For bold and driven students, Singapore offers many reasons to love this small island nation. From its clean and green atmosphere to its well-planned infrastructure, it is no wonder that it is an attractive country for international students. It is home to higher education institutions recognized internationally, and English is widely used in higher education, which can make communication easier for international students.
If you wish to study nursing in Singapore, you can expect several universities, polytechnics, and colleges to offer nursing programs at the diploma or degree level. To learn more, this article discusses how to study nursing in Singapore, including the steps and requirements needed.
Steps on How to Apply for a Nursing Program in Singapore
Step 1. Know the Prerequisites of Nurses in Singapore
If you are interested in studying nursing in Singapore, you have a few ways to earn a nursing education. Depending on your background and goals, you can study through a nursing diploma or a nursing degree. A full-time pre-registration Diploma in Nursing usually takes about three years, although accelerated routes may be available for eligible mid-career applicants. A diploma may be a faster, practical route than a full university degree, but career progression may be broader with a nursing degree.
A nursing degree is an academic qualification awarded by a university and typically takes three years, with an additional Honours year for eligible students in some programs. With a more comprehensive education, you can have better work opportunities and may expect a higher salary in return with a nursing degree. Before choosing a program, it is important to consider your financial capacity and career plans so you can choose the most applicable nursing education.
Step 2. Know What Schools Are Offering Nursing
For a nursing diploma, Parkway College and Ngee Ann Polytechnic offer full-time three-year nursing diplomas. At Parkway College, students study behavioral, biological, and nursing sciences through lectures, tutorials, case-study discussions, assignments, practical sessions, self-directed learning, e-learning, and clinical practice. Ngee Ann Polytechnic offers core nursing training with hands-on practice, clinical training, industry postings, and electives such as Digital Health, Evidence-based Nursing, and Patient Management in Chronic Diseases. Healthcare employer sponsorships may be available, but they are subject to eligibility requirements and bond conditions rather than guaranteed by the school.
If you want to study nursing more deeply in Singapore, you can take a three-year Bachelor of Science (Nursing) from the National University of Singapore (NUS). Students who perform well and meet the required GPA may apply to proceed to the Honours year. After completing the program, graduates can apply to register with the Singapore Nursing Board to practice as registered nurses. For further education, NUS also offers master’s and graduate programs, as well as a part-time Bachelor of Science (Nursing Practice) for registered nurses who are diploma graduates and want to advance their careers.
Step 3. Choose Some Nursing Schools that You Want to Attend
Before you choose a nursing school, think about your wants and needs to help you decide. Studying nursing in Singapore is more than just earning a diploma or degree. You will be spending several years at the institution, which will affect many aspects of your student life. You will make friends, participate in extracurricular activities, and, most importantly, enhance your learning ability.
First and foremost, make a shortlist of possible schools you can attend in Singapore. Choosing a nursing school will depend on your criteria, including your desired location, type of institution, school size, school ranking, tuition fee, and more. To help you choose, you can make a pros and cons list to see which school is the most suitable option for you.
Since you can earn either a diploma or degree, you should first consider your end goal and career plans. The most suitable nursing school should help you reach your career goals and prepare for future employment through its nursing curriculum, clinical training, and hospital or institutional connections.
Step 4. Become Proficient in English
The main language of instruction at many Singapore universities is English. Among the requirements for studying nursing in Singapore, you may need to show enough English language proficiency to attend the program, depending on your qualifications and the institution.
To prepare for an IELTS examination, you can attend IELTS review centers that will help you improve your English abilities in speaking, listening, writing, and reading. When you feel ready to take the examination, you can make a schedule with the testing center in your country and take the examination. Do not take the examination too far in advance because many schools only accept English test results within a set validity period. For example, NUS accepts IELTS Academic and TOEFL scores only within a two-year validity period leading up to the application deadline.
Step 5. Prepare to Meet the Cost of Studying Nursing in Singapore
When making your wants and needs list, you should also consider the cost of studying nursing in Singapore and how you can prepare for it. The cost of tuition for a nursing degree is generally higher than for a nursing diploma. If the cost is the least of your concerns, you can pursue a nursing degree at NUS.
For new students admitted in AY2026/2027, the cost of tuition for the NUS Medicine (Nursing) program is SGD 19,800 per year for ASEAN international students receiving the MOE Tuition Grant and SGD 22,500 per year for other international students receiving the MOE Tuition Grant. The non-subsidized fee is SGD 38,750 per year. International students who accept the MOE Tuition Grant generally have to work for a Singapore entity for three years after graduation. If you wish to pursue a nursing diploma, Ngee Ann Polytechnic lists the AY2026 annual fee payable for the full-time Diploma in Nursing under the Tuition Grant as SGD 12,526.40 for ASEAN international students and SGD 13,726.40 for other international students, inclusive of other fees and GST. Fees are reviewed annually, so always check the official fees pages before applying.
