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Study in Singapore for Indian Students: Courses, Costs, Eligibility & Career Opportunities

September 15, 2026 · By InterAsia Careers

Study in Singapore for Indian Students: Courses, Costs, Eligibility & Career Opportunities

Study in Singapore for Indian Students: Courses, Costs, Eligibility and Career Opportunities 


Singapore has always been a popular study destination for Indian students, providing high quality education, proximity to India, English medium of instruction and great employment prospects. In this guide we will help you understand all you need to know about the various courses on offer, their costs, eligibility criteria and the career opportunities you would have after completing them. 


What are the Types of Institutions in Singapore?

There are 2 types of institutions in Singapore for international students:

  1. IHLs or Institutes of Higher Learning- These are the 6 universities of Singapore, namely NUS, NTU, SMU, SUTD, SIT & SISS and the polytechnics which offer practical education in the form of diplomas.
  2. PEIs or Private Education Institutions- As the name suggests these are private institutions offering degrees and diplomas often partnering with foreign universities and awarding degrees from those universities. 


What is EduTrust Certification?


The Skills & Workforce Development Agency (SWDA) of Singapore awards EduTrust certification to Private Education Institutes (PEIs) in Singapore. It is a scheme to ensure a high standard of education and good outcomes after graduation. It ensures that the PEI provides Student Protection and Support Services such as Fees Protection & Refund and Medical Insurance. 

Therefore, an international student must always check whether a PEI is EduTrust certified before applying.



What are the popular Courses in Singapore for Indian Students?


From Diplomas to Bachelor’s, master’s, MBAs and PG diplomas Singapore has a wide variety of courses at every level. The following are the popular fields and courses that Indian students choose to study in Singapore.


Business & ManagementDiploma in Business Management

BBA

BSc in International Business

MSc in Marketing

Postgraduate Diploma in Management

MBA
Banking, Finance & AccountingDiploma in Accounting and Finance

BSc in Banking and Finance

BSc in Accounting

MSc in Finance

MSc in Fintech
Computer Science, IT & DataDiploma in Information Technology

BSc in Computer Science

BSc in Cybersecurity

MSc in Data Science / Business Analytics

MSc in Artificial Intelligence
EngineeringDiploma in Mechanical Engineering

Diploma in Electrical Engineering

BEng in Mechanical Engineering

BEng in Electrical and Electronic Engineering

BEng in Civil Engineering

BEng in Chemical Engineering

MSc in Engineering Management
Healthcare & NursingDiploma in Healthcare Management

Bachelor of Nursing

BSc in Biomedical Science

MSc in Public Health
Hospitality & TourismDiploma in Hospitality and Tourism Management

Higher Diploma in Hospitality and Tourism Management

Diploma in Culinary Arts

Diploma in Events Management

BA (Hons) in Hospitality Management (Top-up)
Design & Creative ArtsDiploma in Graphic Design

BA in Animation

BA in Digital Media / Interactive Design

BA in Fashion Design
Logistics & Supply ChainDiploma in Logistics and Supply Chain Management

BSc in Supply Chain Management

MSc in Logistics and Supply Chain Management



What is the Cost of Studying in Singapore?



Level of StudyTuition Fees per Year (International Students)Approx. in INR (1 SGD ≈ ₹75)
Diploma / Higher Diploma (Private)SGD 6,000–SGD 24,000₹4,50,000–₹18,00,000
Bachelor's Degree (Public University, with MOE Tuition Grant)SGD 21,400–SGD 21,800₹16,05,000–₹16,35,000
Bachelor's Degree (Public University, without Tuition Grant)SGD 36,350–SGD 45,600₹27,26,250–₹34,20,000
Bachelor's Degree (Private)SGD 10,000–SGD 35,500₹7,50,000–₹26,62,500
Graduate / Postgraduate DiplomaSGD 25,000–SGD 31,500₹18,75,000–₹23,62,500
Master's Degree / MBASGD 43,000–SGD 52,500₹32,25,000–₹39,37,500


Depending on the duration, the course and the institution fees can vary a lot. International students can apply for the MOE grant which can lower the tuition fees by a lot if they are applying for public universities or polytechnics. There is a condition attached to the MOE grant which is that the student must work in Singapore for 3 years after the completion of their course.



