Study in Singapore
Study in Singapore, at leading universities close to home.
Highly ranked universities, strong links with industry and a safe, English speaking city a short flight from India. Entry is competitive. We help students meet the marks, prepare for interviews and understand the Tuition Grant before they accept it.
Singapore at a glance
Figures for August 2027 entry, using the latest published fees. Checked 15 October 2026.
Universities
Six autonomous universities, including NUS, NTU and SMU
Apply
Directly to each university. NTU from 15 October 2026, NUS from 16 December 2026
Marks
Very high: NTU asks for 90% in each subject including English
Tuition
S$21,400 to S$31,600 a year with the Tuition Grant
Work
Up to 16 hours a week in term. A 1 year pass to look for work after graduation
Why Singapore
Why families choose Singapore
World class universities close to India, with a lower subsidised fee. The trade off is very competitive entry and a work bond if you take the grant.
Highly ranked universities
NUS lists itself 8th in the QS World University Rankings 2026, and NTU lists itself 12th. Both are comprehensive research universities.
No SAT at NUS and NTU
CBSE and ISC students do not need the SAT, ACT or JEE for NUS, and NTU has no SAT or ACT requirement for Indian students.
Internships built in
SMU degrees include a 10 week internship. University internships that count towards the degree are allowed on a Student’s Pass.
Work during study
Full time students at universities such as NUS, NTU and SMU can work up to 16 hours a week in term without a separate work pass.
Lower fee with the Tuition Grant
With the government Tuition Grant, most degrees cost S$21,400 to S$31,600 a year, about half the full fee.
Housing on campus
NTU promises full time undergraduates two years of housing on campus.
Things to weigh honestly
- Very competitive. NTU asks for 90% in each Class 12 subject including English. SMU asks for 90% in five subjects plus a test such as the SAT.
- The grant comes with a bond. The Tuition Grant requires 3 years of work with a Singapore entity, starting right after graduation, and two sureties.
- Full fees are high. Without the grant, fees roughly double, for example S$39,700 a year for NUS Computing.
- Work after study is not automatic. Graduates can apply for a 1 year pass to look for a job, but an Employment Pass depends on an employer, a minimum salary and a points test.
Campus and city life
A first look at student life in Singapore
Universities
Singapore’s leading universities for Indian students
Four of Singapore’s six autonomous universities, with their rules for CBSE and ISC students. SIT and SUSS offer applied degrees.
| University | Class 12 entry and tests | Tuition a year, with grant and without | Official site |
|---|---|---|---|
| National University of Singapore (NUS) | A good pass in five subjects including English, plus subject prerequisites. No SAT, ACT, JEE or English test needed. | S$21,400 with grant, S$39,700 without, for Computing or Engineering (2026 intake) | India page |
| Nanyang Technological University (NTU) | At least 90% in each Class 12 subject including English, not counting other languages and technical subjects. No SAT or ACT needed. | S$21,400 with grant, S$40,600 without, for lab based programmes (2026 intake) | India page |
| Singapore Management University (SMU) | At least 90% in five subjects including English, plus one test: for example SAT 1350 or IELTS 7.0. Shortlisted students are interviewed. | S$26,200 with grant, S$47,700 without (2026 intake) | India page |
| Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD) | Class 10 and 12 marksheets plus achievements. Students applying with predicted marks may take an entrance exam, and selected students are invited to a conversation. | S$31,600 with grant, S$62,076 without (2026 intake) | India page |
Private institutions can enrol international students only if they are EduTrust certified, and many private degrees are awarded by overseas partner universities. Sources: each university’s official India and fee pages, and MOE. Checked 15 October 2026.
Admission requirements
Singapore entry requirements for CBSE and ISC students
Marks come first. SMU and SUTD also look closely at tests, interviews and achievements.
Class 12 marks
Very high marks in English and the main subjects.
NUS asks for a good pass in five subjects including English. NTU asks for at least 90% in each subject including English. SMU asks for at least 90% in five subjects including English, and accepts teacher attested predicted grades.
Final results must be uploaded within 3 days of release. NUS does not consider students who are still sitting Class 12 for Dentistry, Law, Medicine or Nursing.
Subject prerequisites
Standard Maths for business and economics at NTU.
NTU Accountancy, Business, Economics and Psychology need Mathematics in Class 12. Applied or Business Mathematics is not enough for some computing and science programmes.
SAT, ACT and English tests
Not needed at NUS and NTU. Needed at SMU.
