• Singapore

Education System in Singapore

1266 Reads
3 min Read

By:CANAM Group
Updated On:Dec 12,2024 05:03 PM IST

The education system of Singapore is centralized, the Ministry of Education regulates education at all levels.
The system considers hard skills as important as soft and artistic skills.
International students can study at institutes in Singapore at any level.

Education System in Singapore.webp

Singapore, also known as the "Lion City," has one of the most holistic and innovative education systems in the world. The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) consistently ranks it amongst the highest in the world. Such trends indicate a style that emphasizes a thorough understanding of the curriculum without compromising the joy of learning.

Higher education in Singapore also emphasizes research and innovation, with institutes like the National University of Singapore leading the way with rankings in the top 10 universities in the world. In this blog, we delineate the levels that make up the education system of Singapore, with emphasis on post-secondary institutes, characteristics of the system, and requirements for international students to study in Singapore.

How is the Education System in Singapore?

The education system in Singapore is centralized. This means that the Ministry of Education of Singapore manages educational institutes and the system from primary to higher levels. The ministry is responsible for setting the framework for all entities to operate, including independent or semi-autonomous agencies for teacher training, assessment, vocational education and more.

The system of education in Singapore operates with the aim of nurturing students to discover their capabilities in a multi-dimensional manner. The system works in a way that students become passionate for learning throughout life and gain all-rounded knowledge and multiple skills. The methods and curriculum work in tandem with the pedagogical techniques to develop capacities for thinking in novel ways, solving problems and creating opportunities for the future.

What is the Level of Education in Singapore?

The meticulously structured education system of this island country in Southeast Asia offers avenues for education from early childhood to higher education. The table below outlines the levels of education, from pre-schooling to university education.

Level of Education	Age	Duration	Institutes
Preschool Education	3-6 Years	2 years or more	Privately run childcare centres and kindergartens licensed by Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA)
Primary Education	7-12 years	4-6 years	Government-funded or government-aided schools
Secondary Education	13-18 years	6 years	Government-funded, government-autonomous or independently run schools
Post-secondary Education	18-22 years	1-6 years	Publicly and privately funded colleges, polytechnics, technical education institutes, arts institutes and universities

The curriculum for preschool education is regulated by ECDA.

At the primary level, students in years one to four follow a common curriculum, whereas, for the next two years, they can select from a range of individual courses at the foundational level.

In secondary school, students have a choice between three bands or streams - Express (accelerated), Normal (academic), or Normal (technical, with more applied work).

Students who want to apply to university study in secondary school for an additional two years, but if they don’t want to do that, they have other varied options, such as the Institute of Technical Education, junior college, polytechnics, foundational polytechnic programs, and art institutions.

Post-Secondary Education in Singapore

There is a wide array of options for post-secondary education in Singapore. This includes a wide range of institutes, including junior colleges, polytechnics, technical and art institutes, and universities. The overall focus of the system at this level is the integration of technology and innovation with education, which ensures that graduates are well-prepared for the demands of the global workforce. The table below highlights the various institutes for post-secondary education in Singapore.

Type of Institute	Programs Offered
Junior Colleges or Centralized Institute	2 & 3-year programs, pre-university level, and programs lead to the GCE - A Level Examination. Students can join universities and the National Institute of Education to complete a program.
Polytechnics	Polytechnic diplomas in biotechnology, engineering, applied sciences, engineering, info-communications, business studies, accountancy, social sciences, health sciences, mass communications and digital media. Students can join degree programs at the Singapore Institute of Technology after a diploma in polytechnic.
Institute of Technical Education (ITE)	Full-time technical programs with optional traineeship programs for skills certification conducted by companies and ITE. Students who perform well can join polytechnics for diploma studies.
Arts Institutions	Diploma programs are offered in visual and performing arts, such as music, theatre, dance, interior design, and fashion design.
Universities	Undergraduate and graduate degree programs in arts, social sciences, engineering, business, computing, dentistry, design, law, medicine, music, science and more

List of Top Universities in Singapore

International students who are willing to study bachelor’s or master’s in Singapore can opt for programs in technology, management, education, sustainability, policy-making, sciences and many more. Institutes offering programs at both undergraduate and graduate levels are given below.