Step 6. Submit Your Application
Once you have listed the schools where you want to study nursing in Singapore, organize your application requirements and start as early as possible. Make sure to follow the school’s deadline and fill out the application form well before the deadline. In all forms and documents you submit, you should be consistent with information such as your name, school history, and other personal details.
Moreover, always proofread your documents because small errors may affect your application. You can ask a friend or family member to double-check them for you since a fresh pair of eyes can easily spot mistakes.
Most nursing schools receive applications through the school’s website or an online admissions portal. If you have to submit documents by mail, always make sure to keep extra copies. The documents required by the nursing school should be prepared in advance. You can make a checklist of the documents you need so you do not miss anything.
For instance, NUS nursing applicants must apply through the NUS Office of Admissions and meet the requirements for their applicant group. Nursing applicants should be ready to provide academic transcripts or result slips, identification documents, English language or other test scores if required, and any health-related documents requested by the university. Admission to the NUS nursing program is also subject to Ministry of Health health requirements, Singapore Nursing Board fitness-to-practice requirements, and a possible interview. Additional score reports may include IELTS, TOEFL, SAT, ACT, AP, or other qualifications, depending on your admissions category.
Step 7. Apply to Nursing Schools in Singapore
When you are all set, you can start the application process by submitting your application form. Generally, you submit all necessary documents to the nursing school and wait for an offer letter if you get accepted. For example, the application process at NUS generally requires applicants to submit an online application through the Applicant Portal, upload supporting documents, pay the application fee, and check the application status. The current NUS undergraduate application fee is SGD 10 for most applicants and SGD 20 for international students presenting international qualifications, except for Music applicants.
First, you have to meet all the course prerequisites before starting the application. This is also the step where you can check the tuition fees and other estimated expenses. Next, send your application form along with your supporting documents through the school’s website or admissions portal. Last, wait for an acceptance or rejection letter. At the last step, you may also submit an appeal if the university or school allows it.
Step 8. Apply for a Student Visa in Singapore
When you get an acceptance letter from a nursing school, you can start applying for a student visa. A student visa in Singapore is also known as a Student’s Pass. A foreigner accepted as a full-time matriculated or registered student at an Institute of Higher Learning in Singapore usually needs a Student’s Pass, unless they already hold a valid Dependant’s Pass, Long-Term Visit Pass, or Immigration Exemption Order. Applicants to Institutes of Higher Learning submit their application through the ICA Student’s Pass e-Service at least two months and not more than three months before the course begins. The current non-refundable processing fee is SGD 45. ICA states that processing generally takes within one week, or within two weeks for students who need a visa, although some applications may take longer.
To complete the Student’s Pass application, prepare information and documents such as the registration acknowledgment letter from your school, the biodata page of your travel document, your birth certificate if applicable, personal details, educational background, employment history, financial support details, family information if applicable, your Singapore address and contact details, your email address, and a recent passport-sized digital photograph.
If your application is approved, ICA will issue an in-principle approval letter. After arriving in Singapore, you must complete the required formalities before the Student’s Pass can be issued. The current Student’s Pass issuance fee is SGD 60, and a SGD 30 Multiple Journey Visa fee applies if a visa is required. ICA now issues Student’s Passes digitally.
For more details, visit the Singapore Immigration & Checkpoints Authority website.
FAQs: Enrolling in a Nursing Program in Singapore
Are Nurses in Demand in Singapore?
Yes. As Singapore’s population ages, the Ministry of Health has projected that nurses, allied health professionals, and support care staff will need to grow from about 58,000 to 82,000 by 2030. MOH has also said it needs to recruit about 6,000 nurses, allied health professionals, and support care staff annually to meet this national workforce size. Foreign-trained nurses may work in Singapore if they meet the Singapore Nursing Board’s requirements, but the employing healthcare institution must submit the registration or enrollment application on their behalf. Foreign-trained nurses may also be required to sit for a licensure examination, undergo a competency assessment, or be placed on provisional registration or enrollment.
Singapore offers an opportunity for foreign nurses to nurture their careers in this global finance powerhouse. The steps above are straightforward, and thorough research and preparation will set you up to work as a nurse in one of the best countries worldwide.
From having the appropriate academic credentials to understanding immigration procedures, you are one step away from actualizing your nursing dream. Be sure to check out our website for resources like how you can study in Singapore for Free and explore government of Singapore scholarships to kickstart your dream career.
We hope that this article on studying nursing in Singapore was helpful. Make sure to also check out the Guide to Study in Singapore and Available Programs for International Students!
