship provider as and when it is suitable. Applicants should exercise patience. The period taken in selecting those to offer the scholarships ought not to be misconstrued as some illegal gambling.
Conclusion: Start Your Journey Today
Studying in Singapore is an amazing opportunity and can be made affordable with a right scholarship. Government scholarships, university-based scholarships or private awards, international students can avail of a number of scholarships. If you do sufficient groundwork, ensure that you meet the necessary eligibility requirements and prepare a convincing application, you should have no doubt about getting financial assistance for your studies.
Scholarships are also vital for the enhanced diversity of students in universities in Singapore as there are a lot of bright students from all over the world who are willing and ready to study there. So if you want to pursue your studies further, you have all the reasons to start looking for scholarships to make your dream of studying in Singapore come true.