SMU asks every Indian applicant for one test: SAT 1350 with at least 650 in Reading and Writing, ACT 29, IELTS 7.0 or TOEFL. All parts must come from one sitting. Law needs higher scores.
Interviews and tests
Common for shortlisted students and scholarships.
SMU interviews shortlisted students between March and May. SUTD may set an entrance exam and holds a conversation with selected students. NUS Architecture and design courses may hold an aptitude test, and NUS scholarship shortlistees are interviewed between January and July.
JEE
Not required.
NUS does not require JEE for CBSE and ISC students. NTU says JEE Main does not improve chances, though a good JEE Advanced rank is valued.
How to apply
Directly on each university’s portal.
Application fees: NUS S$20, NTU S$25, SMU S$15. Tick the Tuition Grant option in the application if you want it.
Sources: the official India Standard 12 pages of NUS, NTU, SMU and SUTD. Checked 15 October 2026.
Tuition Grant
Understand the Tuition Grant before you accept it
The Ministry of Education grant roughly halves the fee. In return, the student agrees to work in Singapore for three years after graduating.
- International students apply for the Tier C grant by ticking it in the admission application
- The bond is 3 years of full time work with a Singapore entity, starting right after graduation
- Two sureties aged 21 to 65 must sign, and they share liability if the bond is not served
- The grant agreement is signed online after arrival, and missing the deadline means full fees
- Students who do not take the grant pay full fees and have no work obligation
- Places with the grant are limited and given on merit
Costs
The cost of a Singapore degree
Tuition depends on the grant. Living costs depend mostly on housing.
| Cost | In Singapore dollars | In rupees |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition a year with the Tuition Grant | S$21,400 to S$31,600 | Rs 15.8 to 23.4 lakh |
| Tuition a year without the grant | S$33,400 to S$62,076 | Rs 24.7 to 46 lakh |
| Living and housing (NUS estimate, 35 weeks) | S$6,000 + S$5,750 = S$11,750 | Rs 8.7 lakh |
| Living costs (SMU estimate) | S$750 to S$2,000 a month | Rs 55,500 to Rs 1.5 lakh a month |
| NTU hall rent | S$412 to S$860 a month | Rs 30,500 to Rs 63,700 a month |
| Student’s Pass fees, once | S$45 + S$60, plus S$30 if a visa is needed | Rs 10,000 at most |
| Example: NUS Computing, 4 years with the grant | About S$132,600 | Rs 98.2 lakh |
| Example: NUS Computing, 4 years without the grant | About S$205,800 | Rs 1.52 crore |
Sources: university fee pages, the NUS prospectus, SMU FAQ and ICA. Rupees at about Rs 74.04 per Singapore dollar (cross rate from Reserve Bank of Australia rates, 15 October 2026). Checked 15 October 2026.
Scholarships
Scholarships open to Indian students
ASEAN scholarships are not open to Indian students. These are. Most need the Tuition Grant, so its 3 year bond applies.
Grant bond only
NUS International Undergraduate Scholarship
Open to all nationalities except Singapore. Covers the subsidised tuition, with S$5,800 a year for living and S$5,000 for accommodation. Considered through the admission application. Official page
Grant bond only
Nanyang Global Scholarship, NTU
Open to all nationalities. Subsidised tuition, S$6,500 a year for living, travel and computer grants, and Honours College membership. Apply by 19 March 2027. Official page
Grant bond only
Nanyang Merit Scholarship, NTU
Open to all nationalities. Subsidised tuition, S$5,000 a year for living and a one off travel grant. Official page
6 year bond
Science and Technology Scholarships
At NUS, NTU and SMU for computing, engineering and science, open to students from Asian countries; SMU names India. Full subsidised tuition and allowances. SMU page
6 year bond
SUTD Design and Engineering Scholarship
For students from Asian countries in SUTD engineering and design degrees. Subsidised tuition and allowances. Official page
Varies
NTU donor scholarships
NTU lists many smaller donor scholarships, several open to all nationalities. Official list
Student’s Pass and work
The Student’s Pass, work rights and after graduation
The pass itself is quick. Staying on to work depends on the job market and the Employment Pass rules.
Student’s Pass
Apply 2 to 3 months before the course starts.
Apply online on ICA’s SOLAR system with the university’s registration letter. It usually takes up to one week, or two weeks if a visa is needed. Fees are S$45 to apply and S$60 when the pass is issued. A medical examination is needed only if the approval letter asks for it.