Amity Global Institute	Nanyang Institute of Management
Curtin Singapore	Raffles Design Institutes
Dimensions International College	Raffles Education Corp College
James Cook University	Raffles Merchandising Institute
Kaplan Higher Education Academy	SP Jain School of Global Management
London School of Business and Finance Singapore

Benefits of Education System in Singapore

The system of education in Singapore aims to nurture all children and help them realise their talents. It's strongly tied up with its approach to help students acquire values, have strength of character, foster strong bonds, and have a deep sense of belonging and commitment to family, community, and country. Given below are some of the distinct characteristics that make it unique and the learning experience joyful and well-rounded:

Primary and secondary education offers diverse and rich learning experiences for students by integrating social, aesthetic, emotional and moral facets.
Students are encouraged to develop their artistic, sports abilities, and musical skills.
The system is designed to equip students with 21st-century skills, such as critical thinking, problem-solving, communication, and more.
The system allows students to find their interests and choose their path in a formalised manner.
Education providers play a crucial role, and their training is considered as crucial.
The variety of programs offered at institutes makes the country a hotspot for education for students from other countries as well.

How to Study in Singapore?

International students willing to study in Singapore can apply to junior colleges, polytechnics, or universities. They should have the following qualifications for admission to undergraduate and postgraduate programs.

Program Level	Requirements
Undergraduate level	Student must have completed or will be completing high school and have 12 years of general education; must have the required level of English language proficiency (if required)
Postgraduate level	Students must have an internationally recognised bachelor’s degree and proof of language proficiency if required

The steps to apply to institutes for higher education are listed below:

Research the institutes and programs you want to study in Singapore or talk to expert international education consultants.
Check academic, language-related and other eligibility requirements.
Apply to multiple institutes to improve your chances of admission.

Conclusion

The education system of Singapore, like its many other systems, is a model of excellence. It is designed for holistic development and to instil vigour of lifelong learning in individuals. The system’s adaptability and progressive initiatives keep it at the forefront of educational excellence, which also prepares graduates to thrive in the global professional world. For admission to polytechnics, junior colleges and universities, students have to meet the academic, language and other eligibility requirements. For more information on institutes, programs and admission procedures, connect with study abroad consultants at Canam.

FAQ

Is education free for international students in Singapore?

Tertiary or post-secondary education may be fully funded or may come with scholarships at universities and institutes in Singapore which can make it cost lesser than the normal fee. However, getting enrolled in a fully funded program or getting a scholarship is based on factors like academic credentials or co-curricular achievements.

What makes the education system of Singapore good?

The system’s strength is that it is geared towards holistic education at all levels. It emphasizes technical skills, knowledge and innovation as much as it holds soft skills, artistic skills, music and sports important. This helps individuals develop a variety of abilities to grow as individuals and professionals.

What are the advantages of studying in Singapore?

Studying in the Lion City (Singapore) has the following benefits:

Academic excellence
Industry connections with Institutes
Cultural diversity
Safety of students

Which type of institutes can international students study in Singapore?

International students can enroll in institutes for programs at all levels. The most preferred ones among students are junior colleges, polytechnics, technical training institutes, arts institutes and universities.

Which programs do international students prefer to study in Singapore?

International students prefer to study technical programs, management programs, programs in sustainability and energy, finance, and public policy among many others in Singapore.

What is the cost to study in Singapore?

Depending on the level of education and institute, the cost of studying in Singapore may range between S$10,000 to S$50,000.

What is the medium of instruction in institutes in Singapore?

Programs at institutes in Singapore are mostly delivered in English.

Get great articles direct to your inbox

The latest news, articles, and resources, sent straight to your inbox every month.

Popular Universities to Study Abroad

World class education waiting for you.

Jessup University - Rocklin Campus

California, USA • 28 Programmes

Tuition Fee : USD 36000-36500 / year

Sprott Shaw College - Vancouver Pender College Campus

British Columbia, Canada • 19 Programmes

Tuition Fee : CAD 10000-38000 / year

Education Centre of Australia (ECA) Group - University of Tasmania - Melbourne Study Centre

Victoria, Australia • 9 Programmes

Tuition Fee : AUD 34000-34500 / year

Loughborough University

England, UK • 205 Programmes

Tuition Fee : GBP 20000-26000 / year

Mohawk College - Fennell Campus

Ontario, Canada • 153 Programmes

Tuition Fee : CAD 16500-26000 / year

Trent University - Durham GTA Campus

Ontario, Canada • 108 Programmes

Tuition Fee : CAD 28500-29500 / year

Global Higher Education

South Australia, Australia • 2 Programmes

Tuition Fee : AUD 0-0 / year

Hermes Colleges Network - Aviron Quebec Technical College

Quebec, Canada • 4 Programmes

Tuition Fee : CAD 0-0 / year

View All Universities

Latest at CANAM

Events, webinar, college / university visits and more.

