Singapore is a modern, vibrant nation
with an excellent educational system, providing numerous opportunities for
internationals who wish to study abroad. Education is a priority in Singapore
and the nation is recognized as a ‘global schoolhouse’. A strong emphasis on
education started when the British-based education system was introduced by Sir
Thomas Stamford Raffles (founder of the Singapore Institution, now known as the
Raffles Institution) in 1823. Today Singapore is one of the leaders in higher
education both in Asia and Worldwide.
Singapore prides itself in maintaining
high standards of teaching and learning, as well as scientific research.
Another great thing that makes Singaporean higher education stand out are the
strong links with industry; as a student you will be able to gain practical
experience and find employment more easily in your chosen field.
Study in Singapore
Singapore has six national
universities, with its two largest universities having more than 30,000
students each. Singapore’s most prestigious university is the National
University of Singapore (NUS) which ranked 25th in the QS World University
Rankings for 2012/13 and is one of the highest-ranking universities in Asia.
In many of the subject areas, the
National University of Singapore is ranked within the global top ten, such as:
law, computer science, mechanical engineering, geography, materials science,
accounting and finance, pharmacy, communication and media studies, modern
language and statistics. Other highly ranked institutions in the country are
Nanyang Technological University and Singapore Management University.
In addition to these universities,
Singapore also has a wide range of private institutions, along with foreign
universities with campuses in Singapore, such as the Chicago Business School
and Technische Universität München.
Singaporean universities regularly
collaborate with leading universities in other countries. These connections and
collaborations contribute to the overall quality of education offered by
universities in Singapore. This is yet another positive factor for
international students who choose Singapore as their destination.
Language
There are 4 official languages
recognized in Singapore: Chinese, Malay, Tamil, and English. In addition to
these, there are more than 20 other languages spoken in Singapore. These
languages reflect the nation’s multicultural nature.
It’s important to know that English is
the official language of instruction in Singapore, so all international
students who wish to study abroad in Singapore can expect courses taught in
English. When it comes to everyday life, more than 75% of population speaks
English too, so students who wish to study abroad in Singapore will have no
problems in communicating with locals.
Cost of Living in Singapore
The cost of studying in Singapore,
whilst not as affordable as other Asian destinations, is still reasonable
compared to universities in the big three destinations (UK, USA and Australia).
This is one of the factors that make Singapore an attractive destination for
international students seeking a quality education.
Another great thing about being a
student in Singapore is you can travel to other Asian countries (Thailand,
Malaysia, Indonesia, Cambodia, Vietnam) on a frugal budget. There are also
regular flights from India to Singapore, which ensures a hassle-free experience
for students.
Benefits of studying in Singapore
With its relatively affordable
education and top-notch courses in computer science, applied science, law and
animation, Singapore is an excellent study destination for Indian students. The
visa process is simple and hassles free as well. Being very proximate to India
also means cheaper air-fare.
Also institutions from the USA, UK and
Australia have opened satellite campuses in Singapore to offer their courses at
a subsidised cost. With so many positive factors in place, Singapore has become
an education hub and popular study abroad destination for Asian students.
Courses in Singapore
Study in Singapore from India, choosing
from a wide spectrum of courses as mentioned here. Students have scope to
pursue an education in diverse fields of specialization such as:
- Architecture and Building
- Agriculture and Environment
- Creative Arts, Communication, and Design
- MBA, Business and Management
- Arts, Social Science and Humanities
- IT and Computing
- Engineering & Sciences
- Tourism, Hotel and Food Management
- Law
- Health, Veterinary Studies and Medicine
Work while you study
A Foreign Student studying in any of
the institution approved by the Ministry of Manpower is allowed to do a
part-time job for 16 hours/week and even full time during vacations. Moreover,
apart from work visa and opportunities, there are certain short-term activities
in Singapore, which don't require any work visa. These activities include
seminars, journalism, etc.