What is the Cost of Living in Singapore?



ExpenseMonthly Cost (SGD)Approx. in INR (1 SGD ≈ ₹75)
On-campus housing (subject to availability)SGD 900–SGD 1,800₹67,500–₹1,35,000
Room in a public housing (HDB) flatSGD 700–SGD 1,000₹52,500–₹75,000
Room in a private apartmentSGD 1,000–SGD 2,000₹75,000–₹1,50,000
FoodSGD 300–SGD 800₹22,500–₹60,000
Transport (buses and trains)SGD 80–SGD 200₹6,000–₹15,000
Mobile phone & internetSGD 98–SGD 280₹7,350–₹21,000
Personal expensesSGD 200–SGD 350₹15,000–₹26,250


Living cost is heavily dependent on your lifestyle. The biggest expense for students is accommodation and sharing a room in a Housing & Development Board flat is often cheaper than private housing or on-campus. Setting aside some money for health insurance and doctor visits is also important. According to NUS, a student is advised to budget around SGD 19,500 a year for living expenses. However, in our experience, students can live a modest lifestyle with much less.



 What are the Eligibility requirements to Study in Singapore?



Level of StudyAcademic RequirementEnglish Requirement
Diploma (Private)Class 12 pass (minimum age usually 17)Pass in English in Class 12, or IELTS 5.5 / equivalent
Bachelor's Degree (Public University)Class 12 with good passes in five subjects, including EnglishUsually not required for CBSE, ISC, and State Board students
Bachelor's Degree (Private)Class 12 passIELTS 6.0 or equivalent
Graduate / Postgraduate DiplomaBachelor's degreeIELTS / TOEFL / PTE score depending on the programme
Master's Degree / MBABachelor's degreeIELTS / TOEFL / PTE score depending on the programme


Each institution sets its own entry requirements and they can vary by programme, checking the institution course page for the latest information is always a good idea. Public university admissions are highly competitive and many programmes may have prerequisites for subjects. For example, CBSE and ISC students don't need SAT for NUS but State Board students do. Programmes such as medicine or law may have even more requirements. 



What are the Career Opportunities in Singapore? 


The vacancies in the job market in Singapore outnumbered unemployed people as of early 2026 and demand is strongest for professionals in a few key segments. 



SectorIn-Demand Roles
Information & CommunicationsSoftware developers, data scientists, IT support
Financial & Insurance ServicesFinancial/investment advisers, financial analysts, risk managers
Professional ServicesAuditors, accountants, consultants
Health & Social ServicesNurses, social workers
ManufacturingEngineers and technical roles
Hospitality & TourismFront office, food & beverage, hotel operations, events


Can you work while studying in Singapore? 

Students studying full-time in MOM’s approved list of institutions can work up to 16 hours a week during studies and full-time during breaks. 

Can you stay on after graduation to look for work?

Students may get a short-term visit pass of up to 89 days after completion of their course. Graduates of Institutes of Higher Learning, which are the public universities and polytechnics, can apply for a long-term visit pass to look for work in Singapore. The pass is one year and non-renewable. 

How to work in Singapore after graduation? 

If you want to work in Singapore after graduating, you need a job offer. Your employer will apply for your Work Pass.



Work PassWho It's ForMinimum Monthly SalaryApprox. in INR (1 SGD ≈ ₹75)
Employment Pass (EP)Professionals, managers, and executivesSGD 5,600 (rising to SGD 6,000 from 1 January 2027)₹4,20,000 (rising to ₹4,50,000 from 1 January 2027)
S PassMid-skilled rolesSGD 3,300 (rising to SGD 3,600 from 1 January 2027)₹2,47,500 (rising to ₹2,70,000 from 1 January 2027)


These are the minimum monthly salaries you need to have to get a Work Pass. Employment Pass (EP) applicants must also pass a points-based assessment known as COMPASS. It is also important to note that simply meeting the minimum salary requirement does not guarantee Work Pass approval. You need good grades, skills that are in-demand and relevant experience from any internships you may have done. 

If you return to India, you will still have a Singapore qualification that strengthens your profile and gives you international exposure making you a well qualified candidate for employers all around the globe.

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