Canadian Universities & Colleges Admissions Fair & Workshop - Virtual

Study in Canada

11:00AM

Virtual Event

Canadian Universities & Colleges Admissions Fair & Workshop - Virtual

Study in Canada

11:00AM

Virtual Event

Study Abroad Application Fair

Study in Canada, UK, USA, Australia, New Zealand, Germany, Ireland, France

New Delhi • 11:00AM

In-Person Event

Top countries destinations

Popular university and colleges for Studying abroad.

Bond University Queensland
Central Queensland University - Rockhampton, North Campus Queensland
Charles Sturt University - Wagga Wagga Campus New South Wales
Deakin University - Geelong Waurn Ponds Campus Victoria
Engineering Institute of Technology - Perth campus Western Australia
Griffith University - Nathan Campus Queensland
La Trobe University - Bendigo Campus Victoria
LCI Melbourne - Art & Design School Victoria

Ara Institute of Canterbury - City Campus Southland
Aspire 2 International - Auckland Campus Auckland
Auckland University of Technology - City Campus Auckland
Eastern Institute of Technology - Hawke Bay Campus Hawke's Bay
Manukau Institute of Technology -Manukau Campus Auckland
Massey University - Auckland Campus Auckland
Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology (NMIT) - Nelson Campus Southland
New Zealand Institute of Business & Technology (NZIBT) Auckland
The University of Waikato - Hamilton Campus Hamilton

Kent state university Ohio
San Jose State University California
Wright State University Ohio
Clark University Massachusetts
Rowan University New Jersey
Arkansas State University Arkansas
University of Wisconsin Milwaukee Wisconsin
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Illinois
University of Findlay Ohio

Popular English Language Proficiency Exams

Blogs and Articles

Curated content to keep you updated on the latest education trends, news and more.

ACT vs. SAT: Which One to Choose?

Many colleges and universities require students to submit scores from the SAT or ACT- both recognized standardized exams as part of the admission proc...

Updated on • Apr 12,2025 05:40 PM IST • Study Abroad

Five Types of IELTS Essays

Love giving opinions? Welcome to IELTS writing task 2. In this task, you get different types of essays, one of which is an opinion essay. There are fi...

Updated on • Apr 11,2025 05:53 PM IST • IELTS

Backlog Certificate: A Complete Guide

What is a backlog?In an academic context, a "backlog" refers to a course or subject that a student did not pass on their first attempt during their re...

Updated on • Apr 11,2025 01:47 PM IST • Study Abroad Guidance

PTE Score Chart 2025: PTE Exam Scoring System & Calculation

Most international institutions demand proof of strong English skills, making language proficiency tests a necessity to pursue higher education. While...

Updated on • Apr 09,2025 05:37 PM IST • PTE

Master's in Computer Science in the USA

Silicon Valley in the United States of America has been the global mecca of technology and invention. Every significant technological advancement has ...

Updated on • Apr 08,2025 05:59 PM IST • USA

MBA is one of the most sought-after courses worldwide and consistently tops the list of preferred study abroad courses for Indian students. Now, wheth...

Updated on • Apr 08,2025 04:47 PM IST • Study Abroad

Describe Your Hometown IELTS Speaking Part 1 Topic

The IELTS Speaking part 1 topic ‘Describe your Hometown’ is one of the most often asked and easiest topics to answer in an IELTS test. In this top...

Updated on • Apr 07,2025 05:50 PM IST • IELTS

How to Get a Job in USA in 2025

USA is not just a great destination for studying abroad, but also for pursuing a full-time job. That’s why the internet is filled with queries like ...

Updated on • Apr 07,2025 03:19 PM IST • USA

Highest Paying Jobs in the World

With super-advanced technologies like AI entering every field, the assumptions are high that the job roles that exist today won't exist after some yea...

Updated on • Apr 01,2025 05:31 PM IST • Study Abroad

Student Life in Ireland in 2025

“World-Class Standards, Warmest of Welcomes”. The tagline highlights the ideal balance of a high-quality education and a tremendous, hospitable cu...