Work during study
Up to 16 hours a week in term.
Full time students at listed universities, including NUS, NTU and SMU, can work up to 16 hours a week during term without a work pass. Internships that count towards the degree are allowed.
After graduation
A 1 year pass to look for work.
Graduates can apply for a 1 year, non renewable Long Term Visit Pass to look for a job. It is not automatic.
Employment Pass
Applied for by the employer.
From 1 January 2027, the minimum salary for a new Employment Pass starts at S$6,000 a month and rises with age, and applicants must also score 40 points on the COMPASS test. A job in Singapore is never guaranteed.
Sources: ICA Student’s Pass, MOM work rules for students, ICA Long Term Visit Pass and MOM Employment Pass. Checked 15 October 2026.
Application timeline
For August 2027 entry
For a student in Class 12 in 2026 to 27. SMU and SUTD have not yet published their 2027 dates, so their dates follow last year’s pattern.
Now to December 2026
Plan and test
Shortlist programmes and check subject rules. For SMU, take the SAT or IELTS early.
15 Oct 2026 to 19 Mar 2027
NTU
NTU applications for Indian Class 12 students, with scholarship forms in the same window.
16 Dec 2026 to 17 Feb 2027
NUS
NUS applications. NUS scholarships are considered through the same application.
Mid Nov to mid Mar
SMU and SUTD
Last year SMU took applications from 17 November to 19 March, and SUTD from 2 January to 2 March.
January to July 2027
Interviews
Scholarship interviews at NUS, SMU interviews from March to May, SUTD conversations.
May 2027
Results
Upload final Class 12 marks within 3 days of the results.
May to July 2027
Offers
Accept an offer with or without the Tuition Grant, by the date in the offer letter.
June to October 2027
Pass and grant
Apply for the Student’s Pass 2 to 3 months before the course, arrive, then sign the grant agreement online.
Sources: official date pages of NUS, NTU, SMU and SUTD. Checked 15 October 2026.
How Tathastu helps
A focused plan for a competitive country
Singapore rewards top marks, strong tests and good interviews. We help with all three.
Realistic shortlist
NUS, NTU, SMU, SUTD and other options, chosen against your Class 12 marks and subjects.
SAT and IELTS
The SAT or IELTS score SMU needs, taught in our own classes. SAT coaching
Applications and scholarships
Each university’s portal, scholarship forms and essays, on time.
Interview practice
Mock interviews for SMU, SUTD and scholarship shortlists.
Tuition Grant advice
A clear explanation of the bond, sureties and full fee option, so the family decides with care.
Student’s Pass
Documents and the SOLAR application, led by CA Jogender Singh.
Also considering Australia? Many families compare the two.
Student results
Singapore universities our students have joined
University names only. A student’s name or story appears here only with written permission, and a parent signs for students under 18.
Our students joined
- NUS
- NTU
Admission letters are kept on file. Past results do not guarantee future admissions.
Questions
Questions parents ask about Singapore
Have another question? Call +91 95998 45444 or message us on WhatsApp at +91 81301 34242.
Does my child need the SAT for Singapore?
Not for NUS or NTU. SMU asks Indian students for one test, such as SAT 1350, ACT 29 or IELTS 7.0.
How high must the marks be?
Very high. NTU asks for at least 90% in each Class 12 subject including English, and SMU for at least 90% in five subjects including English.
How does the Tuition Grant bond work?
Students who take the grant must work for a Singapore entity for 3 years after graduating, and two sureties must sign. Students who pay full fees have no bond.
Can Indian students get scholarships?
Yes, for example the NUS International Undergraduate Scholarship and NTU’s Nanyang scholarships. ASEAN scholarships are not open to Indian students.
Can students work after graduating?
Graduates can apply for a 1 year pass to look for a job. Working long term needs an Employment Pass from an employer, with a minimum salary and points test. It is not guaranteed.
When should we apply?
For August 2027 entry, NTU takes applications from 15 October 2026 to 19 March 2027 and NUS from 16 December 2026 to 17 February 2027.
Counselling
Planning to study in Singapore?
Book a counselling session. We will look at your child’s marks, tests and goals and tell you honestly where they stand for NUS, NTU and SMU.
- A first look at your child’s marks, tests and goals
- A balanced shortlist of universities in Singapore
- A clear plan for tests, documents and deadlines
Book a counselling session
Call or message us now, or send an enquiry. We reply within one working day.
Call +91 95998 45444 WhatsApp us
Email info@tathastuedu.com