Over the last few years, Singapore has evolved from its traditional British-based education system to one that is suited to the demands of the world today and the personal grooming of the students into citizens of the world ready to be on the working market. A major advantage of the Singapore education system rests in its bilingual policy and its broad-based curriculum enables future entrepreneurs to be creative in order to be assets to their economy.
Being in the heart of Asia, Singapore is the perfect spot to enable students to explore other countries in the Southeast Asia region. In addition, Singapore is known for its great shopping and dining attractions as well as activities.
Currently, international students account for around 18% of all students in Singapore. Another important fact for all prospective international students is that the official language of instruction in Singapore is English. At the same time, the nation is officially bilingual as English is combined with one of 3 mother tongues (Mandarin, Malay and Tamil). This is a great opportunity for international students to study in English but to also experience a new language and culture while studying abroad.
Typical costs in Singapore :
- Accommodation, halls of residence: S$155–S$800
- Accommodation, private hostel: S$750
- Accommodation, room in public housing: S$300–S$600
- Accommodation, whole unit in public housing: S$1000–S$2000
- Accommodation, room in private housing: S$800–S$1,200
- Accommodation, whole unit in private housing: from $1,000
- Food, street food: S$4 and upwards
- Fast food meal (e.g. McDonalds): S$7
- Coffee (e.g. Starbucks): S$6–S$7
- Average restaurant, per person: S$20–S$40
- Books and stationery: S$100 to S$200
- Transport, concession travel on public buses: $52
- Transport, concession travel on public trains: $45
- Transport, concession travel on public buses and trains: $97
- Cinema: S$10.00 a ticket
- Beer (640ml bottle): S$5.50
- Bottle of good quality red wine: S$34
- Cigarettes: S$11.60 for a packet of 20
- Haircut, men: S$29
- Toothpaste: S$3.23
Once accepted by a university, applicants must apply within two weeks to the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) for a Student’s Pass (S$90). The application is processed online at this address click here
- Successful applicants will be issued with an in-principle approval (IPA) letter. Applicants need not apply for a separate visa as it is incorporated in the IPA letter, which can be used at entry checkpoints.
- On arrival in Singapore, complete formalities on production of a range of documents including passport, disembarkation/embarkation card, and a medical report in the prescribed format (available on ICA’s website).
- Singapore’s universities have demanding entry standards and are unlikely to accept anyone without good English. For applicants whose mother tongue is not English, the individual universities will set their required IELTS/TOEFL scores. Do not expect to be admitted without high scores.
Mauritian Consulate in Singapore
00 Orchard Street, #09-03 Orchard Towers, Singapore, 238 875
Telephone: (65) 6734 2412 | (65) 9638 2576