Do you wish you could study in Singapore? Located in maritime Southeast Asia, Singapore is a city-state and island nation formerly known as the Republic of Singapore. With a diverse populace, it possesses the second-highest population density of any nation. Due to its high worldwide ranking and world-class education, Singapore has drawn students from all over the world throughout the years.
In addition to quality education, foreign students will feel at ease interacting in English, as it is considered one of the four official languages in Singapore. In most government departments and academic sectors, English is the only language used, making it the de facto lingua franca.
Now, let’s discuss the language requirements needed to be admitted to any Singaporean university.
Language Proficiency Tests Needed in Singapore
International students do not need to take certification exams in any of the foreign languages to prove their language abilities. Only an English language test would be needed to prove your proficiency. However, if you are applying for a course in a different language, you may need to show your language proficiency by submitting accurate documents to get admitted.
English Language Tests for International Students
The English language test requirements will vary throughout Singaporean universities because each one has its own admissions procedures and standards. Here’s a list of English language competence tests accepted in Singaporean universities.
1. IELTS – International English Language Testing System
If you are an international applicant, you might be familiar with IELTS. This exam is one of the most accepted English language proficiency tests in many educational institutions in Singapore. The Singapore Institute of Technology, Singapore Management University, Singapore University of Social Sciences, and numerous more prestigious universities all highly recognize IELTS scores.
You will have a higher chance of getting admitted to a Singaporean university if you score highly on the IELTS, an assessment tool that measures reading, writing, speaking, and listening comprehension. In Singapore, a score of 6.0 is the minimum score required to be eligible for most universities. But if you are aiming to study at a top-ranked university, you need to at least have a 7.0 or 7.5 IELTS band score. For instance, international applicants to Singapore Management University, one of the best institutes in the world, require applicants to have a minimum score of 7.5.
2. TOEFL – Test of English as a Foreign Language
TOEFL is another well-known English proficiency exam accepted in Singapore. One of Singapore’s best educational institutions, Nanyang Technological University, requires international students to have a TOEFL iBT score of 90 to be eligible for admission. International applicants who did not take the IELTS or who scored lower than 6.0 can submit their TOEFL score instead, provided that the minimum score of 90 is met.
3. DET – Duolingo English Test
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Duolingo English Test gained popularity and it has since been widely accepted as one of the exams to prove English competence. Few institutions accept Duolingo, though it hasn’t been as extensively accepted as other internationally recognized assessments in recent years. To find out if the university of your choice accepts DET or not, check the entry requirements to know if you can submit a DET score in replacement of other standardized tests.
Singaporean universities welcome thousands of international students every year. This is because a lot of its degree courses are taught in English. If you are searching for universities with English-track programs then Singapore would be your best option! The country boasts of having world-renowned schools and a diverse student community!
We hope this article has provided the information you are looking for. If you want to know more about studying abroad, our Study in Singapore and Available Programs sections provide valuable tips, insightful articles, and courses you can enroll in.
