Singapore is a highly developed country located on the Asian continent. This country is known for being a global financial power and one of the most heavily populated countries in the world. Singapore’s universities offer top-quality courses that promote creativity, entrepreneurship, and innovation through advanced educational materials, technology, and research facilities.
Singapore welcomes over 86,000 international students from 120 different countries each year. The higher education system in this country focuses on the education of the next generation and their development into the next generation of world leaders.
In Singapore, a master’s degree is normally a two-year program that includes both research and taught coursework. Most of Singapore’s best universities accept students interested in pursuing a master’s degree on two different deadlines: August and January. Studying for a master’s degree in Singapore costs roughly 35,000–45,000 SGD for an international student.
Master’s Degree Admission Requirements
Application requirements for master’s studies in Singapore are stricter than in other countries. Since the number of international applicants in this country is very high, you can expect the students accepted for a master’s degree to be at the top of the crop. A primary requirement for every university in Singapore is eligibility for a bachelor’s degree, which should be from an accredited university and accepted as an official educational degree. The bachelor’s degree should correspond with the chosen master’s degree field, or it should be in a similar program.
If the degree that is presented is recognized by the university, the students have to take an examination that will reflect their skills and knowledge. Students need to provide test scores of over 650 for the GMAT and GRE tests. These tests are only required by public universities in Singapore. Private universities do not require these types of tests.
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Language Proficiency Tests Needed for Master’s Studies
Singapore is a very diverse and culturally rich country. In regards to language and identity, this country is known for multilingualism. There are four official languages in Singapore, and the main traditional language is known as the Malay language. The other official languages are English, Chinese, and Tamil. Even though there are four official languages in this country, the main language used in the education system is English.
English is an important language in Singapore, and those who want to study in master’s programs at Singaporean universities need to have near-native speaking abilities. The accepted international tests regarding the English language are the TOEFL and IELTS, and the range of cutoff scores differs by different universities.
Some of the most famous universities in the country have very strict language requirements. The National University of Singapore (NUS) has language requirements that are a minimum score of 6.0 on the IELTS test and 94 on the TOEFL test. The Nanyang Technological University (NTU) requires a minimum score of 6.5 on the IELTS test and 100 on the TOEFL test. Language requirements may differ between universities and the programs they offer, but it is evident that English is important in the education system.
Master’s Degree Application Process
The admission criteria to be a postgraduate student in Singapore are very high, but the application process is not that difficult. The application process may change based on the university and the field that is chosen for master’s degree studies. If the field of study is regarding technology or language development, the criteria for language requirements may be higher than normal.
Step 1. Fill Out an Application Form on the University’s Official Website
Every private and public university in Singapore has an official website designated for information regarding the programs that they offer and the application system. The information that is presented on the website may be vast and unique to the direction that the student is applying. The application requires personal information regarding the student’s previous education and also personal information. The list of documents for the application process is very precise and unique. The Singapore University of Social Science requires academic certificates and transcripts regarding your previous education level. It also requires a portfolio showcasing non-academic achievements such as work experience and referral letters.
Step 2. Prepare for University Admission By Taking the GMAT/GRE
The universities in Singapore have a unique criterion when it comes to the application process. Most students who apply to one of the public universities in the country are required to take a GMAT or GRE test to show their skills and knowledge. This type of test is available online or physically, and it is a key point in the admission system in Singapore.
The score that is achieved on one of these tests can be a crucial part of deciding if a student will be accepted into a university. Private universities such as the Management Development Institute of Singapore do not require this type of assessment; they only require international tests that prove your language skills.
Step 3. Apply for a Student Residence Visa
The Singapore Immigration & Checkpoints Authority requires all international students with an admission offer from one of the universities in Singapore to have a valid Student Pass. It typically takes 2-3 weeks for the documentation to be processed and the Singapore student visa to be approved. The following documents are required to obtain a student pass: a Student Visa Application Form together with a personal passport, followed by a transcript of your grades, and a visa application fee. The basic costs involved with the process are the cost of the processing fee, which is around 30 SGD, and the insurance fee, which is 60 SGD.
Singapore is one of the best countries for students who want to explore culture and business. It is a technological superpower that is focused on development and technological advancement. Those who choose to study their postgraduate education in Singapore achieve great success in their educational path by observing practical systems that are successful.
We hope this article on how to study Master’s in Singapore is helpful! To know more information like this, check out the Available Programs for International Students and Singapore Study Guide sections!