International Student Admissions: General Information on Studying in Singapore

Preparing to Study in Singapore

International students seeking admission to mainstream public schools in Singapore should note that English is the medium of instruction. International students are strongly encouraged to prepare themselves before taking the AEIS tests. They should be familiar with the English and Maths syllabus of the level preceding the one they are applying for.

International students who are successfully admitted to mainstream public schools are strongly encouraged to prepare themselves in advance for a new school environment where English is the language of classroom instruction, and to familiarise themselves with the relevant curriculum for their level. International students who wish to undertake preparatory courses before or at the start of their entry into schools could refer to the Singapore Education website.

Back to Top

Admission to Pre-schools, Private Schools and Post-Secondary Institutions

International students who wish to seek admission to a pre-school, private school or post-secondary institution (e.g. university or polytechnic) should approach the pre-school, private school or institution directly.

Back to Top

Age Criteria for Admission of International Students

The following age ranges are for new international students seeking admission and former international students seeking re-admission into schools.

Level	Permissible Age Range (as at 1st January of Year of Admission)
Primary 1	6 to 8+
Primary 2	7 to 9+
Primary 3	8 to 10+
Primary 4	9 to 11+
Primary 5	10 to 12+
Primary 6	11 to 13+ This is a critical level where students sit for the major examinations i.e. Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE) held towards the end of the year*.
Secondary 1	12 to 14+
Secondary 2	13 to 15+
Secondary 3	14 to 16+
Secondary 4	15 to 17+ This is a critical level where students sit for the major examinations i.e. the GCE ‘N’ or GCE ‘O’ Level Examinations held towards the end of the year*.
Secondary 5	16 to 18+ This is a critical level where students sit for the major examinations i.e. the GCE ‘O’ Level Examination held towards the end of the year*.
Pre-University 1	16 - 18+
Pre-University 2	17 to 19+ This is a critical level where students sit for the major examinations i.e. the GCE ‘A’ Level Examination held towards the end of the year*.
Pre-University 3	This is a critical level where students sit for the major examinations i.e. the GCE ‘A’ Level Examination held towards the end of the year*.

* Students are to consider if they will have sufficient preparation time for major examinations which will be held towards the end of the year before approaching the schools of choice directly. Otherwise, students may consider admission to a lower academic level within the permissible age range. Admission is subject to availability of school vacancies and the school’s assessment of the student's level of ability.

Back to Top

Student’s Pass

In accordance with the Immigration Regulations, a foreigner who wishes to study in a Government / Government-aided / Independent School is exempted from applying for a Student’s Pass if he/she is a holder of a Dependant’s Pass or an Immigration Exemption Order. For more details on Student’s Pass applications, please refer to ICA’s website.

Back to Top

Guardian’s Particulars

Every international student is required to provide the particulars of his / her guardian to the school for contact purposes. The guardian should be a Singapore Citizen / Singapore Permanent Resident above 21 years old or the parent of the international student if the parent is working/staying in Singapore.

Every international student is required to report any change in guardianship to his/her school principal.

Back to Top

Primary Level Admission

International students admitted at the primary level will be expected to complete the Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE) like all local students, before proceeding to the secondary level.

Back to Top

Exemption from offering Chinese, Malay or Tamil as a Mother Tongue Language

As part of the Singapore education system, all students are required to offer their mother tongue language as part of the curriculum. Exemption from the mother tongue requirement may be considered on a case-by-case basis after an international student has been admitted to school. Application for exemption should be made through the school principal who will refer the application to the Languages & Literature Branch, Ministry of Education, for consideration.

Back to Top

Monthly School Fees

The Tables below show the prevailing monthly rates of fees payable by Singapore Permanent Residents (SPRs) and International Students (IS).

Level	Nationality	School Fee (S$)	Miscellaneous Fee (S$)	Total (S$)
Primary	Singapore PR	3.50	11.00	14.50
	IS (Non-ASEAN)	145.00	11.00	156.00
	IS (ASEAN)	135.00	11.00	146.00
	IS (First 2 years)	120.00	11.00	131.00
Secondary	Singapore PR	6.00	16.00	22.00
	IS (Non-ASEAN)	210.00	16.00	226.00
	IS (ASEAN)	195.00	16.00	211.00
	IS (First 2 years)	170.00	16.00	186.00
Junior College / Centralised Institute	Singapore PR	7.00	22.00	29.00
	IS (Non-ASEAN)	350.00	22.00	372.00
	IS (ASEAN)	330.00	22.00	352.00
	IS (First 2 years)	280.00	22.00	302.00

The school fees payable by IS and SPR will be increased in 2011 and 2012 as shown in the table below.

Level	Nationality	2011			2012
		School Fee (S$)	Misc Fee* (S$)	Total (S$)	School Fee (S$)	Misc Fee* (S$)	Total (S$)
Primary	Singapore PR	22.00	11.00	33.00	40.00	11.00	51.00
	IS (Non-ASEAN)	245.00	11.00	256.00	345.00	11.00	356.00
	IS (ASEAN)	185.00	11.00	196.00	235.00	11.00	246.00
	IS (First 2 years)#	170.00	11.00	181.00	All International Students pay respective ASEAN/non-ASEAN rates
Secondary	Singapore PR	30.00	16.00	46.00	55.00	16.00	71.00
	IS (Non-ASEAN)	340.00	16.00	356.00	470.00	16.00	486.00
	IS (ASEAN)	260.00	16.00	276.00	325.00	16.00	341.00
	IS (First 2 years)#	235.00	16.00	251.00	All International Students pay respective ASEAN/non-ASEAN rates
Junior College / Centralised Institute	Singapore PR	43.00	22.00	65.00	80.00	22.00	102.00
	IS (Non-ASEAN)	550.00	22.00	572.00	750.00	22.00	772.00
	IS (ASEAN)	430.00	22.00	452.00	530.00	22.00	552.00
	IS (First 2 years)#	380.00	22.00	402.00	All International Students pay respective ASEAN/non-ASEAN rates

* Subject to review.
# All new IS admitted in 2010 or 2011 will have to pay the respective ASEAN/non-ASEAN rates from Jan 2012.

Students studying in Autonomous Schools are also required to pay additional miscellaneous fees. Please check directly with the schools on the actual amount of miscellaneous fees payable.

The rates of school and miscellaneous fees payable are reviewed by the Ministry of Education and individual schools from time to time.

For Independent Schools, the school fees payable varies from school to school. Please check directly with the schools concerned for the fees payable.

Back to Top

Boarding Facilities

Please refer to the yellow pages of the Singapore Telephone Directory for the private hostels.

Back to Top

Information on Schools

The contact information of mainstream public schools in Singapore may be found in the School Information Service website.

A hard copy of the “Directory of Schools and Educational Institutions, Singapore”, is also obtainable from the Customer Service Centre at the Ground Floor, Podium Block, Ministry of Education, at S$3.60 per copy (excluding postage).

Back to Top