Updated on • Mar 29,2025 05:50 PM IST • Ireland

Top Public Universities in Germany

It’s a notion that studying abroad is expensive, but there is one country that is breaking this notion. Germany, also known as the land of ideas, of...

Updated on • Mar 26,2025 04:33 PM IST • Germany

Top Universities for Masters in Ireland in 2025

Learning never stops. Humans learn till their last breath. After completing your bachelor’s degree, you might be considering pursuing a master’s d...

Updated on • Mar 25,2025 04:36 PM IST • Ireland

Cost of Living in Singapore for Indian Students in 2025

Once a poor island nation, Singapore now has become one of the wealthiest countries in the world. Also known as Lion City, Singapore is becoming an in...

Updated on • Mar 22,2025 11:57 AM IST • Singapore

PTE vs IELTS : Know the Difference and Which is Easier?

An English proficiency test is required to study in countries such as Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the US, the UK, and others. PTE and IELTS are th...

Updated on • Mar 21,2025 03:38 PM IST • IELTS

IELTS Score for Germany 2025

Germany is an emerging study-abroad destination for international students seeking affordable, high-quality education. Its other benefits include a wi...

Updated on • Mar 20,2025 10:19 AM IST • Germany

IELTS Score for Ireland 2025

Ireland is one of the top study-abroad destinations targeted by international students. The country is ranked 2nd in the Global Peace Index 2024, has ...

Updated on • Mar 12,2025 11:20 AM IST • Ireland

Master's in Robotics in USA

Technology keeps improving daily and leads to new inventions. One such invention is robotics, which is making human life easier. The USA, being a top ...

Updated on • Mar 11,2025 01:18 PM IST • USA

Best Countries to Study Abroad for Indian Students in 2025

Looking for the best countries to study abroad in 2025? Studying abroad can be an endeavour for Indian students to upgrade their skill set towards bet...

Updated on • Mar 08,2025 01:24 PM IST • Study Abroad

Nursing Courses in UK

Do you want to pursue a nursing course in the United Kingdom? The UK has been at the forefront of professional nursing ever since it has been consider...

Updated on • Mar 05,2025 12:19 PM IST • UK

Fastest Growing Job Sectors in Germany in 2025

Thousands of job opportunities in Germany are waiting for Indians. Fill them before someone else grabs these. But how? Do you know which sector these ...

Updated on • Feb 28,2025 04:04 PM IST • Germany

Education System in Singapore

Table of Contents

How is the Education System in Singapore?

What is the Level of Education in Singapore?

Post-Secondary Education in Singapore

List of Top Universities in Singapore

Benefits of Education System in Singapore

How to Study in Singapore?

Conclusion

FAQ

Events, webinar, college / university visits and more.

Popular university and colleges for Studying abroad.

Bond University Queensland

Central Queensland University - Rockhampton, North Campus Queensland

Charles Sturt University - Wagga Wagga Campus New South Wales

Deakin University - Geelong Waurn Ponds Campus Victoria

Engineering Institute of Technology - Perth campus Western Australia

Griffith University - Nathan Campus Queensland

La Trobe University - Bendigo Campus Victoria

LCI Melbourne - Art & Design School Victoria

University Canada West British Columbia

University of Windsor Ontario

Dalhousie University Nova Scotia

Carleton University Ontario

Cape Breton University Nova Scotia

University of ottawa Ontario

University of saskatchewan Saskatchewan

University of regina Saskatchewan

University of guelph Ontario

Ara Institute of Canterbury - City Campus Southland

Aspire 2 International - Auckland Campus Auckland

Auckland University of Technology - City Campus Auckland

Eastern Institute of Technology - Hawke Bay Campus Hawke's Bay

Manukau Institute of Technology -Manukau Campus Auckland

Massey University - Auckland Campus Auckland

Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology (NMIT) - Nelson Campus Southland

New Zealand Institute of Business & Technology (NZIBT) Auckland

The University of Waikato - Hamilton Campus Hamilton

University of Warwick England

De Montfort University England

University of West London England

University of Strathclyde Scotland

Aston University England

University of Bath England

University of Liverpool England

Durham University England

Newcastle University England

Kent state university Ohio

San Jose State University California

Wright State University Ohio

Clark University Massachusetts

Rowan University New Jersey

Arkansas State University Arkansas

University of Wisconsin Milwaukee Wisconsin

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Illinois

University of Findlay Ohio

Popular English Language Proficiency Exams