In recent years, Singapore has stood out internationally for its education system. This applies not only to universities but also to students in primary, secondary, and pre-university education.
In the 2022 Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), Singapore students performed strongly in mathematics, reading, and science, including leading the global league table in mathematics.
By studying here, you’ll have access to many learning and employment opportunities. There are many educational institutions in Singapore that offer various programs for undergraduate and graduate degrees. Singapore also has international branch campuses and private education institutions offering overseas degrees.
As Singapore provides high-quality education, studying here can be expensive compared with some other Asian countries. However, eligible students may receive subsidies through schemes such as the Ministry of Education Tuition Grant. International students who take the Tuition Grant must usually commit to working full-time for a Singapore entity for three years after graduation.
In this article, let’s look at some relatively affordable universities and university campuses in the country. We listed the latest available international tuition fees along with their official fee links. Some schools publish annual tuition, while others publish total program fees, so check the linked fee pages before applying.
Affordable Schools in Singapore for International Students
1. National University of Singapore
The National University of Singapore (NUS) traces its history to 1905, making it Singapore’s oldest higher education institution. It is also Singapore’s flagship university and one of the country’s leading universities.
NUS is divided into different schools, colleges, and faculties. These include business, computing, dentistry, design and engineering, law, medicine, music, public health, public policy, science, humanities and social sciences, and interdisciplinary programs. NUS also has major collaborations and institutes, including Duke-NUS Medical School and the Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology.
NUS offers several types of campus accommodation, including halls of residence, houses, residential colleges, and student residences.
2. Nanyang Technological University
For many years, Singapore had one main university before the Nanyang Technological Institute, NTU’s predecessor, was set up in 1981. Nanyang Technological University (NTU) was inaugurated in 1991. Today, it is one of Singapore’s two largest public universities, with about 33,000 students.
NTU is divided into several colleges, schools, and research institutes. Its academic areas include engineering, business, science, medicine, humanities, arts and social sciences, and education. This relatively affordable university in Singapore also has student residences across its campus.
To learn how to apply and the documents you must submit, visit their admissions page. You can also read their student prospectus and FAQ section.
3. Singapore Management University
- Admissions | Tuition Fees
- Tuition Fees: from S$25,150/year (undergraduate, with Tuition Grant) | from S$25,850/year (graduate research, for eligible subsidized programs)
Established in 2000, Singapore Management University (SMU) is a specialized university with more than 13,000 students.
SMU consists of two colleges and six schools: accountancy, business, economics, computing and information systems, law, and social sciences. The university is known for interactive, collaborative, and project-based learning.
SMU is known for focusing on employability. It has career services and internship support to help students gain work experience. If you’d like to pursue a degree in management or a related field, visit their admissions section. There, you can check the FAQ page, download their prospectus and brochures, and learn more about the SMU experience.
4. Singapore University of Technology and Design
The Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD) was established in 2009 and is a specialized institution. It offers programs across architecture and sustainable design, engineering product development, engineering systems and design, information systems technology and design, design and artificial intelligence, humanities, arts and social sciences, and science, mathematics and technology.
This relatively affordable university in Singapore was established in collaboration with MIT. It also has several innovative research and design centers.
Visit their admissions section for international students to learn how to study at SUTD. They offer student residences and scholarships in case you need financial aid. You can also email, call, or chat with them online to learn more.
5. Singapore University of Social Sciences
The Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS) became an autonomous university in 2017. It now has more than 19,000 students and offers more than 110 undergraduate and graduate programs.
This university focuses on applied education and serves both fresh school leavers and adult learners. It offers flexible learning pathways and has partnerships and articulation arrangements with other institutions.
SUSS has six schools covering business, humanities and behavioral sciences, law, science and technology, human development, and interdisciplinary areas. These schools offer part-time and full-time programs. SUSS is especially known for flexible study options.
Explore their website and read all the information carefully to learn how to apply and the specific requirements for international students. Depending on the program, the admissions process may include interviews, group discussions, and writing assessments.
6. Singapore Institute of Technology
- Admissions | Tuition Fees | Scholarships
- Tuition Fees: from about S$21,600/year (undergraduate, based on S$64,746 total for selected 180-credit programs) | from about S$17,900/year (graduate, based on S$35,738 over two years for a selected master’s program)
The Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT) is an autonomous university focused on applied learning. Its degree programs emphasize industry relevance, work experience, and the development of skills for today’s job market.
SIT offers programs through academic clusters such as business, communication and design; engineering; food, chemical and biotechnology; health and social sciences; and infocomm technology.
7. James Cook University Singapore
- Admissions | Tuition Fees
- Tuition Fees: from S$68,800.80 total (undergraduate) | from S$42,379.20 total (graduate)
James Cook University Singapore (JCU Singapore) was established in 2003 as the Singapore campus of James Cook University, which is based in Australia. Its programs and degrees are administered and awarded by James Cook University.
JCU Singapore offers undergraduate degree programs, courses, and higher education diplomas in areas such as business, information technology, psychology, education, science, commerce, accounting, aquaculture, environmental science, cybersecurity, economics, tourism, and hospitality. JCU Singapore does not own student accommodation, but it provides accommodation information and assistance through off-campus providers.
Singapore is one of the more expensive Asian countries for studying and living. However, you can still pursue higher education there without having to break the bank if you compare tuition fees carefully, consider subsidized programs, and apply for scholarships.
We hope that this article on cheap universities in Singapore was helpful. If you are interested in studying abroad, check out the Available Programs for International Students and the Singapore Study Guide!
