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Singapore Education for Foreigner Students

Singapore offers various study pathway for all age group and academic abilities from primary to university education. International students can seek admission in any stage of primary and secondary education (except for final years) and the first year of post-secondary education.

Primary Education

Primary education in Singapore consists of six years of schooling which starts at the age of six. The flexible teaching system allows students to take a mix of standard and foundation subjects based on their strengths.

International students can seek admission to Singapore primary school from primary year one to primary year five. An entrance examination-the Admissions Exercise for International Students (AEIS) takes place for international students who wish to join primary year two onwards.

The primary school leaving examination (PSLE) happens at the end of six years of primary education. As all student need to have sufficient time to prepare PSLE, therefore there is no direct admission to the primary year six is allowed for international students.

Secondary Education

Depending on the student’s strengths, interests and PSLE results, students could be eligible for different pathways to complete secondary education in four to five years. For international students who didn’t attend a primary school-leaving examination, they could take the entrance examination AEIS to join secondary education in year one to year three.

The three pathways of Singapore secondary education are Express, Normal (Academic), Normal (Technical).

The Express pathway has two programmes:

  • Singapore-Cambridge General Certificate of Education Ordinary Level (GCE O-Level ) programme is a 4-year course leading to the GCE O-Level examination.
  • The integrated programme is a 6-year course leading to the Singapore-Cambridge General Certificate of Education Advanced Level (GCE A-Level) examination or International Baccalaureate Diploma or NUS High School Diploma. Students in the Integrated Programme do not need to take the GCE O-Level examination in Secondary 4.

The Normal (Academic) pathway is a 4-year or 5-year course leading to the Singapore-Cambridge General Certificate of Education Normal (Academic) Level (GCE N(A)-Level) examination in Secondary 4. Some students go on to take the GCE O-Level examination in Secondary 5, and progress to junior college, Millennia Institute, Polytechnic or Institute of Technical Education (ITE).

The Normal (Technical) pathway is a 4-year course leading to the Singapore-Cambridge General Certificate of Education Normal (Technical) Level (GCE N(T)-Level) examination in Secondary 4.

No matter which pathways the student is taking, there is no direct admission allowed for international students at the last year of secondary education.

Post-Secondary Education

Post-Secondary education in Singapore takes about two to four years to complete. Different study pathways are available depending on the degrees which international student choose. The eligible International students can seek admission in the first year of all pathways.

The five different post-secondary education pathways are:

  • The junior colleges/millennia institute pathway is a 2-year course leading to GCE A-Level examination / International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma examination. After these examinations student can seek admission to a university or a specialised institute of higher learning, locally or abroad.
  • The polytechnics pathway is a 3-year course and aims to gives student hands-on experience within a dynamic and progressive learning environment. Students will gain a diploma certificate upon graduation, may choose to apply for a place in a university or other institutions of higher learning, such as at the Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT), to further their studies.

List of Singapore Polytechnic

No.Name of the institution
1Nanyang Polytechnic (NYP)
2Ngee Ann Polytechnic (NP)
3Republic Polytechnic (RP)
4Singapore Polytechnic (SP)
5Temasek Polytechnic (TP)
  • The Institute of Technical Education (ITE) pathway is a 2 to 3 years course leading to a Higher National ITE Certificate (Higher Nitec) or a National ITE Certificate (Nitec). This pathway aims to equip its students with the technical skills and knowledge to meet the workforce needs of various industry sectors. Besides to enter the workforce, for those who do well can apply for a place in a polytechnic and further their studies.
  • The Arts Institutions offers a wide range of courses including Certificate, Diploma, Undergraduate and Postgraduate (only in Lasalle). The duration of the course depending on the pathway which student choose on. The two publicly-funded arts institutions in Singapore are LASALLE College of the Arts (LASALLE) and Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA).
  • The Universities pathway offer specialised courses including Undergraduate, Postgraduate and Doctoral Degree. Ph.D across diverse disciplines. The Universities pathway offer specialised courses including Undergraduate, Postgraduate and Doctoral Degree. Ph.D across various disciplines. There are three types of University education available:

List of Singapore Public Universities

List of Singapore Public Universities

No.Name of the University
1National University of Singapore (NUS)
2Nanyang Technological University (NTU)
3Singapore Management University (SMU)
4Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD)
5Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT)
6Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS)

Foreign Universities with Singapore Campus

Foreign Universities with Singapore Campus

Foreign Universities with Singapore Campus
École Supérieure des Sciences Economiques et Commerciales (ESSEC) Asia-Pacific
Institut Européen d'Administration des Affaires (INSEAD)
S P Jain School of Global Management
DigiPen Institute of Technology
German Institute of Science and Technology - TUM Asia
Sorbonne-Assas International Law School

Private Education Institutions Offering Foreign Degree Programmes

Private Education Institutions Offering Foreign Degree Programmes

Private Education Institutions Offering Foreign Degree Programmes
James Cook University SingaporeManagement Development Institute of Singapore
Curtin SingaporeNanyang Institute of Management
Singapore Institute of Management (SIM) Global EducationNgee Ann Academy
Auston Institute of ManagementPSB Academy
DIMENSIONS International CollegeRaffles College of Higher Education
East Asia Institute of Management (EASB)SDH Institute
ERC InstituteSingapore Raffles Music College
Informatics AcademyTMC Academy
Kaplan Higher Education AcademyAMITY Global Institute

The education system in Singapore is flexible and diverse. It provides students with more choice to meet their different interests and ways of learning. Choose Singapore as your overseas study destination, and you will not regret it.


Which study options are available in Singapore for Indian students after 10th?

Study options for Indian students with their Standard 10 examination result are:

1. Direct admission to diploma courses at polytechnics in Singapore. An additional English proficiency test result or admission test will be required to complete the admission application.
2. Direct admission to the preparatory course for Singapore-Cambridge GCE ‘A’ Level at private institutions. This course is an internationally recognised education qualification that leads students to direct university admission locally or internationally.

Which study options are available in Singapore for Indian students after 12th?

Upon completion of Standard 12 (Central and ISC Boards or State and Other Boards), Indian students can use the result to seek direct admission for a bachelor degree in Singapore universities. An ACT or SAT test score might be required to submit together with the application depending on disciplines and also the university you applied.

Which study options are available in Singapore for Chinese students after Zhong Kao (Senior High School Entrance Examination)?

Chinese students can seek direct admission for the preparatory course for Singapore-Cambridge GCE ‘O’ Level at local private institutions. This course is an internationally recognised education qualification that leads students to direct admission for local Junior College or Polytechnics.

Which study options are available in Singapore for Chinese students after Gao Kao (National College Entrance Examination)?

Chinese students can seek direct admission for a bachelor degree in Singapore universities by using their Gao Kao scores. As the English language is not the medium of instruction for your senior higher school studies, an additional English language test result (usually is IELTS or TOEFL) is also required when you submit your application.