International Student Admissions: General Information on Studying in Singapore
Table of Contents [toggle]
- Preparing to Study in Singapore
- Admission to Pre-schools, Private Schools & Post-Secondary Institutions
- Age Criteria for Admission of International Students
- Student’s Pass
- Guardian’s Particulars
- Primary Level Admission
- Exemption from offering Chinese, Malay or Tamil as a Mother Tongue Language
- Monthly School Fees
- Boarding Facilities
- Information on Schools
Preparing to Study in Singapore
International students seeking admission to mainstream schools in Singapore should note that English is the medium of instruction. International students are strongly encouraged to prepare themselves before taking the Admissions Exercise for International Students (AEIS) tests. They should be familiar with the English and Mathematics syllabi of the level preceding the one they are applying for.
International students who are successfully admitted to mainstream schools are strongly encouraged to prepare themselves in advance for a new school environment where English is the language of classroom instruction, and to familiarise themselves with the relevant curriculum for their level. International students who wish to undertake preparatory courses before or at the start of their entry into schools could refer to the Singapore Education website.
Back to TopAdmission to Pre-schools, Private Schools and Post-Secondary Institutions
International students who wish to seek admission to a pre-school, private school or post-secondary institution (e.g. university or polytechnic) should approach the pre-school, private school or institution directly.
Back to TopAge Criteria for Admission of International Students
The Right Age
International students should ensure that they satisfy the age requirements for the levels they are seeking admission to. MOE does not recommend admission to levels where international students will be more than two years older than their classmates.
The following age ranges are for new international students seeking admission and former international students seeking re-admission into schools.
| Level | Permissible Age Range (as at 1st January of Year of Admission) |
|---|---|
| Primary 1 | 6 to 8+ |
| Primary 2 | 7 to 9+ |
| Primary 3 | 8 to 10+ |
| Primary 4 | 9 to 11+ |
| Primary 5 | 10 to 12+ |
| Primary 6 | 11 to 13+ This is a critical level where students sit for the major examinations i.e. Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE) held towards the end of the year*. Schools will normally not admit new IS at this level. |
| Secondary 1 | 12 to 14+ |
| Secondary 2 | 13 to 15+ |
| Secondary 3 | 14 to 16+ |
| Secondary 4 | 15 to 17+ This is a critical level where students sit for the major examinations i.e. the GCE ‘N’ or GCE ‘O’ Level Examinations held towards the end of the year*. Schools will normally not admit new IS at this level. |
| Secondary 5 | 16 to 18+ This is a critical level where students sit for the major examinations i.e. the GCE ‘O’ Level Examination held towards the end of the year*. Schools will normally not admit new IS at this level. |
| Pre-University 1 | 16 - 18+ |
| Pre-University 2 | 17 to 19+ This is a critical level where students sit for the major examinations i.e. the GCE ‘A’ Level Examination held towards the end of the year*. Schools will normally not admit new IS at this level. |
| Pre-University 3 | This is a critical level where students sit for the major examinations i.e. the GCE ‘A’ Level Examination held towards the end of the year*. Schools will normally not admit new IS at this level. |
* Students are to consider if they will have sufficient preparation time for major examinations which will be held towards the end of the year before approaching the schools of choice directly. Otherwise, students may consider admission to a lower academic level within the permissible age range. Admission is subject to availability of school vacancies and the school’s assessment of the student's level of ability.
Back to TopStudent’s Pass
In accordance with the Immigration Regulations, a foreigner who wishes to study in a Government / Government-aided / Independent School requires a Student’s Pass, unless he / she is a holder of a Dependant’s Pass (DP) or an Immigration Exemption Order (IEO). For more details on Student’s Pass applications, please refer to ICA’s website.
Back to TopGuardian’s Particulars
International students are required to provide their guardians’ particulars to the school for contact purposes.
The guardian should be either:
- a Singapore Citizen / Singapore Permanent Resident above 21 years old, or
- the parent of the international student if the parent is working / staying in Singapore
Any change in guardianship must be reported to the school principal immediately.
Back to TopPrimary Level Admission
International students admitted at the primary level will be expected to complete the Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE) like all local students, before proceeding to the secondary level.
Back to TopExemption from offering Chinese, Malay or Tamil as a Mother Tongue Language
As part of the Singapore education system, all students are required to offer their mother tongue language as part of the curriculum. Exemption from the mother tongue requirement may be considered on a case-by-case basis after admission to school. Application for exemption should be made through the school principal, who will refer the application to the Languages & Literature Branch, Ministry of Education, for consideration.
Back to TopMonthly School Fees
The school fees payable by SPR and IS in 2011 and 2012 are as shown in the table below.
| Level | Nationality | 2011 | 2012 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| School Fee (S$) | Misc Fee* (S$) | Total (S$) | School Fee (S$) | Misc Fee* (S$) | Total (S$) | ||
| Primary | Singapore PR | 22.00 | 11.00 | 33.00 | 40.00 | 11.00 | 51.00 |
| IS (Non-ASEAN) | 245.00 | 11.00 | 256.00 | 345.00 | 11.00 | 356.00 | |
| IS (ASEAN) | 185.00 | 11.00 | 196.00 | 235.00 | 11.00 | 246.00 | |
| IS (First 2 years)# | 170.00 | 11.00 | 181.00 | All international students pay respective ASEAN/non-ASEAN rates | |||
| Secondary | Singapore PR | 30.00 | 16.00 | 46.00 | 55.00 | 16.00 | 71.00 |
| IS (Non-ASEAN) | 340.00 | 16.00 | 356.00 | 470.00 | 16.00 | 486.00 | |
| IS (ASEAN) | 260.00 | 16.00 | 276.00 | 325.00 | 16.00 | 341.00 | |
| IS (First 2 years)# | 235.00 | 16.00 | 251.00 | All international students pay respective ASEAN/non-ASEAN rates | |||
| Junior College / Centralised Institute | Singapore PR | 43.00 | 22.00 | 65.00 | 80.00 | 22.00 | 102.00 |
| IS (Non-ASEAN) | 550.00 | 22.00 | 572.00 | 750.00 | 22.00 | 772.00 | |
| IS (ASEAN) | 430.00 | 22.00 | 452.00 | 530.00 | 22.00 | 552.00 | |
| IS (First 2 years)# | 380.00 | 22.00 | 402.00 | All international students pay respective ASEAN/non-ASEAN rates | |||
* Subject to review.
# All new IS admitted in 2010 or 2011 will have to pay the respective ASEAN/non-ASEAN rates from Jan 2012.
You may like to know:
The rates of school and miscellaneous fees payable are reviewed by the Ministry of Education and individual schools from time to time.
Students studying in Autonomous Schools are also required to pay additional miscellaneous fees. Please check directly with the schools on the actual amount of miscellaneous fees payable.
The school fees payable for Independent Schools vary from school to school. Please check directly with the schools concerned for the fees payable.
Boarding Facilities
A listing of private hostels in Singapore can be found in the Yellow Pages of the Singapore Telephone Directory.
Back to TopInformation on Schools
The contact information of mainstream schools in Singapore can be found in the School Information Service website.
A hard copy of the “Directory of Schools and Educational Institutions, Singapore”, is also obtainable from the Customer Service Centre at the Ground Floor, Podium Block, Ministry of Education, at S$1.00 per copy (excluding postage).
Back to Top